28. Daylin #2
“Nigga, please. You knew it’d hit the way it did,” I called out to his back confidently, enjoying the way his fine, chocolate ass laughed.
I waited, somewhat impatiently, laughing at the sight of Kasia rolling her eyes nonstop as Josias stood near her, bumping his gums. Talid and Shardaya were slow dancing, and the kids were playing Twister and board games—Josias Jr., Talid’s son Khalid, and Ayan Jr. having a screaming match.
Morgin was looking miserable, seated by herself while Ayan monitored a miniature game of Operation between his daughter, Ayanna, and Josias’s youngest, Julianna.
My eyes caught onto LaMia approaching, and I took a deep breath because this was the last time or place for me to beat her ass.
“This is your son’s birthday. I wanna be cordial, and the best way for that to happen is for us to stay away from each other. Nice party though.” I got ready to stand, but she stopped me with her words.
“I’m not coming over to start anything. I surely don’t want to fight.”
“Good. I shouldn’t be fighting in my condition an—” I caught myself, hating that I revealed something to her that I hadn’t even told my homegirls.
Silence seized our little space, and when I looked over at her, her eyes were glued to my flat stomach, mouth ajar.
“I see,” she finally said. “Congrats. But if I would allow Ayan to bring one of the bitches he cheated on me with and not fight her, then that should tell you I’ve lost all the fight within me.
Plus, I don’t think I will ever recover from that random gut kick.
” Silence crept over us again, LaMia rubbing her stomach in a reminiscent way, as I wanted to curse Rakim out for running his mouth with Mylo while holding my cake hostage.
“I will be honest, Daylin, of course I am jealous and regret giving Rakim up, and for Ayan at that, every day. But I have never been the type of woman to chase a man that doesn’t want me, including Ayan.
“I’m working on myself currently, and hopefully I will find true love and his last name won’t be Godfrey.”
“That’s the best thing for you. Good mentality to have too, LaMia.
” I nodded, feeling like I’d been hit with a dopamine shot once I saw Rakim end his conversation.
“I would hate to have to fold your ass up accordion style over my man, but I will. He’s staying right where he is, and there will be no interruptions or invasions of any kind that will come out unscathed.
” I gave her unwavering eye contact as I spoke, putting on a smile as Rakim came into earshot.
“I don’t blame you,” was all she said as she rose to her feet and walked off, Rakim ignoring her presence completely as he delivered my fresh slice of cake with a kiss.
The night continued on, and I could actually say I’d enjoyed myself.
If someone would’ve told me months ago that I’d be having fun at a party alongside LaMia, Morgin, and Ayan, I wouldn’t have believed it, even though we kept conversation to a minimum or none at all.
Morgin knew better, and Ayan was informed by his brother not to interact with me, and he obliged Rakim’s instructions.
“This nigga ate ya ass the first night he met you?” Josias asked Shardaya, sending everyone surrounding the fire pit into a fit of laughter.
It was nighttime at this point, and LaMia was inside the house with the kids who all wanted to watch a movie with some hot chocolate and marshmallows.
The vendors had come to collect their popcorn machine, photo booth, and jumper while we all cleaned and brought the presents inside, so the backyard was already tidy.
Morgin was seated with us—she and Kasia being the only girls not sitting in a man’s lap—but she was quiet, clearly not melding well with the crew.
“Man, she lying!” Talid shook his head, but I knew he was lying ’cause Shardaya didn’t make up shit like that.
“That nigga did it.” Rakim chimed in, and everyone co-signed his statement.
“You talking like you know. Daylin, he eat ya ass first night?” Talid queried, making Shardaya swat him as I giggled.
“I didn’t, but I would’ve if she let me,” Rakim admitted, shrugging as his brothers and cousin hollered.
I caught Ayan smiling, closed mouth, but it came off genuine, almost like he was admiring the sight of me with his brother and amused by the conversation at the same time.
“It’s nothing wrong with that though,” Mylo said. “You—”
“Baby, what’s wrong!” Shardaya screamed before hopping up, and it was then I saw Talid seizing in the chair.
Everyone was frantic, me jumping up from Rakim’s lap so he could get to his cousin as everyone scattered, shouting for someone to call 911.
As Ayan put the phone to his ear, calling emergency services, an idea hit.
Taking my phone from my purse, I dialed my father.
It was after eight p.m., and usually by this time, he’d be asleep, considering he worked early in the morning usually.
The only phone he kept on was his work telephone, and I didn’t have that number, so I had to be hopeful I’d caught him.
“What, Daylin?” he answered, sighing already as if he were tired of me.
“He’s having a seizure, Daddy!” I shouted. “Talid! We’re at a party and he’s—”
“Have you already called the ambulance? Is he on the way?”
“Yes, his cousin called already. I think I hear them but—”
“I’ll be there.” My father read my mind just as Rakim approached while Josias and Ayan helped Talid out to the front where the first responders’ vehicle was pulling up.
“Thank you!” I hung up. “I called my dad instead of waiting for Talid to get to the hospital for them to call him.”
“You think he need surgery?” Rakim questioned, eyes looking over my head and on the EMTs most likely rolling his cousin into the back of the ambulance.
“Maybe so. No point in waiting for the neurologist to decide that.” I shrugged, heart thundering in my chest.
“Good thinking, baby.” He kissed me. “I need you to calm down.” He hugged me tightly, and like usual, I melted into his embrace, inhaling his cologne and basking in the feel of his strong body.
“What’s going on?” LaMia’s shrill voice broke up our moment as she stood at the threshold of the backyard.
“Talid,” I answered since Rakim had started walking toward the front, tugging me along.
“Is he okay?” she asked.
“Hope so.”
We all filed into our respective cars and made our way to Torrance where the hospital was. Josias had informed the EMTs where Talid’s doctor was located.
Rakim and I arrived about ten minutes after Talid, and by that time, he’d already been wheeled to the back. I wanted to get an ETA on my father but decided against it. He did this for a living and didn’t need to be monitored—hopefully.
Once Dr. Yarrow, the neurologist, informed Shardaya that Talid was going into surgery, we all sort of took a breather and sat down in the waiting room.