“Don’t just stand there, go pee on the stick,” Co-Co snapped. He followed behind me as I walked to the bathroom.
“Can I have some privacy, please?” I asked. He was standing in the doorway preventing me from closing the door.
“Bitch please, you of all people should know that I have no use for what’s between your legs,” he replied. Since he refused to move, I pulled down my pants and underwear right in front of him. I opened the box and completed the test just like the instructions said. I put the stick on the sink and cleaned myself up when I was done. I had my back turned because I was too scared to see the results.
“Thank you, Jesus!” Co-Co exclaimed loudly. I turned around and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the negative sign. That was a big weight off of my shoulders, and I was more than happy.
“You got lucky this time, but you really need to be more careful. This is the second time you’ve had a pregnancy scare since DJ was born,” Candace said.
“I know, but I’m done. I probably won’t be so lucky the third time around. This kitty is going on lock indefinitely,” I replied.
“And leave Kevin’s crazy ass alone,” Candace demanded.
“I already did, he just don’t seem to be getting the message.”
“That’s because you had sex with him. I don’t know what made you go there,” she said.
“Let’s go Candace, I need a drink. This bitch got my nerves on edge,” Co-Co said leading the way out of my apartment. I was so happy for some kind of good news in my life. I didn’t even feel as depressed as I felt earlier. I guess that was part of the reason why I felt like I did in the first place. I picked up my phone and called Mrs. Liz to check on my baby. I was missing him like crazy and I was ready for him to come home. I hadn’t seen my parents in a few days so I decided to get my baby and go spend a few days with them.
****
Getting out of my house for a few days proved to be just what I needed. My mama and daddy were enjoying DJ being in the house, and I was enjoying their company. My cycle had finally made an appearance. Even though the cramps were killing me, I was too happy to see it. I’d just received a text from Dominic telling me that he was on his way to get DJ. He got back from Hawaii last night, but it was too late for him to see him. My baby was walking around playing with his toys when the doorbell rang.
“DJ look who’s here,” I yelled to him when I opened the door for Dominic.
“Daddy,” he said smiling hard as he ran up to him. They didn’t go a day without seeing each other, so they were both very happy right now.
“I missed you man,” Dominic said while kissing him all over his face. My poor baby was holding on to his daddy for dear life. I guess he wanted to make sure that he didn’t leave him again.
“Here,” Dominic said handing me a small bag. I took the bag from him and pulled out the contents.
“Thanks, this is so pretty,” I said smiling. It was a charm bracelet with my initials and some other Hawaiian charms on it. “You bought me a gift on your honeymoon Dominic?”
“Yeah, what’s wrong with that?” He asked like it was no big deal.
“I guess if you don’t see it as a problem then I shouldn’t either,” I replied.
“What did you have planned for him today?”
“Nothing, I really need to study.”
“Cool, I’m taking him with me. A week is long enough to be away from baby.”
“Okay, but can you drop me off at home? My mama was going to take me, but I can ride with you if it’s cool.”
“Yeah, that’s no problem,” he replied. I gathered up me and DJ’s things and told my parents that I was leaving.
“Do you need anything?” Dominic asked me while driving towards my apartment.
“No, I’m good. I still hadn’t spent all of the money that you gave me before you left,” I answered.
“Well, I’ll probably have him for a few days so call me if you need anything,” Dominic said when he dropped me off.
I went straight inside and started studying. I had a few test coming up, and I needed to be prepared. Being an elementary school teacher was something that I’ve wanted to do since I can remember. I’d even ordered a few educational things online to start practicing on DJ. He was only a year old, but I was already teaching him to say some small words. My baby was a fast learner, and he was catching on quick. He already knew how to say mommy and daddy, but he was learning so much more.
I was happy that I didn’t have to worry about cooking since my baby wasn’t home. I could order a pizza if I got hungry later. The ringing of my phone was the first distraction I’ve had since I came inside. When I saw Kevin’s number show up, I silenced the ringing and put the phone on vibrate. A few minutes later, it started buzzing again, followed by a series of knocks on my door. I slowly moved to the front door to look out of the peephole. My heart dropped when I saw Kevin standing there. I wasn’t shocked to see him. I was actually surprised that it took him this long to show up. He could knock until his knuckles turned white, but he wasn’t stepping one foot inside of my house. My apartment has security gates, but that didn’t stop us from having unwanted visitors. All they had to do is wait for someone else to come in and follow right behind them. Most likely that’s what Kevin had done. I tiptoed back to my spot on the sofa and ignored him the same way I’ve been doing.
****
Three days later, I all but skipped out of my class after I’d finished taking my last test. All of my studying had paid off, and I aced all three of my exams. I was feeling too good as I sat on the bench in the rear of the school waiting to be picked up by Bryce. Kevin was still stalking me like a mad man, but he hadn’t caught up with me yet. I planned to answer him the next time he called and tell him exactly how I felt. I hated that our friendship would probably be over, all because we took things a step further. After some of the things that Bryce told me I wasn’t sure if I wanted us to continue being friends anyway.
