Page 11 of Lost In You
“Okay. Let’s go to the kitchen. You want oatmeal?”
He licked his lips as I chuckled. I had some instant oatmeal in the pantry, so that would have to suffice. That would stickto his little ribs until the food was ready at the Hendersons. I wasn’t sure what we would be eating, but thankfully, Jay wasn’t too picky of an eater. Hopefully, that wouldn’t change as he got older.
After fixing his oatmeal, I helped him onto the barstool, then went back to my bedroom to get dressed. I moisturized my skin and put oil in my beard, trying to make sure I looked my best for Ashanni. This shit was still so unreal to me. While putting on my watch, my cell started ringing. When I saw Ferris’s name, I answered on speaker. “What’s up?”
“Nigga, that’s what I called to ask you! I couldn’t really talk like I wanted to at the party.” He laughed. “Congratulations. You finally got your woman, man.”
“Yeah. Had she not come to my house after graduation, there’s no telling what would have happened. I was prepared to let go. I told her that I would see her around before I left the graduation.”
“Well, that shit must have had her panicking. She really likes you a lot, so I’m glad she put her reservations to the side about being ready for a relationship and gave in to you.”
I chuckled. “It was never about that, Ferris.”
“What?”
“She didn’t want anyone to know. We hooked up that day we talked at the diner a year ago. Mila showed up and broke into my house. Ashanni knocked her ass out. That was why she didn’t want to be with me. She felt like Mila was gonna have her ass in jail. The family was going through a lot of shit at the time.”
He was completely quiet like he was trying to process what I said. Then suddenly, he yelled, “Nigga!”
I laughed. “She didn’t want anyone to know, man. She had my fucking nose wide open.”
“Hell the fuck yeah, she did. It makes sense now though. All this time, I was thinking yo’ ass was crazy for waiting all this time. Mila ass full of shit.”
“She is. I filed a restraining order on her ass. She is not allowed inside my house anymore. Whenever she drops off or picks up Jayceon, I meet her outside. Her and Ashanni have bad blood. They got into a fight in high school and Mila can’t let that shit go.”
“That’s crazy as fuck. They been out of high school seven years or so.”
“Yep, eight years for Mila. What’s on your agenda today?”
“I’m about to head to Nome to go to Milana’s parents’ house to kick it with them.”
“Oh okay. I’m about to head that way too. I was invited to Sunday dinner. Mister Jasper threatened to kill me if I fuck over his baby. Nigga literally told me to cling to the principles Red and Lacey instilled in me, so I won’t be clinging to life later.”
“What the fuck? Uncle Jasper’s cool ass said that?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Damn! I mean, I guess Ashanni being his daughter makes it a totally different ball game. Well, I may see you out there later then.”
“A’ight. Later.”
I ended the call and went to check on Jay. He was just finishing and trying to slide off the barstool. When he saw me, he smiled big. “Daddy, I’m done. Are we going somewhere?”
“Yes, we are. Do you remember Miss Ashanni?”
He frowned slightly, clearly thinking about who she may have been.
“She was the lady that called you suga yesterday.”
“Oh yes! Is she your girlfriend?”
“Yes, she is. Is that cool with you?”
“Yes! She’s pretty!”
“She is. We are going to eat dinner with her, her parents, and brothers.”
His eyebrows lifted. “Will I get to play with them?”
