by Kaige Keira
Chapter 10
“You can’t be serious,” Autumn whispered as they entered Pink Star. Once Autumn had arrived to pick up Blessings, Blessings had decided she wanted to confront Asha in front of Priest. She needed answers and only Priest and Asha could provide them. Blessings could feel her heart tearing down the middle and somebody had to answer for it. This wasn’t who she was. She had boyfriends in the past. If they fucked up, she was quick to show them the door. But Priest didn’t receive that cold side of her. In her eyes, she couldn’t do him like that. He was able to do something other niggas couldn’t do.
“I just want to talk to them face to face,” Blessings explained as they made their way to his office. Autumn sighed as she sent a quick text to Chicago. He was their ride back to the college. He should know if he was about to be a getaway driver if this shit goes south.
Blessings approached the office door and paused. Her hands suddenly became sweaty as she reached for the knob. She was expecting them to be in there fucking. She wanted him too so she could go off and be done with him. But she knew deep down, he wasn’t.
Blessings opened the door and saw Priest sitting on the floor playing with a little girl that was the spitting image of him. The baby was smiling and laughing and walking around in circles, clapping her hands. Asha was sitting by the desk, laughing and recording the scene before her on her phone. Priest looked up when he heard the door open. He was surprised to see Blessings standing there, looking at him. He could see the hurt in her eyes and immediately knew her mind was going into overdrive.
Priest got up off the floor and walked over to Blessings. She tensed as he moved her closer to Imani. Asha rolled her eyes as Priest moved Blessings closer to the baby. “Imani,” Priest said to the baby. She walked over to him and allowed her daddy to pick her up. He placed his other arm around Blessings. “This is Blessings. My other half of my heart.”
Blessings choked back tears as she stepped back from him. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving my car here and going with Autumn.” Priest looked back at the door. This was his first time meeting the girl that had his friend head gone. Priest nodded in Autumn’s direction and she waved. She didn’t what to expect.
“I got you,” Priest said as he placed Imani down on the ground. “See you at home?”
Blessings nodded as she looked at Asha who had a smirk on her face. This wasn’t how Blessings envisioned her life. She was only eighteen. She wasn’t ready to be a stepmother, let alone deal with baby mama drama. Blessings walked out of the office, leaving the door opened.
Autumn quickly fell into pace at Blessings side as they walked to the entrance of the club. “You alright,” Autumn asked as they made it outside. Blessings shook her no as she bent over to get her emotions in check. This wasn’t how she envisioned this. She wasn’t ready for kids. She was still a kid herself. She just wanted to get a degree and fuck on the same dick until she graduated college. Was that too much to ask? To be with Priest, now requires her to accept his child and Asha. They were a fucking package deal.
“I need a drink,” Blessings said as she looked at Autumn. “A real drink.”
Autumn nodded her head as she pulled out her phone. She was supposed to be at the hospital checking up on her sister, but Tori could wait. This was a critical moment for her friend.
“Let’s go to my house,” Autumn suggested as they walked to Chicago’s car. He was driving a midnight green mustang 5.0. Blessings hopped in the backseat while Autumn hopped in the front passenger seat. “We are going back to the school so I can get my car.” Chicago nodded his head as he exited the parking lot.
“So, Chicago, do you have any single friends,” Blessings asked as she looked at him. Autumn shook her hand. They had been in the car for all of five minutes before Blessings spoke up. “I’m just saying. I might be single tonight. Might as well build up my roster.” Blessings looked out the window and sighed. She was about to make a real difficult decision. She loves Priest but he suddenly had baggage that Blessings wasn’t too fond of.
“Nobody is hooking up nobody,” Autumn exclaimed as she looked at Chicago. “She just talking just to be talking. Don’t get involved.” Chicago laughed as he kept driving towards the school.
“The only person I’m trying to hook up is you and the real man of your dreams,” Chicago stated as he looked at Autumn. She blushed when he winked at her. He definitely wanted her.
