Chapter 25 #2
Apparently, Mythic had checked my text message.
I didn’t have anything to hide. He’d gotten the lock code to my phone a long time ago.
Suddenly, I remembered the text thread between my girls and me and got nervous.
What if he read it? Mythic was never afraid to say exactly what was on his mind.
If he was able to filter through all of Bali and Noni’s bullshit, then I knew he would be addressing it.
He scooped me up and took me to the bathroom so we could shower.
They were going to the spa at ten, and I wanted to get to the diner no later than nine.
He set me on the countertop then started the shower.
When he stared back at me, my cheeks heated up.
His eyes scanned my body, then he said, “No matter what happens, I love you. You are the only woman for me, Maui.” He lowered his head for a second, then he stared back up at me and allowed tears to fall from his eyes.
“Caleb is my responsibility, baby. Right now, he has to be my first priority.”
He read the thread. Fuck! My tears immediately fell down my cheeks too. I looked away from him as my body quaked. He came to me and held me close. He was telling me that if I couldn’t get with that, I could leave. I honestly respected him even more for that.
“Your tears always move me. You know that. I want you to stay with me and understand this struggle. I need you so much, baby, but I understand if you can’t.
I’ll always be here, praying for the day we can be a family.
Still . . . I’ll always want God to bless you whether we’re together or not.
I pray for you now, so I know those prayers will be even heavier if you choose to leave.
You said you were all mine, baby. I hope that doesn’t change.
I have to take care of Caleb. He’s an innocent baby, and even more importantly, he’s my son. ”
I buried my face in his chest, then pulled away.
I nodded my understanding of what he said, then got off the countertop.
I couldn’t respond just yet, because my emotions were on overload.
I knew words would fail to make sense at this point.
He followed me to the shower in silence.
Once we got in, I turned to him and slid my arms around his waist. This man was my soul. I couldn’t fathom being apart from him.
Pulling my emotions together, I said, “I love you so much. I’m going to try, Mythic.
I promise I’m going to try. I was just voicing my fears with my girls.
Ashanni’s situation gives me hope that everything will be okay.
His mom will most likely be in prison for a long time. I’ll be the only mother he knows.”
He lifted my chin and kissed my lips. “Thank you, baby. I’m still going to be the same Mythic.
I’m still going to be considerate of your feelings.
We’ll have help. Mom and Dad love Caleb and surely won’t mind keeping him from time to time.
As long as you’re here, I’m going to do my best to ensure you always want to be here.
I have to pick him up from his grandmother Monday. ”
I nodded, then pulled away from him to wash up.
As I was reaching for my loofah, he grabbed it, soaped it, and began washing my body, being sure to tenderly touch every spot.
His gaze said he loved every stroke he made with it.
He valued every part of me. Unfortunately, I could only hope I didn’t have to shut Shaydon down.
I thought we’d come to an understanding.
When I got out of the shower, I needed to see what he said that had Mythic on edge.
Hey, Maui. Dad, Shymir, and I are in town and will be at breakfast at the diner.
Milana said you would be there. I can’t wait to see you.
I’ve been thinking about you, hoping that all was well.
I’ve been trying to give you space and be at peace with your relationship status.
Part of me hopes that shit has fallen apart, so I can have a chance though. See you soon, baby girl.
No wonder Mythic was feeling the way he was.
He saw my text thread with my girls after seeing that shit.
Ugh. I had just got in my car to head to Nome.
Mythic was inside helping Treasure get situated.
She was extremely jumpy today when she woke up.
She started yelling for him while we were in the shower.
I felt for her, and I could only pray that Karima could continue helping her through what she was having to deal with.
She had an appointment with her the same day Mythic had to get his cast taken off, although he was threatening to cut the shit off himself.
I didn’t know why the nigga still had the cast on anyway.
He was moving his arm and using it like there wasn’t a cast on it at times.
He was sticking all kinds of shit in it to scratch his arm.
There was no telling how much stuff had gotten stuck in there.
That .357 Seven used had fucked his arm up.
I was just grateful the damage was reparable.
As I drove, my phone rang. When I saw it was Ashanni, I answered. It was only eight, so I knew she wasn’t calling because I was late. “Hello?”
“Hey, boo. You on your way?”
