16. Piper
“Hi, pretty girl.” I sat in the rocking chair in Kiyanne’s room, cooing at her. Her smile broadened when she looked at me, showing nothing but gums and those two little teeth coming in at the bottom. Khalil had her dressed up in a little strawberry costume, looking super adorable.
It was one o’clock on a Friday, and since we didn’t have any classes this afternoon, I came over to help Khalil get her dressed. Nia was set to come pick Kiyanne up in the next thirty minutes, and I’d already made up my mind that I was going to stay out of sight, out of mind.
Since Khalil had read her her rights a few weeks ago, she had been silent, but her anger and irritation were loud when she’d come to pick up the baby, which surprised Khalil because she had been requesting to get her for the past two weekends.
Hell, it surprised me too. But I could tell it was more for show than anything.
She swore she was getting the help she needed and talking to a therapist, so Khalil allowed her to take the baby.
After our night at the hotel two weeks ago, Khalil and I had been stuck like glue to one another. Every day, this man had something up his sleeve for me. Dinner on yachts, private jets to shop in New York for a day, me at his away games, rocking his jersey and number, and movie nights in the park.
I swear, sometimes I thought I was living in a dream. Khalil never ceased to amaze me, and I told myself not to sabotage this with my negative thoughts.
Hearing a clicking sound, I looked up to see Khalil taking a photo of us with a disposable camera.
“Oh my goodness. Why would you take that picture of me looking crazy?”
“You could never look crazy to me,” he said, licking those dangerous lips and smiling at me. “Now pose for me.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Oh gosh.” I shifted Kiy around and smiled wide as he took another photo.
“Perfection,” he said, setting the camera on her dresser and walking over to us. “You ready to go, my strawberry cupcake?” He picked her up and kissed those chubby cheeks. “Nia’s here to get her. Let’s see her off, then we can go pick up our costumes.”
“Just give me a call after she’s gone. I don’t feel like her giving me dirty looks today.”
“Her ass ain’t no threat, Mi Amor.”
“I know, but I don’t think I can hold my tongue another day.”
“A’ight, man. I’ll be right back.” He lifted Kiy’s bag from the chair, then headed out of the room.
“Bye, pretty girl!” I yelled after them, then left Kiy’s room and went into Khalil’s. My phone rang with a FaceTime from my mom. I smiled and answered her call.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey, baby. I saw you called me earlier. I was on the phone with the water company.”
“Oh. Is everything okay?” I asked, studying her face for any signs of stress.
She shook her head, already knowing why I asked. “I swear, this past year has made you a worry bug. Tomorrow is the first of the month, Piper. I’m just paying my bills in advance. Is that okay, Daughter?”
I smiled softly. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I can’t help it sometimes. I just want to make sure you’re good.”
“I’m more than good. I should be asking you that. I see those pretty diamonds in your ears and around your neck, and you haven’t asked me to send you any money lately. Care to share what that’s about?” she asked, setting her phone up on the kitchen counter, then proceeding to cut up some lettuce.
I couldn’t hide my blush as I thought about Khalil and his need to spend obscene amounts of money on me. I couldn’t stand it sometimes, but it was nice to be spoiled. Something Andre never did.
“It’s nothing, really. Just gifts courtesy of my . . . Khalil.”
“Mmhmm. I see you two are getting closer. I thought he was just a friend?” Mommy queried with a knowing smirk on her face.
I laughed. “We are—were. We’re dating now.”
“I see you all blushing and glowing. This is a huge contrast from months ago. How are you feeling?”
I thought about what word I could use to explain my feelings. “Hmm . . . Optimistic.”
“That’s a start. I would like to meet him soon.”
“You will. We’re about to head out to get costumes for this Halloween party I really don’t want to attend.”
“Then why are you?”
“Because my friends and boyfriend won’t let me stay in my bubble.”
We both laughed.
“You’ve always been an extreme introvert. I’m glad you’re making friends this year and even dating. You deserve happiness, Piper.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Mommy. I love you to the moon and back.”
“I love you more, my darling. You two be safe out there, and call me when you get some free time. I want to talk to you about something. And before you think it, it’s not anything bad.”
I chuckled. “Because you know I was about to ask.” We both laughed, then said our goodbyes with plans for me to come home for Thanksgiving.
It didn’t take long for Khalil to return, and I grabbed my purse, then followed him downstairs.
As we were walking out, Nana was walking in with a smile on her face.
I could see Khalil frowning while looking at the red Cadillac pulling out from the curb.
