Chapter 14 Baye
Back In Michigan
Two weeks later . . .
Since we’d been back from Florida, things between Alicia and I had been cordial.
I hated that she put a barrier between us, but I understood it completely.
I crossed the line and let her experience what my mouth could do.
I knew I fucked up, but I didn’t regret it at all.
The only thing I regretted was her taking me off weekends.
That meant that she didn’t want me around when she didn’t have to work.
It was cool because it gave me time to kick it with my best friend and plan his coming home party.
I admit that I did miss hanging out with the kids on the weekend, but I respected her pulling away the way she did.
She was still tied to that fuck nigga, whether they were together or not.
I knew how love worked. She had been with him for years, and from my understanding, he was all she had known since her early twenties.
It was hard to let go of the familiar. That much, I knew, but I just wanted her to see that there was life outside of that.
There was someone better, willing, and waiting to give her the love she deserved.
On the fishing trip with her pops, I felt out of place, but he made things seem less awkward, especially since Carsyn was with us. My thoughts drifted to that day, and it made me smile, knowing he actually approved of me being with his daughter.
When we went fishing, our conversation let me know that he trusted me to make the right decision with her, and I also respected him when he threw out a threat later. In due time, she was going to be mine. And when she surrendered her heart to me, I promised to take good care of it.
Since it was Saturday, I was off and decided to pull up on Tray at the bar for happy hour. When I touched down from Florida, I went straight to his mom’s crib to see him. We kicked it for hours as I caught him up on what’d been happening over the past five years.
Stepping out of my Bentley GT, I headed inside Nefertiti’s and spotted him at the end of the bar, smoking a cigar with a drink in front of him.
“My guy. What’s good wit’ you?” I asked when I approached him.
“My nigga. What’s happenin’?” he asked, slapping palms with me while I took a seat next to him.
“Nothing much. You ready for next weekend?” I asked. The bartender approached, and I ordered a shot of Hennessy.
“Fuck yeah! I need you to find me a bitch with some good snatch. The one I had was blew the fuck out. Couldn’t even feel shit.”
I burst out laughing. “Bruh, I swear yo’ ass ain’t gon’ never change.”
“Never, my nigga. What’s been up with you and your stepfamily? Shorty still avoiding yo’ ass?”
I shook my head and sipped my drink the bartender placed in front of me. “Man, I think I’m starting to regret taking the job. I knew when I took it what my intentions were, but I didn’t think shit all the way through. But the kids love me, and I don’t want to be another man that gives up on them.”
“Then don’t. Shorty just scared, B. I’m almost sure that if you stop being a pussy and put it out there that you interested, then apply a little pressure, she’ll stop running from you.
You’re allowing her to think too much about what happened.
That’s why you sitting here, looking lost as fuck. ” He chuckled and puffed his cigar.
I smirked. “Aye, fuck you, man. I have never been this fucking thirsty, but she’s different, in a good way.”
“Never been thirsty is crazy work.”
I gave him a shut-the-fuck-up look, and he chuckled. “I don’t know what I should do, bro. This shit is crazy.”
“You know exactly what to do. Start from the bottom, and work ya way to the top. No matter the outcome, just know you let it be known how you were coming.” His eyes went over my head, and a smirk drew up on his face.
I followed his gaze, seeing Bianca strutting toward us.
She looked good in her pink Lululemon attire, hair pushed back in a ponytail, and a fresh face.
She smiled when she saw me look her way. “Hey, boo. Fancy to see you here.” She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I gave her a side hug.
“What’s up, B?”
“Nothing much. I haven’t heard from you lately. You replaced me already?” She smirked, then licked her lips while her eyes scanned me from head to toe.
I chuckled. “It ain’t like that. Been busy with my company. That’s all.”
“Oh! You started a business?”
“I did.”
“What kind?”
“A nanny agency.”
“Aww, that’s so dope. Congratulations.”
I gave her a light smile. “Thanks.”
“What are you doing later?”
“Hopefully trying to get my boss to give me a chance,” I told her honestly.
“Your boss? I thought you said you own your own company?”
Tray snorted and looked at Bianca like she was stupid. “You do know if you work as a nanny to someone, and they pay you, ultimately, they’re your boss, right?”
