Dick Contract #3
I frowned. “What, Blake? Tristan was right,” I pointed out.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with you.
You’re wildin’ out. Lennox been gone for a week and you’re walking around here angry at the world.
The light is too dark. The chicken is too cold.
The world is too round. What the fuck? Doesn’t Tyn supply you with enough vibrators to calm yo’ ass down.
You can’t be fucking that much at your age. ”
“Nigga!” She smacked the back of my head.
Ouch.
Then, she thumped my forehead.
Shit.
And finally just punched me, knocking the wind out of me.
I crumpled over the arm of the couch. “Foul,” I grumbled.
“Who the fuck cares if I love Lennox’s dick and want to get fucked by my husband!
He’s mine. And you’re just two years younger than me.
” She blew out a harsh breath. “Mom and Dad, I’m sorry.
I’m about to drag your baby. Because at least I only have one baby daddy.
Lennox’s sperm is for me while yours is a pay-per-squirt event.
Bringing all these damn babies into our lives.
Anonymous, my ass. Who the hell just agrees to drop a load in a cup and is okay with just seeing them lil’ niggas at Kroger or at the neighborhood park? ”
Dallas raised her hand. “Sissy?”
“What?” Blake barked.
“Just pointing out that lots of people do it. It’s a thing. A billion-dollar business.”
“Dallas, shut the hell up,” Blake said. “I’m talking about this person.
My brother. Because of your decision, my kid will probably be in the same kindergarten class as yours.
But she won’t know lil’ Javonte is her cousin until they hook up and their baby comes out looking like a lil’ light-skinned monster with curly hair.
One eye and a mouth full of crooked teeth because my daughter married her freakin’ cousin. ”
Blake paced the floor, muttering about babies, DNA, incest, and my “stupid ass” decisions.
Gemma tentatively inched closer as the rest of the family went back to business as usual. “Wow, this is a lot.”
I stared at my best friend, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her into a side hug.
Like always, I kissed the top of her head.
It had been months since I’d seen her. I missed her.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that, Gem.
” When I asked Raven to pick her up from the airport, I had no idea she’d walk into a rare family melee. “You look good, though.”
Gemma smirked. “You must really miss me.”
“I’m saying . . . you’re not wearing joggers and a white tee.” I checked her out. “That ass is ass-ing.”
She shoved me away lightly. “Boy, please.”
To my right, my siblings were watching the scene unfold with interest . . . and probably shock. Not that Blake wasn’t known to pop off. She absolutely had a short fuse, but she usually piped down after she said her piece.
“She’s still at it,” Tristan mumbled as my sister continued her weird-as-fuck tirade.
“Oooh wee,” Demi, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “This just went all the way left.”
“She’s unraveling right before our eyes,” Dallas said through clenched teeth and a tight smile.
“Unraveling? Shit, she’s already gone,” Duke surmised.
“My poor Sissy.” Bliss nibbled on her thumbnail. “She’s so emotional.”
Dallas shot Bliss an incredulous look. “You think?”
“Definitely not like her,” Paityn offered.
“Why, though?” Dexter asked.
“I’m sorry, babe. I hate that I started this conversation,” Char said, a worried look in her eyes. “I fucked up.”
I snickered. “You definitely did. You should apologize to me.”
“You should’ve told everyone you were an anonymous sperm donor,” Char quipped.
“That’s real,” Dex agreed.
Dallas nudged Tristan. “Do something.”
Tristan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “I’m not saying shit. Ma and Dad got this.”
“They’re not moving,” Sasha whispered.
Raven winced when Blake kicked a pillow. “Maybe we should call Lennox?”
Finally, Blake stopped in the middle of the floor and whirled around to face us. “Stop! I hear you. No one is calling Lennox. I’m not crazy. I’m pregnant.”
Ma bumped Dad with her elbow. “Told you,” she grumbled.
My father shook his head and pulled out a fifty-dollar bill. “Damn.” He smacked the money into her waiting hand. “That was my haircut money. And no more bets on these kids.”
She kissed his cheek. “Love you.” After she stuffed the money into her pocket, she rushed over to Blake with the cussing jar.
“Aw, my cantankerous baby is having a hopefully sweet baby.” She hugged Blake.
“But pregnancy doesn’t exempt me from getting paid.
I take Zelle now, but I prefer cash. Asa, Duke .
. . Hell, all of you need to pay up. But babe!
” She hugged my sister. “I’m so happy for you and Lennox. ”
Dad approached Blake with a wide smile. “Baby girl, that mouth.” He chuckled. “You cuss worse than your mama did before she gave her life to the Lord.”
Mama planted a hand on her hip. “Stew, don’t do that.”
Winking at her, Dad kissed her before he embraced Blake. “You went through all of that when you could’ve led with the good news.”
I looked at Gemma and motioned toward the door with my head. “Let’s get out of here,” I mouthed.
Without saying goodbye, I pulled Gemma out of the room. As we made our way outside, I asked, “Where’s your shit?”
She pointed at the door. “Right there.”
“Good.” I wheeled the bags out of the house and set them in the trunk.
Once we were in the safety of my truck, I blew out a deep breath.
I felt Gemma’s eyes on me and knew I wouldn’t be able to get away with not telling her more about my sperm bank experience.
But I didn’t want to talk about it now. Maybe not ever again. I looked at her warily. “Don’t ask.”
Gemma shrugged. “Can I just say that I missed your family?”
“I don’t miss them muthafuckas.”
She barked out a laugh. “And I reserve the right to bring this up later.”
“Whatever.” I sped out of the circular driveway. “You hungry?”
“Always.”