CHAPTER 4
GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY HOUSE
“That’s my son.”
Zaviyah locked her phone.
“We don’t know that.”
“I know my fucking face.”
“And I know my child.”
Kavon stared at her.
“Why you keep saying it like those two things
can’t both be true?”
Zaviyah grabbed her purse.
“Because you doing too much.”
“I just found out I might have a two year old son.”
“Might.”
“Stop saying that shit.”
“No. Because until a test says otherwise, he is not your son.”
Kavon’s jaw tightened.
“You know something I don’t?”
Zaviyah looked away.
“Zaviyah.”
“I need to find my sister.”
“She told you not to follow her.”
“She’s upset.”
“No shit.”
Zaviyah glared at him.
“You don’t get to be smart right now.”
“And you don’t get to decide what I get to be.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
He stepped closer.
“I got questions.”
“And you’ll get answers when I’m ready.”
“That’s not how this works.”
“That is exactly how this works when you talking about my baby.”
“Our baby.”
Zaviyah’s entire face changed.
“Don’t do that.”
Kavon went quiet.
“Do not call him that.”
“If he’s mine.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Then let’s find out.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
“You done lost your fucking mind.”
“Why?”
“Because my sister just found out I fucked her boyfriend, she might be somewhere crying her eyes out, and you standing here talking about a DNA test like we can swing by Walgreens and figure out paternity before midnight.”
“We can do it tomorrow.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I said no.”
“That’s not a reason.”
“It is when it comes to Kyren.”
Kavon stared at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
“Okay.”
Zaviyah frowned.
“Okay?”
“Yeah.”
That was too easy.
She didn’t trust it.
“What the fuck that mean?”
“It means I’m not gonna argue with you in a lounge.”
“Good.”
“But tomorrow we’re talking.”
She rolled her eyes.
“You love telling people what they’re gonna do.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
Zaviyah started walking.
Kavon followed.
She stopped.
“Where are you going?”
“To find Samaria.”
“Go the other way.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m finding her.”
“She’s my girlfriend.”
“And she’s my sister.”
Kavon looked at her.
“Right now, I don’t think she wants either one of
us.”
That shut Zaviyah up.
Because he was probably right.
They walked outside.
Las Olas was still alive.
People laughing.
Cars creeping past.
Music coming from somewhere down the block.
Everybody enjoying their Friday night while Zaviyah’s had turned into an episode of some messy ass reality show nobody would believe was real.
She called Samaria.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
Zaviyah texted.
Please let me know you’re okay.
Nothing.
Kavon was calling too.
No answer.
“Fuck.”
Zaviyah looked at him.
“She blocked you?”
“I think so.”
“Damn.”
Kavon stared at his phone.
That actually made Zaviyah feel bad for him.
Only for about three seconds.
Then she remembered he was the reason they were in this shit.
Then she remembered technically he wasn’t.
Then she got irritated all over again.
“I’m going home.”
Kavon looked up.
“You got a ride?”
“I’ll get one.”
“I’ll take you.”
“No.”
“Why?”
Zaviyah stared at him.
“Seriously?”
“What?”
“You think riding home alone with my sister’s boyfriend is a good idea right now?”
He rubbed his beard.
“Fair.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“You don’t have my number.”
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
His eyebrows lifted.
“Zaviyah.”
“What?”
“You already gave me the wrong number once.”
“That was an accident.”
“Still.”
“I’m not giving you my number.”
“How we supposed to talk about Kyren?”
“We’re not tonight.”
“I said tomorrow.”
“And I said goodnight.”
She ordered a ride.
Kavon stood there staring at her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Then stop looking at me.”
“I forgot how stubborn you were.”
Zaviyah laughed.
“You knew me three days.”
“Long ass three days.”
Her stomach did something.
She ignored it.
“You have a girlfriend.”
His face changed.
“I know.”
“My sister.”
“I know.”
“Then stop reminiscing.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
“Whatever.”
“No. Not whatever.”
Zaviyah stepped closer.
“This shit is already fucked up enough.”
“I agree.”
“So whatever happened in Tampa stays in Tampa.”
Kavon stared at her.
“That might be hard considering there’s a whole little boy in Fort Lauderdale who might’ve come from Tampa.”
Zaviyah wanted to slap him.
Instead, she turned away.
Her ride pulled up.
She opened the door.
Kavon called her name.
She looked back.
“Don’t show up at my house.”
His eyebrows pulled together.
“I don’t know where you live.”
“Good.”
She got inside.
The entire ride back toward Lauderdale Manors, Zaviyah stared at her phone.
Samaria still hadn’t responded.
By the time she got home, it was after midnight.
Malissa’s car was in the driveway.
Zaviyah walked inside quietly.
