Page 136 of One Good Reason

“Go home, Harvey.”

“Let me know when you’ve landed back in Miami.”

“I can do that.”

“Be safe, Adele.” I pecked her cheek before turning to leave the jet.

“Harvey…” she called out. “Tell her if she fucks up, she’s gotta see me.”

“You along with a few other people.” I winked before descending the steps.

“Everything good?” Drix was the first one to ask when I walked in their direction.

“Yeah, it is. We shouldn’t have any more issues. Y’all should be good to go.”

“Bet. Everything is accounted for so we ‘bout to head to the warehouse and get this shit divided so we can distribute it.”

“Hit me up if y’all need me.”

After saluting them, I hopped back in my truck and headed for the house. I wasn’t lying when I said Talitha would have my ass if she woke up and I wasn’t there. The last thing I needed was her thinking I slipped off to be with another woman. Bad enough, her ass had been asking me where the name Dutch came from.

Apparently while her and Promise was talking the day of the game, the shit slipped out of her mouth. I had to explain to her that it was something I was called when I was growing up and it kind of just stuck. I knew her ass ain’t believe me one bit, but she tried not to pry. Every so often, to fuck with me, she would call me that shit. I stayed correcting her, but it didn’t matter. My baby was going to do what she wanted to do no matter how strongly I felt about it.

CHAPTER 32

Talitha

“When are you coming up?”

“Tomorrow. Willearl and Bonnie gon’ bring me to come get her.”

“And you’ve asked her if she wanted to go?” I queried. Louise was on my business line first thing this morning telling me that she was coming to get Gema. Now that things were seemingly okay, they called often. I didn’t mind as long as they wasn’t calling with no shit.

“She said she would come stay for a few days as long as it was okay with you.”

“I mean, if she wants to go, I’m fine with that. You sure you ain’t picking her up for my Mama.”

“Tali, I’m a grown ass woman. I know how to spend time with my Mama without Litha being around.”

“Aye, I’m just asking. Since we been up here, it’s been her that’s came to grab her. But it’s fine with me. I’ll have Mrs. Jessie pack her stuff up.”

“Okay. We should be there no later than twelve.”

“I’ll be home.”

“Thank you, Tali.”

“Don’t mention it.” Before she could say anything else, I hung the phone up.

Had she called my cell phone, I would’ve called her ass a bald face lie, but seeing as though she called my office, I knew either Gema or Mrs. Jessie had given her the number. I kept reiterating to them that I didn’t care ‘bout them spending time with Gema. As long as they brought her back unscathed. Since she would be going home for a few days, I was gon’ pack my shit up and go to Lake Spivey to stay with Law.

Pulling my phone out of my desk drawer, I shot him a text message.

Me: Gema going home for a few days.

Law: You agreed to that?

Me: Yeah. I just got off the phone with Louise.

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