I tried to hold back my smile, but it broke through anyway when I saw Nana dressed in a black, form-fitting dress, a leather peacoat, high heels, her salt-and-pepper hair in wand curls, and light makeup on her face.
“Hey, Nana. You look beautiful,” I told her, pulling her in for a hug.
“Thank you, sweet face.”
“That nigga couldn’t walk you to the door? Just letting you walk to the door while he watches?” Khalil griped.
“Boy, hush. I told him he didn’t have to.”
“He shouldn’t have listened. His old ass should know better.”
“Watch your damn mouth, Lilo. You ain’t too old to get ya ass beat. Now, where y’all headed?”
“To get costumes for the Halloween party tonight,” I answered.
She smiled. “Nice. Where my GG-baby?”
“With her birth giver,” Khalil replied, clearly still upset.
“What? Lilo, I told you about letting her take her out of here. That girl ain’t to be trusted!”
“What did you want me to do, Nana? You were out living your best life, and she wanted to take her to her little cousin’s birthday party.”
“Then you should have called me, and I would have taken her to the party. That child ain’t fit, Khalil. I don’t know how many times I’m going to have to tell you that before you get it.”
“She knows better. Why you beefing on me?”
“Because you’re allowing her to manipulate you, like you always do. But whatever. I’m only giving it two hours, then I’m going to get her. I don’t like her or her family. Weird-ass people,” Nana seethed, walking away from us.
“Don’t try to deflect from the fact that you dating that old nigga and ain’t brought him to meet me yet. He needs to ask for my blessing to date my grandma!”
“Precious Piper. Get him out of here before he gets these hands.”
I giggled and pushed Khalil out the door. We walked to his truck, and he opened the door.
“Fix your face, sir. That is a grown woman.”
“I don’t care. He needs to respect the people in her life and have the courtesy to introduce himself to me.”
“You’re just a big baby. Leave my nana alone. She deserves happiness too.”
“Pipe?”
“Hmm?”
“Get your ass in the truck.”
I laughed and got in, then we headed to Halloween City.
Tonight was the biggest Halloween party of the year, and the ladies and I were at Jessica’s sorority house, getting ready for the night. Khalil suggested that we be Barney and Betty Rubble, and I must say, I definitely pulled off the look.
The costume was too sexy for my liking, but I had been getting compliments from all the ladies in the house since I stepped out of the room. Khalil wanted to be surprised when he saw me, so he wanted to get dressed separately.
We were currently in the kitchen while Sasha, Jessica’s sorority sister, poured shots of D’USSé in the spooky shot glasses. The music was loud, and everyone looked really good.
“Alright, ladies. Tonight is going to be wicked—in a good way—so let’s toast to a good night and prayers that no one ends up pregnant!
” Dina yelled in excitement as we all laughed.
Braelyn handed me a shot, and we tossed them back.
Her costume of choice was the Corpse Bride, and I had to say she looked super cute in a creepy way.
“Woohoo!” another one of Jess’s sorority sisters yelled.
I cringed from the nasty taste but accepted the second one she handed me.
Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up” queued, and that made the girls go wild.
I laughed and stood at the table while they pre-gamed and danced.
This was probably the most fun I’d had in all my years of existence, aside from dates with Khalil.
I didn’t go to parties or hang out with females.
My childhood best friend, Angela, moved away when we were thirteen, and we lost touch.
After that, I kept to myself and may have hung out with a few girls from high school from time to time, but it was never frequent.
It was because they hung out with Cumbiana (Sabrina), so I would un-invite myself whenever she’d come around.
“You ready to have fun, girly?” Brae asked me.
“Not really looking forward to being around a big crowd, but I guess so.”
“You’ll be fine. You have me, Jess, Robyn, Genny, and Khalil. Just know you gon’ make some chicks mad tonight!” She giggled.
I frowned in confusion. “Why? What do you mean?”
“You have one of the most popular niggas on your top, and you look hella good tonight. Them hoes gon’ be dripping with envy!”
“That doesn’t make me feel good, Brae,” I told her.
“If you plan to be with Khalil exclusively, then just know that it comes with the territory. Do you know how many stank looks I get by dating the star football player? Those skanks can’t stand how into me he is, and I make sure I hold my head up high and give them that look that lets them know I’m never bothered.
I need my best friend to do the exact same because Khalil Grey is wrapped around your ass like an anaconda. Let them bitches know what it is!”
I chuckled lightly. “I’m not ready for all of that.”