Chapter 9 Skye
SKYE
I leaned against Ocean’s kitchen counter, eyes glued to my phone as I watched my sister’s latest post on social media. My nephew’s soft cooing filled the video, pulling a smile from me without trying.
He was beautiful, such a tiny thing.
Seconds later, my sister came into view, and a bittersweet feeling came over me.
I hated that feeling.
It was an ache I couldn’t fully describe, and one I’d been forced to carry for two years.
The video cut off, replaced by my mother’s picture and her number flashing across the screen.
I sighed, then answered. “Hi, Mama.”
“Skye, where are you? Why haven’t you returned my calls?”
I could hear the panic in her voice, and I immediately felt bad.
I’d been so caught up in everything that I’d forgotten to call her back.
“Sorry, mama, I just had so much going on.”
“I bet. I talked to Nyx.”
My eyes widened. “You did?”
“Mmhmm. Thankfully, she told me you were okay.”
I sighed. “Yes, I’m fine.”
“Where are you? I’ve been banging on your damn door like a crazy person.”
“You’re at my apartment?” I panicked. “Mama, what are you doing here?”
My mother didn’t live in Bigg City, which I was extremely thankful for. As much as I loved her, she was a meddler and her presence never failed to stress me out.
“What do you mean? You’re my child. I booked a flight the moment Nyx called me asking if I’d heard from you.”
I could feel every part of my body tense up. I knew my best friend loved me dearly, but this was the one time I would’ve been okay with her loving me a little less.
When it came to my personal life, I kept my mother out of it, which is why she didn’t even know about my situation with Mecca.
I was going through enough. I didn’t need her two cents.
She hated the life I lived in Bigg City, and she hated the fact that I was a dancer.
If it were up to her, I would’ve gone to college, found a good job, and settled down like my little sister, Leera.
But when it came to what was classified as a good job, our definitions weren’t the same.
Granted, my sister was a nurse, and she’d done pretty well for herself in that department.
But I was never cut out to work a regular job.
Since I was able to walk, I’d been dancing in front of a mirror, and until two years ago, Leera had been one of my biggest supporters.
“Skye, why haven’t you answered my question? Where are you?”
“Um...I’m at Nyx’s,” I lied, hoping she hadn’t told my mother otherwise.
“Really? I wonder why she didn’t tell me that when I talked to her this morning.”
Trying to play it cool, I shrugged to myself. “It probably just slipped her mind.”
“Hmm...well, I’m headed that way.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now. When else?”
Shit.
“Um, okay, but I’m not there right now. I ran to the store. I’ll be there in a few minutes though.”
“Good. I need to see you for myself and make sure you’re okay.”
Of course, she did.
“Okay, Mama.”
“Mmhmm. See you in a bit.”
Before I could say another word, the line went dead.
I hurried to call Nyx.
She answered on the first ring, but she sounded terrible.
“Hey, you good?” I asked.
“No, I’m not. I think I might have food poisoning or some shit.”
“Food poisoning?”
“Yes. I just started throwing up out of nowhere, and now I’m stuck on the couch.”
I paused for a second, then tilted my head to the side. “How long have you been feeling that way?”
“Not long. It just started today.”
My mind drifted back to our conversation earlier, and the brief moment when I felt like something might have been wrong with her.
“And when was the last time you had your period?”
“Huh?”
“You heard what I said. When was your last period?”
“Holy shit!” I could hear her moving around her apartment. “I...I haven’t had one this month. It should’ve been here by now.”
A smile spread across my face. “Girl, your ass is pregnant.”
“No. I can’t be. Shade and I have been careful. We’ve used condoms. He’s pulled out—”
I belted out a laugh. “Obviously his ass didn’t pull out quick enough.”
“Skye, cut it out. This shit isn’t funny.”
“Relax. Everything is going to be fine. I’ll grab a test for you on my way over.”
“You’re coming over here?”
I sighed. “Oh, right, I forgot why I called. Apparently, your search for me brought my mother here.”
“What? Ms. Jolene is here?”
“She sure is, and she’s headed your way. I told her I was staying with you.”
“Oh, wow, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine. She’s here now.”
“It’s not fine. I can hear it in your voice.”
“You’re right. It’s not fine, but now that I know you might be carrying my godchild, I can’t cuss you out like I was planning to.”
She laughed. “Oh, wow, really?”
“Yep,” I replied. “Anyway, where’s Shade?”
“He went to the studio, but he should be back in a bit.”
“Well, if he makes it there before I do, try to act normal. Don’t get all weird because you think you might be pregnant.”
“No, you think I might be pregnant. This could be food poisoning. We had seafood late last night.”
“Even if that’s the case, where the hell is your period?”
She paused, then let out a loud groan. “Just get the test and hurry up. Bye!”
Laughing, I ended the call and rushed to Ocean’s room to find something that I could comfortably fit into.
I nibbled on my bottom lip as I stood in his doorway, breathing him in. Even when he wasn’t around, traces of him lingered everywhere, and I loved that more than I should.
Shaking my head, I grabbed a dark hoodie and a pair of sweatpants from his closet. Minutes later, I was dressed and heading out the door.
Today was about to be crazy.