Zaria
The night was going well. Indigo cooked a great dinner, one that was vegan friendly.
We chatted for a little while, talked some shit, and now we were sitting here playing spades, and Bishop and Indigo were whooping our asses.
Spades was the game that brought out people’s emotions.
It was either you knew how to play, or you didn’t.
It was the game that if your partner reneged, you wanted to hop across the table and slap the shit out of them. Right now, that was how I felt.
You would think with all the mind talking June and I did the shit would help us, but the way this nigga was playing, I was over it.
Damn, how many pairs do you have?
Shit, about four.
Nigga, are you sure?
Z, relax. It’s a game.
No, it’s not just a—
“Fuck are y’all doing?” Bishop jumped in, pointing to us. “Y’all trying to mind talk or some shit, huh?”
June sucked his teeth as his eyes rolled Bishop’s way. “Why are you in our business? Worry about what Indigo is doing.”
Bishop and Indigo snickered. “Oh, we straight, just like we been whooping y’all asses three games straight!”
“Bishop, you got a lot of dip on your chip, don’t you?” I snapped.
Indigo’s head shot my way. “And it’s clear y’all have none ’cause the way y’all taking these ass whoopings got y’all hurt.”
My eyes bounced on June.
Nigga, if we lose another game, the vegan pussy shop is closed for a week.
I saw the twitch in his eyes as he had now sat up. I knew that would get his ass. There was no way I was leaving here without winning one fucking game.
Bishop went to say something, and I flicked my wrist his way. “Shut up talking to me,” I hissed.
Indigo jumped in. “Ooo, you big mad, sis. Don’t worry. I can flick my shit too.” She laughed while she swung her engagement ring up in my face.
All I could do was laugh and shake my head. “You make me sick.”
Although we talked a lot of shit during this game, it felt good to vibe. Where June and Bishop were now was something I don’t think Indigo and I expected. Both men had matured, and the friendship they were building was one I knew would last for a long time.
As we continued the game, my phone vibrated with a call from Yana. I didn’t hesitate to answer because she had done me the favor of watching the twins.
“Hey, girl!”
“Um, Zari, I think you and Chevy need to get here. It’s Savior—”
My stomach sank. I didn’t even bother to finish the game as I shot up. “We got to go, June. It’s Savior. Yana, we are on our way,” I said to her.
June hopped up, dapped Bishop, and we headed to the door. Savior had been running a fever that was off and on. I figured that it was caused by the fact that he and Peace were teething, but Yana was calling me sounding concerned. I knew there had to be a bigger issue.
“Keep us updated and let us know if you need something,” Indigo said.
The closer we got to the door, Lulu came running. Luckily, Bishop swooped her up quickly because June and I were both panicking, and I was worried his reaction would have been a nasty sight.
As soon as we got on June’s bike, he took off. “Fuck is wrong with my son?”
“I-I didn’t ask. Let’s just get there.”
My grip around his chest was so tight I could feel how fast his heart was pounding. My fear was that neither of us would be able to contain our emotions enough to make sure Savior would be okay.
“Z, I fucking swear to God, if something happens to my muhfuckin’ son, I’m—”
“Don’t talk like that. I—”
His heartbeat picked up. “Why are we always going through shit? Why can’t we catch a fucking break?”
It broke my heart because I knew he was tired, and I was too.
However, I realized the man I was with came with a lot of broken pieces, and getting a break wasn’t always an option.
I’d been a part of every challenge he faced since meeting him, and just as much as he wanted to be free, I wanted it just as badly.
Swerve, lean, gear switch, speed up.
He was going so fast that if for any reason I decided to let go, my ass would fly off the bike. Our forty-minute ride took twenty.
When we got to Yana and Diamond’s, June had barely stopped the bike before we both hopped off and rushed to the door. It didn’t take long for someone to answer. June didn’t even give Diamond time to say anything.
“Where is my son?” he shouted.
Yana approached us with a sleeping, sweaty Savior. I could tell something was wrong with my baby. I could feel it in my gut, and that alone spoke volumes. The mother instinct was real, so I knew if this feeling came over me for my son, the feeling I felt about Samara’s mother had to be right.
June rushed out of the house and down the street.
I met him by the curb when he later pulled up with the Caprice.
Placing Savior in a car seat didn’t even cross my mind as I hopped in the passenger side with him still in my arms. I left Peace with Yana since he was asleep; the only good thing was that they were both too young to know what was going on.
I rocked Savior in my arms while I planted kisses on his sweaty little forehead. Tears began rolling down my face because the last thing we needed was to lose a child. Although Peace didn’t understand now, how would I explain when he got older and felt like a part of him was missing?
God promised me He would protect my family when I promised Him He could share my heart with June. I hoped He kept his end of the bargain because if He didn’t, not only would I no longer be useful, but June would turn into a different kind of beast that no one needed.