9. Reese
Reese
“Run that by me one more time?” I told Rayna. I know she ain’t just say what I thought she said. I pushed my plate of food to the side, because I ain’t even hungry after hearing those words.
“Raine said she’s pregnant.” Rayna was sitting in a bar stool at the table with her arms folded.
“Who’s the nigga I’m finna fuck up?” I spat through clenched teeth. I was so damn mad I ain’t know what to do with myself. My baby sister was pregnant. I couldn’t believe this bullshit.
“She wouldn’t tell me his name, just that he wouldn’t want the baby.” Rayna rubbed the back of her neck.
I leaped to my feet. “He ain’t got no fucking choice! His ass gone take care of what he made.”
I pulled my phone from my pocket to call Raine. I need answers, and I need to hear them from her, but Rayna darted her hand out to stop me.
“What?” I asked, pausing with my fingers on the button.
“Don’t call her, Re...” She pulled her hand away, sitting it in her lap. “She won’t come home if you acting like this. You know that.”
Shit! I hate to say she was right. If she knew I was mad at her, she’d stay in Atlanta just to avoid me. That’s why this hits me so hard if I’m honest. Raine is my baby, and now her ass is having a baby.
“What a nigga supposed to do then?” I sat my phone down on the counter. I couldn’t just sit here on my hands like I don’t want to kill this lil’ muthafucka.
Rayna shrugged her shoulders. “Wait until she gets here to ask questions.”
I gave her the side-eye. She didn’t even seem mad. I thought her ass would be the one losing it.
“Why are you so damn calm?”
“I don’t know. I’m upset that she’s pregnant. I tried to teach her everything she needed to know about college, including these boys. But at this point, there’s nothing we can do except support her.”
I sighed. “You right, Ray.”
“What is she right about?” A voice interrupted our conversation. I twisted around to see Danielle walking in with grocery bags, so I rushed over to help.
“None of your business. This is a family matter.” My sister rolled her neck with attitude.
“Be nice Rayna,” I advised.
I don’t know what her problem is, but the disrespect ain’t gone fly too high. I don’t understand where all the damn animosity is coming from.
“I was just saying,” she made it known, looking down at her nails.
“Anyway,” Danielle spoke. “I got everything except for the chips you asked for Rayna.”
Danielle was speaking to my sister, but her eyes were glued to me. I knew she wanted a nigga, but I ain’t tryna get into nothing with her because she looks after mama. What if the shit ended badly? She’s gone do something to my ol’ girl to get back at me? Nah, I’m straight.
“Figures!” I sat the bags on the counter. Rayna rested her head in her hands.
“Fuck you mean figures? It’s chips, Rayna. What’s up with you?” I narrowed my eyes in her direction. This beef she got with Danielle seemed more personal than chips.
“Nothing.” She hopped up. “I'm going to the movie room.”
Rayna rolled eyes at Danielle one more time on the way out.
“My bad about her,” I apologized, sitting down in the chair while she put the food away.
“It’s okay, Reese. I’m used to your sister by now.” She swallowed deeply.
“Yeah?” I placed my elbows on the counter, rubbing my chin. “Do you know why she has a problem with you?”
“Not really.” Danielle looked down. After taking all the food from the bags, she glanced at me. “She knows I like you, so she’s just being protective.”
“Why you like me so much, huh?” I inquired flirtatiously.
She giggled. “I just do. I know you don’t feel the same way though.”
She was clearly tryna fish for information, and I smirked.
“I think you’re beautiful. You work for me, though, and I don’t do business like that. Also, I’m already in a relationship.” Jasmine and I ain’t exclusive, but I ain’t the type of nigga to sleep around.
“I knew you probably had someone already,” she said, her shoulders sagged in defeat.
“Why you say that?”
“You know you fine Reese with them hazel eyes.” I chuckled, biting my lip. She can thank my dad for that. He blessed a nigga for real.
“I’m aight, baby.” I stood up from the table. “I’m finna get out of here, though. You good?”
“Yeah.” Danielle turned toward the refrigerator.
When I walked into the room where Rayna went, she was balled up in one of the chairs in the corner. “What’s up, sis?”
“I’m good, Reese. You didn’t need to come check on me. Go find something to do.” I ignored her attitude, and nudged her leg.
“What’s up with you and Danielle? And don’t tell me nothing.”
“I hired her because I liked her,” she clarified with bitterness in her tone. “We had something going on until she realized who I was.” I knew my sister was bi, but I had never seen her with a female before. “And just like everybody else, she used me to get to you....”