“Hello,” I answered my phone when I saw that Co-Co was calling me.
“I just called to tell you that I’m at your house so don’t be alarmed when you get here. Bryce let me in,” he informed me.
“Okay, but why aren’t you at home?” I asked.
“Girl, I’m too tired to drive home. One of my trades lives close by, and I stayed the night over there with him. I have to do a sew in later, and your house is closer to the shop anyway.” It was always funny whenever I heard him and his friends refer to their men as trades.
“So why didn’t you stay with your trade until it was time for you to go to work?” I asked mocking him. I was just messing with him. I never had a problem with my family coming to my house. Before I moved, I practically lived with them.
“Bitch, why are you interrogating me like I’m in custody or something? And if you must know, I couldn’t stay there because his wife was on her way home from work,” he answered. “I’ll be in your spare bedroom, goodbye.”
Nothing that my cousin said or did surprise me. He was as flamboyant and outspoken as they came. I loved him to death and wouldn’t change a thing about him. I saw Bryce pulling up, so I grabbed my books and got in his car.
“I already know that Co-Co is at the house,” I said before he pulled off.
“I told him to call and tell you so you wouldn’t be surprised. I just saw Dominic and the baby. They’re at the shop about to get their hair cut,” he informed me.
“I know, he called and said he’s bringing DJ home when they’re done,” I replied.
“I need to make a run right fast before we go home,” he said. “Taylor is home today and I want to chill with her before the girls come back.”
“That’s cool. I don’t have anything to do.”
I rode around with Bryce while he picked up some more supplies for his shop. After stopping to get me, him, and Taylor something to eat, we got home about an hour later. Bryce took the stairs while I took the elevator up to my apartment. I stopped in my tracks when I steppe
d off and was greeted by Kevin.
“So this is what I have to do just so I can talk to you?” He said staring at me.
“What are you talking about?” I asked nervously.
“You know what the fuck I’m talking about!” He yelled causing me to flinch. “I’ve been calling you for the past few weeks and you never answer.”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve been studying. I had a lot of tests today,” I explained.
“Well, why didn’t you tell me that Brook? I know how that is. I’m sorry for going off on you,” he said. He pulled me into him for a hug, and my entire body stiffened. “I missed you.”
“Kevin we need to talk.”
“Well, come inside and talk to me,” he said. He grabbed my keys from me and opened my front door. I can’t even front I was scared to enter my own apartment.
“What’s wrong?” Kevin asked while taking a seat on my sofa.
“I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I’m not ready to be in a relationship right now. I’m trying to focus on my son and school. I just want us to remain friends just like we were before,” I said honestly.
“I’m done being your friend Brooklyn. You knew how I felt about you from day one. If you didn’t feel the same way you shouldn’t have gone there with me,” he retorted.
“I know that Kevin and I’m sorry, but you have a girlfriend anyway. You shouldn’t do that to Shannon.” I was saying anything that I thought might get me out of the mess that I had gotten myself into.
“I’m not worried about Shannon. You weren’t worried about her either when I had my face buried between your legs,” he replied. “You just want to be with your baby’s daddy.”
“Dominic is a married man. I haven’t been with him in months, not that it’s any of your business.” He was pissing me off sitting here acting like I owed his ass something. I grabbed my ringing phone and answered. It was Dominic.
“Hello,” I said.
“Open the door, we’re downstairs,” he said before hanging up.
I literally felt like I was about to faint. I completely forgot about him bringing my baby home. If Dominic sees Kevin here, he’s going to flip. Not only does he pay all the bills, he hates Kevin with a passion.
“Kevin you have to go into my room. Please just do this for me. Dominic is bringing DJ up, and he’ll go crazy if he sees you here,” I begged.
“I knew you were still messing with that nigga. That’s why you don’t want us to be together,” he assumed.
“I’m not messing with him, but he does pay all of the bills in here. Just please do this for me, and I promise we’ll talk as soon as he leaves. You can come out when he’s gone,” I pleaded.
“You don’t need him to pay your bills. I can take care of you if you let me,” he replied.
“I know you can and we’ll talk about it later. Just wait for me in my bedroom,” I said whatever I thought he wanted to hear just to get him to go. He stood up and walked to the back of the house right as Dominic knocked on the door. I counted to ten to calm my breathing before I opened the door for him.
“I been told you to open the door,” he said when he walked in carrying DJ. My baby had a happy meal, so Dominic sat him on the floor to eat.
“Sorry,” I replied as I stood at the opened front door.
“Close the door Brooklyn. What’s wrong with you?” He asked.
“Nothing, I’m just tired from all that studying,” I lied.
“So how did you do on your exams?” He asked while taking a seat. It was just my luck that he wanted to sit down and talk.
“I got A’s on all three of them,” I said proudly.
“That’s what’s up. I’m proud of you,” he said smiling at me. I didn’t even get a chance to reply before I heard my bedroom door open. My eyes widened in surprise as Kevin walked out shirtless and went into the bathroom in the hall. He could have used the bathroom in my room, but he just had to let Dominic know that he was here. Then he took off his shirt like he was staying for a while.