“I’m sorry. Who are you, and why are you in our business? Do you know him?” she asked, looking at me.
“He’s my brother.”
“Yeah, Britt Barbie. I’m his brother.”
I held in my laugh because I didn’t want to be rude, but this nigga was doing too much.
“Britt Bar—oh, you got jokes?”
“For days,” he countered. “I know you a lil slow, but you cute, so I’ll give you a pass.”
I chuckled. “Chill, Tray.”
“Anyway, so you did replace me,” she stated with a soft smile.
“It’s really not a replacement. I’m just pursuing something different now.”
“Oh, I see. Well, if it doesn’t work out, you have my number.”
“Don’t get your hopes up, lil mama. But you can give me your number. I’m a free agent. I know that slow head hit different, and I’m trying to see what that be like.”
“Bro.” I couldn’t stop myself from laughing this time. Bianca rolled her eyes and stormed away. “Bro, you gotta chill.”
“Man, fuck her big-booty ass. Just make sure you invite her to my party so I can get some of that re-re head.”
I laughed. “You’s a fucking fool, man,” I said as I continued to laugh.
It was a little after six when I pulled up to Alicia’s home.
I was a little tipsy after I left the bar, and during my inebriated haze, I ventured into her neighborhood.
I knew this shit was unorthodox, but I couldn’t get the smell or taste of her off my mind.
I needed to see her face, and aside from that, I missed spending time with the kids on the weekends.
I needed to remind her that she signed up for a nanny seven days a week, so she couldn’t renege on what the fuck she'd signed up for.
Instead of parking my truck on the street like I usually would, I pulled into her driveway and shut off the engine. I climbed out and walked up to her door, hitting the doorbell three times. It took a minute, but I finally heard the locks turning, then her beautiful face appeared.
She was on the phone as she looked at me confusedly.
“Mom, let me call you back.” She looked at me as I leaned on the door jamb. “What are you doing here, Basil? You aren’t scheduled for the weekends anymore.”
“I don’t remember agreeing to that, Ms. Alicia.”
“I’m allowed to change how many days I need, Mr. Cassidy.”
I smirked. “Oh, for real? That’s what we doing now?”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
“Mr. B! Mr. B!” Chloe yelled, rushing toward us and jumping into my arms. I held her tightly and tickled her sides as she laughed.
“Hey, Loe-Loe.”
“I missed you. Why you not come the other times?”
I looked at Alicia, who stared right back at me. “I had some things I had to do. But that’s about to change,” I told Chloe, but kept my eyes on her moms.
“I want to show you my new painting! Come on!” She wiggled out of my arms, then grabbed my hand, leading me inside the house. I didn’t look to see Alicia’s expression, but it didn’t matter. She wouldn’t deny the kids access to me.
I followed Chloe to the kitchen, where she pulled the painting from the fridge. She had drawn five stick figures with the sun, grass, and flowers surrounding them, and she’d put each name above the figures. When I saw my name, a light smile turned up on my lips.
“It’s a picture of us. My teacher said I could draw what makes me happy.”
“You did a good job, baby girl. I love it.” I kissed the top of her head, and she smiled brightly.
“Chloe bug, let me talk to Mr. B for a second. Go play with your brother, and I’ll come get you all for dinner, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy! Can Mr. B stay for dinner?”
“We’ll see, baby.”
Chloe hurried off, and Alicia’s eyes came to me. She didn’t speak until I moved closer to her, moving a piece of loose hair that fell out of her ponytail.
“Basil . . .”
“You can keep running, Alicia, but we both know that you want me just as much as I want you. I’m trying not to put pressure on you, but it’s hard and making me confused on what to do exactly—because I want you, like real bad, and not just in a sexual way.
You’re a dope woman. It’s just fucked up that ol’ boy couldn’t see that, and he put that hurt on you.
Now, he’s making it hard for men like me who just want to love and be loved. ”
We were quiet for a moment before she looked up at me. “What if things become complicated? I don’t want my kids to suffer again.”
“You’re thinking too much about the negative, Ms. Alicia.
I know you don’t trust yourself with me, due to the circumstances, but I promise if you let me in, I’ll erase every doubt.
” Kiss on her cheek. “Every fear.” Her forehead.