Blessing peeped the game Chicago was throwing and decided to make it known that Autumn was spoken for. “She talks to my cousin. So, find another girl.” Blessings folded her arms and was staring daggers into the back of Chicago’s head.
“I don’t belong to him,” Autumn said in her defensive. Avery hadn’t called her since he dropped her off and Autumn was sure it was because he didn’t get no punani. “Besides, I do need to talk to you about that.”
Blessings sighed. She knew it had something to do with Yvonne. Yvonne would run away any potential girlfriends that Avery would talk too if they were on a “break” as she would call it. Chicago pulled up next to Autumn’s car and parked. Both girls got out and made their way to the other vehicle. Blessings stopped by Chicago’s window and tapped on it. He rolled his window down but didn’t speak to her. “If you really wanted her, you should have opened up her door. Instead you just technically threw a silent temper tantrum. No brownie points for you.” Blessings stuck out her tongue as she hopped in the passenger seat of Autumn’s car.
“Why do you even talk to him,” Blessings asked as she tried to get the Bluetooth to connect to her phone so she could play music. “I mean he got a nice body and all. But something is just off about him.”
Autumn sighed. “Avery is mad at me.” She was trying to change the conversation. Blessings stopped talking as she looked at Autumn. “I spent the night by his house because we had to take my sister to the hospital. His ex-girlfriend shows up. She throws a mini fit. Then he comes and apologizes to me but this morning,” Autumn’s voice trails off as she looks out of the windshield. “He cares about me. That I do believe. But I’m not having sex until I feel like its time.”
“You are still a virgin,” Blessings asked as her mouth dropped open from the shock.
Autumn giggled. “Yes, I am. Is that a crime?”
“The fuck it is. With an ass like the one you are carrying, I just knew a nigga was pounding the fuck out of it,” Blessings said as she laughed out loud. “Your ass is huge. I want an ass like that. And its untapped. You are better than me. I been fucking since I was sixteen.”
“SHUT UP,” AUTUMN SAID. She was trying to be serious, but she couldn’t stop the smile that spread wide across her face. “But I feel like he still gung-ho over his ex.”
Blessings wiped tears from her eyes as she tried to revisit the topic. “Avery and Yvonne have a weird history. They were together since senior year of high school. They had their fair share of make ups and break ups but this time it’s different. Yvonne cheated on my cousin with my brother. He probably just hurting from that, but he does like you.” Blessings shrugged her shoulders in an attempt to try to justify Avery’s actions.
“That’s deep,” Autumn said. “How long have them been broken up?” Blessings shrugged her shoulders again.
“I don’t know. They just broke up not too long ago. It was the day we went to Waffle House and I had to go get my idiotic brother from by Avery’s house.” Autumn stopped the car suddenly and looked at Blessings in her eyes.
“So, you saying they only been apart for a fucking week?” Autumn shouted angrily. Here she was falling for a man that could go back to ex at any second. If they had broken up the day, she met Blessings, that mean he gave her his number while he was still in a relationship. That was definitely a huge turn-off.
“I don’t believe this,” Autumn said as she grabbed her cell phone. Here she was trying to be a part of his life but in actuality, he was just looking for the rebound. Autumn dialed Avery’s number and placed the phone to her ear as sh
e waited for him to pick up. When he didn’t answer, she decided to leave him a voicemail.
“Call me as soon as you see my message,” Autumn said angrily before hanging up. He purposely left out the fact that he was in a relationship while he slid her his number. Mama was right, Autumn thought to herself as she pulled off. Niggas ain’t shit.
They arrived at Autumn’s house a few minutes later. Blessings gawked at the two-story house. Their house is huge. There were a few palm trees scattered around the yard and bushes. The lawn was neatly kept up as a small hammock hung between two trees. “This is your house,” Blessings asked as they stepped inside.
Autumn nodded as she closed the door behind them. Blessings looked up and noticed how far up the ceilings were. “What did you say your mother do again?”
Autumn laughed. “She is a PRN. Basically, she works kind of under a doctor, but she doesn’t take orders from one like a register nurse does. She can open up her own practice if she wanted too.” Autumn grabbed Blessings arm and led her into the kitchen.
