Chapter 4 #3
“TT, you look beautiful,” Nash complimented me.
“Thanks, handsome.”
I wrapped Nash in a hug that settled my spirits, then I continued through the backyard where the party was happening.
Everything smelled good in the backyard, and I spotted Nariyah in the pool with Nova.
Slide by H.E.R. and YG played at a medium volume, and there were unfamiliar faces scattered all throughout the backyard.
I’m sure they immediately realized I was Essex’s twin because I exchanged smiles and head nods on my way to the pool.
“Elise, I thought you weren’t going to be able to make it over here today?”
“I didn’t go to my parents’ church this morning. I had a change of plans, and I went to church with Ms. Sasha.”
“Oh Lord. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I smiled, reaching for Nova. Wet and all, I’d never miss an opportunity to snuggle my niece. “Plus, there is nothing that seeing my chunky mama’s smile can’t fix.”
She cooed, slobbing while chewing on her fist.
“Where is your phone?” I questioned, claiming one of the pool chairs.
“Why?”
“A part of the issues with my parents started because they saw you post that picture from Halloween last year and they must’ve been scrolling back after seeing that because they brought up our matching outfit at the car show last year,” I rolled my eyes.
“Plus, some of my students follow you, and they mentioned it before my parents did. I cannot be posted up on your Instagram sis. Sorry.”
“Oh no, I’m so sorry. I never thought about your students and I had no idea your parents followed me,” she admitted. “My phone is in my room. You can go grab it.”
“Okay.”
I stood from the pool chair and carried Nova back into the house and up the stairs towards Essex and Nariyah’s room.
When I passed Lambo’s room, he barked loudly, scratching at the door, clearly upset that he was locked away while strangers ran around his house.
I continued past his room and entered Essex and Nariyah’s massive bedroom.
It was big enough that they had a sofa opposite their bed, and I was mesmerized each time I entered the navy and gold themed room.
As soon as I stepped in, I heard the door close behind me and swung around to see who had closed it. Rashawn’s devious smile greeted me.
“Seeing you with Nova makes me want to put a baby in you,” he rasped.
“Rashawn, not in front of the baby,” I complained, placing both hands over her ears. Nova giggled and slobbed even harder while pumping her legs and fists excitedly.
“Nova doesn’t know what we are saying. But I’m just letting you know now, we need to knock our jits out back to back just like Essex and Nariyah. I want to be done before we turn forty.”
“Jits. Plural?” I sputtered.
“I haven’t even agreed to one.”
“Yeah, alright,” he scoffed, placing his hands on my waist just as the bedroom door swung open.
Shock washed over me, and I held my breath waiting to see if it was Essex or Nariyah barging in on us in their bedroom. Except, it wasn’t either of them. Instead, it was Nash with his camera out. “I knew it,” he grinned. “I need a stack if y’all want to keep this between us.”
“Wow, Nash. Would you really blackmail me?” I sputtered.
“You know what, TT. I wouldn’t but this ni… but Rashawn is another story,” he affirmed.
Rashawn snatched Nash inside the bedroom and slammed the door shut. He took Nash’s phone and clicked around for a few moments.
“Chill, Elise. Apparently, Nash has known since a few months ago when I picked him up from school, and he stayed at my crib until you got off work to pick him up. He said our refrigerators look just alike, and something about you taking a bunch of Olipops home.”
“Yeah, I’m not dumb, but I love you, TT. Your secret is safe with me,” Nash announced, leaning up against the wall.
“I don’t want you lying to keep secrets. Don’t lie to your parents on my behalf,” I clarified. “Rashawn, have you been having this baby lie for you? How long have you known he knew?”
“Nah, I never lied for anybody. Nobody ever asked me what y’all got going on. Until a few months ago, I too just thought Rashawn was a thirsty a…”
I cut my eyes at Nash, and his mouth slammed shut. “My bad, TT. Rashawn is like one of my boys, so I forget to turn my kid language back on. But I, too, thought Rashawn was just thirsty. Pitiful. The ultimate simp if you will. Everybody else just thinks the same.”
“Mannnn,” Rashawn grimaced.
“Well, don’t forget in front of either of us from now on,” I quipped, then turned to Rashawn. “You shouldn’t be letting him curse in front of you anyway. Is that what you would want to do with your own kids?”
“No, the lil nigga just bad. I told his parents he still bad as fuck. He just got y’all fooled. I’m glad you heard him about to cuss,” Rashawn retorted.
I went to grab Nariyah’s phone off the nightstand, where it sat on the charger. Nova babbled in my arms, slobbering all over my clothes the entire time we conversed. With the phone secure, I exited the bedroom with Rashawn and Nash right behind me.
“I was just coming to find you. I have a new bathing suit that you can change into if you want,” Nariyah bubbled, taking Nova from my arms because she was reaching for her mother.
“Is it a one piece?”
“It is, and I have a swim cover,” she confirmed as Nova lay on her boobs that seemed to have doubled with this pregnancy. I followed Nariyah back into the bedroom while Nash and Rashawn went the opposite way.
While Nariyah went to retrieve the bathing suit, I sat on her bed and scrolled through her social media account, deleting every picture that included me. I preferred the minimal digital footprint I had on my private page with my twenty followers.