“Where is she getting food from?” Lyric asked as she walked with Nova back to her work space.
“The Chinese place on Manhattan,” Nova replied.
“Yeah, tell her that I’m about to text her my order,” Lyric replied, right as Mr. Malone and Javier walked up.
“You got a minute Lyric?” Mr. Malone asked her.
She wanted to say no since he was with Javier, but she couldn’t do that. Instead, she smiled and followed them into the office. She felt Javier’s eyes on her the entire time but she just ignored him. He was still trying to get her to give him another chance but that wasn’t happening. Lyric was done with dating and she was focusing on herself for a while. She was tired of choosing the wrong men and she was doing a self-evaluation to see why she always did.
“Javier has made me aware of a few things regarding Spencer and I just wanted to get your input. I know that you two were an item in the past but this is strictly on a professional level,” Mr. Malone replied.
“Okay. What about him?” Lyric asked.
“Do you feel like he’s doing a good job at the firm because Javier seems to think otherwise? I don’t need any slackers on my team. He can and will be replaced if his work is not up to par,” Mr. Malone replied.
The smug look that was on Javier’s face was enough to make Lyric physically ill. He was a dirty ass nigga to even bring something like that to Mr. Malone. Spencer wasn’t her favorite person, but he did his job well. Javier was a hater and he’d had it out for Spencer ever since Jena sent him those pictures a while ago. He was always challenging whatever he said and he even got Mr. Malone to pull him off of an important case that he was working on. Javier’s personal feelings were making decisions in his professional life and that was bad for business.
“I don’t see anything that he’s doing wrong. Everybody doesn’t have the same work ethic as Javier, but I don’t think he should be punished for that. Have you ever had any problems with him personally or are you going off of someone else’s word?” Lyric questioned.
“No, I’ve never had any problems with him but Javier is second in command. He might see something that I’m overlooking,” Mr. Malone replied.
“Well, I disagree. I think you should look into it for yourself,” Lyric said, making Javier frown in disgust.
Mr. Malone was tapping his pen on his desk as he sat there deep in thought. When Nova buzzed in and told him that he had a call holding, he snapped out of it and gave them his attention once again.
“Maybe Lyric is right. I’ll monitor Spencer’s behavior personally and we’ll revisit this subject again later,” Mr. Malone replied before dismissing them to take his call.
As soon as they walked out of the office, Javier turned to her with a disgusted look on his face. “Do you still want me to believe that you’re not fucking him?” Javier snapped angrily.
“I don’t give a fuck what you think. You’re more pathetic than I thought you were. That was truly a bitch move if I ever saw one. But what else can I expect from a bitch ass nigga?” Lyric spat as she walked away.
Javier watched angrily until she was out of sight. Nova pretended not to see anything but she couldn’t wait to ask Lyric what that was all about. As soon as lunch time rolled around, Nova and Kierra went straight to Lyric’s office with their food. Lyric was busy doing paperwork when they walked inside and closed the door behind them.
“Is this an intervention or something?” Lyric asked with a nervous giggle.
She and Nova always had lunch together, but that was only because they worked at the same place. Kierra must have been off because she never had time to join them.
“I want to know what the hell you and Javier were arguing for,” Nova replied.
“Who is Javier?’ Kierra asked as she looked at her cousins expectantly.
“A lawyer who works here,” Nova answered.
“What were y’all arguing about?” Kierra wanted to know.
“I think he has a crush on her,” Nova said with a mouth full of Chinese rice.
Lyric swore that she was going to stop being so secretive after what happened with Bronx. In her eyes, she was doomed either way. Still, she couldn’t help but think that if she had told Kierra about Bronx, she would have immediately warned her of who he was. Keeping her business to herself backfired on her that time.
“Listen, whatever I say does not leave this office and that includes you telling Jared,” Lyric said as she looked over at Nova.
“I would never do that,” Nova swore.
“Well, Javier and I dated for almost a year,” Lyric confessed.