“Every low inhibition.” I slipped my tongue into her mouth, and she grabbed the sides of my face, deepening the kiss.
That shit excited me and gave me just the confirmation I needed to apply the right amount of pressure to get her to be mine.
“Mmm.” She moaned and then pulled away. “Wait. Let me get dinner on—”
“Nah, I’m cooking tonight.”
“If you’re trying to pursue a romantic relationship with me, then you’re going to have to relinquish your duties as my manny.”
“If you think I’m going to stop taking care of you or the kids if we pursue this, then you’re out of your mind.”
“Oh, goodness,” she said, shaking her head.
“Yeah, I’m on yo’ ass, Cream. You shouldn’t have let me taste you.”
“Cream?”
“Yup, peaches and cream. That’s what I tasted.”
She turned her head so I wouldn’t see her blush. “I just don’t want to jump so quickly into something right now while I’m still going through this divorce. I’d love to be your friend, but we can’t put a title on anything until this is over.”
“And when will it be over? What’s the hold up anyway? His bitch-ass trying to get you back?” I fired questions at her. If he was holding this shit up, I was going to pay his ass a visit.
“We have a hearing on Monday to settle everything. He’s trying to make me split everything in my accounts, but I’m not having that shit. The man is losing his mind, and I’m sure it’s by his mother’s influence.”
“Humph. You didn’t answer my last question though.”
She smirked. “He has not shown me any sign that he wants me back, Basil. And even if he did, it’s a dead issue. I’ll never get back with him again.”
I winked at her. “My girl.” My eyes roved her frame, noting that she was dressed in a black two-piece skirt set that had a long slit up her thigh.
She rocked black Ferragamo heels with gold accessories.
I hadn’t noticed her attire earlier, because I was too busy focusing on my favorite thing on her face.
But now that I focused on her attire, she looked even more fucking edible.
“Going out?” I asked.
“My cousin got tied up at work this morning, so we’re heading out to the spa.”
“Noted,” I replied, taking my phone out of my pocket, going to my Zelle, and dropping a cool three stacks into her account.
“Who’s watching the kids?”
“My mom,” she answered while looking down at her phone after it pinged. “Basil, you didn’t have to—”
“It’s Baye,” I corrected. “So, you were really determined to keep avoiding me?” I smiled at her.
“I had to, Basil. What you did to me in Florida, . . . I knew I couldn’t let it happen again. You deserve for me to not still be tied to someone else before you try to pursue me. I want to be single, and I want to be courted before we take things further. I want to be your friend.”
“With benefits?”
She chuckled. “No benefits until my divorce is final.”
I scratched my chin. “I don’t like that,” I said honestly.
“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Those are my terms. Since my children are drawing pictures with you in them, making plans to go fishing with you, and turning against their own mother when they set their sights on you, I clearly have no dog in this fight.
But I have to implement some type of control.
As much as I’d love for you to pleasure me, I have to get things squared away properly on my end so you can have a fair chance. ”
“I respect that. It’s gon’ be hard though,” I admitted, pulling her to me and wrapping my arms around her waist. “Call my bestie and tell her I got the kids.”
“Oh, now she’s your bestie?”
“Hell yeah. Anybody who speaks life into us being together is automatically inducted into the best friend zone.”
She laughed. “Oh my goodness. What am I going to do with you?”
“Anything you want, baby. I’m here to serve you.”
A smirk adorned her face as she pecked my lips. “You keep saying that, I’m going to hold you to it when all this is over, so be prepared.”
“Whatever you wish, it’s my command.”
“I’m going to go finish getting dressed. I’ll call my mom to let her know you’re here. And I’m sending this money back to you.”
“And I’ll just send it right back. Let’s not play ping-pong with the money, a’ight? I want you to enjoy your spa day, on me. You deserve it, and with pussy that taste like yours, I know it’s worth every dollar.”
She blushed hard as fuck, then wrapped her arms around my neck, pecking my lips.
“Although I wasn’t expecting you, thank you for coming.”
“Never need that, baby. Just hurry up and sever ties with that bum so I can rightfully take my place.”
She smiled at me, then left the kitchen. When I came here, I felt like I was intruding, but now I was glad I did. It was time for me to turn shit up a notch because I was determined to make Alicia mine.