Page 40 of Rebound

“Don’t threaten me,” I say in response.

“Or what?” he asks, taking a step closer.

“I’m not scared of you, and you can’t kick my ass. I’m not some little punk you can intimidate.” This time, it’s me who takes a step closer to him. “And don’t start any shit in front of my child. Ever,” I warn.

He smirks, but he nods. I think I see admiration in his eyes.

“One thing I can’t stand is a man who’s a pussy,” he says. I look around him at my daughter and hope she doesn’t overhear and start repeating these words.

“Stop cussing in front of my daughter,” I hiss.

“I might respect you yet,” he says. He picks up Jasmine and says, “Come help Uncle June Bug in the kitchen. You want cookies?”

“Nom nom!” She bounces in his arms.

“I don’t feed her junk,” I say as I walk behind them.

“Then don’t. Uncle June Bug does, though, so you’re gonna have to get used to it.”

“Stella is a bitter Betty and a giant pain in the ass,” Leon whispers to me a couple of hours later. “I left her, and then I got with Donna, who’s even worse than Stella.” He looks behind him as both his ex-wives cook in the kitchen. “This friendship of theirs is only to spite me.”

Just as he says it, they both laugh. That’s probably how the friendship started, but that’s not why they’ve remained friends. I won’t tell him that though.

Layla is on the other side of the room talking to June Bug, but she looks over and smiles at me. I never noticed how pretty her eyes were before today. She has a cute little nose too. It’s like a perfect little button in the middle of her face. I’ve always known her plump lips were nice, but since I’ve tasted them, they’re beyond nice. They’re perfect.

I raise my glass to her, and she does the same.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. It’s been buzzing all day. My dad woke me up this morning with the news that I got married.He seems excited about it, and I’m not sure why. I wonder if he thinks I did this because of his advice. I didn’t, but if he thinks that’s the case, that would be the first time I ever took advice from him about anything.

I did this for one reason only. I did this for my daughter, and I only would have picked Layla. She’s not impressed by guys with money, and she wanted nothing to do with me at first. Colt Chastain says that’s how he and his wife started, and I know for a fact they’re happy. I’ve seen it, and he talks about her constantly. Coach is happy too. Why can’t I have some of that for myself? According to Vickie Chastain, everyone deserves love.

Besides, Layla is gorgeous, and I’ve always been physically attracted to her. From the first time we met at the hotel where she used to work, I noticed her, and as judgmental as she’s been toward me, she’s always liked my daughter.

Eight months ago:

“I would have sworn the building would have disintegrated into ash the moment he walked through the doors,” she whispers to Jeannie. They’re both standing at the front of the church, right in front of the altar. I have my back turned to her while I talk to the minister who will be baptizing Jasmine, but I know the ‘he’ she’s gossiping about is me. I don’t know how I can offend someone so much simply by existing.

“Why would you think that?” Jeannie asks.

“Because churches and whores have never been a good combination. Haven’t you ever read the bible before?”

After hearing her last statement, Reverend Okoye turns and eyes her before he walks away. Layla doesn’t notice. She just giggles like a schoolgirl gossiping in thehallway.

“Girl, hush,” Jeannie says with a giggle. “Seth’s a sweetheart.”

“Sweetheart my black ass,” she whispers. “Do you know what he said to me when he saw me here today? He pretended he didn’t know me and said that the homeless shelter was down the street. Then he—”

I tune her out. I remember what I said, and it was good to see the expression on her face. But what I don’t understand is why she’s here. I didn’t invite her. I’d never invite her, but I know who did.

I give Jeannie a look of disapproval. I make sure her husband doesn’t see me do it. Layla sees me, and I narrow my eyes at her.

“I think everyone is here,” I say to Jeannie. I plan to do everything in my power to ignore my unwanted guest. After the ceremony, I planned to take everyone to lunch at a local restaurant, but Jeannie and Coach decided to throw a reception at their townhouse instead. Jeannie felt the restaurant was too impersonal.

When they first suggested it, I almost broke down in tears. It’s the first time anyone has ever volunteered to throw me a party. I accepted, but now I realize I’m stuck with Layla. If we had gone with my idea, I’d tell her she’s not invited if only to piss her off. She inches closer, and I freeze. She looks at the baby in my arms who is fast asleep. She’s in a big, frilly white dress that Jeannie bought for her. She told me in her culture, it’s customary for the godmother to supply the dress for the baby. She not only got a dress but shoes and a matching headband too.

“Mr. Wakowski,” someone whispers, “we’re all set for streaming if you want to double-check to make sure your other guests can log in.”

I attempt to hand Jeannie the baby so I can call my father to make sure he can see and hear, but Layla intercepts and holds her arms out.

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