“Bitch! I knew it! I knew that nigga had a crush on you!” Nova jumped up and yelled.
“Sit your crazy ass down and stop talking so loud Nova,” Kierra ordered.
Lyric proceeded to tell them the entire story of how she and Javier got together and what caused them to separate. She even filled in the blanks on how she met and started dating Bronx because she was sure that Kierra was curious. For some reason, Lyric felt a whole lot better after coming clean with her favorite cousins. She had no more secrets and she felt free.
“So, Bronx and Deuce are the same person? This shit sounds like a Lifetime movie,” Nova said as her mouth hung open in shock.
“Just imagine how I felt,” both Lyric and Kierra said simultaneously.
All three women fell out laughing and it felt good for Lyric to be spending quality time with her cousins again. She needed a good laugh and they always provided it for her.
“I miss y’all and I miss us being like this. We need to get together more often,” Kierra said.
“Yeah, I agree,” Lyric replied.
“So, now what Lyric? I know you’re done with Spencer and Javier, but what about Bronx?” Nova asked, making Kierra shift uncomfortably.
“I’m done with him too. He’s married Nova. I’ll get over my feelings eventually. They were probably one sided anyway,” Lyric replied sadly with a shrug.
Kierra wanted to tell her that they weren’t. She knew without a doubt that Bronx loved her just as much as she probably loved him, if not more. Being that he was dealing with both her cousins, Kierra had to stay out of it. She never even mentioned him coming to her house and she never would.
“Let’s plan to do a ladies’ night at my house soon. I’ll get all the food and wine, so don’t bring anything but yourselves,” Kierra suggested.
Kierra only had a one-bedroom but her sofa always served as a good bed too. They used to do sleepovers at each other’s houses all the time and she was looking forward to having another one.
“Count me in. I can use some good food and liquor,” Lyric replied.
“Me too cousin. Just say when and I’ll be there too,” Nova replied.
The three of them sat in Lyric’s office and talked just like they used to. They made plans for what they were gonna do for their ladies night before everybody left and went their separate ways.
***
“Damn bruh. Weren’t you the same nigga who swore that you’ve never cheated before?” Darnell asked Deuce, reminding him of a conversation they had months ago.
“Until I met Lyric, I didn’t. I’m not proud of what I did but it was my first time,” Deuce admitted.
“What made you do it?” Darnell asked as he grabbed what he needed from his tool box.
He was at Deuce and Zina’s house helping his cousin put together a trampoline. They probably would have been done by now if they hadn’t taken so many smoke breaks.
“I don’t know man. It started out with me liking the little things about her. She likes poetry and all kinds of fruity wines. I never was into bowling and all that other shit before I met her square ass. She was just a breath of fresh air. Before I knew it, I fucked around and fell in love.” Deuce shrugged.
“What happened? Y’all don’t fuck around no more?” Darnell asked.
“Man, shit went all the way left. New Orleans is too fucking small. Picture why her and Zina are cousins
to the same chick,” Deuce said, shaking his head at the irony of it all.
“What? How?” Darnell questioned with a crazy look on his face.
“Kierra is related to her on one side and Lyric is related on the other. Shit is just mad twisted,” Deuce answered.
“Kierra? That’s her cousin that I saw in the club or I think it was,” Darnell replied.
“Yeah, that’s the one,” Deuce nodded.
“That’s fucked up bruh. You messed with one of Zina’s cousins?” Darnell looked at him and asked.
“No, stupid ass boy. Didn’t you hear anything that I just said? Her and Zina aren’t cousins. Lyric is related to Kierra on her mama’s side and Zina is related on the daddy’s side. The shit is all types of crazy,” Deuce replied, repeating what Zina had told him.
“That’s some Jerry Springer kind of shit,” Darnell laughed.
“Tell me about it. It’s been three weeks and she ain’t fucking with me at all,” Deuce admitted.
