Page 29 of The Price of My Sins

“So…” he said with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, “Are you two a couple? ’Cause the way my baby girl’s sitting practically in your lap, y’all don’t look like any casual acquaintances.”

Olivia shifted slightly, tension tightening her jaw. “Daddy, Bo is my fr?—”

“Man,” I cut in, firm but respectful. Olivia was trying to have me crash out in front of her parents. I had just told her our relationship status outside, and she knew by now I never said anything I didn’t mean. “I’m her man. We’re way past the point of just friends, sir.”

Olivia shot me a sharp look, but I caught the blush rising on her cheeks. She didn’t say a word, and she didn’t move awayeither.Her dad raised an eyebrow, lips twitching like he couldn’t decide whether to be pissed or impressed.

Then her mom chuckled low and easy before smiling. “That’s right,” she said, clapping her hands. “You claim your woman, Boris!”

Her dad didn’t smile, but something in his shoulders relaxed. He looked at me long and hard as if something in him snapped. “You look like someone I know. Who’s your father? I swear… you look like somebody I know.” He snapped his finger like he just figured it out. “Charles Bailey. That’s it.”

“You think so? I can’t see it,” his wife stated.

“Baby, I've been servicing his cars for over ten years. I know what I’m talking about, woman.”

His wife finally co-signed after she and her husband had stared at me. “Wow. He does, come to think of it.”

“Nah. I don’t know him.” I shook my head and laughed.

“Damn. The resemblance is crazy. You sure?”

“Baby, the boy said he doesn’t know the man. Stop it. You swear everybody looks like someone. Just like you mistakenly thought Shirley Allison’s house was mine, knowing damn well my parents ain’t live in no damn trailer!” His wife rolled her eyes.

“Baby, when are you going to let that go? I told you… I was at her house buying some pies for my mother.”

“Hm!” She folded her arms across her chest. “She was selling more than pies.”

“But I only want your pie, baby.” He kissed his wife, and she giggled like a schoolgirl.

“Oh my goodness! Ma! Daddy! Hellooo! Would y’all stop?”

Olivia was embarrassed, but I thought the interaction was dope. The love they showed each other as husband and wife was what I wanted with my future wife and kids.

I ended up staying at Olivia’s parent’s house for dinner before we left and went back to my place.

It’s been weeks since the incident at Lexi’s party at Deuce’s club, and since then, I haven’t heard a peep from Josh. The calls stopped, and I hadn’t received any threatening text messages. Nothing. But I knew it wasn’t over. Josh doesn’t take disrespect lightly, so I knew something was brewing with him, and I had a feeling it was going brew over back into my life soon.

“Olivia! Do you hear me talking to you?!”

“Damn, Lex! Can you not scream like that?” I yelled back, adjusting the phone and glancing around the parking lot as I stepped out of John Brown BBQ with a bag full of pork belly, ribs, and sides that smelled like heaven.

“You clearly weren’t listening!” she shot back. “I’ve been talking to myself for the last three minutes. What is going on with you?” she probed, but her voice faded when an eerie feeling pricked the hairs on the back of my neck.

I paused halfway to the car, scanning the lot. Everything looked normal. Some dude was across the street pumping gas, and a woman was wrangling her toddler into a car seat. Nothing was out of place, but still, that chill sat heavily on my chest.

I exhaled, pressing the phone tighter against my ear as I walked toward my car. “I’m okay, boo. I promise,” I said, hitting the locks on the door but still having that weird feeling.

“Are you sure?” I could hear the concern in her voice.

“Yes. Stop worrying.” I switched the subject. “How are my babies doing?”

“Yeah, okay. I see what you just did, but I’ll let you make it until I see you. And them heathens are fine. Dominick just left to take them to his aunt's house. She’s babysitting to give us some mama and daddy time. I ain’t had no dick in a week. Tonight, I plan on riding my husband’s dick until I pass out!” She laughed.

“I know that’s right, friend! And leave my God babies alone. I need to come spend some time with them soon.”

Lexi laughed. “Yes. You do that. I’mma let you go. I’ll call you tomorrow so we can make plans. I love you.”

“Love you more, boo,” I responded back and disconnected the call.

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