by K. C. Mills
“She isn’t yours?” Lobo looked at me, waiting for understanding that I wasn’t about to give.
“Keep everyone on notice. If shit doesn’t look right, we’ll talk. For now, don’t make any changes.”
“Aight, bet. I’ll be in touch.”
I nodded and headed to my bike, but his voice stopped me. “Aye, Red…” I turned to face him, and he continued. “We’re family before anything. You’re like me, we don’t have anybody but us. I know you aren’t big on talking about shit that’s going on in your life, but like I said, we’re family before anything. Even this street shit.”
With an acknowledging look, I lifted my chin slightly to let him know I appreciated it before I was on my bike and pulling out the parking lot. He would always be my nigga, but this one I had to figure out on my own. And the worst part was that I pretty much already had the answer. It just wasn’t one that I wanted to accept.
After leaving our spot, I stopped at the nearest gas station to fill my bike so that I wouldn’t have to stop later. The second I stepped off of it, a familiar car pulled up behind me. I stood there watching, deciding how I wanted to deal with Monie. It had been a minute, and she wasn’t the type who would easily accept no for an answer.
“Well, damn. God must really be working his magic. I was thinking about you today, just texted you, and now here you are.” She walked right up to me and lifted onto her toes enough to loop her arms around my neck.
I obliged and hugged her back, moving my hands down from her waist to her ass while she placed a kiss on my neck. When she stepped back and smiled hard before allowing her eyes to take me in from head to toe, I chuckled at the look she gave me. It was filled with lust.
“God didn’t have shit to do with it. Me needing gas to make the drive home did.”
“Whatever. I call it fate. So, now that you’ve seen me, can I get more than a maybe? You know I don’t do well with uncertainty,” she stated, referring to the response I gave after she hit me up and asked if I could make time for her tonight.
“And you know I don’t do well with demands on my time. I said maybe because I’m not sure what I’ll be into later. I have a lot of shit going on right now.”
As if God was intervening, a call from Peyson came through. I glanced at my screen and hit ignore. If it was important, she would text or call back.
“You’re ignoring calls, but you responded to my text, so you must not have too much going on.”
I lifted the nozzle to the pump. After hearing it click to let me know my tank was full, and after returning it to the pump, I gave her my attention again.
“Don’t let that slick ass mouth turn that maybe into a no,” I warned before I lifted my helmet.
When she noticed I was about to leave, she adjusted her attitude.
“Wait, hang on. I don’t care what you have going on other than where it concerns me. I know the drill. You don’t do commitment. Hopefully, you’ll at least consider the offer.” She moved closer to me, placed her hand on my thigh, and move it toward by body until she reached her destination.
Monie was nice, thick in all the right places, pretty brown skin, and the type of breasts and ass that you would swear were fake, but she was all natural. I couldn’t control the reaction my body had when she was around, and her rubbing on me like she was damn sure wasn’t helping.
“My answer hasn’t changed. If it does, you’ll hear from me.”
I pulled my helmet down over my head and then removed her hand before starting my bike and pulling off without another word. As of now, I was strongly considering it, but I was going home to relax for a minute. I had been in the streets all day handling business, and all I wanted to do was have a few drinks and smoke something strong. Peyson had me fucking stressed, and laying up with another woman would only be a temporary fix.
When I reached my place, I parked my bike in the garage and entered my house through the kitchen. That fucked with me every time because there were reminders of Peyson everywhere. The damn Keurig that she insisted on having next to the racks filled with flavored coffee, that I didn’t drink. The lavender scent that was strong as fuck from all the Plug-Ins she had around the place because she was convinced that it would keep Reid calm, but more importantly, the note on the island with a set of keys to her place that she left for me the day we had the blow up at her parents’ house. I hadn’t touched them since I got home that night and found them and no signs of her and Reid. I read the note and almost threw the keys away. All it said was, Sorry, giving us space, but you can see her whenever you want.
That shit was like a knife in my damn heart because she knew she fucked up, but this time she wasn’t running or hiding. She was giving me access to Reid, and I appreciated that, but I couldn’t be around Peyson or shit would go bad. I stayed away, and the pictures and videos she sent me had to be enough. It wasn’t the same, but it was all I had.
The sound of my doorbell had me frowning and tossing my keys on the counter next to where hers were. Very few people knew where I lived, and the ones who did, knew better than to just show up. That had me removing my gun and moving cautiously to the door. I wasn’t expecting Narco to act, but I didn’t put anything past anyone, especially not him.
When I peeked through the blinds covering the glass panels that lined my door, I dropped my head back and pushed my gun back into the waistband of my jeans. I covered it with my shirt before I unlocked and open my door.
Peyson’s father stared back at me in a way that wasn’t friendly. I didn’t give a fuck one way or another because he didn’t matter to me any further than the fact that he was my daughter’s grandfather. I wouldn’t penalize them for that, but I wasn’t about to kiss his ass either.
“Can I come in?”
