17. Khalil #2
She hurriedly walked away, and although I desperately wanted to go after her, I couldn’t leave Kiy right now.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “She’s going to leave me.”
Ma shook her head. “She won’t. Don’t think like that.”
“She is. I always knew Nia was going to try her. I should have shut that shit down better, but I didn’t think she would try to fight her. Not only is Nia the problem, but she got into a fight with Sabrina Murphy, too.”
Ma’s eyes came to me. “Tiera Murphy-Chisholm’s daughter?”
I nodded. My moms and Drew had several dinners with the Chisholms over the years.
They were the ones who suggested I go to True in the first place.
They knew I’d make their school look good on paper because of my academic achievements throughout my school years, not to mention my skills on the court.
Drew and Sabrina’s stepfather, Micah, ran in the same circles, so I only knew of the rich girl, Sabrina, not the baby prostitute that Piper said she was.
“You love her?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “Explicitly.”
“It’s only been a little over two months, Khalil.”
“I know that, but that didn’t stop me from falling for her. Piper’s different. She’s genuine, funny, giving, and smart. She makes me feel shit I never felt before, and the way she loves on Kiy, . . . I can’t see myself with anybody else but her. She can’t leave me.”
“Give her some time, baby. I imagine this is a lot of stress on her, as it is for you. If she loves you, she will be there waiting for you. Sometimes we mistake passion for love. That passion can even be possessive, all-consuming. Be sure that you’re not confusing the two.”
I let her words resonate for a moment. The only passion I felt was my feelings for Piper.
I wasn’t confused about the way she made my heart beat rapidly every time I saw her face, nor was I confused about my need to be everything she needed.
There was no mistaking that, in just a little over sixty days, Piper barreled into my heart and made herself comfortable.
“There’s no confusion, Ma. I love her.”
She rubbed my back and kissed my cheek. “I see. Let’s go in here and see my baby.”
I nodded as we walked back into the room, my head spinning and my heart heavy.
I refused to let this be the end of us.
Three Days Later
Kiy was released from the hospital yesterday.
After receiving instructions on treating her burn, I stayed with her all day yesterday to monitor her.
For the most part, she was fine. The only time she cried was when I had to apply the ointment to her arm and wrap it.
Otherwise, she was still her happy self.
It was now Monday, and I was headed to the friend of the court to file for full custody. The coach gave me time off from practice after I explained what had occurred, then called the dean to explain why I had to take a leave of absence.
I had Jalen and Keith collect any missing assignments from my classes and bring them over so that I wouldn’t fall behind.
These past few days had been a damn whirlwind, and I prayed that this ache in my heart would end soon.
Three days.
It’d been three days, and Nia still hadn’t called or shown up after the bullshit she pulled.
It had been three days since Piper walked out of that hospital, and she hadn’t answered any of my calls or texts. Since I was tending to my daughter, I couldn’t pull up on her like I wanted to, but today, she was going to see me.
After getting dressed, I headed downstairs, grabbed my keys from the table by the door, then stepped into the living room where Nana sat watching the news while Kiy lay asleep in her swing. I could smell food cooking, and I knew my moms was in the kitchen making breakfast.
“I’m headed out, Nana. I’ll call y’all to let you know when it’s done.”
“You’re not going to eat?”
“I can’t eat anything right now. I’ll stop and grab something while I’m out.”
“Okay, baby.” She took my hand. “You’re doing the right thing, baby boy.”
“I know. I’ll see y’all later,” I said solemnly, then planted a kiss on her cheek. I then walked over to my baby and kissed her forehead. “I love you, princess.” She stirred a little but didn’t wake up.
Once I made it to the door, I pulled it open, only to find Nia standing there, looking like she’d gotten into a fight with Mike Tyson and lost. Her eye was swollen, she had scratches all over her face, a knot on her forehead, and a busted lip.
Anger instantly settled into my veins, and without thinking, my hand went around her neck, and I lifted her off her feet.
“You got a lot of fucking nerve coming to my house like shit sweet.” I sneered. She clawed at my hand, but I refused to let her go. I could hear hurried movement behind me, but I was too angry to care.
“Lilo! Let her go!” I heard my nana yell.
“Sweet Jesus. Khalil Jameer Grey! You put her down right now!” my moms yelled, yanking my shoulder. I let her go, and she dropped to the ground, gasping and coughing.
“Kha-lil! I-I can explain!” she coughed out.
“You can’t explain shit to me, you neglectful, deadbeat-ass broad! Get the fuck away from my house before I strangle your dumbass!”
“She attacked me first!”
I gritted my teeth. I swear, I didn’t know what happened to the girl I used to know. It was as if I were staring at someone I didn’t recognize. When I met Nia in high school, she was cool as hell, quiet, and sweet. We used to be the best of friends.
I protected her when people bullied her. I fought for her when her abusive-ass stepfather used to beat on her. But the moment we crossed that boundary, it seemed as if she went completely insane. The mask was off, and I saw the real her emerge overnight.
“You are really stupid, Niana. I didn’t see this shit before, but I see it clearly now. The fact that you think this is about my girl beating your ass is retarded as fuck! Get away from my house. Last warning.”