Page 49 of No Remedy for Love

Mav sighed when he pulled up to Kiva’s mother’s house. They had even more cars than before he left, and he was dreading going in the backyard. He really wanted to get back in his truck and pull off when he saw Kerri’s messy ass pull up.

MJ saw his father as soon as he walked into the yard. He wiggled out of Kiva’s arms and ran right over to him.

“Here comes Kerri and her crew,” Nessa said when she saw her cousin walk into the yard. “Be nice, Kiva.”

“When am I not nice? She’s the one who stopped speaking to me.”

“She’s your big sister and she loves you. She just doesn’t want to see you get messed over.”

“I understand, but she just went about it the wrong way. It took a while but I see exactly what she was saying. She got pissed because I didn’t act when she thought I should.”

Kiva hated that she and her big sister weren’t speaking. It had been weeks since they spoke and it wasn’t the first time. They went months without speaking before and it was always for the same reason. Kerri always felt like Kiva was taking Mav’s side over hers and she stopped speaking to her every time she felt that way. Kiva was on her way out the door but she was trying to gather enough proof to make sure she stayed gone for good. Her mother was gonna be ecstatic to have her and MJ back home with her for a while. Her house was big enough, and she loved spending time with her only grandson.

“Hey, y’all,” Kerri spoke as she and one of her daughters walked over to where Nessa and Kiva were sitting.

“What’s up, auntie? You speaking or you still acting funny with us?” Kerri’s daughter, Unique, asked when she walked up.

“I’m too grown to act funny boo. Hey Kerri and Unique,” Kiva spoke loud enough for both of them to hear.

“Not today. We are family and we’re gonna act like it. Don’t come over here with the bullshit, Unique,” Nessa fussed at her younger cousins like she sometimes had to do.

“Unique, shut the fuck up! I’m not beefing with my lil sister, especially over a nigga.” Kerri waved her daughter off.

“That part!” Kiva agreed with her sister as her niece walked away. If she was looking for drama, she was at the wrong gathering.

“Unique need to stop being messy. That’s why she’s always out there fighting.” Nessa shook her head at her younger cousin.

“She just got into it with some lil girls, and I went off on her ass. Where is my nephew?” Kerri looked around the yard for MJ.

“He’s with his daddy somewhere out here.” Kiva looked around but didn’t see him either.

“I heard Mav sad ass was about to fight with Blaze.”

“Yep, I was there.” Kiva had already told Nessa so she already knew what happened

“Look, I said I wasn’t telling you nothing else about Mav but fuck it. You’re my sister and I’m not about to sit around andlet nobody make a fool of you. I don’t care if we’re not speaking at the time, just know that I always got your back.”

“What happened? Did somebody say something?” Nessa asked.

“Everybody is talking about him and Blaze beefing over Remi. I think her and Mav are fucking around again.”

“I do, too,” Kiva admitted.

“You do?” Kerri was shocked and that was a first. Kiva always defended Mav. She wasn’t expecting her to agree.

“Yeah, we’ve been peeping shit out so Cuz can get some answers.” Nessa had been keeping her eyes and ears open the same as Kiva.

“Well, peep this out.” Kerri pulled out her phone and showed them the pictures and video that she had taken when she saw Mav and Remi hugged up that day.

“Wow.”

Kiva wanted to cry when she saw it but, in her heart, she knew. She didn’t know if Mav had ever cheated on her before Remi but she never suspected anything if he did. She knew exactly when he started cheating with Remi because he changed. His movements, attitude, everything about him was different. It was cool though. She would rather hurt now and know instead of marrying a man who could never be faithful and regret it later.

“I’m sorry sister. I said I wasn’t gonna say nothing but I couldn’t even play you like that.”

“I don’t even blame you for not wanting to tell me nothing. That nigga got a pass the first time, but I’m done.”

“Remi don’t want his ass no way. Her and Blaze be joined at the hip. I guess she just don’t give a fuck cause he’s married too.”

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