Page 58 of Meraux Mafia: No Ordinary Love

“You’re hanging with the wrong people, baby girl. Take care of Cam, and if Prince gives you a hard time, tell him to holla at me.” Prince Paradise was the owner of the club and a known asshole.

“So you just walking around saving the day, huh?”

“No, just yours.” She was blushing again. I could tell because she hadn’t replied yet.

“I just wanted to say thank you.”

“Where are you?” I asked because the music playing in the background had disappeared.

“I just got home. Trying to find the energy to get out of the car.”

“You shouldn’t be sitting in the car alone this time of night. Go inside before I hang up.”

“Yes, sir.” A sigh escaped Skylar’s lips, and I could hear her moving around, collecting her belongings as I pulled into my driveway.

We made meaningless small talk as she walked to her apartment. I could hear Sky’s keys in the distance, and the moment the door opened, a high-pitched voice erupted, happy to see her.

“Mommy!”

“Hey, boo bear. What are you still doing up?” she asked, giving Cam her attention. She likely didn’t answer Sky’s question because it was way past her bedtime. “As you can hear, I’m home safe.”

“Good.”

“Thanks, Mack. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, baby girl. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Hanging up the phone, I wondered if I was on Sky’s mind as much as she was on mine.

Chapter Six

My time at home was dwindling along with the things in my apartment. Gianni hired movers who came during the week to pick up the boxes Denim and Niyomi helped me pack. Even though it would only be an hour between us, it felt much longer. I even joked about them moving to DuPont Falls so we could all be together.

They shot down the idea but agreed to stay next weekend so they could help me get the nursery together. I accepted their compromise because it was better than nothing. Tonight we were having a girl's night at Niyomi’s house before I left in the morning.

I pulled in front of the corner store to hop out and grab a few things. Nothing was as simple as just hopping out of the car anymore. I had grown into a party of two, and though I was carrying well, some days, I felt huge. Making my way inside the store, I grabbed my favorite snacks and placed them on the register.

After paying, I walked out of the store and into a familiar voice calling my name.

Marcel.

We hadn’t seen each other, and that’s the way I preferred it. If I wasn’t working, I spent most of my time in my apartment, so there weren’t many opportunities for us to run into each other.

“I know you hear me talking to you!” He grabbed my door and slammed it shut before I could get inside.

“What, Marcel?”

“You tell me? You been keeping secrets?” His eyes dropped to my stomach as a million questions stormed through his eyes.

“You wish this was your baby.”

“Don’t bullshit me, Lo.”

“It’s not yours. Nothing is tying us together but my name in your mouth!” I shoved him in the chest, unable to curtail the residual anger from our failed relationship. He cheated on me, yet, he couldn’t stop telling anybody who would listen how I did him dirty.

“Yeah, and the twenty bands yo ass took from me too.”

“It’s in your best interest to leave me alone before I start telling my truth. You don’t want that. Now get the fuck out of my face!”

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