Chapter 22
Amari pulled up to his parents’ house, letting himself inside. Amy was waiting on him with a scowl on her face.
“You might as well take your ass out of here. She doesn’t want to talk, Amari. You need to respect that.”
“Momma, I never slept with her.”
“So the fuck what—cheating is cheating! You’re not stupid!
Then you had the nerve to bring your side piece to my granddaughter’s birthday party.
You lied in your wife’s face and you brought that girl to lie in her face too!
You was so mad about the way your father treated me but you ain’t no better.
You married her, Amari, and it’s barely a year in and you already cheating.
You should be ashamed of yourself. Get out, don’t come back unless she wants to see you!
” She held her hand out to him. She dropped Greer’s ring and wedding band in his hand.
He wanted to run past his mother to get to her but that would’ve only caused more problems.
“Momma, I just want to apologize.”
“You think an apology is going to fix what you done? She’s probably going to leave you and I don’t blame her. Good night, sweetheart, before I go get your daddy.” Amy folded her arms across her chest, daring him to make the wrong move.
He walked out the front door, slamming it on his way out. He got in his car, calling Greer back to back until she turned her phone off. He sat outside in the wraparound driveway for hours. There was a knock at his window. He unlocked the door. Lidar slid in, closing the door behind him.
“Go home, son.”
“I can’t believe I did this shit.”
“Yeah you can, you was all in. You just got caught. You was getting more and more comfortable with that girl. Your brothers wanted me to talk to you because you wasn’t listening to them but every man has to make their own mistakes. I hope you learn from this.”
“Learn what? She about to fucking leave me.” At the thought of that, he felt ill at the stomach.
“Well, if she does... if y’all are meant to be she’ll find her way back to you. Y’all have two kids together. For now, give her space, son.” Lidar got out, walking inside.
Amari shut his car off, going to sleep in the driveway.
Greer was laying down, having her possible last ultrasound.
The only thing that brought her happiness these days were Amaya and the fact that she was about to bring another life into the world.
Amari sat to the side of her, staring at the screen, looking pitiful.
She didn’t feel bad for him; she felt bad for herself.
She believed all the dreams he sold her.
“Alright, he can come at any day now. You have your bags packed?” Her doctor wiped her stomach. He helped her sit up.
“Yes, they have been packed! I can’t wait!” Greer was scared but excited, nonetheless.
“Alright, well I’ll see you guys in the delivery room. Take care.”
Amari stood, shaking hands with Dr. Jones.
Dr. Jones walked out, leaving them alone.
It was their first time seeing each other since he got caught cheating three weeks ago.
She hadn’t talked to him either. He tried to help her stand up but she got up on her own.
He opened the door. She walked outside to valet, giving them her ticket.
“Can we talk, please?”
“Just sign the papers, Amari. I literally hate you. I don’t want to talk. Not now, not ever.” She had him served divorce papers last week that she hoped he signed sooner than later.
“I’m not signing those papers. Why you even do that shit?” Valet was driving up with her G Wagon.
“Because I wanted to just like you wanted to play house with a bitch damn near my whole pregnancy. I don’t care if you do or don’t sign the papers.
I ain’t fucking with you ever again in my life or the next life, so please stop wasting my time.
” She stepped off the sidewalk, getting in her truck.
She pulled off without a second glance at him.
Greer pulled into Amy and Lidar’s driveway.
Her eyes lit up in excitement at the sight of her friends’ cars.
She’d been staying at their home for weeks.
That was the only place she was sure Amari wouldn’t come.
He harassed her every day, making her even angrier at him.
They were fine until he ruined them. She couldn’t forgive him.
She’d left niggas for less. Amari wasn’t just some nigga.
He was her husband, the man she shared vows with in front of God that clearly meant nothing to him.
She got out, walking towards the steps. Lidar got up from his seat on the porch and helped her up the stairs.
“Thank you.”
“How was the doctor?”
“It was okay. Now I’m hungry. What Ma in here cooking?”
“Your brother-in-laws out there grilling. How was Amari?”
“I don’t know, I didn’t ask.” She walked in the house, no longer wanting to talk about him. She resented him, when she never thought she would see the day where she felt anything but love for him. He was her everything. She walked in the house, following the voices.
“Mommy!” Amaya beamed, noticing her before anyone else did.
“Heyyyyy, babyyy!” Greer kissed her cheek while Promise held her. She reached for Greer, causing Promise to smack her lips. Greer took her. Amaya put her nose against hers, giving her a Eskimo kiss.
“Awww, that’s so sweet!” Ace cooed.
“She is the sweetest baby, ain’t that right, GG girl? How was the appointment?” Amy asked.
“I’m two weeks past my due date so he said it could be any day now.” She placed Amaya on her feet.
Nyke walked in the kitchen with Nautica and Shadow in tow.
“What it do, sis?” Nautica hugged Greer. He rubbed her stomach. Nyke and Shadow hugged her next.
“Daddyyy!” Amaya squealed. The whole room grew quiet as Amari walked in. Amaya ran towards him.
“Wassup, baby?” He picked her up.
Greer walked out of the room, going upstairs to the guest room that she had made her own. A couple of minutes later there was a knock at the door. The door opened despite her not saying anything. Amari walked in.
“Amari, I don’t want to talk, and I don’t won’t to listen to nothing you got to say. I was having a good day.”
“So you never going to talk to me again?”
“Not if I don’t have to.”
“I’m sorry—”
“Amari, don’t!” She jumped up. A puddle of water hit her feet. She looked down in shock and panic.
“Where’s your bags?” He asked.
She pointed towards the door. She rushed in the bathroom to clean herself up. Then, she got dressed in sweats and the matching jacket.
“Come on.” He reached for her but she pulled back. She wasn’t ready to be around him let alone be in the labor and delivery room with him.