9. Myheir #3
I could barely eat a damn thing because I wanted to say something, but I knew Khaleya didn’t want me to, for a reason. So I sat patiently, focused on her.
“I’m not offended at all. My father shared those same views, but the good thing about me is I live for me.
Not for the thoughts and opinions of others.
I am the only one who can live the life I have.
I accept suggestions on my actions when I ask for them, never before.
I date because I would rather waste a few hours than a few years.
Our time in this life is limited, and we all have an expiration date that none of us knows. ”
Her response packed enough of a punch that it caused my pops to choke on his eggs. I’m sure he didn’t expect her to be just as smart as he was being. I smirked and picked up my toast to take a bite. Clearly, she had this more in control than I originally thought.
My mom was patting my pops’ back aggressively, trying to hold back her smile. I knew in that moment that Khaleya had won my mom over with flying colors.
From that moment forth, my pops kept his egotistical questions to his damn self and stuck to asking about her business.
By the time we finished breakfast, my mom had invited Khaleya into her ladies’ den.
I knew that was so I would have to entertain what bullshit my pops wanted to spew without Khaleya present.
He silently told me to follow him to his office. I inwardly groaned but did as he instructed. The moment we stepped inside, I closed the door behind me. My pops walked over to his bar and grabbed his cigar case.
“This one is definitely better than the last one. She has some spunk, but I still don’t buy it. What do you have going on? Don’t be fucking around with my wife’s emotions. She really likes that girl for some reason.”
He cut the tip of his cigar and lifted the case in my direction, but I declined, so he closed it. Then he got comfortable in the chair in front of the fireplace. I took up the chair beside him.
“I don’t know why you always think something is going on.”
He lit his cigar, then took a pull before blowing the smoke from his nose.
“Because my senses are never off. But I don’t give a damn what you have going on. All I know is that my wife better not be disappointed because of it.”
I settled back in my seat to think about what he was saying. I didn’t think it was that serious. My mom would be just fine. I had to believe that, because I wasn’t doing this to hurt her or anyone in my family. I had a point to prove, and I damn sure was going to.
“You don’t have nothing to worry about. Khaleya is special.”
My pops glanced over at me and nodded.
“Now that I can agree on, even if she is running around with every Tom, Dick, and Harry. I hope you stopped all that shit.”
I brought my hand up to cover my smirk.
“Is this my relationship or yours, pops?” I asked with a tilt of my head.
He took another pull on his cigar, then pointed it in my direction.
“Let me find out you into that kind of kinky shit. I always knew you were a little different when you were younger.”
I couldn’t help it this time. I burst into laughter. He was serious as hell, and his frown only further let me know. A knock sounded at the door, and my pops started coughing out of control, while trying to quickly and clumsily put out the cigar.
He leaned over the arm of his chair and tried to hand me the cigar.
“Aye, hold this. I’m not trying to hear your mama’s mouth.”
“Nah, that’s your cigar. I’m not trying to get on her bad side,” I responded, holding up my hands.
“Darren, I know you’re in there smoking on that damn cigar. Put it out, and Teddy, Khaleya has to head out, so let’s go.”
“That’s my cue. Good luck,” I cracked, hopping out of his reach and heading for the door.
My mother was on the other side, gripping her hips while Khaleya stood behind her with a smirk. I shook my head and leaned down to kiss my mother’s cheek.
“Thanks for breakfast. It was great,” I told her.
“Thank you for bringing Khaleya by, and you, Ms. lady, make sure you don’t become a stranger. I gave you my number for a reason. Use it,” my mom said.
Khaleya held her hand out for me, so I took it.
“Absolutely, Mrs. Mere, I have to get those skincare tips so you won’t have to wait long for a call,” she told my mom, who waved her off with a big smile just as my pops stepped out into the hallway.
“It was nice meeting you, Mr. Blackwell,” Khaleya said to my pops.
He smirked for the first time, which let me know he liked her more than he was letting on.
“That’s Darren to you now, Julia Roberts,” he said.
Khaleya’s mouth dropped open, and my mom elbowed my pops. I brought my fist to my mouth to hold back my laughter.
“Mhm, I’m going to let you have that one. But next time I’ll be ready,” Khaleya told my pops with a smirk.
I shook my head and pulled her lightly towards the exit. As we walked away, she leaned over and whispered, “Did your daddy just call me a prostitute, like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman?”
“Nah, Doll, I think he was calling you a regal woman or some shit like that.”