He told Darnell the entire story of how he and Lyric met and hooked up. His cousin was standing there looking and listening like he was watching a movie.
“Damn bruh. That’s crazy,” Darnell said once Deuce was done talking.
“I know man and I’m all fucked up. Nigga ain’t been eating or sleeping right since the shit went down. I can’t even lie cuz, I been on some stalker shit lately,” Deuce said as his cousin looked at him strangely.
“What you mean?” Darnell questioned.
“I be riding around her house and her job and shit, hoping that I see her ass. I saw her car parked outside her job a few times, but I never saw her yet,” Deuce answered.
“Man, get the fuck outta here. That ain’t even you to do no shit like that,” Darnell said as he doubled over with laughter.
“I know man, but I couldn’t help it. I see why some of these females be out here lying to these niggas and shit. I feel like calling her ass and telling her that she got me pregnant,” Deuce replied seriously.
Darnell was on the ground holding his stomach after that. He was laughing so hard that he started to choke. Deuce grabbed the beer that his cousin had been drinking and handed it to him. It took a while, but Darnell finally calmed down enough to stand on his own.
“The fuck did that girl do to you like that?” Darnell asked after he regained his composure.
“I don’t know bruh. You think she put a hex on me or something? Some people really be into that voodoo shit in Nola,” Deuce noted.
“Nah nigga. It sounds like the only thing she put on you is some good pussy. Shit got your ass gone too,” Darnell said as he shook his head and continued to work.
“Damn man. I never thought no shit like this would ever happen to me,” Deuce replied.
He and his cousin continued to work and talk as Zina listened to their entire conversation from the kitchen window. She was sleeping when Deuce and Darnell came over, but her children told her that they were there. Zina had dozed off again but the ringing of her phone broke her rest. She got up and was about to go sit in the yard with them until she heard Deuce mention Lyric’s name. Instead of going outside, Zina stood right there and listened to her husband talk about how much he loved another woman. As crazy as it sounded, she really didn’t care how he felt about Lyric. Their relationship was over and he just had to let it go. Zina was ready for them to put the past behind them and work on their marriage. She was sure that many people would have called her a fool and they were probably right. She was a fool for love, even though her husband loved someone else.
Chapter 27
“Yes! Yes! Yes! I’m so excited!” Melody screamed as she and Lenard hugged and jumped up and down like some damn fools.
“Me too baby. I told you that we were gonna get some good news today. I felt it when I woke up this morning and my horoscope confirmed it,” Lenard replied with a huge smile covering his face.
He and his wife were so superstitious and Lyric hated it. They were always talking about their hands itching or eyes jumping and nothing was true about their beliefs. If their horoscope said it, then it was the gospel as far as they were concerned.
“You sure did say that baby and you were right,” Melody said as she hugged him tightly.
“Are y’all serious right now?” Lyric asked as she wiped the tears from her red swollen eyes.
They were both ecstatic like it was a happy occasion while she sat there in pure agony. Nobody cared enough to ask her how she felt or what she wanted to do. Instead, they were standing there celebrating the fact that she was pregnant by a married man. Lyric was in shock when she found out and not much had changed. A normal checkup with her gynecologist gave her the worst news possible outside of having an STD. Truthfully, Lyric thought that’s what they were about to tell her when they called her into the consultation room. She was all ready and set to put a bullet in Bronx’s ass until they gave her the unexpected news. When she got home and told her parents, they were acting like they had just won the lottery.
“What do you mean? Hell yeah, we’re serious. We’re finally getting us a grandbaby!” Melody yelled as she started jumping up and down again.
“Me being pregnant by a married man is nothing to be celebrating,” Lyric pointed out.
“I don’t give a damn if you got pregnant by a homeless man. I’m happy either way,” Melody replied.
“How could I have been so stupid? I was careless with the one person who I should have taken the most precautions with,” Lyric cried.
“Things don’t always happen when we want them to Lyric. Unless you’re not having sex at all, pregnancy is always a possibility,” Melody pointed out.