“This is beautiful,” Blessings exclaimed as she placed her hand on the island. “I need to change my major. Criminal Justice is not gone cut it for me.”
Autumn grabbed two bottles of Powerade out of the fridge. “I’m only at Southern for two semesters. Then I’m transferring to LSU to start taking my actual college courses.”
“You know growing up in my neighborhood, nigga would just be lucky to finish high school, let alone go to college,” Blessings said as took a sip of her drink. “My father had high hopes for his kids before he passed. I think Mark took our father’s death the hardest. Mark used to could add and subtract numbers so fast in his head without the need of a calculator. But then one day, he just stops.” Blessings looked off into the distance as if she was remembering the day her brother stopped being her brother.
Autumn cleared her throat. “I know the feeling. Believe it or not, Tori used to be different. We were so close. We shared each other secrets and now it’s like we can’t even be in the same room for long without bumping heads.”
“I guess rich people have their own problems as well,” Blessings said. Autumn shrugged her shoulders as a response. No matter the pay rate, families would always have problems.
“So, I take it we all have man problems,” Blessings said as she walked around the kitchen. Her mother would love this design. It was so wide open and spacious. Nothing was out of place.
“I just think Avery need to step back and reevaluate everything,” Autumn said as took a sip of her juice. “I’m not fucking him to make him feel better.”
Blessings looked at Autumn and sighed. “You really are a virgin. I applaud that, though. You know, they say when you have sex with somebody, the people they fucked, bad energies pass onto you. I read that somewhere on Facebook.”
“I can believe it,” Autumn stated. “I watched my mother go from happy to sad with Tori’s father. Tori never understood it, but I did. I made a vow that the person I give it up too will be the one who deserves it and will cherish it. I didn’t want to end up like my mother. She has a weakness for men. I guess that’s why she was hard on Tori so much. They just alike in that department.”
“Dick can make a woman do some fucked up shit,” Blessings giggled. She was about to speak again when she heard the doorbell rang.
“I’ll be back,” Autumn said as she walked to the door. She looked through the peephole and frowned. What is he doing here, Autumn wonders. She opened the door and there stood Avery, holding an array of flowers.
“I said call, not pop up,” Autumn said as she looked at him. “But since you are here, you need to explain yourself.” Autumn stepped back and let Avery in. Avery tried to hand her the flowers, but she refused. She walked back into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Blessings was now standing by the island, munching on a bowl of grapes.
When she saw Avery stepped into the kitchen, Blessings immediately started throwing grapes at him. “I know you fucking knew. You knew about Asha and Imani.”
Avery ducked the incoming grape assault until Blessings decided it was better to eat the food and not throw it. “I told you I was staying out of yall mix,” Avery said as he sat down at the table next to Autumn. “Besides he wanted to tell you.” Blessings rolled her eyes as Avery gave Autumn his full attention.
“I’m sure somebody told you something,” Avery said as he looked at Blessings when he said somebody. Blessings stuck her tongue out at him. “When I gave you my number, yes I was in a relationship. But it wasn’t going to last long. Did I expect to break up with her hours later, no. Did I expect to start liking you so fast, no. But it happened and here we are. I don’t know what else you want me to say or do to prove to you that I want to see where this goes.” Avery placed his hand on her thigh as Autumn stared at him. She wanted to believe every word but a small voice inside of her head kept her from falling to deep.
“I’m not having sex no time soon,” Autumn said in a firm tone. “Sex shouldn’t define a bond between two people. If you are ok with that then we can move on and see where this goes. But if not, we can part right here.”
Damn, she cold, Blessings thought to herself. She was somewhat glad that Autumn was speaking up and letting Avery know what was up. That’s the kind of woman he needed in his life. Autumn have dreams that will more than likely come true. She is a young black woman on a mission. Avery would be dumb to let her go behind Yvonne slut ass.
