Hendrix #3
Sorimah and Akeera entered through the door again with clean plates and smiles. I pushed the conversation Avi and I had to the back burner so Princess would think it was all resolved and we were on good terms. I worried about what she saw between us more than her mother did.
“Daddy! Ri said she was going to take me to the splash pad tomorrow since it’s going to be so hot.”
“Oh yeah? Mind if I join?”
“Un huh,” she said nodding wildly. “You got a bathing suit?”
“Men wear swimming trunks baby. But yes, Daddy has a pair so don’t worry about that. I guess we can go grab some ice cream afterward then.”
“Yes!” she shouted. That was her favorite treat, and I had no problem supplying her with the things she loved in life.
“Okay beautiful one, let’s get you all washed up and bathed. I’ll be leaving soon,” Ri commented.
“Why?” Akeera whined. She had grown an attachment to Sorimah the same way I did. I knew her pain.
“Because I’ve been here all day taking care of your home, so it’s about that time for me to do the same to mine. I’ll be here bright and early tomorrow morning. That way you can show me your school and teacher.”
“Yay!”
“Go get some pajamas out and I’ll be right up.”
I watched Ri watch Akeera with the biggest smile on her face. When Princess ran out the kitchen, her smile slowly fell. She was solely here for my daughter, and you could tell. She waltzed by me not saying a word about what happened at the table before she moved outside.
There was so much I wanted to explain and let her in on, but I knew that wasn’t the right thing to do. Discussing my issues with Aviana to the next woman was a move that fuck niggas did. I wasn’t a perfect person and hadn’t swept around my own porch before trying to gain access to hers.
“The meal was delicious Sorimah,” I complimented.
“Thank you. Am I required to cook every day?” she questioned as she loaded the dishwasher.
“You’re not required to do a thing in here. I’ve stated this too many times before that you’re not even supposed to be here.”
“Hendrix just answer the question. I’m not up for your word play right now. It’s clear that whatever beef y’all got going on is surrounding the things we did that night. You think I didn’t catch on to her hinting at you cheating. The only thing you’ve said that holds truth to it is me being here.”
Approaching her, I was tempted to wrap her in my arms and feed her with my truth on how I felt about her.
Instead, I helped her with putting things away.
I wanted her to know that she was the woman that had my attention since I’d met her.
Even tonight, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her.
Her light shined brighter than Aviana’s and that was something no one could take from her.
“Sorimah, I ha—”
“Spare me. As a woman that knows her worth, I won’t allow you to string me along. Fix whatever it is with Aviana and stay in your lane.”
“That’s going to be hard to do when I have to spend all day with you tomorrow.”
She stopped moving and took a deep breath. I was making things harder for her by being in her space, that I understood because she was doing the same for me. However, I wasn’t going to let up. She was in my home catering to my daughter. I was going to get as much of her as I could.
“Do you even understand how difficult it was for me to try and forget you after that night? The thought of having just a little bit more of you has been on a constant loop and the way you touched me tends to wash over me when I least expect it. I haven’t got you out my system Hendrix and I hate that you have that effect on me because it was never supposed to be like this.
One night turned into a tortured memory.
Whatever you did to me hasn’t been shakable. ”
When she spoke, it was in a hushed tone, but her message came across so loud.
Every word was hitting me like a ton of bricks.
I felt her every emotion. Where I thought she didn’t think twice about me, she indeed was going through the same situation I was.
I felt worse for causing her pain than cheating on Aviana.
I reached out wanting to bring her into me for comfort, but she moved out of reach. She was adamant about keeping distance between us.
“Don’t touch me Hendrix. Your woman is upstairs doing God knows what. Go handle your business. I’ll be out your hair just as soon as I give Akeera a bath.”
“We can’t coexist like this Sorimah. We’re going to have to talk this out eventually.”
“I spoke my peace and won’t bring this up again after today. Tomorrow hasn’t come yet so there’s no telling if I’ll even show my face here or not.”
“You have no choice. You done told my daughter you’re taking her somewhere so that’s going to be fulfilled whether you like it or not.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“A hundred percent. Breaking her heart brings out a different type of nigga. I can promise you that.”
“Wow. I guess I have no choice then. I’ll be here boss.”
She closed the dishwasher and walked out leaving me alone. It seemed that I was making it hard for everyone, but I truly didn’t care. I was spoiled as well as selfish and wanted everything my way, which meant having Ri in my space.