Chapter 12
I couldn’t keep my eyes off Willow in that damn skirt.. It hugged her hips and ass perfectly. Not to mention, it felt right to have her with us. It was like she was meant to be here.
“Daddy! Let’s go over there.” Charlie said, pointing towards the DIY bracelet stations.
We approached the many tables lined up with chairs. They had different beads, charms, and colored elastic string to make bracelets or necklaces. I lifted Charlie from my shoulders to place her on her feet. She couldn’t contain her excitement as she rushed over to take a seat. Faith was running the station. Her husband used to be part of the Black Thorns, but he died suddenly. She still came out to help anyway she could when we hosted things.
“Hey, Benny! I see Charlie has finally made her way over here,” she said as she approached Willow and I.
“Absolutely. I knew she would. We’re supposed to be showing Willow the fun stuff, as she calls it.”
Faith smiled and held her hand out to introduce herself to Willow.
“Well, you three have a great time. If you need any help, let me know.” She said, then walked over to help a little girl who was sitting with her mom.
We made our way over to Charlie, taking a seat on both sides of her. Charlie had taken it upon herself to pick out our charms and beads for us. She placed a white string for me with a few different colored beads, a motorcycle charm, and three charms with the letters C, B, and W. I didn’t need to ask her what they represented.
She had done the same for Willow but for her; she placed beads that were yellow and white with sunflower charms. While her charm bracelet was green with a dragon and a tiara. I tapped her charms to get her attention.
“Hey baby, why do you have two charms and we only have one?” I asked, teasing her.
She cheesed, showing all of her teeth, and tilted her head to the side.
“Because — I’m a princess and I love dragons.”
Willow cracked up as she placed the beads Charlie had given her on the string.
“I know that’s right!” Willow commented.
I leaned forward so she could see me and lifted a brow with a smirk.
“Y’all gone stop hyping this little girl up,” I told her with a laugh.
“Yet, I see you over there making that bracelet.” Willow pointed out.
I waved her off, but I couldn’t help but laugh at that one because I would do anything for my baby. Even if it meant I was going to wear this damn bracelet for a minute. Once all the beads were in place, Charlie checked them over and nodded her approval before we closed them. The moment we finished, Faith walked over to check them out.
“Benny, let me take your pictures.”
I glanced over at Willow because I wasn’t sure how she would feel. I knew she had her own situation going on, but I wasn’t clear about the extent of it. Charlie didn’t give us a chance to think a moment longer about the situation. She pulled at my leather biker jacket for me to get close and did the same to Willow by tugging on the side of her shirt.
“Okay now! Let’s see those bracelets.” Faith said.
Charlie was smiling big as hell with her little wrist on display. I knew my baby was excited and her happiness was contagious. I couldn’t help it but to be smiling just as big as she was. I glanced over at Willow, and she was looking at me with a soft smile. Before I could look back at Faith, the flash of her camera went off.
“This picture is so cute! Thank y’all again, Benny,” she said before walking over to greet newcomers.
We stood and made our way out of the section and Charlie turned to face Willow and me.
“Daddy! I want to go to the bounce house now. And oh! You and Ms. Willow have to wear your bracelets forever!” Charlie instructed.
“Forever? Who said I was trying to wear this bracelet with everything? It’s special so I can only wear it on special occasions.”
Charlie giggled, then walked over to Willow to hold her hand.
“Ms. Willow, you’re going to wear it forever, right?” she asked her, then poked her bottom lip out.
The child would go to wide lengths to make sure she got her way. Willow stooped down to her level so they could be eye to eye.
“I’m going to do my best, but I don’t want it to get ruined because we’re best friends now, according to this bracelet.”
Charlie nodded quickly, then wrapped her arms around Willow’s neck. I couldn’t hear what Willow was whispering in her ear, but whatever it was, Charlie was excited about it. I stuffed my hands into my pockets and waited. Charlie unwrapped her arms from around her neck and skipped to me to hold my hand.
“Okay! I’m ready for the bounce house now.”
I nodded and took Charlie to the bounce house. The moment she got there, she took off to play with the other kids. There were tables scattered around the area for the parents, so Willow picked a table and took a seat.
“You cool with me grabbing something for Charlie real quick? I can get you something, too. I’m not going far, just to that food truck over there.” I said, pointing at the truck selling nachos and lemonade.
“You don’t have to ask me that. Of course, go ‘head. You also don’t have to get me anything.” She responded.
“I’m not hearing none of that. What do you like?”
She held my glare for a minute before finally giving in.
“I’ll take a lemonade and nachos or popcorn.”
“Cool, I’ll be right back.”
I turned and made my way to the truck. The line wasn’t too long, but it was long enough for me to figure out what I wanted. I stuffed my hands in my pocket and bobbed my head to the music. Someone cleared their throat behind me. I peered over my shoulder and Tierra was standing in black leather shorts and a top with tears in it. Her hair was tied up with a few curls dropping in her face.
She looked nice, but all I could think about was how she got the money to be dressing like this and all she ever did was ask me for money. Not to mention, the last time I saw her, I told her to stay the fuck away from me and Charlie. So, I couldn’t understand why she was trying to get my attention in the first place. I turned back around to face the truck, since it was only two more people ahead of me.
Tierra wrapped her arms around my waist, trying to hug me from behind. I quickly removed the hold she had on me. She walked around to stand in front of me with her hands gripping her hips.