Avery sat back in his chair as he stroked his beard. “Fine by me. But don’t give me blue balls. Every time you bite your bottom lip or even look at me like the way you are looking at me now, I get turned on. I do want you. But I can respect your wishes and wait.
Autumn smiled as crossed her legs in the chair. She felt victorious and knew that she just crossed one major milestone in her life. If Avery wanted to be with her, it would have to be a compromise. It just wasn’t going to be his way or no way. She may be young, but she isn’t naïve.
Chapter 11
“So, when are you going home,” Autumn asked Blessings when she stepped back in her room. Blessings has been by her house for the past two days, eating up all of their food. She only left out just to head to class with Autumn but then she was right back in Autumn’s bed. The two have been binge watching Disney princess movies since the night before.
“When Imani is grown and I can continue to fuck her daddy without feeling like shit,” Blessings said as she looked for Mulan 2 on the app. “Are you trying to get rid of me? Your mother said I am welcomed here.”
Autumn laughed. “I don’t think she meant move in though.” Autumn sat down on the edge of the bed. “Besides Tori is getting discharged from the hospital today. I really need to talk to her.” Autumn laid back on the bed and closed her eyes. Blessings ran her hand through Autumn’s hair, massaging her scalp.
“Sometimes we have to let a person live their life,” Blessings said as she continues to massage Autumn’s scalp and look for the movie. “Regardless of how much it hurts.”
Autumn opened her eyes. “Are you talking about my sister or about you leaving Priest?”
Blessings kept looking at the tv. “Maybe.” She was thinking hard and long about what she should do. She just wasn’t ready to be a mom, let alone a stepmom. Priest could understand that. “Would you still date Avery if he had a kid?”
Autumn scrunched up her face as if she was thinking hard. “I would actually.” Blessing rolled her eyes. “I really would. That would let me know that he can take care of his responsibilities.”
“You are such a fucking saint, Autumn,” Blessings stated as she finally located the movie. “Besides he probably fucking her right now in our bed. Giving it to her like he gave it to me.” Blessings leaned back as she threw the remote on the bed.
“First of all, you blocked him,” Autumn pointed out. “Avery told him you were over here by me and he should give you time to think about this. Asha is still at the hotel.”
“I’m running th
e fuck away,” Blessings said as she poked out her lips. “Just telling everybody where I’m at. What if I didn’t want him to know? I hate it here.”
“Then go home. We not holding you hostage.”
Blessings rolled her eyes as the alarm suddenly chimed letting them know Dina has returned from the hospital with Tori. “You are not leaving this house and I fucking mean it,” Dina shouted as she slammed the front door. Autumn got up from the bed and walked out of her room. Dina was standing in the middle of the foyer, still wearing her scrubs. Tori was standing by the staircase.
“What’s going on,” Autumn asked. She knew it had to be serious if their mother was cursing.
“Your sister just informed me that she is moving out,” Dina said as she continued to stare at her youngest. “Where have I gone wrong with you? I fed you, clothe you, gave you anything you ever wanted. All I asked was that you do good in school and become somebody worth having.”
Tori rolled her eyes. “I said I’m moving out. So, you can stop worrying about me. It can just be you and your perfect child in here.” Tori pointed at Autumn before she turns to ascend the stairs.
“You are not leaving this house, Tori Marie Coleman,” Dina shouted. “I will have your ass in juvie if you think I will have you hanging out with that fast ass girl. Why the fuck do you want to leave luxury to stay in the basement of somebody’s house?”
“Fuck off,” Tori yelled as she reached her room.
Dina started up the stairs. Autumn could her mother was heated. “The fuck you just say to me?” Autumn was right behind her mother, making sure it doesn’t get ugly. But before she could get to Tori’s room, her mother was already in Tori’s face, screaming.
“I pushed you the fuck out and tried to give you the best life. Because lord knows your damn daddy wasn’t gone do shit for you and this is the thanks I get,” Dina yelled. Tears was flowing from her eyes. This was her baby. Her baby girl. She just wanted both of her daughters to chase after their dreams. Autumn was doing just that, but Tori was determined to push every button that was there for her to push.