Chapter 31 Kevin #3
“Okay, sounds good. I just got here myself, so I can wait for you by the valet if you want.”
“That would be good. I’m so hungry!”
“Me too! How is your sister doing?”
“She’s good. We’ll talk about it when we get there.”
“Looking forward to it. See you soon, beautiful.”
Putting my phone back in my pocket, all I could do was shake my head and laugh to myself.
Thanks to Troy and his crazy ass baby mama, tonight was about to be a long night for me.
That was exactly what I was trying to avoid.
Less than ten minutes later, Ava and her sister pulled up to the valet.
When Ava stepped out of her sister’s car, I got a little weak in the knees.
Ava was such a beautiful woman. She was about five-foot-five, curvy yet toned, medium brown skin with long natural hair that she’d sometimes style straight or curly.
Either way, she was a very gorgeous woman.
Today she had her hair straightened, and it looked sexy as hell as it hung just above her butt.
Her facial features looked almost exotic to me.
She mentioned that her mom was biracial, and her dad was African American causing her to have some of the most beautiful features.
Her eyes were big and brown, and her lips were full; not too small and not too big, but perfect.
Justin was a damn fool to have let her slip from his grasp, but I was glad that he did.
From the very first time that I saw her I was instantly attracted to her. Over time and after getting to know her, my attraction grew, and every time I saw her face or inhaled her sent, I felt myself falling for her more and more.
I always tried to be respectful while around her at work because we worked at a high school.
Out of respect for the environment, I was able to flirt with her but not make it too obvious because we were surrounded by teenagers and nosey ass co-workers.
I did, however, make it known to her that I was interested no matter if she was single or not.
No matter what her circumstances were, I always made it a point to let her know that. I couldn’t help myself.
I was just over the moon that she had chosen me to confide in when things went left with her and her now ex.
I made it a point to be there for her because she did not deserve to be treated the way he treated her.
I could tell that it affected her confidence, but I was determined to make her feel that she was wanted, and desired.
When it came to Troy and what he had going on with Dawn, I didn’t really care about what happened between them.
But, being that Dawn and Ava were so close, the last thing I wanted was for my cousin to do her sister wrong.
I wanted Ava badly, and I didn’t want anyone or anything to come between that.
I didn’t want to get caught up in the mix if things didn’t work out with Troy and Dawn.
Hell, I didn’t even want Ava in the mix of it either because she had shared with me on numerous occasions that her sister didn’t like her ex.
At times, it made her feel conflicted and stuck in the middle.
I didn’t want her sister to have any ill feelings toward me because of what my cousin did, so I didn’t mind helping him make things right between him and Dawn.
“Ava!” I gawked as Ava headed my way. “You look amazing,” I greeted as I looked her over as she walked up to me.
She had on a cute off the shoulder romper shirt thingy.
I had never seen her dressed up like that before, and it had me damn near salivating.
Handing her the flowers I had purchased I took her other hand and kissed the back of it.
The whole time not breaking eye contact with her. “These are for you.”
“Oh my God! I love these! Thank you so much!” She blushed as I looked from her eyes to her lips. Just as I was about to lean in and take her lips into mine, in the background we both heard her sister clear her throat.
“Aht-ummm, you know you guys should go get a room,” Dawn said, causing me and Ava to chuckle. “There’s a hotel right down the street, you know.”
“Don’t start your shit, D,” Ava said.
“Hey Dawn, you look beautiful tonight as well. We should head inside,” I said as I led the way through the crowd of people.
Once we made it inside, I walked right up to the hostess to check in, then we were headed to our table.
Dawn and Ava sat next to each other, and I sat across from Ava.
I was cool with it just being the three of us, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t uncomfortable.
I knew I was about to be tossed twenty-one damn questions or more about Troy’s ass and what he had going on with his baby mama.
After our waiter took our drink orders the badgering began.
“So, Kev, can I ask you a question, and you give me an honest answer?” Dawn asked.
