Chapter 14
“My answer is final.”
“This is for your daughter,” Christy snapped. “You can’t say no.”
Shomari switched the phone to his other ear and sat on the edge of the mattress. “You’re not listening. If you want to take Natanya to New York with you for Christmas, that’s fine with me, but I’m not paying to fly her there.”
“You are so tight. Any other father would want his daughter to experience—”
“This is pointless. I don’t have the money.”
Technically, that wasn’t true, but he wasn’t about to break any of his investments for Christy to have a fun time overseas.
“You have enough to be living in that fancy house—”
“Which belongs to my friends. You. Left. Me. With. Nothing.”
“You’re lying.”
He huffed and rubbed his forehead, slowing his words.
“Christy, listen to me. The money you withdrew from our account was for a specific purpose. You knew that. I wasn’t keeping tabs on you because I thought you wanted the same things I did.
Turns out I was wrong. After you’ve spent nearly everything I have on buying a new vehicle, should I now pull money out of my—”
“Don’t say it,” Christy yelled.
“And to top it all, I don’t know what you’ve done with the rest of what you took.”
“I have a child for you. I’m entitled.”
He dragged a hand over his beard and stared beyond the rust-colored drapes. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. How does that make sense?”
“Your daughter is sitting right here, hearing all of this.”
Sucking in a painful breath, he rose from the bed. “Even for you, that’s low.”
He paced the bedroom, wondering how to get through to Christy. His face was hot, and his temples beat as though someone was beating a pair of cymbals inside his skull.
“I do what I have to,” she snapped. “Nats will be disappointed.”
The familiar heaviness threatened to weigh him down, but he squared his shoulders and chose his words with care. “I can’t do anything about that. I have to go to work.”
“I’ll call you later.”
“Please don’t. I won’t have anything different to say.”
She ended the call, leaving him in the early-morning silence. Eyes narrowed, he stared at the cell phone, then threw it on the bed. Was this how life was going to be? He’d cut back on everything to create a comfortable existence for her and their child, and this was how she repaid him.
He studied himself in the mirror, unsure how to navigate his next steps.
Lately, he felt broken. And there was that kiss he still hadn’t unpacked because he was too much of a coward to unmask his emotions.
How could he start anything new, carrying his baggage like an albatross around his neck? Lizette deserved better.
Life is happening now and none of it is perfect.
Chelle’s words surfaced, and he looked away from the mirror.
Her advice made sense, but it was challenging to get past the part of himself that said he had nothing to offer.
Lizette had everything, including the ideal family and steady support.
What could he provide, aside from more complications?
His thoughts chased each other as he laid his clothing on the bed and got on with dressing.
When he was slipping his shirt into his pants, Zack yelled through the door. “If I’m dropping you off, you’d better get out here now.”
“Coming.”
He grabbed his crossbody backpack and swept the room with his gaze, all to aware this wasn’t his permanent space.
Inside the Maserati, they listened to the news and when it ended, Zack switched to another station.
After listening for a bit, Shomari asked, “When did you start liking eighties music?”
“Gina converted me.” He laughed but kept his eyes on the traffic. “I’d twist myself into a pretzel if she asked me to.”
“It’s like that, huh?” Shomari stared out the window and dipped his head once.
“She’s a good woman, and Luca makes life interesting.”
“Yes, he does.” Zack chuckled, remembering that first day when he was sure Lizette wanted the floor to swallow her whole after Luca’s question.
“So, how are things shaping up with you?” Zack asked while increasing the volume on the music.
“Are you asking me when I’m moving out?”
Looking sideways at him, Zack said, “Of course not. You’re good until you’re on your feet.”
“Speaking of which, I’m about to make a move.” Shomari shifted the bag on his lap. “I’m about to take some funds from one of my investment accounts to rent a place for myself.”
If he had to make a sacrifice, he figured he might as well do it for himself.
“Ever heard the saying pride goes before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction?”
“From my grandmother, yes.” Laughing, Shomari asked, “What does any of this have to do with pride?”
They pulled up at a stoplight, and Zack shook his head. “You don’t have to do that. Why make things worse than they already are? And for what?”
“I still have something put away in another investment account.”
“All I’m saying is that you’ve been a friend to us, a genuine one. Now, we have the chance to bless you as you’ve blessed us, but you’re about to make yourself worse off financially.”
“I didn’t think of it like that, but I truly appreciate the two of you standing with me during this madness with Christy.”
“I’ve been there, so I understand.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
They went through the light, and Zack’s mind rolled back to the first major project Eli and Zack received when they started their company.
The three of them worked during the day and all hours of the night to complete the website, build several apps, and fulfill coding requirements based on the customer’s changing requests.
When the twins were out of the States on business, Shomari was on-site to troubleshoot and resolve the hardware issues with their server.
“In any case,” he said, “I still need to find a place, so you’re not rid of me yet.”
“You know that’s no problem.” He waited a beat before asking, “How are things with Lizette?”
Shomari wasn’t sure what he was asking, so his reply was cautious. “Work is good. I have no complaints.”
“I wasn’t asking about work.”
Shifting his legs, Shomari looked across at Zack. “I’m not trying to start anything. The whole thing with Christy left a bad taste in my mouth. Right now, I’m just chilling.”
“If you say so, but you two looked good together the other night. Couldn’t keep your eyes off each other.”
“Hmmm. Lizette is all right.”
“FYI, my sister is one heck of a woman.”
Raising both hands, Shomari said, “Agreed.”
The song on the radio was about a guy fooling himself, which made Shomari question the timing of it. Maybe, it was a sign. But there were Chelle’s comments, and now Zack, and that kiss—the one that touched his soul in a way he couldn’t explain.
They rode in silence until they pulled into the parking lot at Wintertime.
“Thanks, man.” Shomari touched his fist to Zack’s raised one while the car idled.
“You’re welcome.”
When he sat sideways to get out, Zack stopped him with a hand to his shoulder. “Take it from someone who’s been on the road you’re traveling. Don’t throw away the good because of the bad.”
Slowly, Shomari nodded. “I hear you. Thanks again.”
He stood in the morning sun for a couple of minutes, thinking through the similarities of what Chelle and Zack had said.
Turning to the building, he pulled his shoulders back and glanced at his watch.
He was early, and Lizette’s van was in its regular parking spot.
Now might be the best time to talk about that kiss and figure out whether she felt the same way he did.
He wasn’t ready for what kissing her meant, but here they were.
His phone buzzed against his hip, and he pulled it out of his pocket.
Lizette had texted him.
We need to talk.