Page 23 of Lost In You
“I have nothing to do with you losing your son. I asked you to let me handle things my way. My daddy gave you information. I would have held that shit over her head and have her wondering how I knew about it after I beat her fucking ass.” She shook her head and a couple of tears escaped her. “I have to go, Asad.”
She didn’t verbally respond to my confession, but I was willing to bet that was what her tears were for. I’d touched her heart, but she couldn’t handle this situation. Maybe my timing was off, or maybe we were supposed to go through this so I could see who Mila truly was. Had Ashanni not come along, I would still be dealing with her bullshit, because it wouldn’t have escalated to this.
I watched her walk to the driver’s side and get in her vehicle and drive off. When she turned the corner, I went back inside to see my son staring at me with wide, hopeful eyes. The last thing I felt like doing was trying to have fun, but I promised him. My heart was aching, and I didn’t know how to make it stop.
“Mama, you wanna ride out to Houston with us?”
She gave me a soft smile and said, “Of course, baby.”
Jayceon yelled, “Yay!”
I smiled slightly at him, then pulled my phone from my pocket and shot Ashanni a text.I’m not giving up on us, Shani. I love you.
NINE
ASHANNI
My hands were itchingto get at that ho. I had Glorilla’s “Hollon” blasting all the way to Liberty. It didn’t help that Jessica’s rowdy ass was at the diner when it happened. We didn’t even know what was going on until we heard somebody speed off. When I ran outside and saw my ride keyed the fuck up, I knew exactly who did it. Jess was right next to me, and my mama was behind me. We all jumped in my ride and took off after that bitch, leaving our food on the table.
When we got back, I saw that someone had boxed our food up and labeled which was which. We’d come here to eat brunch before going to Houston. Jessica wasn’t going to be going to Houston with us, but after we left, she said she would go so I wouldn’t have to go back to Nome to bring her back. Tyeis, Decaurey’s wife, was in Houston and could scoop her up on her way out.
I sat at the table and just stared at the box. Being in a relationship shouldn’t be this difficult. My mama sat next to me. She didn’t say anything, but she grabbed my hand. Asad was everything I wanted, but he was allowing that bitch to keep us apart. He should have let me get at her when I wanted to. Asadsaid he loved me. That shit almost took me out. I was quiet the entire thirty-minute drive back.
The way that bitch was behaving wasn’t his fault. I knew that. However, him being connected to her was going to make it hard for him to move on. Nobody wanted to deal with a jealous ass psycho like her ass. I didn’t even understand how Asad got himself entangled with someone like her. He was a really good guy, but her shit overshadowed that.
I looked over at my mama and asked, “You ready to go home?”
“Whenever you are, baby.”
I nodded, then stood. I’d had enough, and my body was drained. We were up late into the night, playing games and eating junk food with Maui at Uncle Storm’s house, so I was beyond tired. Everyone showed up, even Nesha, Jess, Tyeis, Cassie, and Mekayla. They were all older than us by at least ten years. Mya and Angel were closer to our ages, but they hung out more with Cassie and Mekayla, because their husbands were all in the same crew.
When we got to my G-Wagon, I got angry all over again. I bought this vehicle when I first got my money about six months ago. Before we could get in, Uncle Storm drove up and parked next to me. My daddy was in the truck with him. They both got out with frowns on their faces. I swore, every last Henderson looked alike when they frowned.
“Who fucking with my baby? That bitch still at it?” Daddy asked.
“Yeah.”
Uncle Storm frowned harder. “What bitch?”
“Asad’s baby mama.”
“And what he doing about it?”
“He’s going the legal route, man,” Daddy said.
“Fuck that shit. She need to be got right the fuck now.”
“Well, she got arrested. Whether they keep her ass or not is yet to be seen. She’s in Liberty County though.”
“I’m gon’ keep my ear to the street. She need to be fucked up expeditiously.”
“Thanks, Uncle Mayor.”
He stared at me as I went to my daddy and fell in his arms. “I broke up with him, Daddy. I can’t keep dealing with that ho. He doesn’t want me fighting her, talking about he don’t like drama. It’s his fucking drama!”
He rubbed my back. “I know, baby. Asad is a real chill dude. Believe me, this shit is killing him. He loves you.”
“He told you that?”