Malissa was stretched across the couch watching television.
She sat up immediately.
“Well?”
Zaviyah dropped her purse.
“Well what?”
“Bitch, don’t play with me.”
“I’m tired.”
“Did you tell Samaria?”
“She found out.”
Malissa’s mouth fell open.
“How?”
“She walked into the bathroom.”
“What bathroom?”
“The bathroom.”
“Why were you in a bathroom with her man?”
“It wasn’t like that.”
Malissa stared.
“You know that sentence has never helped anybody in the history of cheating.”
“Nobody cheated!”
“Okay. Why was you in the bathroom with him?”
“He followed me in there.”
“Oh, this shit messy.”
“Thank you, Captain Obvious.”
“What happened?”
“He asked about Kyren.”
Malissa sat up straighter.
“He knows?”
“He suspects.”
“Did you tell him?”
“No.”
“Girl.”
“What?”
“You know that baby look like that man.”
Zaviyah frowned.
“You ain’t never even met Kavon.”
Malissa reached for her phone.
“Samaria posted him.”
Zaviyah froze.
“What?”
“Like three months ago.”
“You follow Samaria?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“That he looked like Kyren!”
Malissa stared at her.
“How the fuck was I supposed to know that was Kyren daddy?”
“You didn’t notice?”
“Notice what?”
“The resemblance!”
Malissa blinked.
Then laughed.
“Bitch, I thought Kyren looked like you.”
“He does.”
“Then what the fuck you yelling at me for?”
Zaviyah dropped onto the couch.
“I don’t know.”
Malissa softened.
“Come here.”
“No.”
“Your ass need a hug.”
“I need tequila.”
“You had enough.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I can smell it.”
Zaviyah laid her head back.
“Samaria hates me.”
“She don’t hate you.”
“She slapped me.”
Malissa’s eyebrows lifted.
“She did?”
“Yep.”
“You hit her back?”
“No.”
“Growth.”
“Fuck you.”
Malissa laughed.
Then looked toward the hallway.
“Ky in your bed.”
Zaviyah’s face softened.
“He wake up again?”
“Twice.”
“Damn.”
“He kept asking for you.”
That hurt.
Zaviyah stood.
“I’m going to him.”
Malissa grabbed her purse.
“I’m going home.”
“You can stay.”
“Nope.”
“Why?”
“Because if your sister pull up wanting round two, I don’t wanna be here.”
Zaviyah laughed.
“Bye.”
Malissa hugged her.
At the door, she stopped.
“You gonna do the DNA test?”
Zaviyah sighed.
“I don’t know.”
“You should.”
“Why everybody telling me what I should do?”
“Because sometimes your ass need instructions.”
“Get out.”
Malissa laughed and left.
Zaviyah locked the door.
Then she went into her bedroom.
Kyren was asleep sideways across the middle of her bed.
Of course.
One sock on.
One sock missing.
Little pajama shirt riding up over his stomach.
Zaviyah smiled.
She climbed beside him.
“Hey, stinky.”
Kyren moved.
His eyes opened halfway.
“Mama?”
“I’m here.”
He crawled directly on top of her.
Zaviyah wrapped her arms around him.
His little head rested beneath her chin.
She kissed his forehead.
For two years, it had been them.
Just them.
She knew eventually Kyren would ask about his father.
She had prepared herself for that.
What she had never prepared for was finding his father.
Especially not like this.
Kyren touched her face sleepily.
“Mama sad?”
Zaviyah’s heart broke.
“No, baby.”
He stared at her.
“You cry.”
Damn kids.
Couldn’t hide shit from them.
“Mama okay.”
Kyren kissed her cheek.
Then rolled back over like his job was done.
Zaviyah laughed quietly.
“Thank you.”
Her phone vibrated.
She grabbed it.
SAMARIA.
Her heart jumped.
She opened the message.
I’m home. Don’t come over.
Zaviyah immediately typed.
Can I call you?
The response came quickly.
No.
Zaviyah stared.
Then another message.
I need to think.
She typed.
I’m sorry.
Three dots appeared.
Stopped.
Appeared again.
Then disappeared.
No response.
Zaviyah put the phone down.
At least Samaria was home.
That was something.
She closed her eyes.
Five minutes later, somebody knocked on the front door.
Zaviyah opened her eyes.
She checked the time.
12:47.
Another knock.
Her entire body tightened.
Malissa?
Maybe she forgot something.
Zaviyah slipped out of bed carefully.
Kyren stayed asleep.
She walked down the hallway.
Another knock.
She looked through the peephole.
And almost screamed.
“Kavon?”
She snatched the door open.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
Kavon stood on her porch.
Hands in his pockets.
Face serious.
“I need to talk to you.”
“How the fuck did you find my house?”