“Don’t tell me you’re still mad over that little incident,” she said with disdain.
I chuckled because it was all I could do not to give her the energy she wanted from me. I wasn’t in the mood and I didn’t have plans to ruin my night or Charlie’s with her shit.
“When I told you to keep your muthafucking distance, it wasn’t a game. Go find something safe to do, Tierra.”
I walked around her and placed my order. I stepped over to the side so they could make it and take the next order. Tierra still hadn’t gotten the hint and was visibly more pissed than when she first approached me. I knew it was because she was used to me feeding into her bullshit, but that was done. I had tried and the funny thing is, she didn’t even come over here concerned about our daughter. It was always about me and that was one thing she might as well not bet her life on. I wasn’t going back in her direction if someone paid me.
I glanced over my shoulder to see Willow laughing with Charlie. I hadn’t noticed her coming out of the bounce house because I was talking with Tierra. I turned to look back toward the truck and Tierra was still standing in front of me, but I no longer held her attention. She was now focused on Willow with Charlie. When she glanced back in my direction, tears pooled in her eyes and her jaw tightened. Her fist was out at her sides like she wanted to swing but was holding back.
She took a step in their direction, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. I leaned forward to whisper in her ear to make sure she heard me loud and clear.
“I wish you would fuck up my daughter’s day. You see her smiling and laughing? This is one of the first times in the last week since your little stunt that this little girl has been able to enjoy herself fully. You don’t get the option to fuck it up because you’re jealous of Willow. Take yo’ ass on before you really piss me the fuck off.”
I released the hold I had on her, then walked over to the truck to grab the food and drinks. I stepped around Tierra and made my way to the table. I hoped Charlie didn’t notice her or what I told Tierra would be void. The moment I made it to the table, I placed the food down and glanced over my shoulder to see Tierra had walked away.
“Is everything alright?” Willow asked.
I stayed silent for a moment as I placed the things I had gotten in front of each of us. Once I was certain that Charlie was occupied, I looked up at Willow. She was looking at me intently, waiting for an answer.
“It will be. Just had a run in that I would have preferred not to have.” I responded.
I didn’t want to say too much because, although Charlie was busy with her food, she wasn’t too busy to recognize me speaking on her mom. Willow nodded, then took a sip of her lemonade, obviously not wanting to push the situation. That was one thing I appreciated about her. She took the hint, and didn’t keep going on about it.
We continued to eat in silence until Charlie decided she needed to go back in to play with her newfound friends in the bounce house. Once she got far enough away, I turned to face Willow.
“I didn’t mean to be short. I didn’t want Charlie to know her mother was here.” I told her in between bites of my hamburger.
“I figured that. Before Charlie walked over, I glanced over in your direction and I saw Tierra approach you. I noticed an immediate change in your body language.” She responded.
I lifted my brow and smirked.
“What you know about body language and mine to be exact?” I asked, teasing to lighten the moment.
Willow smiled and looked away briefly before peering back at me.
“I know what it looks like when someone is uncomfortable.”
“I hear you. Well, what’s my body language telling you right now?” I asked, leaning forward onto the table.
Willow picked a few pieces of popcorn and threw them into her mouth, then tilted her head as if she was examining me.
“Hmm… The way you’re leaned in. It lets me know that you’re interested in what I have to say. The eye contact is telling me that you could sit here and listen to me talk all day. Does that sound about right to you?” she asked.
The cocky smirk she held, let me know I didn’t need to give her an answer. She already knew what my response would be. I reached across the table then brushed her hair behind her ear. I couldn’t take my eyes from the fullness of her lips and the rise of her cheeks. Baby was beyond beautiful. The more I allowed that fact to settle in, the more I just wanted a taste.
I ran my tongue across my lower lip and leaned forward just a bit more. I let my eyes do the pleading for her to close that distance. I wasn’t the type to take something that wasn’t offered. She was going to have to show me she was just as interested as I was.
She leaned forward just a little, to where I could smell the butter on her breath. Only a breath away, I was finally going to figure out exactly what Willow Dawson’s lips felt like.
“Daddy! I’m ready to go dance now.” Charlie shouted.
Willow and I pulled back fast, like a bucket of cold water was thrown over the moment. She didn’t meet my eyes as she began packing up her snacks. I followed suit and finished my lemonade. We threw the rest of the food away and allowed Charlie to pull both of us toward the crowd of adults and kids dancing on a glowing platform. I wouldn’t say I was a dancer, but I could keep up with the beat.
“Juice” by Lizzo was playing which was one of Charlie’s favorite songs. I shook my head as her and Willow pulled me along with them. Charlie stood in between us and wiggled her hips then wavered her hands over her head. Willow followed suit and started walking around me, causing Charlie to do the same thing. They had all eyes on us which wasn’t hard because I had the most beautiful ladies here. I did my two step since they put me on the spot and threw in a little Harlem shake. Willow and Charlie laughed as the song switched to “LoveHate Thing” by Wale.
I lifted Charlie into my arms and then pulled Willow in close with my freehand. I sang the hook into their ears, causing them to smile.
“Now, why y’all didn’t tell me you were coming here? I like to dance, too.” Shirah said behind us.
She wound her hips in a circle, causing Charlie to laugh. Willow stepped out of my arms and off to the side.
“Girl, please.” Willow said to her.
“I’m getting ready to head out. You can come with me or—” Shirah said, leaving the question in the air.