Chapter 30
Walking around my room, I had no idea what to do with Garrett’s belongings.
His mother didn’t even come to the funeral, and she was the only family I knew of his.
There was no way I was going to keep his shit, and there was no way in hell I was going to give it to Shaq.
He had a lot of expensive stuff, but I wasn’t about to help her in no form.
I still couldn’t believe my husband of five years was now dead.
I didn’t have anything in life to say to Garrett, but I didn’t wish him dead.
He was a fucked up person, and just because I was done with his ass doesn’t mean he deserved to die.
I still can’t believe he killed himself.
I thought Mila would be hurt by it, but she doesn’t seem to quite understand what was happening.
I guess that was for the best because I wouldn’t know how to help her cope.
“Bitch, I can’t believe you’re about to leave me,” Tyla said after walking in the room with two wine glasses. She was helping me pack for my move to Miami.
“I know right. I thought I would live in Chicago forever.”
“So, you and Devin are getting back together?” I thought about it long and hard, and while the move was about him and Mila, it wasn’t about us.
“Naw. I thought we would after we slept together when I was there, but he hasn’t brought it up since. It’s like the shit never happened. I guess he just needed to bust a nut because I was there.
“Then why are you moving there? It’s not like you don’t have your job here.” Grabbing my glass from her, I downed it.
“Too much has happened. With all of the bullshit that went down at the studio, and then Garrett dying, shit just won’t be the same. I need a fresh start.”
“Yeah, but you can start over with your career here. I’m asking why does it have to be Miami.”
“I took years from Devin, and while he’s willing to come here every chance he gets, I don’t think it’s fair. I’m trying to right my wrongs.”
“I get that, and I’m proud of you for taking accountability. I’m just confused because he doesn’t have a problem with coming here.”
“With Playoffs starting, he will barely get to see her. They lost enough time together. I’m moving there so that he can spend every chance he gets with her. His mom is still healing from a stroke, and her and Landon deserves to get to know her too.”
“It seems like you’re doing a lot to appease them. What about you?” She just wasn’t getting it.
“Friend, it’s not about me or them. It’s about Mila and her finally having a chance to get to know her family.
You think I’m doing this for him, and even though I am, it benefits my child.
This is part of me taking accountability.
I’m putting on my big girl panties and doing the right thing for once.
” She patted her eyes as if she was crying causing me to shake my head.
“Look at you all grown now. I raised you right.”
“Girl, fuck you! Stop playing and help me pack this shit up. The movers will be here tomorrow.”
“Did you find a house yet?” I shook my head as I started grabbing stuff putting them in boxes.
“Nope. I’m going to put all this stuff in storage and stay in a suite. Mila will be with Devin whenever he’s in town or at Adrianne’s.”
“Girl, you’re better than me. I would be showing up at that man’s doorstep with my bags, a wet pussy, and a smile. What he gone do? Say you and his child can’t stay there.” I laughed because I thought about it, but I didn’t want to end up with my face broke. His ass wasn’t about to play me.
“I’mma tell Mila to ask him. You know her ass will be like so you don’t care that my mama is homeless.” We both laughed knowing it was exactly how she would say that.
“You ain’t shit. That baby gone drag him for filth. I’m going to miss her lil butt, but now I have somewhere to visit. Maybe I can get one of them ballers.”
“Me too.” She looked at me with her mouth twisted up.
“You tried it. You know that man ain’t about to let that happen. Have you found somewhere to work there?” I taped the box I was working on with a sly smile on my face.
“I’m done working for someone else. My baby daddy got moneyyyyyy, so I’m going to take advantage of that.
I’m going to start my own sports podcast. It’s going to take a while to fully get up and running, but I’m done being censored.
Besides, I don’t have to worry about looking a certain way. Devin likes me in my natural state.”
“You going back to your original name?”
“Hell naw. Don’t nobody wanna hear shit about sports from a bitch named Brianna.” We both laughed when my phone rang. Seeing it was a facetime from Devin, I answered. He was on the bus with his teammates, and all they ass was in the camera trying to see me.
“Hey, you. Mila is sleep; you want me to wake her?”
“Naw, we called to talk to your bald headed ass. Where yo friends at?” His homie Nock screamed through the phone.
“She right here,” Tyla yelled before running over to the camera.
“Hey, sis send me her number. Shorty fine as fuck.” Devin shook his head, but he looked like he was high on life. His eyes were low, and he had this dumb ass grin on his face.
“Hey, Mercer, you getting back with shorty or you gone let a real man handle that?” I couldn’t see who asked, but Devin’s smile left, and his ass went off. Tyla’s ass was laughing and started twerking mouthing for me to put it on him.
“These nigga’s ain’t got no manners. What you doing baby mama?”
“Nothing, I’m packing.”
“What you got on?” Blushing, I moved the phone for him to see my booty shorts and tank.
“Dammnnn!!!!” You heard all the players yelling out causing me to laugh. His ass didn’t like that shit at all.
“You smiling and shit like you wanna get knocked the fuck out. Only compliments you get come from me. You got it?”
“Yeah, and that means you need to give me one then.” I don’t know why I was playing this game with him, but it felt good.
“That ass look good as fuck baby mama. You miss me?” I knew he was trying to show off for his friends, so I played along.
“Is a pig’s pussy pork?” He fell out laughing causing me to laugh.
“You so extra. I’ll see you tomorrow. Coach ass about to give a long ass speech acting like we didn’t win.”
“You know I watched the game. Go back to doing your fadeaway. You’re undefendable when you do that. If all else fails, drive it to the basket. You gone get the foul every time because of your form.” His ass shook his head at me.
“I’m so glad you can’t go dogging me out on yo lil show no more. Ain’t nobody gone see that podcast right away.”
“You fucked up for that. Devin, you already know I’m scared, don’t say that.”
“You know I’m playing. If I have to pay a mufucka to watch it, you gone be good. You need some money to get the stuff?”
“I already bought it with the last money you gave me. I’m okay for now. Just don’t get to looking crazy if it don’t take right off and I get to begging to keep my lights on.”
“My shorty ma will never have to beg nobody. I got you. I’ll call you back before I lay it down. Hurry up and bring that ass here.”
“Okay.” He blew me a kiss before hanging up and Tyla was looking at me with an expression that said I was full of shit.
“What’s that you said about not being together?” I waved her off and grabbed some more stuff to put in the next box.
“He just fronting for them niggas, so nobody tries to talk to me. His ass ain’t doing shit but playing.”
“Ain’t nobody playing but you Smokie. You walk around the hood all day playing. He know where your mama stay.”
“Shut the fuck up.” I cut her off from reciting Friday.
“I’m just saying. Name one person in the hood that play like that?”
“Bitch, you supposed to be helping me pack and you ain’t did nothing but run your mouth. Come help me, so I can be finished.”
“Okay. I’m just saying, if you not trying to be with that man, you better stay here.
It seems like he thinks yall together.” I thought about what she said, but I wasn’t about to get my hopes up.
Unless he showed me different, I was going to keep my feelings tucked and leave it at co-parenting.
Even though my pussy was begging for him right now.
This shit was going to be hard, but I was going to try my best.