31. Josias
THIRTY-ONE
josias
ONE MONTH LATER . . .
“You need some help putting ’em down?” I asked Tarin, making her scoff for some odd ass reason.
“What? You have time? You don’t need to run back to Kasia?” She rolled her eyes.
“Do you need the help or not, Tarin? I ain’t ever put a woman before my kids, not even their mothers, so don’t even play like that,” I chided.
“Yes. I need help.” She conceded.
I didn’t even have to offer her ass, since I’d had my kids all week and was simply dropping them off, but I saw her ass was tired—from what, I wasn’t sure—and decided to be helpful.
I felt bad, as I should have, that I was laid up with Kasia and Divine all the time, and therefore, Kasia had more help as of late.
So even though I wasn’t fucking with Tarin sexually or emotionally, I still wanted to provide her mean ass with as much relief and assistance as I could to somewhat mimic having consistent help.
For the next hour, I helped Tarin put Julianna and Josias Jr. down to bed. While she bathed my daughter, I bathed him, and then we switched to read bedtime stories until both were knocked out.
After leaving Julianna’s room, I ventured to JJ’s in effort to kiss my baby boy goodnight before I left.
Emerging from the back and into the living room, I saw Tarin on the couch, sipping from a big ass wineglass and seemingly in deep thought.
“Good night. Let me know if they need something,” I said, making my way toward the door.
“So that’s it? You can’t kick it with me like you do her? All because I mistakenly accused you of something months ago?” She sat upright, placing the glass on the coffee table before her. “I apologized, Josias.”
“I explained to you it had nothing to do with being falsely accused, Tarin. I even told yo’ ass I understood. But to answer you, nah, we can’t kick it because that would be disrespectful to m—Kasia.”
“You can’t even call her your woman, and you’re dissing me? You haven’t talked to me about anything other than kids, nor have we fucked for months at this point, and all for a woman who you can’t even claim? You’re getting soft.” She scoffed, snatching her wine back up.
“Aight.” I opened the door, knowing she was doing her best to pull me into some fight and fuck session, but it wasn’t gon’ work.
I was too close to getting Kasia back, and nothing could make me ruin every fucking thing I’d worked for. Being simply co-parents with her had a nigga miserable, and it was a place I never wanted to revisit.
Not to mention, all this turmoil within my family, namely my father working his way into becoming a serial killer, put life into perspective.
No longer would I waste my years and time just doing shit and fucking bitches who made me feel like the man to numb the pain.
Life was too short and unpredictable to be spent with any woman other than Kasia Mosley.
“Fuck you, Josias! When I get another nigga and won’t give you the time of day, remember this shit!”
I said nothing, locking up the door and ambling to my vehicle.
I took a deep breath as I pulled off, hating what a nigga had done. But I had to remind myself I couldn’t change the past and could only make better decisions moving forward.
For now, I had to own the mistakes I’d made and not wallow in my thoughts about it. I could only pray Tarin would heal and focus more on being a mother to our son and daughter and less about us being an us.
Pulling into Kasia’s driveway half an hour later, I shut the engine down then climbed out. Retrieving my key, I hurried inside after seeing the time on my watch because I wanted to catch Divine before she fell asleep.
“You missed it.” Kasia giggled as soon as I was inside of the home.
“Fuck.” I groaned.
“You put her to bed every night, Jojo. It’s not that deep.” She walked out from the kitchen in some little ass shorts and an even smaller top.
“I know.” I descended onto the couch, and Kasia did the same, tossing her legs across my lap.
“You went and came right back,” she assessed, making me frown in confusion.
“Ain’t that what I’ve been doing?” I huffed, sinking into the couch. Tarin’s words did bother me in regard to not even being able to claim Kasia, but a nigga had to stay the course. She was worth it.
“It has. I didn’t mean it to sound like I was shocked.
” She removed her legs from my lap and scooted closer to me, making me look over and down into her pretty face.
Her espresso complexion was glass-like, her full lips being what bitches hit up doctors for.
“I meant to say that you proved what you were telling me with actions. You’re different, Jojo.
The old you would’ve reverted to sleeping with Tarin because I wasn’t doing what you wanted me to.
The old you would’ve been gone overnight and hollering about how it was innocent. ”
“In my defense, baby, some of them times, I was just dog tired and passed out.”
“Keyword being ‘some’.”
We chuckled as I nodded, having no argument, because she was right.
“I told you this was what I was on, but I get why you ain’t believe me just off my word. I can only hope that as time goes on, my word begins to hold some value again.”
“It will.” She caressed my beard, looking at it for a moment. “I’m ready to try.”
“Try what?” I needed verbal confirmation.
“Us being a couple again.” She half smiled and laughed when the unintentional grin burst through my face.
“Fuck.” I palmed my face, letting my head fall back. “I ain’t think I would hear you say that shit for at least a year.”
“And you were gonna wait?” She was amused, and I didn’t like it, causing me to scoff. She chuckled.
“I would’ve.” I bobbed my head before shaking it in shame. “I would’ve because this right here, being in a gray area, is better than that sterile ass co-parenting shit we was on with you dating and me burying my dick in randoms or Tarin.”
“Good to know. Ugh, by the way.”
I shrugged.
“So when you moving in?”
“Slow down. Let’s take our time with just being in a relationship and then we can move in together.” She stood, making me grab on her ass.
“You already stay at my crib five days out the week, Kasia.” I watched her ass bounce as she switched into the kitchen.
“I know, so that should be enough! I’m not ready to give my home up. I like things how they are. Let them progress on their own!” She shouted from the kitchen. “You hungry? The food is ready.”
