Chapter 25 #2
She pressed her lips together and cut her eyes into slits.
“I’m the first to admit that I may be a bit overprotective when it comes to Yosiah.
Even though he’s a grown man, I still treat him like he’s the kid I had to put a Band-Aid on when he was learning to ride a bike.
I had a hard time getting pregnant, I don’t know if you know that, but Yosiah was mine and Alonzo’s miracle baby.
With the complications of getting pregnant came complications with birthing him, making him the only child I was able to conceive and birth.
So his whole life I spoiled him and made a promise I would protect him.
When I learned the circumstances of your marriage, it rubbed me wrong because my son was being forced into something he didn’t ask for nor did he want due to his father’s carelessness.
One thing I don’t play about is my family, Xylina.
You mess with them and I take it personally.
Yosiah didn’t deserve to have to pay for his father’s mishaps.
I knew my son would take his vows seriously, no matter if they were real or fake, because that’s how we raised him.
I also knew what he wanted out of life and that being in this fake marriage with you wouldn’t get it.
So to answer your question, that’s why I was upset.
Seeing that you’re becoming a mother soon, you’ll see that all we want is the best for our kids and anyone who messes with them instantly becomes an enemy of ours. ”
I bit the inside of my cheek, processing her explanation.
I could understand where she was coming from.
My baby wasn’t even here yet and I might not be a fighter, but I would fuck someone up over it already.
I knew my previous actions didn’t win me any cool points with Yosiah’s parents.
Even if his dad was cordial, I was sure I wasn’t his favorite person, and sadly I couldn’t be mad at them for that. But still…
“I can understand your reasoning. In the beginning, my intentions with Yosiah were one hundred percent selfish and superficial, but that’s not the case anymore.
I’ve developed true feelings for your son and the two of us have agreed to give this fake marriage as you call it a real shot.
Now we’re bringing a child into the mix and I know Yosiah wants you to be a part of our kid’s life and it would even be nice for me to get along with at least one of my child’s grandparents and have their support.
I don’t know anything about being a mom and I didn’t have the best example of one growing up either, so being on the outs with you isn’t ideal for me.
But I can’t let you continue to degrade me.
I don’t want anyone like that around my baby. ”
Her mouth twitched and she folded her hands on the table just as the server came back with our food. My stomach rumbled as I inhaled the stuffed crème br?lée French toast, grits, fresh fruit, and sausage I got. I wish I could stomach eggs, but just the thought made me feel nauseous.
After dismissing the waiter, we lowered our heads and blessed the food. My mouth was practically watering as I poured syrup on my French toast.
We grew quiet again, getting lost in our food.
After a while, Zoya cleared her throat again and began speaking. “Since it seems you’re going to be around regardless if you and my son are together or not, I do agree that the two of us should come to a mutual understanding and get along.”
I wiped my mouth and nodded. “I agree.”
“I was behaving like a child, so I can apologize for my previous actions. And if you’re willing to forgive me, I would like to start over.
My son told me a little about your relationship with your parents and it’s unfortunate but I don’t want to be another adult in your life that lets you down.
As long as my son is happy and the two of you are agreeing to make it work, you won’t have any more issues out of me. ”
It wasn’t the welcome warm truce I’d hope for, but for Zoya I was sure it was as good as it got. Plus I wasn’t looking to be best friends with her or form a mother-daughter relationship with her, so I could accept it.
“I accept your apology. As I said, I care about Yosiah a lot. We have worked things out and understand each other better than in the beginning. Whatever issues the two of us might have in the future, we’ll figure it out, between the two of us,” I made sure to emphasize.
A smirk split Zoya’s face. It was the closest thing to a smile I’d seen since we’d been sitting here. I noticed her and Yosiah were a lot alike in the emotions and personality category.
“Basically you’re saying you want me to mind my business and allow the two of you to work your shit out when needed.”
I lifted my shoulders and brought my glass to my mouth, sipping from the straw to stifle my smile.
Zoya chuckled. “My mother-in-law wasn’t a walk in the park before she passed away, so I get it. I’ll do my best to stay in my lane and be here as support only.”
“That’s all I ask. I know being a parent is a learning curve, so I would like to have at least one person on my side who knows what they’re doing to ask for help when I need it.”
