Chapter 24 - Neha
It was early Saturday morning.
I’d gotten up to make breakfast for everyone.
Even though I’d gotten in late last night, I felt well rested.
Speaking of last night, it owed me nothing.
When Kerrion first asked us to join him and his people, I was a little nervous.
We’d only been around them once, and we were still very much the outsiders.
I hadn’t been to the last Sunday dinner, but Nayelli had.
It wasn’t that I was isolating myself from his family.
I just wanted her to get to know them on her own time.
She deserved time with them without be hovering around.
Now that Kerrion and I were kind of a thing, I guess that was about to change.
As last night went on, things just felt seamless.
They were a rowdy bunch, but it was nothing but good vibes.
When we went back inside, we’d headed for the dance floor.
Dancing with him brought back memories. Friday nights when we decided to stay on campus, we would hang out in either one of our dorm rooms, listening to music.
I loved to dance, so it was never long before I was shaking what my mama gave me. Last night was no different. We must have danced to at least six songs before my feet started screaming. His people joined us on the dance floor, and it was a real party.
At one point during the night, the guys went outside to smoke, leaving Dinah and me with the girls.
They were welcoming upon our first meeting, and it felt even more natural this time.
Since Shar and Jaeda couldn’t drink, because they were both pregnant, Shar insisted on feeding those of us who weren’t pregnant, shots.
I finally got to see exactly what he meant by Shar and Maceo fucking anywhere. They disappeared from the group, and we didn’t see them again. Eventually, they sent a text saying they were headed home. We stuck around for another thirty minutes or so before the rest of us decided to dip out too.
The sound of the front door creeping open broke me from my thoughts. I peeped around the corner to see Dinah creeping in, wearing her outfit from last night.
“Bring that ass here!”
She dropped her head back and groaned. When we left the club last night, I came home alone because she’d left with Kaylynn. She sauntered into the kitchen, hiding her face.
“Don’t be ashamed now,” I said, placing my hands on my hips.
“I’m not ashamed, bitch. I’m tired as hell. I’m running on fumes.”
“She pulled that backpack out on you?”
She grinned. “Girl, . . . we had a time last night. She’s so pretty but so aggressive. I wasn’t expecting her to handle me like that. I’m not complaining, though; we needed that.”
I laughed. “Good for you.”
“You’re up early as hell. Or have you not been to sleep?”
“Unlike you, my flesh brought me home last night.”
She pointed at me. “Don’t do me.”
“You did it to yourself.”
“And Kerrion could have done it to you. The way you two were all over each other last night, I thought for sure you were going home with him.”
“Nope. I mean, I should have. The way that man had me the other night—”
Dinah came alive. “Wait a minute now! You slept with him?”
“You didn’t think he spent the night for nothing.”
“Oooo! Spill it, bitch. Was it as good as you remember?”
“Better.”
She squealed. “I know that’s right. No wonder you’ve been around here glowing and shit.
You two clearly dug up those feelings you had for each other.
That was very apparent last night. That man was ready to bend your ass over that balcony for the whole city to see.
I didn’t see this friendly, co-parenting bid lasting long, anyway. ”
I shrugged. “I still love him, Dinah.”
“Girl, you ain’t telling me shit I don’t already know. I’m not blind. It was all in your aura last night. Both of you.”
“You think this could work?”
She rounded the counter and grabbed my hands. “I think you should follow your heart. There is no way that you ended up with a job offer in the same city as your first love and it not be a sign. Keep communicating with him. Keep being open and honest, because that makes a world of difference.”
“I know, I know.”
“Now. I’m going to wash my ass and get me a nap in before the house wakes up.”
“Go on, girl. I’ll put a plate up for you.”
“You’re the best.”
She leaned in to kiss my cheek, but I pulled back. “I don’t know what part of Kaylynn’s body your mouth has been on.”
She laughed. “First of all, I am a pillow princess with her. She’s doing the bending, the stroking, and the eating around here.”
“I don’t need a play by play. I believe you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Bye, ho.”
She quickly kissed my cheek, then hurried upstairs. I turned back to the stove, slowly stirring my grits. My thoughts shifted back to Kerrion and what she said. Was me moving here a part of divine intervention?
Things were good right now, but only time would tell.
By the time I finished cooking, my mother was coming into the kitchen. She smiled as she came over and kissed my cheek.
“Good morning, baby.”
