Page 14 of Through the Fire

“You letting hos put their hands on me now?”

“Better her than me. She told you to stop disrespecting her. Everybody not going for your slick mouth. You better learn your lesson quickly before I let her jump on your ass because you deserve it.”

Thankfully, she finally began to back away. Mumbling something about being back, but I wasn’t worried about it. Kianni was just bored. She’d find better use of her time than harassing us within the next hour. I glanced down at Island and chuckled.

“I’m not going to lie; you just caught me off guard.”

She finally looked up at me. She tried to hide her smile.

“That ho talks too much, and I owed her for the way she treated Shy Shy at my shop the last time I saw her.”

Her words had me cupping the back of her neck and pulling her lips to mine before I could stop myself.

“Thank you,” I whispered against her skin once I had enough of her soft lips.

“You’re welcome.”

I took the bag she had in her free hand and took her hand into mine. Her coming over was the reason I was in a rush to clean up the crib. I didn’t want her to think I was a dirty man who lived in a pigsty.

“Please don’t mind the mess. I just got here, and my baby is off her rockers.”

Island chuckled, trailing me inside the house. Shyla was dancing in front of her iPad like nothing else mattered. I smiled because that’s what I wanted for her.

“Hey, Shy Shy,” Island greeted her then headed over.

“Hey, Ms. Island,” she replied cheerily. She rushed over and hugged her around the waist.

“What you over here doing?” Island asked her.

I went to place the bag she was here to drop off on the counter. Shyla’s skin was healing beautifully. Island swapped out her soap with something to accommodate the body butter. Her skin was holding moisture and no longer chafing. Her hyperpigmentation was healing too. I was thankful she wasn’t in pain anymore.

I moved to the living room, smiling at the two of them dancing in front of Shy Shy’s iPad. Island had a way of relaxing both of us just by being herself and accepting us as we were. I was afraid to let her in because what if she turned out to be as bad as Kianni? Everything wasn’t always toxic with my baby mama. I never expected our relationship to evolve into what it was today, but shit was out of my hands. Could I be setting my baby up for failure by allowing another woman in her life who could possibly walk away? Why would Island stay if her own birth mother wanted nothing to do with her? If Island stayed, would she treat her well?

I didn’t realize Island was talking to me until she placed a hand on my arm. My eyes refocused, finding her watching me pensively.

“I said I can do that for you if you want to go lay down.”

I ran a hand down my face. “I have to feed Shy Shy and get her in the bed too. My mama said she already gave her a bath.”

Island stepped closer. “I said I can do that for you. You don’t have to do everything alone, Shyheim. Let me help you.”

Her words placed my heart in a vice grip. I wanted to believe her, but Kianni’s voice still rang in my ears.

I snatched away and said, “I can take care of my daughter. We’re good.”

My tone was harsher than I intended. I felt guilty when Island flinched, and a hurt expression covered her pretty features. She took a step back and cleared her throat.

“Okay, my bad. I’ll go.”

She turned to walk away, and I couldn’t help but stop her. I was pushing her away even though I really didn’t wanna do that shit.

“Don’t leave.” I grabbed her hand as she came to a stop in front of the door. “I didn’t mean to talk to you like that. I could really use your help if it won’t be a burden to you.”

Her shoulders lifted then dropped slowly. She turned around at the pace of a snail.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded and stepped closer, trapping her between the door and my body. She tried to keep up her tough girl act, but once my lips landed on the crook of her neck, she melted against me.

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