Zoya nodded. “Understood. Alonzo has told me many times I need to ‘cut the cord’ with Yosiah and stop overstepping. I suppose it’s time I finally listen.” She didn’t sound completely happy but she did look genuine in her words.
I pushed a deep breath out, feeling a bit better. Knowing me and Zoya had worked out things meant that that cloud wouldn’t loom over me and Yosiah. I didn’t know if she meant what she said about staying in her place, but I guessed only time would tell.
“It’s been way too long since all of us have been out!” Tiara exclaimed, downing the drink in her glass and slamming it on the table afterwards.
“I know right! Xylina’s been hiding from us. How did you manage to get her out of the house?” Aaliyah asked Savannah.
“You know I’m sitting right here. And I haven’t been hiding from anyone, I’ve just been busy.” I took a sip of my Sprite.
This was the first time I’d been out and sober.
It was weird being in the club and not drinking.
Savannah had been trying to get me to come hang out with everyone for a while, but I kept turning her down.
After learning about my dad and then everything happening between me and Yosiah, I wasn’t in the most social mood.
“The important thing is that you finally came out to chill with your girls!” Angel shouted, up and shaking her ass. I laughed at her antics. She was always guaranteed to make you laugh and loosen a tense situation.
“That’s right! Our girl is here and we’re gonna have a good time!” Savannah agreed.
“Let’s take a shot. It’s been too long since we’ve all gotten together.” Angel grabbed the liquor bottle from the ice bucket and the shot glasses on the tray in front. She poured five glasses then distributed them in front of each of us.
I pushed mine away. “I’ll stick with my Sprite.”
“What? No way! We’re celebrating the girls being back together! We have to take a shot.”
“I have to work in the morning and I haven’t been feeling well lately either.”
“You working?” Aaliyah laughed.
I cut my eyes at her. “What’s funny about that?”
“It’s just a shame you’re having to work now. It must suck.”
“Actually, it doesn’t!”
“You guys must not have heard, our girl here is the official stylist for Simone.”
“Simone? The singer?” Tiara asked.
“The one and only.” I grinned.
“What? I love her music! How did you score that?”
“It’s actually all thanks to Savannah.”
“Girl, no!” She shoulder bumped me. “It’s because our girl can dress her ass off and my cousin took notice! And from what I heard, she’s not the only one taking notice of you either.”
I grinned. “I’ve been getting a few inquiries.”
“Hell yeah! Even more reason to take a shot!” Angel cheered, lifting her glass.
“I’ll take Xylina’s for her,” Savannah said after taking hers and grabbing mine.
I silently thanked her. I hadn’t announced my pregnancy yet and I knew me not drinking would make the rest of the girls suspicious, so I appreciated Savannah for trying to take some of the heat off me.
“Boo! You’re no fun,” Angel pouted, refilling her shot glass and taking another.
Giggling and waving her off, I continued sipping my Sprite and rapping along to the current Drake song playing.
“They say truth will set you free, might as well stream while you’re watching HD.” I pulled my phone out and pulled my InstaFlik up, going to my story and pressing record. Savannah ended up getting into the camera with me, joining along, causing me to laugh.
I didn’t realize how much I’d missed chilling with my girls until right now. I had been barricading myself in the house, too embarrassed about what was happening with my dad, but I was naturally a social person. So being isolated in the house wasn’t me and it was easy for me to get in my head too.
The song suddenly switched to “Spend Dat” by Yung Miami. “Ah shit!” Tiara shouted, jumping up and instantly starting to shake her ass.
“Hold on now!” Angel yelled, joining her, grabbing the back of the couch and bending over.
Flipping my camera, I recorded my friends while encouraging them.
“Where’s all the scammin’ muthafuckas at? Let me hear y’all!” the DJ said into the mic.
“Spend that shit!” I shouted.
Posting to my story, I closed my phone, set it down, and stood up to dance along with my friends.
With my hands on my knees, I bounced my ass up down, sticking my tongue out while grinning.
“Yes! That’s my best friend!” Savannah cheered, this time with her camera out.
“Bussdown Patek, I ain’t never been a plain bitch!” I rapped along, spinning around and flashing my wrist at Savannah’s camera.
“Yes, babe! Show them what a boss looks like,” she said, laughing, and continuing to dance along to the song.