Lyric knew that but she wasn’t trying to hear it at the moment. Admittedly, she was horrible when it came to taking her pills and that’s why she always made sure to use condoms. As crazy as it sounded, she had never used a condom with Bronx once and she knew him the least amount of time. All of her other tests came back fine except for the pregnancy test. She played a dangerous game and, in the end, she lost.
“This is so messed up. It’s been almost a month since I’ve talked to him. Do you know how awkward this is going to be?” Lyric questioned out loud.
“Stop looking at everything in a negative light Lyric. You and Bronx don’t have to be together in order to raise a child. People co-parent all the time,” Lenard reasoned.
“I understand all that daddy, but this is too complicated. He’s married to my first cousin’s first cousin. I’m sorry but I can’t have this-”
“Bitch, I dare you to even finish that sentence. I don’t give a fuck about Bronx or Deuce or whatever the fuck his name is. You will not punish this innocent baby for a mistake that the father made,” Melody snapped angrily.
Lyric knew that whenever her mother cursed her out, it was serious. Melody was the best mother that anyone could be blessed enough to have but Lyric pushed her buttons sometimes. She was an only child and having grandkids was the next best thing to her parents. Bronx was an only child too, if what he told her was true.
“I know you’re an adult and it’s your body, but having an abortion is not happening. I’m sorry if I’m out of line, but I don’t agree with that Lyric,” Lenard spoke up.
Lyric buried her face in her hands and burst out crying. Melody rushed over to her and wrapped her arms around her. She rocked Lyric back and forth until she calmed down and seemed to be feeling a little better. Melody hated to see her baby cry and she wished she could take the pain away. She found love when she was just a child and it pained her to know that her daughter couldn’t do the same. Lyric was beautiful inside and out, so it was their loss.
“I know this hurts Lyric but that’s what we’re here for. This is our baby and we got you, no matter what. You don’t even have to tell Bronx if you don’t want to. This baby will be surrounded by so much love, it won’t even matter if he’s around or not,” Melody said.
“Seriously Mel?” Lenard asked while looking at her like she was crazy.
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“What?” she replied, clueless as to what he was talking about.
“That’s fucked up that you would even tell her something like that. It’s one thing if he doesn’t want to be in the baby’s life, but that’s not our decision to make. He deserves to know that he’s gonna be a father,” Lenard replied.
“I just want the baby. I don’t give a damn about the parents,” Melody replied.
“Really ma?” Lyric smirked.
“I’m sorry baby, but it’s true.” She shrugged.
“You need to call him, Lyric. It’s not right for you to take away his choices without letting him know what’s up,” her father said.
“Ugh. I just hate him,” Lyric groaned.
“No, you don’t. It hasn’t been long enough for that. Bastard is lucky I don’t hunt him down and shoot him for playing with your feelings like that though,” Melody fumed.
“I really don’t think he was playing with her feelings. Good people make bad decisions,” Lenard replied.
“Boy bye! You kill me when you always try to look for the good in people. That nigga was dead ass wrong and I don’t give a damn what you say!” Melody yelled.
“I didn’t say he wasn’t wrong. I just feel like there’s more than one side to a story.” Lenard shrugged.
As her parents went back and forth about her life, just like always, Lyric walked down the hall to the spare bedroom. She laid across the bed and gave herself a mental pep talk. She dreaded making the call that she was about to make but it had to be done. She made her bed and she had to lay in it, right along with the married nigga who she was having a baby with.
***
Bronx was excited and he couldn’t contain it even if he tried. Three days shy of a month and he’d finally heard from Lyric. Not only had he heard from her but they were meeting up at Outback to have dinner. Bronx was nervous and he had never felt that way before. He’d heard about people having butterflies in their stomach but he was clueless about that feeing until now. Although Lyric didn’t sound too thrilled over the phone, Bronx was hoping that she had a change of heart.
Heartbreak And Past Mistakes Page 27