My first thought was hell nah, but I bit that back and stepped out the way, allowing him room to enter. I shut my door, and he followed me to my living room where we both stood, not saying anything until he extended a hand to me. I stared at it for a minute until he spoke.
“Dax Cross.”
He waited, hand extended, until I accepted it. Once I did, he stepped back, slipped his hands into the pockets of his track pants. I sized up his relaxed appearance but kept my stance relaxed but defensive.
“I think we need to have a conversation.”
“You think?” I smirked but kept my eyes on him.
He didn’t seem moved by me not being moved by his presence.
“She’s my daughter. You’re a father now, so I’m sure you can at least respect that, even if you don’t respect me.”
He was right. I could respect that. My father didn’t care enough about me to stay around long enough to know what my mother named me. At least he cared; he was here for Peyson. I could give him that.
“I respect that,” was all I gave him.
“May I?” he pointed to the sofa, and I offered approval.
Dax walked over and took a seat, easing his frame onto my sofa like we were old friends. I joined him and sat across from him in the recliner that matched the sofa he was on. Another reminder of Peyson. The room was empty before she got here. She picked the set after complaining about having to spend all her time in her room with Reid.
“Redmon. That’s your name, correct?”
“Yeah.”
“What do you do?”
I frowned, and he didn’t break.
“I’m a businessman.”
“Businessman?” This time, he was the one with a smirk, which I wasn’t feeling. He was judging me. “I’m sure I can fill in the blanks.”
“You don’t want me with your daughter. You already made that clear, so you don’t need to fill in a damn thing. What I do doesn’t matter.”
“You’re my granddaughter’s father, so it most definitely matters.”
“To you, maybe, but I don’t give a fuck about your opinions of me.”
“I don’t know you to have an opinion of you. That’s why I’m here. Our introduction wasn’t great, but I’
m well aware that it wasn’t your fault. I would like the opportunity to get to know you. Like it or not, we have a connection. And whether I like it or not, my daughter cares about you. I care about her, so I need to know who you are.”
“I’m a man doing what I need to do to live how I want to live. That’s pretty much it.”
“So, you’re still active, I assume,” he questioned with a stern look.
“If you’re here to discuss how I make a living then we can end this now. The subject is not something I’m going to discuss. I don’t know you like that, so I’m sure you understand my feelings on it.”
He exhaled, releasing as short sigh before leaning forward a little and relaxing his posture. It was a sign of defeat, and he was inviting me to let my guard down a little. Not gonna happen, but I waited patiently.
“Look, son, I’m not going to lie and say that I’m not bothered by who you are, but I’m also not going to judge you either. Everyone has to walk in their own path. Peyson is a smart woman. She usually makes good choices—”
“Usually?” That shit rubbed me the wrong way.
I wasn’t sure where he was going with that, but it didn’t feel like I was going to like it.
“Yes, usually, as in she knows what’s best for her life. No matter what her mother and I want for Peyson, she’s an adult who has to live the way she sees fit. She has chosen you, and I trust that she has a good reason for doing so. Regardless of what I like or don’t like about you, I can’t do a damn thing about it. You two have a child together. She made it clear that she wants to be with you. I’m here to find out what your intentions are. She’s an adult, but she will always be my baby. I will protect her as best I can, but with the understanding that she’s going to live however she chooses to live. As a man and as father, which you are both, I’m asking are you going to be a positive influence in my daughter’s life?”
I didn’t have to think about the answer. “I care about Peyson. We’re still figuring shi… things out, but I care about her, and I would never bring harm her way. As for what we are or are gonna be, I can’t answer that, and I’m not going to lie to you. It’s not just up to me, and like I said, we have things to work out.”
“I can respect that, but can you truthfully guarantee that you won’t bring her any harm?”
His reference was in regard to me being in the streets, and no, I couldn’t make that promise, but I also knew that I would be willing to do anything in my power to make sure that my life choices never affected her. If they did, I would shoot first and ask questions later. That was my word.
“If Peyson is with me, she will always be good, same as my daughter will be. I give you my word, but like I said, we’re…”
“Still figuring things out. I get it. Look, Redmon, you seem like a nice enough guy, and figuring things out or not, I know that you care about her. You wouldn’t have reacted the way you did if she wasn’t important to you. It’s not my intention to be an additional problem for you where she’s concerned. Neither will my wife be.” He stood and offered me a hand. I stood and accepted it. “I appreciate you seeing me, and I want to apologize for Linus being there. Had I known—”
“Not necessary, but I appreciate it.”
Nodding with understanding, he started toward the door, and just after he stepped outside of it, he gave me one last thing.
“You’re welcome at my home anytime. The invitation is not exclusive to Peyson or Reid being with you. You, are welcome.”
With one last look, he offered a smile and walked away.
Peyson.
“Can I come in?”
Red’s presence had me nervous, especially given the fact that I hadn’t heard from him in a little under a week. I called, left several messages, and sent him daily videos of Reid, but there had been no response to any of them. The only way I even knew he received what I sent was because he kept his read receipts on. Had he been anyone else, I would have naturally assumed it was done just to annoy me, but Red was different. He wasn’t the type of man who played games. The thing I loved most about him was his commitment to being straightforward about who he was and how he felt about things.
