Page 120 of I Don't Want You Back

Chapter 36

An entire month had passed since Ava and Kane had separated and things were looking up. True to her word, Carmen had contacted some of her friends at a local radio station and helped Ava find a job. She had only been working for one week, but she loved her job as a communication’s specialist. Her sister, Robin, had moved in with her temporarily and she had found a job as a switchboard operator for a towing company. They rarely saw each other because Ava worked days and Robin worked mostly nights. Thanks to Ella intervening, Ava, Landon, and Makena all ended up by her house at the same time one day. The tension was thick at first, but Ella did what she did best and started crying. Ava ended up apologizing to her niece and nephew and they begrudgingly accepted. Ella was no fool and she knew that things between them would never be the same. She just wanted her family to be in the same room without fussing and fighting all the time. They all agreed to be civil and that was all she wanted.

Kane was still living with his parents, but he came to their house to spend time with their daughter whenever she wasn’t already at her grandparents’ house. He was still begging Ava for another chance, but she stood firm on her decision. If she was being honest with herself, she entertained the idea, if only for a little while. She would probably have to kill Ella, but a part of her still loved her husband. Or maybe it was just her fear of being alone. Deep down, she knew that it would never work and that was the only thing stopping her. Kane couldn’t be trusted, and he’d proven that time and time again. Ava knew that she was sending him mixed messages because she’d slept with him twice since their separation. It wasn’t too deep; she just needed sex and he was there to deliver. Both times, she regretted it soon after it happened, but it was too late. Ava hadn’t filed for divorce yet, but she hadn’t changed her mind.

“Hey Carmen,” Ava said, answering the phone for her mother-in-law.

“Hey boo. This granddaughter of mine is trying to stay over another night. I wanted to check with you before I agreed. I can get her to school in the morning, but she needs a uniform,” Carmen said.

“She just probably wants to be close to her daddy,” Ava assumed.

“Girl, Kane hasn’t slept here since he left your house. He comes over whenever Kylie is here, but he claims that he’s been staying with Kya,” Carmen replied.

“Oh okay. I have to go to the store to get a few things, so I can drop something off to her,” Ava said.

“Okay sweetheart. We’ll see you soon,” Carmen said before they disconnected.

Ava sat there deep in thought for a little while. Kane was never going to change. She specifically remembered him telling her that he was living with his parents, but he was ready to come back home. He was in tears one night telling her how he couldn’t even sleep because she wasn’t next to him. Ava hadn’t talked to Kya much since she and Kane separated, but she was almost certain that he wasn’t living with her.

“Lying ass nigga,” she said as she got up and went to her daughter’s bedroom.

She packed Kylie an overnight bag with a school uniform and left out of her house soon after. Ava was going to cook a nice Sunday meal but, since she was going to be there alone, she decided to grab some fast food. After dropping Kylie’s clothes off by her grandparents, she decided to grab some takeout from the Chinese restaurant before going back home. While she waited at the light, Ava spotted Kya’s car pulling out of the daiquiri shop drive-thru that was located across the street. Kya didn’t drink, so Ava was surprised to see her there. She grabbed her phone and decided to mess with her since she was stuck at the red light across the street.

“Hey sis,” Kya said when she answered the phone.

“What the hell are you doing heifer?” Ava asked with a smile, although she already knew.

“Nothing, at home about to take a nap,” Kya said, wiping the smile from Ava’s face.

“Oh, okay, well call me later,” Ava said before she hung up.

Kya had no reason to lie to her, so she didn’t understand why she did. Abandoning her previous plans to get something to eat, Ava turned around at the light and decided to follow her soon to be ex-sister-in law. It had just gotten dark out, but Ava made sure to stay at least two cars behind her. She followed her on the bridge for about ten minutes before she got off and continued to drive. Ava was surprised when she saw Kya turn towards the projects because she was unaware that she knew anyone who lived in that area. Kya was just as sheltered as she was and maybe more.

It was dark and Ava was a little nervous. She was about to abandon her mission until Kya pulled up to one of the houses and parked. The projects had been renovated to look like homes and they were nice and well kept. Not many people hung outside at night, but the house that Kya had just pulled up to was the exception. There were three women siting out front in folding chairs while kids played all around them. Ava had to do a double take when she saw Kane’s car parked right in front. Aiden had his ass right all along. Her twin was always saying that he was messing with bitches in the projects and it was obviously true. Kya was a shady bitch, but it was all good.

“Damn Kya. It’s about damn time,” one of the women said when she got out of the car with two gallons of daiquiris.

The woman had a bold, gold colored weave that flowed down her back. The hair looked neat and professionally done, but it was too much in Ava’s opinion. Every part of her exposed arms was covered with tattoos and she was loud as hell. Her big mouth was what allowed Ava to creep up on them without them even noticing.

“That line was long as hell,” Kya replied, right as she spotted Ava in her peripheral.

“That must have been a short ass nap,” Ava said sarcastically when they locked eyes.

“What are you doing around here Ava?” Kya asked nervously.

“Shit, I should be asking you and your brother that question. Carmen seems to think he’s been living with you, but we both know that’s a lie, since I see his truck parked out here,” Ava sneered.

“Who is this?” the woman with the gold weave asked.

“That’s my brother’s wife, Ava,” Kya replied.

“Girl, Kya, I know you didn’t bring no drama to my house,” the woman said as she stood to her feet, letting Ava get a good look at her.

She had a huge ass and a huge beer belly to match. Her legs were small, but her hips were wide, making her body look uneven and weird. Ava worked hard to keep her body and appearance together. Obviously, that didn’t mean much to her husband as she looked over at the hood rat who she assumed he was messing with. She was the only one talking, so she had to be the other woman.

“I didn’t have nothing to do with this,” Kya swore.

“How does she know where I live then?” the woman asked.

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