Page 44 of Dr. Bell

“Normally, I pay rumors about you no mind. There’s always a jealous bitch or two trying to make themselves relevant in your life,” she said. Fire burned in her light eyes. “It’s funny how you never wanted to commit. Yet you have the nerve to walk in here, hand in hand with a woman who isn’t half of what or who I am. What’s your plaything’s name…” Her words trailed off while seeing the platinum and diamond band wrapped around my left ring finger.

With disdain, my eyes raked over Genika as she stood in front of me.

“Don’t refer to my wife as no shit like that.”

She chuckled. “Wife? Nigga you wouldn’t marry a fucking blade of grass. Obviously, this is a joke.”

“You’re a joke,” I stated to which she chuckled a little too loudly.

My eyes found Pretty again. She observed me and Genika, uneasiness settling on her face. I blew her a kiss that didn’t ease the slight frown she wore. Tilting my head, I gave her a crooked smile until her frown finally straightened. I wanted to go to her and assure her that all was well. However, duty called for just a second. I would put her mind at ease at my earliest convenience.

“Are you trying to embarrass me? Everyone in here knows we’re together.”

“I doubt that. Pretty’s reception has been quite warm.” Not that I needed anyone to validate my relationship with her. This was soeveryoneknew not to fuck with Pretty. If anyone was to ever see her outside of this venue, they knew she was attached to me. In essence, these were other safety nets.

“I should go introduce myself,” Genika said, interrupting my thoughts. Before I knew it, I grabbed her arm and yanked her back. She bumped into my chest and smiled mischievously.

“Let me go,” she demanded lowly.

“Bruh, chill.” DJ chuckled as he pried my hand from Genika’s arm. “Hoes gon’ be hoes.”

Genika cut her eyes sharply at DJ, then sauntered off in Pretty’s direction.

“Aht, aht.” My mother’s hand touched my arm, stopping me from going after Genika. I would strangle her up by her ears if she upset my woman.

“Don’t go after her,” my mother said. She and my father peered across the room to observe Genika approaching Pretty.

“Genika’s pregnant,” I informed them. My mother’s eyes snapped to my face. My dad grumbled, and DJ shook his head.

“That’s a damn shame,” he added his two cents, irking me.

“Get the fuck on,” I warned him. Laughing, he tipped the glass in his hand toward me, then went to find himself something safe to do.

“Are you shitting me?” Mama questioned.

I shook my head. “It’s not mine. Doesn’t mean she won’t try and paint that picture for Pretty.”

“Well…” My mother cleared her throat and dusted some non-existent lent off my sleeve. “What’s done is done. Make it right with Pretty. And make sure you clean this shit up if you need to.”

My pops chuckled. Smirking, I peered down at my mother.

“What?” she asked. Her soft coy expression tickled me.

“I love you.”

Her face lit up in a smile. “I love you. Also, you can’t save Pretty all the time. That’s one thing you need to learn right now. If you stunt her ability to adapt to her new life, how will she be able to handle herself in your absence?”

“In my absence? I’m not going anywhere.”

I looked at Pops to back me.

“Ya mother’s right. Don’t intervene unless you have to. Otherwise, you have to give Pretty the space to defend herself. Or else you risk leaving her vulnerable at times when you’re not present.” He made sure to clean up what my mother said.

“If you ask me, Pretty will be alright.”

Trusting my mother, I locked eyes with Pretty again. I could tell by the look on her face that she was uncomfortable. No one else could see the subtle uneasiness on her face, but I could, and it irked me to the core. However, I would do as my mother said and let Pretty handle Genika. For now.

COCO

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