FORTY-ONE
“Damn,” Trishell fumes after I tell her about the mess. “I’m so sorry. Any idea who could have done that?”
I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “Everyone at La Monte’s been so supportive and happy for me. It could have been a system hack. I don’t understand. Chavonne has people investigating, so we’ll see how it turns out. Right now, I’m trying to think up new designs.”
“Ugh,” she fumes. “I hope the motherfucker never gets another peaceful night of sleep. I hope that pussy bitch gets a serious case of diarrhea and shits their tripes out.”
That manages to make me laugh. “Not the tripes.”
She chuckles. “It’s what Reeve calls intestines and such.”
“Ah, man. Thanks for the laugh. Between you and Kross, I have a bit of calm.”
“So you’re with him for real? It’s over with Jamir?”
Hearing his name makes me shiver at the memory of him grabbing me. “Yeah. I think Jamir and I have been over for a while. Neither of us wanted to admit it because our relationship felt safe, you know? I’m in a different place now.” I smile while thinking about Kross and our deep connection. “This setback is temporary. I’ll be okay.”
“That’s the spirit, sis,” she cheers for me. “I still want the culprit to suffer, though.”
“Whoever it is, I want them to look me in the eye and tell me why. What made them hate me so much to sabotage me.”
“Jealousy. But karma comes around.”
“Yeah.” I glance at my desk and all the unfinished sketches. “Well, I’ll let you go, sis.”
“All right,” she sighs. “Love you. Keep me posted.”
“I will. Love you too.” Getting off the phone, I place it on the desk and lower into my leather chair. I pick up the pencil and start outlining. The look I end up with isn’t as edgy as any of the stolen ones.
“Ugh!” I drop the pencil and hold my head, feeling the hurt rush back. I’m on the verge of tears when light knocking snaps me out of it.
I walk to the door and open it after seeing Kross on the camera. He gives me his heart-melting smile.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hey.” I kiss him as he enters with a bag.
“What you up to?” he asks.
“Trying to design, but nothing’s hitting.”
“You eat?” He places the paper bag on the island. “Brought you some food.”
“Thank you. I haven’t had dinner.” As he takes out the containers, my mouth drools at the dumplings and veggie stir-fried rice. “That from the Thai restaurant nearby?”
“Mmhm,” he hums while scooping some food onto the plate. “I saw the takeout menu at the side of your fridge yesterday morning.”
I smile at him. “You really are observant.”
He winks. “Fill your stomach. You’ll work better.”
“I don’t know,” I exhale, sitting on the stool. “My mind’s out of ideas. I’d poured damn near everything into those stolen designs.”
He squints at me. “Pack some clothes after you finish. We’ll go out, and you’ll spend the weekend at my place.”
“That sounds good. It’ll take my mind off what happened for a little.”
After the shit day I’ve had, it’s a welcomed relief to be able to laugh and goof off with Kross. He makes me feel like everything will be okay. Like I should trust in the universe and not stress so much.
He slides his arm around my shoulders as we exit the bar after beating him twice at pool. I suspect he let me win, but I’m not complaining.
“How about a stroll before heading home?” he suggests.
“Yeah, it’s a nice night. Not too chilly.”
He kisses my neck, making me giggle.
As we turn the corner on the sidewalk, I see my mom exit a bistro, all hugged up with a man. But not just any man.
“Sup?” Kross asks when I stop moving. “Davi?”
I’m so perplexed by the image. “It’s my mom and…”
Their laughter dies when they see me.
“Davia,” both exclaim.
“Mr. Bartley?” I gasp. “You’re cheating with my mom?”
“Damn,” Kross murmurs beside me.
Passersby cut to them with critical looks, causing Jamir’s father to harrumph and touch his face as if trying to hide.
Mom sucks her teeth. “You’ve got some nerve judging when this man looks nothing like Jamir.”
“Jamir and I broke up,” I hit back.
“You did?” Mr. Bartley marvels. “He didn’t say.”
I stare at them wide-eyed. “Oh god. It’s Mr. Bartley’s baby?”
Mom’s eyes enlarge. “Will you shut the—”
“Pregnant?” He snaps his head to her. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“I would have tonight,” Mom sputters as she touches his arm.
