28. Reese
Reese
“Hey, you ready to go?” I had my head peeked in Raine’s room. Her doctor’s appointment started in thirty minutes, and since I had time on my hands, I’m gone take her. She’s around two months now, so you can start to see the lil’ bump in her stomach.
It’s been a week and a half since I saw Ronnie. For the most part, I’m just keeping myself busy with tryna find a space for my studio so I can start recording with artists. I found two people who wanted to join my label, but everything I have planned is on hold without a studio.
Everything involving Sin’s death fizzled out too. I heard through the grapevine that Ronnie was able to go back to work. Then, I heard another one claiming she put in her notice to leave the company. Whatever she was doing, I just want her to be happy.
“Yeah, I’m coming.” Raine grabbed her stuff to walk out behind me.
She still ain’t saying much to a nigga, and I’m starting to feel some type of way about it.
It was just us going today. Rylee went back to school, Rayna had her final exam this morning and mama wasn’t feeling good.
We hired somebody else to take care of her.
A lady in her mid-forties, like Rayna requested.
I helped Raine step into the truck then went around to the driver’s side. As I got in, I noticed she already had the music turned up high, a clear sign she ain’t wanna talk to me. I’ve been patient enough though. Turning down the volume, I looked at her.
“Raine, you gotta talk to a nigga sometime.” I put my arm on the back of her seat.
“No, I don’t.” I poked her cheek with my index finger.
“Yeah, you do. I’m sorry you ain’t got your child’s father around, but he killed himself. It was an accident.” She wouldn’t look my way.
“I know that now, Reese.” It must’ve shown how confused I was.
“Ronnie called me to explain,” she added.
No lie, I got excited when she mentioned Ronnie.
“So why you still ain’t say nothing to me?” Her eyes were focused on her lap. “I’m embarrassed I ever doubted you. I guess it was better to hate you, then to hate him,” she admitted.
I felt like this was an opening to ask a question on my mind.
“Did Sin force you to have sex with him, Raine?” Her head snapped in my direction.
“No.” My eyebrow quirked up at her response.
“After your concert, I went to a block party at Morehouse. People were passing around cups, and I didn’t know what was in them. After drinking a couple, I got too drunk and called you. You didn’t answer. Sincere did.”
“He picked you up?” I nodded in confirmation.
“Yeah. He took me back to my dorm room. I initiated it, not Sin,” Raine confessed, but I don’t like the fact she sticking up for Sin like he played no part.
“Hell! He ain’t stop you, either!” I spat. She huffed out a breath.
“He didn’t, no.”
I know she was probably caught up in the moment. Ain’t nothing we can do now that’s gone change what happened.
“Well, it’s all in the past. My niece or nephew is in the making now, so I’m gone make sure you good, A’ight? Yo’ ass will finish your degree too. You only have a year left.” Raine nodded with a smile.
“I love you.” I kissed her forehead, backing out of the driveway.
It didn’t take us long to make it to the doctor’s office.
I thought it was gonna be packed when we went inside, but it was only a few people.
Since she had an appointment, we only waited twenty minutes before she got called to the back.
I was gonna stay in the waiting area, but Raine wanted me in the room with her instead.
Seeing her lil’ one on the screen had me smiling. I won’t front, looking at her baby made me want one of my own. A nigga hopes he gets a chance one day.
We couldn’t see the gender just yet, but we all hope it’s a lil’ boy. Raine said that despite the man he was, she’d name the child after Sincere. I didn’t object to it.
The ride back to the crib was better this time around. We actually had an honest conversation. Raine started listing things she wanted to get for the baby, and of course asked me to buy it.
Rayna was waiting at the front door waiting to see the ultrasound pictures. Mama was up moving around too, so we all decided to watch a movie while everybody was here. We were looking at the trailer when somebody knocked on the door.
“Reese, get that,” Raine blurted out. I was in the middle of drinking. Why the hell I gotta do it?
“Rayna’s closer,” I muttered with a frown, hearing her snicker.
“Boy, get the damn door!” mama spat.
“Why y’all jumping on me?” I questioned, standing up. Mugging them as I passed, I went and opened the door. A wide grin covered my face. Ronnie stood on the other side with a pizza box, smiling shyly.
“I’m not late, am I?”
Looking over my shoulder, I saw heads peeking around the corner. They set a nigga up. This time though, I ain’t mad at them for being in my business.