“Of course.” I inhaled deeply, releasing it in elation. Crazy how this girl could bring me joy without even really doing shit.
Kasia returned moments later with a plate of freshly fried fish, fries, a cup of tartar sauce, then one of ketchup, plus some carrot sticks.
She returned later with her own plate and two drinks, then we prayed before she turned on the TV, watching what she called ‘our show.’ It was aight, but I mainly tuned in to have an excuse to spend the night in the past.
As we sat there on the couch, smashing this good ass food and watching ‘our show,’ I internally thanked God that I didn’t lose out on this.
* * *
ONE WEEK LATER . . .
Now that Kasia and I were in a relationship, I needed there to be some boundaries and shit in place.
I should’ve done this in the past, regardless of whether I was with one of my baby mamas officially or not, but my mind was elsewhere.
I was too busy having a pity party and making excuses for my reckless behavior.
“You know I said to be here by six p.m., right?” I questioned Tarin as she approached the table inside of the restaurant.
“I have two kids, and my mama took forever to come. Maybe you should’ve watched them.” She fell into the chair, eyes searching the restaurant for what I assumed was our waiter.
“This is yo’ week, but if you had have said something when I first proposed the meeting, Tarin, I would’ve made arrangements for you,” I countered.
“I’m good.” She dropped her purse into the seat beside her. “Hi, yes, can I have a Hennessy sidecar? Thanks,” she told the young white girl who approached before she could even speak.
“Lemon drop for me,” Kasia ordered, massaging my neck. I noticed Tarin cut her eyes at her, probably thinking this shit was for show, but I knew Kasia was only trying to calm me down.
This was typical—Tarin turned me up, and Kasia kept a nigga chill—and I preferred the latter.
“Just Hennessy for me,” I finally said.
“Be right back.” The girl pranced off.
“Okay, twin. We still alike,” Tarin bragged.
“Aight, so I wanted to meet up because we need to set some boundaries and have some respect, and that goes for everybody. I’ve been working on how I speak to you, Tarin, and I need you to do the same.
More importantly, I need you to show Kasia respect and also stop eating at Russell’s.
I don’t even know how you been able to since you banned. ”
Tarin glared at Kasia.
“Are you serious?” She growled.
“Stop acting like it’s ya favorite spot. We all know you only go to mess with her, and that ends right now.”
“Oh yeah?” Tarin’s eyes widened.
“Yeah.” I locked eyes with her. “You gon’ show Kasia some respect because she’s your children’s sibling’s mother but also because she’s my girl. Eventually, she and I are gon’ be married, and it’s best for all of us, especially the kids, that we have a mutual respect.”
“Married? If you—”
“If you can’t fall in line, Tarin, shit is gon’ change.
That means getting a mediator in place to exchange Julianna and JJ.
That also means a strict, court ordered arrangement, so no more asking me to keep the kids longer ’cause you got a hangover or not feeling like yaself.
That would also mean a much lower child support payment.
I give you twenty grand a month, but a court is gon’ only base your shit off what I make driving trucks for Godfrey Baking Co.
, and that ain’t even close to what you get now.
So I suggest you play nice, Tarin, and just be chill. It’s your decision though.”
Tarin’s eyes bounced between me and Kasia before she fell back into her seat, just as the waiter delivered our drinks.
Shaking her head, Tarin finally replied, “Fine. She needs to show me respect too!”
“I will,” Kasia said. “Truthfully, I always only gave you what you gave me. I love Julianna and JJ and don’t want beef. I want the kids to be able to grow up together, and that can’t all be on Josias. You and I have to work together, too, to make that happen, Tarin.”
Tarin said nothing, sipping her drink.
“Are we in agreement, or should we go to court, Tarin?” I questioned.
“We’re good.” She polished off her drink. “I’m not hungry.” She shot up from the chair, making it fall.
“Be careful driving!” I said to her back.
“Worry about your bitch, Josias Godfrey!” Tarin shouted back, twisting her way out of the establishment.
Giggling, Kasia said, “You did good, baby. Turned me on.”
“Oh word?” I smirked as she kissed my lips.
“Word.”
“How much?”
“This much.” She reached down into my joggers, making me look around.
The restaurant was moderately populated, but our table was in the back and sort of concealed.
Sliding down under the table, Kasia removed my dick and immediately started sucking on the tip.
“Wait—Kasia, I’m ’bout to holler like a ho . . . oh fuck.” I groaned when she didn’t listen, taking all my shit into her mouth.
She started bobbing slowly, letting me hit the back of her throat as her saliva flowed freely, dampening my crotch.
“Are you about ready to order?” The waitress walked up smiling, and I knew I looked crazy.
“Uh . . . I . . . yeah . . . fuck.” I closed my eyes, trying to gather myself as Kasia sucked harder and faster, massaging my balls in the process.
The shit was beyond sloppy, generating a wet spot on my sweats.
“Should I wait until your guests return?” the girl asked and saved me unknowingly.
“Fuck, baby . . . I mean yes. Please.” I nodded profusely, wanting this bitch to go before she thought I was turning into a werewolf since Kasia had begun sucking my balls.
As soon as the waitress sauntered off, I let off into Kasia’s mouth. She swallowed up every drop before tucking my privates back into my pants for me and coming up for air.
“That’s how much. And don’t call the waitress ‘baby’ again,” she admonished me, laughing when I shot her a sidelong glance.
“I fucking love you.” I panted.
“I know. Let me out so I can clean my mouth.”
Instead, I picked her up and moved her across me. My legs were too weak at the moment.
“Can’t walk,” I informed.
“In that case, I want the cowgirl ribeye. Thank you.” She switched off to the restroom.