Chapter 24 - Neha #2
“I’ve been around him plenty. He’s such a sweet baby. Unfortunately, his mom died in childbirth.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, bless his heart. That’s terrible.”
“It is. And before you ask, no, they weren’t a couple. They just wanted a child.”
My mother raised her hands. “I ain’t saying nothing. Come on and let’s get in here. I’m ready to lay out in the sun.”
Daddy grabbed our bags, and we headed to grab our tickets. Once we got inside, we found a cool, shaded spot between the kiddie pool and the fun house area I knew my baby would spend most of her time in. I made sure to grab enough seating for Kerrion, his dad, and the kids.
Slipping off my shorts, I tied on my sarong and spread out my blanket on the lounge chair.
“So, your man is bringing extras, huh?” Dinah asked, smirking. “We’re making this a family affair?”
I elbowed her. “You should invite Kaylynn. Then it can really be a family affair.”
She playfully mushed my head. “Shut up. This is still new. I mean, I’m not opposed to letting her scratch the occasional itch, but I don’t know if it will go as far as us being together.”
“Alright now. Don’t mess around and get turned out.”
“I’m not worried about that. This is all fun and games.”
I didn’t say anything because I knew Dinah. It would start as fun and games, then she would find herself in a whole ass relationship. I’d let her have her delusion.
We settled into the lounge chairs while Nayelli and my parents went off to the funhouse.
While Dinah listened to an audiobook, I pulled out my Kindle to catch up on what I was reading.
We’d been relaxing for about forty-five minutes, when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I looked up to see Kerrion in all his fine ass glory.
He stood, holding KJ, dressed in a pair of swim shorts and a wife beater. His muscular tattooed arms were on full display. He looked good and smelled delicious.
“Hey,” I said, setting my Kindle aside and standing.
“Hey, love.”
When he leaned in to kiss my lips, KJ kissed my cheek. I blushed.
“Hi, cutie pie,” I said, pinching his cheek.
“Hi, Ms. Neha!” Jaiden said excitedly as he hugged me, then my sister. “Hey, Ms. Dinah.”
“Hey, handsome,” Dinah said, kissing his cheek.
Jaiden looked around the space. “Where’s Nayelli?”
I pointed to the fun house. “Over there with her grandparents.”
He looked to his brother for permission, and Kerrion nodded.
“Put on your sunscreen, first.”
Jaiden quickly dug through his bag for the sunscreen, then sprayed himself down before running off. Mr. Dillinger walked up behind Kerrion, holding Emmy.
“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Dillinger,” I said, extending a hand. “Hi, Emmy!”
She grinned and waved.
Mr. Dillinger took my hand and kissed it. “Call me Senior.”
Dinah smirked as she looked back at him. “Hey, handsome. Look at you over here looking like a new daddy with that baby.”
Senior laughed. “This is my baby, right, Emmy?” he said, kissing her cheek.
“Baby!” Emmy yelled, pointing at herself.
“I appreciate y’all letting us tag along.”
Kerrion laughed as he looked to me. “He’s bored with retirement, so he’s got nothing better to do with his life than follow his kids around.”
Senior frowned. “Don’t act like I ain’t doing you a favor. I could have left you to deal with a baby and a toddler by your damn self. Ain’t that right, Emmy? At least you’re happy to be with your godfather.”
“I just have one question,” Dinah said. “How did you essentially end up with another baby by your baby mama?”
Kerrion burst out laughing. “I mean, she’s right.”
His father threw him a dirty look. “Like I keep telling y’all, we’re family. All my baby mamas love me.”
Kerrion smirked. “Except Stephanie.”
“You want me to beat your ass out here, Steel?”
“Ass!” Emmy yelled.
“Don’t say that, Emmy,” her godfather scolded. “See what you did, nigga? Anyway, ain’t no more babies for me. I can send this one back home.”
“Well, you did the Lord’s work with four of yours. They take after you.”
“Thank you, beautiful.”
Dinah blushed. “Don’t compliment me, sir. I’m willing to play stepmama.”
“How are you gonna play stepmama when you just went home with Kaylynn last night?” Kerrion asked.
Dinah gasped. “Oh, you messy as fuck for that. Don’t put my shit out there. Me being your stepmama is no more ghetto than your daddy being your sister’s godfather.”
Senior chuckled. “It’s a lot of ghetto shit going on around here, but yeah. We have a very healthy co-parenting relationship, even with the kids being grown. I’ve been around my kids’ other siblings since birth. They love me, and I love them.”
“Awwww!” I cooed. “That’s so sweet. It takes a village.”
“His village is just bigger than most,” Kerrion said, smirking.
His father glared at him. “Shut your ass up. It’s nice to see you ladies, again. If y’all will excuse us, me and Emmy are about to get in the kiddie pool.”
“And I’m about to finish my book before I get in the pool,” Dinah said.
“I guess it’s just you and me,” Kerrion said. “Lazy river?”
“Oooo, yes.”
Just then, his phone rang. He pulled it from his bag and answered it.
“Sup, Ms. Anita . . . He’s good. We’re at the water park with Neha and Nayelli . . . Uh, sure. Hold on.”
He turned to me as he muted the phone.
“You okay with Ms. Anita joining us?”
“Sure.”
He smiled and went back to his conversation. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that woman. She didn’t have to say it for me to know that she had a problem with me being around her grandson.
“Okay. See you soon.” He hung up the phone and put it back in his bag.
I could tell something was on his mind, and I wondered if he was having the same thoughts as me. I prayed that lady showed up here and not be on any bullshit.
“You mind holding him right quick?” Kerrion asked me.
“Of course. Come on, Fat Man”
I reached for KJ, and he didn’t hesitate to come to me. He stared at me, touching various parts of my face. A grin spread across his lips.
“Don’t be over there flirting with my woman KJ,” his father said, taking off his shirt.
I stifled a whimper as his body took form. Jesus, be a fence. This man, this man! It took everything in me not to reach out and run my fingers down his abs. His father caught me staring as he secured Emmy’s floaties. A smirk found his lips, and he gave a light chuckle.
“What’s funny, old man?” Kerrion asked, spraying on his sunscreen.
“Nothing, nothing,” he said, standing. “Come on, Emmy Cakes.”
She grabbed his hand and waddled fast toward the kiddie pool. Kerrion reached for KJ, but he wouldn’t go.
“Fat Man, every time you get a new friend, you start acting funny.”
KJ rested his head against mine.
“Insult to injury. That’s how you do Daddy?”
Kerrion covered his face and sprayed the sunscreen on him.
He took the liberty of spraying me down too.
When he got to my thighs, he pulled off my sarong.
I noticed the subtle pause in his movements.
His hand lingered on my hips momentarily before I heard the spray can again.
He turned me around to get the back of my legs.
A few seconds passed before I felt his teeth sink into the flesh of my ass.
“Kerrion!” I exclaimed, playfully swatting him.
He grinned. “Sorry. I couldn’t help myself.”
“Nasty freaks,” Dinah mumbled.
Kerrion reached over and swiped her audiobook back to the beginning of the chapter she was listening to.
“Watch me beat your big ass,” she threatened.
He laughed as he grabbed my hand and led us toward the lazy river. As we walked hand in hand, we got several comments and compliments on what a cute little family we made. Neither of us bothered to correct people; we just said thank you and kept it pushing.
I couldn’t help but think to myself, This feels nice.