“Yeah… yes, sure.” I fumbled over my words as I stepped out of the way to allow him enough room to enter.
Red briefly looked me over and then focused on my hand.
“You’re not breastfeeding anymore?” The scowl on his face caught me off guard, but his concerned tone made it that much worse. “I thought they said that was best for her.”
“They did, and yes, I am. This is breast milk. I didn’t know if you would want to spend time with Reid without me, so I’ve been trying to get her used to the bottle.” I frowned momentarily at the struggle that had ensued because of it before I laughed. “She’s giving me hell about it too.”
For the first time since he arrived, he actually offered me a smile, which faded quickly. “Your boyfriend isn’t here, is he?” I felt defeated but tried my best to hide the evidence by pressing out a forced smile.
Instead of entertaining his comment, I informed him of my intentions.
“I was about to feed her. Here, you can do it.” I pushed the bottle his way, which he accepted.
I turned to travel the short distance to Reid’s room but noticed that Red didn’t move.
“Her room is back here,” I offered, but he still didn’t move. “What’s wrong?”
“You didn’t answer my question, and I’m not trying to fuck up my day. You alone?”
“Seriously?”
“Hell yeah, seriously. That muthafucker keeps popping up. I have already given his ass two passes. There won’t be a third,” Red warned, accompanied by a wicked look.
“He’s not here. He hasn’t been here, and you never have to worry about him being here. I already told you—”
“You told me a lot of shit that doesn’t seem to be adding up.”
“You know what, let’s get this over with. Say what you need to say, so we can move on with—”
“Nah, not now. You just said she needs this. Reid is my only priority right now.” He shrugged and walked past me like he knew where he was going, even though he had never once stepped foot in my apartment.
I was, however, more concerned with his statement. Red had every right to feel the way he did, but it didn’t negate the fact that it cut me deep.
“So, she’s been your priority? That’s funny because neither of us has seen you in a week, Redmon.”
He stopped briefly with stiff posture, but instead of entertaining my comment, Red elected to keep moving. After pausing at my bedroom, he moved across the hall to the one that belonged to our daughter. I clenched my jaw at the same time I tightened the muscles in my thighs. No matter how annoyed I was with Red, his attractiveness couldn’t be denied. The way he moved, the deep tenor of his voice, the way his jeans fit perfectly but still graced me with a slight reminder of the blessing that I knew they were hiding beneath them. The way the T-shirt he wore hugged his chest, arms, and shoulder, exposing the definition of his upper body… Shit, everything.
God, I missed him, everything about him. Instead of further torturing myself, I shook the thought and made my way to the living room to wait until he was done. I was more than positive that I wasn’t welcomed to share his time while he visited with Reid. Like it or not, we had to decide how we were going to deal with raising her since, apparently, we weren’t going to do it the way I had originally planned. Together!
After getting comfortable on the soft canvas material of my sofa, I balled up in the corner and allowed my eyes to close. Never in a million years did I think that one night would affect my entire life in so many ways, but the sad part was that I wouldn’t change a thing about any of it. That night gave me Reid, and if nothing else, she was well worth the stress that I was dealing with now. Stress behind decisions I made!
Instead of further torturing myself, I inhaled, slowing my breathing in an attempt to get some much-needed rest. At the very least, he c
ould spend enough time with her to allow me a quick nap.
The feel of a hand on my thigh jarred me from my sleep. When my eyes popped open and landed on Red’s, which were narrowed on me, I was catapulted right back into the nightmare that was currently my life. He hates me!
Red stepped back and allowed me room to sit up. The way he was staring at me further confirmed that I was not one of his favorite people. It took me a minute to banish the thought and really focus on him.
“Where’s your shirt?” My eyes scanned the definition of his chest along with his arms which were folded firmly across it.
“Dryer. It should be done in a minute. Baby girl threw up on me.”
A hint of a smile that transitioned to a smirk surfaced from his confession. Even through his hateful glares at me, I could see the amusement from him falling victim to our daughter’s jittery stomach. Reid did no wrong in his eyes. I just wished I had the same consideration.
“We need to talk, though, so it’s cool,” Red announced, snatching me back to reality and causing my stomach to tighten.
He eased on the sofa next to me, leaving enough space for me to still feel his presence and be attacked by the scent of his cologne, but clearly, he wasn’t trying to be near me. Before I had any time to think about it, Red leaned back and reached into his pocket. My eyes stayed focused on the way his abs flexed until he was upright again and handing me the keys that I left at his house. Keys to my apartment. My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. I wanted him to have unlimited access to Reid. And to me.
“You can keep those. I—”
“Nah, it’s not necessary.”
Not faltering in the least, Red leaned frowned and placed them on the coffee table when he realized I wasn’t going to accept them. It took a minute for our eyes to meet because I stared blankly at the keys, searching my mind for anything to say that would make him pick them up again. There was nothing!