“Either my vision is fucked up or I really must be seeing things. I know you don’t have this nigga walking around in this bitch like he going half on the bills. I know for a fact that I’ve been doing this shit by myself for over a year,” Dominic fumed as he stood to his feet.
“It’s not even like that Dominic. He just showed up over here. I didn’t know that he was coming,” I swore.
“How the fuck does he even know where you live? The last time I checked he had never been over here before.”
I put my head down just like I did every time I didn’t have an answer to a question that he asked me. Kevin had been over here more times than I can count since Dominic, and I had broken up.
“Fuck you Brooklyn. You on your own, so don’t ask me for shit. Give me my son,” Dominic yelled as he grabbed DJ from the floor.
“Dominic no, don’t take my baby,” I cried running after him. I tried to block the door to prevent him from leaving.
“Get the fuck out of my way Brooklyn,” he said pushing me. I ran behind him begging him not to take my baby. He took the steps to the front of the building, and I was right behind him. He had strapped DJ in his car seat before he got behind the wheel.
“Dominic please don’t do this to me. He just came home, and you’re taking him away again,” I cried while pulling on the door.
“Get out of my way Brook. Don’t worry about my son. Go back upstairs and be with that nigga,” he said right before he pulled off. I couldn’t believe that Dominic was doing me like this. He knew how much I missed my baby the three days that he had him, and he took him again. I took the elevator back up, but I went to Bryce’s apartment instead of my own. I was crying and knocking all at the same time.
“What’s wrong Brook?” Taylor asked as she ushered me inside.
“What happened Brooklyn?” Bryce questioned frantically as he rushed to my side.
“He took my baby,” I cried collapsing on the floor.
“Who took your baby?” Bryce yelled.
“Dominic took him from me,” I sobbed.
“Baby that’s his son, he takes him all the time,” Bryce said like it was nothing.
“No, he was bringing DJ back home, but he saw Kevin there and he took him from me again,” I confessed.
“He did the right thing. I told you about having that nigga in your house,” Bryce fumed.
“I didn’t invite him there, he just showed up. You have to call and talk to Dominic for me Bryce, please,” I begged.
“No, I’m not. That’s all on you. I told you not to come down here crying to me. I’m minding my business just like your grown ass told me to do,” he replied.
“You want me to call him Brook?” Taylor offered.
“Mind your business Taylor. That don’t have nothing to do with you,” Bryce interjected.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me Bryce,” I cried.
“You did all of this to yourself. I tried to warn you, but you didn’t listen. I’m staying out of it.”
I got up from the floor and left out of his apartment. I didn’t have anybody on my side. Dominic had my baby, and there was no telling when he would bring him back. I wiped my tears and went back to my apartment and headed for my room. This was the first time Kevin had even seen the inside of my bedroom, and it was definitely his last time. The spare bedroom was where we slept if he stayed the night over here. I was pissed and after the stunt that he just pulled I was done being nice to his ass.
“You need to leave,” I fumed when I opened the door. He was looking mighty comfortable on my chaise lounge at the foot of my bed.
“Whatever happened to us talking?” He had the nerve to ask.
“After that shit you just pulled I don’t have a damn thing to say to you.”
“If you don’t mess with him like you said it shouldn’t even matter.”
“Whoever I mess with is none of your business. We are just friends in case you forgot,” I yelled.
“I hope you enjoyed it because I’ll never ride it again,” I promised. He reached his hand back and slapped the shit out of me when I said that. I didn’t even think twice before I hit his ass right back. I have four brothers and a father who never once laid a hand on me. I wasn’t about to let another nigga start something that they never did.
“Oh, bitch you want to fight back, huh?” Kevin yelled as he started hitting me. Either he couldn’t fight or I really had some hands because I was hanging with his ass. That was until I lost my balance and fell on the bed. He tried to straddle me, but I was too quick to let that happen. I rolled over and ended up falling to the floor. Kevin pulled a handful of my hair and started dragging me out of the room. It felt like he was ripping my hair from my scalp, and my head started pounding.
“I told you not to play with my feelings didn’t I? I’m about to show you that I’m not to be played with,” he yelled while dragging me down the hall by my hair.
I started panicking when he said that. I didn’t know if he was trying to drag me out of my house, but I wasn’t going down without a fight.
“Let me go! Somebody help me!” I screamed to the top of my lungs. I was trying to claw at his hand that held my hair all the while kicking and screaming.
“What the hell is going on out here?” Co-Co yelled as he emerged from my spare bedroom looking sleepy. He quickly became alert after seeing what was going on. “Oh no, this nigga is not putting his hands on my cousin. You and your brother must have a death wish.”
I forgot all about him being here, but I was so happy to see him. Co-Co ran down the hall at full speed and started swinging on Kevin. I sprang to my feet as soon as he let my hair go and joined in. Soon after that, Co-Co and I were beating his ass in the middle of my living room. We beat him from one end of the apartment to the other until we had him outside near the elevators. He was crouched down in the corner while I kicked every part of his body that I could.
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