“Good morning, Ma. You slept good?”
“I did. Nayelli had us up ’til midnight, watching movies and playing games. I’ve missed her so much.”
“She’s missed y’all too. I’m so happy you’re here, Mommy.”
“Me too, sugga. Did you and Dinah have fun last night?”
“We did. We ended up at Silk and ran into Kerrion and his family. I had a great time with him.”
“Soooo . . .”
I blushed. “We’re in a good space. We want to work on our friendship, but we want to give this another shot.”
“And you’re okay with the past being the past?”
I nodded. “After our conversation, we have an understanding of where things went wrong. I take responsibility for my actions, and he said he forgives me.”
“Well, that’s good. I’m sure Nayelli is loving this. All we hear about is her daddy.”
I giggled. “He’s such a good father, Ma. She loves him so much in such a short time. He’s so loving and hands on with her. We spoke last night about changing her last name to his.”
“You’re okay with that?”
“I think it’s long overdue.”
“So we’re meeting him today?”
“Yes. That’s long overdue too.”
“It is. As long as you’re sure and happy, I’m okay with meeting him.
” She cupped my face. “I’m glad you moved past your hurt and fear from childhood, Neha.
I’ve been praying you’d do the right thing by this young man and tell him about Nayelli.
Even though it was taken out of your hands, I’m proud of the way you’re handling things now. That’s growth.”
She kissed my cheek and went to make her some coffee.
She’d told me so many times that I needed to do the right thing, .
. . begged me to do it, and I wouldn’t. She understood my reasons, but she told me I needed to ensure that man wasn’t like my biological father before I wrote him off and out of Nayelli’s life.
So many times, she told me that her story wasn’t my story.
I couldn’t expect the same fate based on what happened.
Fear was a muthafucka and so was trauma.
Since Nayelli decided that she wanted to go to the water park, after breakfast, we’d gone out to get swimsuits and other essentials. I was a little excited about going myself. A nice relaxing day in the water was exactly what I needed.
As we were unloading the car, a call came through. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I saw that it was Kerrion. A smile spread across my face as I answered.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hey, love. You sound good. I take it those drinks didn’t take you out last night?”
I giggled. “Nope. I’m not a lightweight, thank you very much.”
“Y’all made it to the water park yet?”
“Just pulled in. Unloading the car now. How far are you?”
“Man, I’m still at the damn house. I have a few extras with me, KJ and Jaiden. Emmy is with Pops for the weekend, so he’s coming along with her.”
“Again, it’s insane that your father is your baby sister’s godfather.”
“I told you it’s ghetto over here, man. We’ll be there soon, though.”
“Okay.”
“I love you.”
I smiled and blushed. “I love you too.”
I hung up and found four sets of eyes on me.
“What?” I asked.
Dinah smirked. “Nothing, nothing.”
“Bullshit,” Daddy said. “Look at the way you’re blushing. You and that man got back together, didn’t you?”
“Kinda, sorta.”
“Kinda, sorta my ass. You just told him you loved him. You can’t shit me, girl.”
I laughed. “Okay, okay. We did. We discussed the things that needed a discussion, and we’re moving on.”
“And you’re happy?”
“I’m very happy, Daddy.”
He smiled. “Good. There’s a difference between a man who’s protective and possessive, baby.
A protective man will always be concerned for your safety and well-being.
They act out of love and care. A possessive man, .
. . he seeks to control you. He’s insecure and wants you completely dependent.
He’s the type to tell you that you wouldn’t have shit if it wasn’t for him.
He’ll make you feel like nobody else will ever want you and that you are too much.
If it’s one thing I learned over the years, it’s to know what kind of man you have. ”
I nodded my head. We’d had this same conversation so many times over the years.
Evan Malone was a protector and provider in all forms. He covered my mother as well as me and my sister.
We never wanted for anything. He was active and present for every win and every loss.
The man that I married had to embody his qualities, or it just wouldn’t work.
“I hear you, Daddy.”
“Good. Now . . . I’m anxious to meet this young man.”
“He’s bringing his son, his little brother and sister, and his dad.”
Mom raised an eyebrow. “Little brother and sister? How old are these kids?”
“Emelie is a little over a year, and Jaiden is the same age as Nayelli.”
She blew a breath. “I see his parents have been busy.”
I chuckled. “His mom said Emmy was a surprise.”
“His son. You’ve been around him? His mother?”