I knew exactly where this was about to go. Taking a sip from my glass of water, I kept it real with them both. I couldn’t wait for the waiter to bring my Jack and Coke.
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
“Did you know your cousin had a kid and a woman?” Dawn asked as Ava took a long sip of her Bahama Mama.
The waiter walked up and placed me and Dawn’s drink on the table, then placed a basket of hot garlic bread in front of us.
“I know his son TJ very well. As for his mom, she and Troy aren’t together… at least not to my knowledge.”
“I was hoping you would have kept it real with me,” Dawn said.
“I am keeping it, real Dawn. I ain’t got no reason to lie to you whatsoever.
Look,” I clarified, “I’d prefer to not get in the middle of what you and Troy have going on, but at the same time, I really like your sister, and I don’t want any static from you.
I know how you can be when it comes to Ava.
” I chuckled but was serious. “It may not be my place to be discussing his business, but Troy and I talked earlier. He told me what happened, but before I get into all of that let me just say this. I have had the unpleasant experience of meeting his son’s mother once, and it was one time too many.
That chick is a true piece of work. Hence the fact that they aren’t together anymore.
Those are facts, trust me on that. He was at her house chillin’ with his shorty, not her.
You should really let him explain so that you know all the facts. ”
“Well, according to homegirl, she said that Troy was her man.”
“Of course, she said that to piss you off.”
“Okay, but what man allows a female to answer his phone, especially if they not datin’ and he knows the chick is off her rocker?”
“He didn’t just let her answer his line the way that you’re thinking. He was in another room with his shorty. That’s why you should hear him out,” I tried to reason.
“I don’t know. After what happened today, I don’t think I wanna deal with all the drama she could bring. She tried the wrong one today. She’s lucky Troy and I aren’t seeing each other on some serious shit because things would have gotten ugly with all the name callin’ she was doing.”
“She was way out of order for that!” Ava said.
“I totally agree. She has been a thorn in Troy’s side ever since she announced she was pregnant with his shorty.
I just hope you don’t let her be the deciding factor on whether or not you wanna get to know my cousin.
I don’t know much about what y’all had going on, but I do know that he is really feeling you. ”
“That’s crazy ‘cause I’m feelin’ him also.
I’ma say this. I really like your cousin, a whole lot to be exact, but the whole keeping secrets and baby mama drama, I’m not sure I want to deal with.
I feel like he should have told me about his son and baby mama, especially since we have had some pretty deep conversations. ”
“Then you should let him know that. Give him the opportunity to explain himself before you block him from being able to call,” I suggested as I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
Pulling it out, I saw that I had received a text message from Troy.
“If I had a crazy ass baby mama, I would take my time before telling someone I really liked about her. I wouldn’t want that to run the person away, and I’m positive that’s what Troy was thinking.
As for his son, he doesn’t take his shorty around every woman he has dated so for him to wait to see where things go between y’all first before letting you into that part of his life, I can fully understand. ”
“Hmmm,” was all Dawn said.
Pulling up my text thread, I checked Troy’s messages.
Troy: How’s it going
Me: We talkin’ about it now
Troy: And? Is she still pissed?
Me: More like turned off
Troy: That damn Monica. Did you tell her it wasn’t my fault?
Me: It was your fault for leaving your phone around that nut. I did tell her that nothing is going on with you and Monica tho
Troy: So, is the coast clear?
Me: You might be straight.
Troy: Might?
Me: You not all good. You still need to explain what happened yourself. If you want to continue to talk to her then you gon’ need to open up more about what you have goin’ on. She likes you just as much as you like her so you might have a chance
Troy: Ok bet
Me: You owe me one
Troy: I’ll take care of me and Dawn’s part of the tab tonight. Plus, drinks can be on me
Me: I added my card to the reservation for the tab already.
Troy: We’ll figure it out. I should be there soon. Stall her out just a lil’ longer please
“I’m not sure if I want to be bothered,” I heard Dawn saying to Ava. I had zoned out of their conversation while I was texting Troy.