“Samaria.”
Zaviyah stared at him.
“She gave you my address?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“I dropped her off here before.”
“When?”
“Couple months ago.”
“You remembered my house?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I remember shit.”
“Apparently.”
She stepped outside and pulled the door mostly closed behind her.
“I specifically told you not to come here.”
“I know.”
“Then why the fuck are you here?”
“Because I can’t sleep.”
“That sounds personal.”
“Zaviyah.”
“No. You cannot show up at my house at one in the fucking morning.”
“I needed to see you.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Watch how you say shit.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t.”
“I need answers.”
“You could’ve waited until tomorrow.”
“I tried.”
“For forty five minutes?”
“Longest forty five minutes of my fucking life.”
Zaviyah folded her arms.
“You need to leave.”
“Let me see him.”
Her heart stopped.
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“Just let me see him.”
“He’s sleeping.”
“I won’t wake him.”
“Kavon.”
His voice cracked.
“I need to know.”
Zaviyah stared at him.
For the first time all night, he didn’t look angry.
He looked scared.
That almost got her.
Almost.
“No.”
He looked down.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
Zaviyah blinked.
“You’re leaving?”
“You said no.”
She hadn’t expected that.
Kavon turned toward the steps.
Then the front door opened behind her.
Zaviyah froze.
A tiny sleepy voice came from behind her.
“Mama?”
Oh fuck.
She turned.
Kyren stood in the doorway.
Barefoot.
One hand rubbing his eye.
His little curls smashed on one side.
“Baby, go back inside.”
Kyren looked past her.
Directly at Kavon.
Kavon stopped moving.
Zaviyah’s stomach dropped.
Kyren stared at him.
Kavon stared back.
Neither said anything.
Then Kyren smiled.
That fucking dimple.
Kavon’s face crumbled.
Zaviyah saw it happen.
His eyes filled immediately.
Kyren looked at his mother.
“Who dat?”
Zaviyah couldn’t speak.
Kavon crouched slowly.
Not coming closer.
Just lowering himself to Kyren’s level.
“Hey, little man.”
Kyren hid halfway behind Zaviyah’s leg.
Still staring.
Kavon smiled through wet eyes.
“What’s your name?”
Zaviyah answered quickly.
“He knows his name.”
Kavon looked up at her.
“I asked him.”
Kyren peeked around her.
“Kywen.”
Kavon swallowed.
“Kyren?”
Kyren nodded.
“Yeah.”
Kavon looked like that little yeah damn near killed him.
“How old are you?”
Kyren held up three fingers.
Zaviyah lowered one.
“Two.”
Kyren put it right back up.
“Free.”
“You are not three.”
“Free.”
Kavon laughed.
A real laugh.
And Zaviyah’s chest tightened.
Because Kyren laughed too.
Same dimple.
Same squint around the eyes.
Same fucking laugh.
Zaviyah had never noticed it because she had nothing to compare it to.
Now she did.
And suddenly she didn’t need a DNA test either.
Kavon looked at her.
He didn’t say it.
He didn’t have to.
Zaviyah knew.
He knew.
Kyren tugged her shirt.
“Mama.”
“Yes?”
“Juice.”
She sighed.
“No juice. Bed.”
Kyren frowned.
Kavon smiled.
“He always like that?”
Zaviyah looked at him.
“Like what?”
“Bossy.”
“He gets that from me.”
Kavon raised an eyebrow.
“No argument there.”
Zaviyah almost smiled.
Almost.
Then she remembered Samaria.
Her smile disappeared.
“Go home.”
Kavon stood.
His eyes stayed on Kyren.
“Can we do the test tomorrow?”
Zaviyah looked at her son.
Then at the man standing on her porch.
For the first time, she didn’t say no.
“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Kavon nodded.
“I’ll take it.”
He walked toward his car.
Zaviyah picked Kyren up.
Then something occurred to her.
“Kavon.”
He turned.
“What?”
“How did you leave Samaria?”
His face changed.
Zaviyah’s stomach tightened.
“What happened?”
Kavon looked away.
“She ended it.”
Zaviyah froze.
“What?”
“She broke up with me.”
“When?”
“Before I came here.”
Zaviyah stared at him.
“And you thought coming to my fucking house afterward was a good idea?”
“I came for my son.”
“You don’t know he’s yours.”
Kavon looked at Kyren.
Then back at her.
“Yeah.”
His eyes went to that little dimple again.
“I fucking do.”
He got into his car and drove away.
Zaviyah stood on the porch holding Kyren.
Her phone vibrated inside.
She walked back in and checked it.
Samaria.
One new message.
Zaviyah opened it.
Her stomach dropped.
SAMARIA
I hope that nigga is worth losing your sister over.