Zara
T he title of lead dancer was brought challenges, such as covering classes when Mona decided to call out at the last minute. I could never repay Sonya for the opportunity she gave me, but picking up today’s shift left me exhausted.
Mother In Love: I convinced him to leave Kyce. Enjoy your free night.
Me: Did you tranquilize him?
Mother In Love: No but I was prepared too.
Me: Thank you.
Mother In Love: You’re welcome baby.
“Oh, sorry. What did you say?” I asked, slipping my phone into my pocket.
“Studio A is all cleaned up,” Bella announced.
“Thank you so much.”
“Welcome, girl. See you tomorrow.”
“See you,” I waved, slipping Kenyon’s sweatshirt over my head and grabbing my bag.
I had been on my feet all day, and as much as I loved my baby, I needed tonight to cuddle with my man without his other woman wedging between us, yelling, ‘ My daddy.’ I played like it hurt my feelings, but it warmed my heart to watch their relationship unfold. Becoming a father changed Kenyon in ways that only Kyce Amour and God could, and I was glad to be a part of it.
Climbing into my truck, I cruised home while arranging dinner with Kenyon. His occasional hmm s and whatever you want told me I would have to pry him from his desk when I arrived.
Mom’s name illuminated the dash, and I ended our call to answer hers.
“Hey, Mama.”
“Hey, what are you up to?” she asked.
“Leaving the studio. You?”
“Leaving Mom’s house. Trying not to drive across town and whoop Misa’s ass. I’m so sick of her,” Mom sighed while I chuckled at how I’d become one of her little friends.
“What did she do now?”
“She told Brandy she would go to her prenatal appointment on Thursday. Now she’s backing out, and Brandy is a wreck. Lily had to be on some hard stuff when she got pregnant with Misa. I just don’t understand.”
Banana Girls’ speech worked for a while, and Misa did well until Brandy announced her pregnancy. Now, she was back to being avoidant and inconsistent. I knew the lonely feeling that came from needing your mother during a pivotal time in your life. My heart ached for Brandy because she deserved better.
“I should’ve beat her up in the hospital when I had the chance,” I admitted.
“Get in line. If anybody is delivering that ass whooping, it’s me,” Mom vowed.
“You sure? I don’t need you throwing out your back and letting her get the best of you,” I joked to lighten the mood.
“I can handle Misa. Trust me,” Mom sighed and paused. “But I’m going with Brandy since her trifling ass Mom won’t.”
“I think she’d appreciate that. How’s Banana Girl.”
“She’s good. Missing Kyce.”
“I don’t like how she’s kick me to the curb for my baby.”
“She kicked me to the curb for you. How was your day?”
“Exhausting, but Loriann has Kyce tonight, thank God.”
“Juggling multiple hats can be exhausting. How can I help?” Mom offered.
“When I think of it, I’ll let you know.”
“Just know I’m here. You have a great support system. Don’t be afraid to use it.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You’re welcome, baby.”
Mom vented about how the teenage version of Sasha was driving her crazy. Every day, there was a new earth-shattering problem, from friendship drama to her last-minute communication. Sasha decided at the last minute she wants to go to homecoming, and now they had to go out after school to find a dress.
After picking up dinner, I had never been happier to pull in the driveway, I reminded Mom to stay strong and ended the call so I could shower and relax. I wasn’t looking forward to teenage Kyce because the toddler version was already bossy enough.
The house was dark as I carefully walked to the kitchen, setting the food down. Noticing the faint light down the hallway, I knew Kenyon was in his office. Trudging down the hallway, I paused outside the door. Nolan and Shaudi tried to convince him to meet them at the bar.
“Nah, man. I’m chilling tonight,” I heard Kenyon say.
“Get yo’ old ass up bitch!” Shaudi yelled, causing me to throw my hand over my mouth in the hallway to avoid giving myself away.
“I have shit to do.”
“Mentiras? * ,” I said, pushing through the door.
“I don’t know what she said, but it doesn’t sound like she’s on your side. Wassup Sis,” Shaudi slurred into the speaker.
“Hey,” I replied, moving Kenyon’s chair back so I could straddle his lap. It had become my favorite place after a long day.
“Babygirl is home. I gotta go,” Kenyon ended the call before Nolan or Shaudi said anything else, “I didn’t teach you Spanish for you to sell me out.”
“Why aren’t you going out tonight?”
“You trying to get rid of me?”
“More like trying to get you away from this desk.”
“I can think of a few ways to do that,” he joked, bouncing his eyebrows.
“Show me,” I flirted, kissing his neck.
“Let me wrap this up first.”
I didn’t reply because I was too tired for the conversation that would’ve ensued if I had. Peeling myself from his lap, I shut the door behind me and walked to the kitchen to heat my food. Mom said it was better to have a man who worked too much than one who didn’t, so I tried not to complain.
When my food came out of the microwave, Kenyon shuffled into the kitchen, wedging me between his body and the counter.
“What do you want to do tonight?” he asked, kissing the discolored birthmark I passed down to Kyce. Only hers was on her temple. It was the only thing she had of mine because she was the spitting image of her father.
“I thought you had work to finish.”
“Right now, I’m more concerned with you,” he replied, nipping at my earlobe.
“Good, because I’d hate to remind you who you’re acting like,” I joked.
I could feel Kenyon’s smile on my face, “I’m acting like Eric, huh?”
“Yeah, you are.”
“What do you want to do tonight?” he asked, kissing my neck.
“It was a long day. I just want to spend time with you.”
“Why was today so long?”
Kenyon listened while I vented about covering extra classes while trying to organize this showcase and dealing with annoying ass parents. He listened intently while warming up his food and hopping on the counter to give me his undivided attention.
I appreciated the way he always let me vent about being so busy. His solution was never just to quit, even though I could. Instead, he used his money to make things easier in our lives so I had more space for dance, like retiring my Mom so she could keep Kyce when he couldn’t. Picking up dinner and not being upset if I didn’t cook. Those were the things I loved most about Kenyon.
“Anyway, Rajah’s last rodeo is Saturday night, so I don’t want any excuses. We’re going,” I declared.
Kenyon’s lids flicked up before focusing back on his food.
“Then I need you to find something nice to wear to Sydney’s donor dinner.”
“Wow, we’re going tit for tat now?”
“You don’t have enough tits for tat,” Kenyon joked.
My jaw dropped in fake outrage. Breastfeeding his greedy daughter sucked what little life I had out of them, “Fuck you.”
“Now we’re talking.”
“You make me so sick,” I giggled.
“Kross came by the office today. He needs your help at the club.”
“I don’t know if I can take anything else on my plate.”
“Then don’t. We’ll figure it out.”
I also didn’t want to put anything else on Kenyon’s plate.
“What about Rajah?” I suggested trying to find common ground. “Rajah is Utopia, so who better to take over? It's a storybook ending to a good run.”
“Damn, that’s a good idea.”
“I’m full of good ideas, just like Throttle House. Aren’t you happy I picked you?”
“ You picked me ?” Kenyon laughed so hard he almost choked on his food. “Be clear, Babygirl. I let you think you picked me, but I was in control the whole time.”
“You are delusional,” I rebutted.
We finished eating while Kenyon updated me on the progress of the app. There was something sexy about listening to him discuss something he was so passionate about. Half the time, I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I listened to the inflection of his voice and the way he smiled at certain parts.
* ? Lies