Chapter 14 #2
“You are very welcome. You have my number if you have any questions. Set up your follow-up appointment with the front desk before you go. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Coast’s lips curved into a soft smile.
Once the doctor cleared the room, Coast sighed and faced Mozzi. A huge part of her was grateful for him being here with her in this moment. “Don’t let me hold you up. I’m sure you’ve got things to do.”
Mozzi moved closer to the table, cupping her chin in his hand and searching her eyes.
“I let you breathe last night because I know your hormones on some other shit, but that’s the only time you spending away from me, Trouble. So, if you got something you need to get off yo’ chest, air that shit out now,” he commanded.
“I’m not one of your little girlfriends.” Coast yanked away from him. “And I’m not about to fall in line like one of them either.”
“Did I ask you to?” Mozzi’s brows cinched.
“It’s all but implied by your swarm of bitches! I’m replaceable. Interchangeable, just like them. You get tired of one and hop over to the next. I refuse to be a part of the fucking circus. Me or my baby.”
“First of all, fuck them bitches!” Mozzi spat. “If that’s where I wanted to be, I would be there. Instead, I been with you. I brought you to my fucking house, where I lay my head and go for peace, and I ain’t even fucking you!”
“Is that supposed to make me feel special?” Coast snapped, snatching her clothes off the counter so she could get dressed.
“I know you used to a fuck nigga that probably lies to your fucking face every chance he gets. That ain’t me.
I’m not here to play with you, Coast. The sooner you figure that shit out, the better off you’ll fucking be.
Don’t worry about Lin and nobody else because when it comes to me, ain’t none of them fucking with you. Consider them all cut the fuck off.”
“And why would you do that for me? You don’t know me, and I’m clearly not the kind of chick you’re used to.”
“That’s the fucking point. I’m your man. Don’t ever take anybody’s word over mine, especially a bitch I used to fuck with.” His lips locked on hers in a heated kiss, tongue slipping between her teeth before it swirled in her mouth, and she released a soft moan. “Get dressed so we can head out.”
Coast wanted to argue, but he had a point.
It was obvious that Lin was seething with jealousy.
Since she’d been with him, he hadn’t disrespected her by entertaining anyone else.
He barely even looked at another bitch when Coast was in his presence, and that was a lot of restraint for a man like him.
Pussy was something he never went too long without, and when one bitch didn’t work out, he could easily move on to the next.
It became a series of sexual encounters with various women, but no substance to any of it.
He didn’t discuss his dreams or the future with them, but with Coast he saw that shit clear as day just by looking into her eyes.
After changing back into her dress, she grabbed her bag, and Mozzi walked her out, admiring how the fabric hugged her little pudge.
She stopped to check out and set up her next appointment, which he made note of again, so that he could be there.
He planned to be present for every step of this pregnancy, whether she had an attitude or not.
Hearing that heartbeat not only solidified what was happening for Coast, but Mozzi also realized this was not a game.
She was carrying life, and all he wanted to do was be there for her.
When the two of them stepped outside, he reached for her hand and pulled her into his chest.
“You hungry?”
“Maybe.” She pouted her soup coolers sexily. “I’m supposed to head over to the college and look through some courses, though.”
“You going to school?” Mozzi hiked both brows.
“I’m thinking about it.” Coast shrugged. “They have some business art classes I’m kind of interested in.”
“Art?” Mozzi queried, a slight frown capturing his face when his phone buzzed in his pocket.
“Yeah. I sketch and paint, and do a little photography,” she informed him. “Inari has this camera at her job that I would love to get my hands on. It’s expensive, though.”
“That’s dope.” He made a mental note of that when he fished his phone from his pocket.
A text message came through from an unknown number.
Unknown: My turn!
Those were the last words he read before tires squealed against the pavement.
A dark sedan hit the corner at full speed.
When it swerved into the lane closest to where he stood with Coast, Mozzi went for the pistol behind his back and drew it at the same time the back window rolled down.
Shielding Coast, he aimed at the masked assailant and fired.
Shots returned in his direction, sending a scorching pain ripping through his chest. Stumbling a few steps back, he and Coast hit the ground with Mozzi on top.
“Fuck!” He grunted, blood leaking from his wound as the car skirted off.
Slowly he lifted himself from on top of Coast, noticing that she hadn’t moved. With her head tipped to one side, eyes still closed, he couldn’t tell if she was breathing. Grabbing her chin, he tried to force her awake. She had to have hit her head or something.
“Coast, baby, wake up!” he urged, shaking her violently as the crimson from his gunshot dripped onto her dress.
There was too much of it. It was then that it hit him. Not his blood. It was hers. His heart splintered in his chest, damn near crippling him. On his knees, cradling her in his arms, he pulled her into his chest.
“Nah. Nah. Fuck! Coast! Don’t do this, baby! Come on, get up!” His agonizing scream echoed down the block, and Mozzi rocked with her in his arms, begging her to live until he collapsed.
To be continued…