Mr. Bartley pulls away. “Tanya, you know we can’t have a child. I’m…” He looks around and adds in a lower tone, “I’m married.”
“But I thought you were leaving your wife,” she rasps. Her naivety is rather pitiful.
“I never told you that,” he grits. “This was only supposed to be fun. You need to get rid of it.”
“Mike, come on…”
He swats her hand away and storms off.
“Honey, wait,” Mom pleads amid her sobbing. But Mr. Bartley hastens across the street to his Jaguar, leaving immediately.
“Dammit.” She pivots to me. “You always ruin things.”
I throw my hands up. “Of course. Blame me for your poor decisions. For God’s sake, Mom. You’re messing around with my ex’s father, who is married .”
“Why don’t you say it louder?” she fumes dramatically, drawing stares from passersby.
“I’ll drive you home, Ms. Sinclair,” Kross offers. I feel embarrassed that he witnessed the mess.
“And who the hell are you?” she questions rudely.
“This is Kross. My boyfriend.”
“Huh,” she cackles.
“At least let me drive you home.” He touches my hand tenderly while waiting for my mom’s response.
“Fine. I don’t have a ride anyway since Davia chased him off.”
I click my tongue and huff at her. “Unbelievable.”
“This way,” Kross directs, and she follows us to his car in the parking lot at the bowling alley.
Mom whimpers in the backseat the entire drive to her condo as if her world is over. She exits the car without thanking Kross.
“I’ll be right back, babe,” I tell him, hurrying after her into the elevator. “How did you become involved with Jamir’s dad?”
She cuts her eyes at me. “We ran into each other in early February at the museum.”
The elevator opens on the fifth floor, and she marches out. I shadow her down the hallway to her condo, forcing myself inside before she closes the door.
“How did it lead to an affair?”
She throws her Chanel purse on the sofa—a gift I gave her. “He vented about his bitch of a wife. I gave him a shoulder and invited him over one evening. We drank wine. He told me I was beautiful, and we ended up in bed. You want more details?”
“Stop it!” I snap at her. “You have no shame about sleeping with a married man.”
She scoffs. “Like you’ve been cheating on Jamir with that man downstairs?”
“Jamir and I broke up,” I reiterate.
“I bet it was after he found out.” She sucks her teeth and turns away.
“What about the baby?” I ask.
“What baby?” she hisses. “You heard Mike. He wants it gone.”
My jaw drops. “So you’ll abort your baby because he doesn’t want it? Did you get pregnant on purpose?”
She slants to me. “I thought it’d motivate him to leave his wife. It’ll be right between us once it’s gone.”
“Mom, the man just said that it’s fun for him. He’ll move on to someone else when you no longer interest him. Don’t you see that?”
“He was only upset about the baby. Once that’s gone, it’ll be okay. I mean, he gave me this condo.” She splays her hands. “He obviously cares about me.”
“Jesus.” I run my hands over my hair, becoming still as a thought occurs. “Wait, is that how you ended up pregnant with me?”
She blinks awkwardly and walks into the kitchen.
I approach the island. “Mom, did you have me to keep my father?”
“Davia…” She pours a glass of wine, proving she doesn’t give a damn about having the baby.
“Tell me who it is,” I demand. “No more secrets. Come clean.”
“I don’t know!” she yells.
“What do you mean? What happened? Were you…”
She shakes her head and gulps the wine. “No one forced me. I wanted to sleep with the three of them.”
“Mom… Three?”
“Stop judging me,” she hisses. “You wanted to know. Well, here’s the truth. I went to a party. Saw three guys I liked and told them I’m up for sharing. I had sex with all three without knowing their names, and I enjoyed every minute. I was too far along for an abortion by the time I realized. I couldn’t figure out who the father was to ask for help, so I kept it a secret until it became impossible to hide the belly from your grandparents. You had them, anyway. Your grandma and grandpa raised you right. Why are you sad?”
The fact that she’s even asking me that after the hurtful reveal is wild. “You’re the one who’s sad, Mom.”
She frowns. “Just leave, Davia. Have fun with your rebound man.”
I storm out of the condo, slamming the door behind me. I take the elevator down and climb into Kross’ car.
He holds my hand. “Baby?”
“Take me to your place,” I say softly. “I want you to hold me tight.”