“Yeah. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. What’s up?”
“Mythic texted me a lil while ago saying thank you. When I called him, he didn’t answer. What’s he thanking me for?”
I smiled slightly. That man of mine. Jesus. “He saw our text thread from last night. He saw what you said about taking care of Jay.”
“Oh shit. He was persistent as fuck to filter through your sisters’ bullshit to see that.”
I chuckled. “Persistent as hell. He also saw a message from Shaydon too. I think that was why he was persistent. He wanted to see if we had been talking about him.”
“Aww fuck. What that nigga had to say? I thought he was done.”
“Yeah, me too. He was basically telling me that he, his dad, and brother would be at the diner this morning and checking to see how I was. But he also said in so many words, that he hoped Mythic and I weren’t doing well so he could get another chance.”
“I’m surprised as fuck Mythic didn’t want to come with you after that.”
“Right. He’d already told Treasure he would take her to get her nails done. That nigga fucked the shit out of me before I left though. I’m tired as hell. I almost canceled on y’all asses.”
She hollered with laughter. “That nigga love you so damn much. I can’t wait until y’all’s house is built so I can witness the passion between the two of you more.
He don’t fucking play about you, and I love that shit, sis.
Your presence brought out his true self.
He said you changed him, but that isn’t true.
This is who he is under all the bullshit. ”
“You are so right. He’s loving, sweet, passionate, and possessive as hell.”
She giggled. “Well, I’ll see you in a little bit. I just got here.”
“Okay.”
I ended the call and continued the drive to them.
I was only ten minutes away. My mind decided to take me on a journey of all the things Mythic and I had overcome.
As I thought about hurdle after hurdle, I knew him having Caleb would most likely be the easiest of them all.
If anything, having that baby boy in my life could offer the true healing I needed and a reprieve from the grief I felt inside from losing Indigo.
When I got to the diner, I noticed Shaydon and Shymir standing outside talking to Kingsley and Kane.
They were closest to them because their parents were extremely close.
King was about a year or so older than Shaydon, and Shymir was a little older than Kane.
It seemed that Aunt Keisha and Mrs. Cass were planning their pregnancies around each other.
According to my dad, Mrs. Cass had even stayed with Uncle Kenny and Aunt Keisha while she was pregnant with Shaydon, because she and Mr. Shylou were having issues.
The stress of it all caused her to go into premature labor as well. Obviously, Shaydon survived.
After I killed my engine, I got out, and Shaydon’s eyes immediately met mine. I took a deep breath and smiled slightly. As I made my way to the door, he approached me. “Hey, baby girl. What’s up? You look good as fuck, so I guess all is still well in paradise, huh?”
My face heated up from his admiration. “Hey, Shaydon. I’m good. I hope you’re the same.”
He smiled. “Can I at least get a hug? Things finna be different between us, huh?”
“Yeah. Mythic saw your text. I know your intent wasn’t to be disrespectful, but you were. Shaydon, you are an excellent catch and a good man. I’m sorry I’m not the woman for you. The woman you are meant to be with is still waiting for you to find her.”
“Damn.” He nodded. “He not insecure, is he?”
I frowned slightly. “Imagine if you read a text on your woman’s phone from a nigga wishing her relationship with you had fallen apart. How would you feel? Especially if you and your lady had previously had some serious issues.”
“You have a valid point, baby. I apologize. Whenever I see Mythic, I’ll offer my apologies to him as well.”
“Naw. Don’t approach him. Just leave well enough alone. Again, you’re a good person, Shaydon. I don’t wanna see you get fucked up.”
He smirked and grabbed my hand. “I’ll leave it alone, but don’t ever think a nigga like me can’t hold his own. I’m from H-Tine, baby. Ain’t shit weak come out the Smith household.”
I smiled and slowly shook my head. “Take care of yourself, Shaydon. See you around.”
“A’ight, baby.”
He pulled me into his arms for a hug, and I could feel a slight tremble course through him.
When I pulled away, he winked at me. I went inside before I fucked around and got caught in an innocent but what looked to be a compromising situation.
When I glanced around, I saw PJ watching me.
I slowly shook my head as he gave me a smile and a head nod.
That damn Mythic Semien did not fucking play. But that was my man, my man, my man.