Page 20 of Nothing Even Matters
“I didn’t feel like redecorating,” Faith noticed Eli looking around, “I spent a lot of money picking out everything to begin with and there was no point spending more money because I was angry.”
“You always had impeccable taste,” he chuckled as he smoothed his hands over the leather sofas. “Sometimes, better than me.”
“Sometimes?” Faith scoffed. “All of the time, bruh.”
“Oh, you’re playing yourself with that,” Eli shook a finger at her.
“Baby boy, I knew about Versace before Biggie spit one rhyme about it.” Faith smiled.
“Yeah, okay,” Eli shook his head, “I remember I bought you Balenciaga one time and you couldn’t even pronounce it.”
“I can pronounce ‘my husband just spent all of his money on me’ just fine, thank you very much,” Faith was interrupted by Nathan, “yes, baby?”
“Can Daddy spend the night tonight? I like his pancakes.” He smiled.
Faith turned to her ex and once again the sensual air passed between them. “If he wants to,” she replied, staring at him.
“Sure, I would love to,” Eli held his gaze, “I’ll sleep in the guest room.” He turned to Nathan and picked him up. “You like my pancakes, huh?” He tickled his son, who burst into a fit of laughter. “You like my pancakes, huh?” He carried Nathan upstairs. “It’s time for bath and bed time. I’ll read you your favorite story.”
“I have three!” Nathan chimed in.
“Three?” Eli whistled. “Man, I don’t know if I have enough voices for three books now…”
Faith’s heart filled with warmth she didn’t realize was missing. Things between her and Eli may have been rocky but he always went the extra mile for their children. She felt like an absolute fool trying to keep them away from him.
There was still the issue with Jeremy but Faith had a feeling the relationship was going to end soon. She briefly called him to congratulate him on a good game, only to get his voicemail. She then saw pics of him in a nightclub, hugged up on a couple of fans. She quietly took her ring off and put it back in the box.
Now her ex-husband was in her home and Faith wondered if it was finally time to make ittheirsagain. She needed to find out tonight.
~~~~~
After putting all three children to bed, Eli prepared for a shower. He didn’t bring any extra clothing because he honestly didn’t think he was going to be at his ex’s home. It was fine. He was with his family and that’s all that mattered.
As he stepped into the shower, he thought about the last 24 hours. He went from nearly hating his ex to realizing he never stopped being in love with her. It was why his relationship with Erica didn’t work out. If Eli wanted to see her, he knew he would’ve made the time. She was a great woman and everything he could’ve asked for in a partner.
She wasn’t Faith.
There were a lot of things Eli didn’t like about Faith – her immaturity, her overreacting to trivial things, her constant need for gossip. There were a lot of things he loved about her – how devoted she was to the community, how she was a God-fearing woman, and how she was willing to change.
Eli let the rain shower beat on him as he thought about the future. The New Year was only in a few days and it left a lot of room for both of them to grow and co-parent in a healthy and happy way. Maybe reconciliation was in the cards? Maybe they were better off as just good friends.
Either way, Eli just wanted resolution between them. It was time to end the games and become adults about everything. His children deserved better.
So did he.
~~~~~
Eli walked back to his bedroom with one of the plush pink towels wrapped firmly around his waist when he encountered Faith. She’d just stepped out of the shower herself, with the same towel wrapped around her.
“Oh hey,” he grinned.
“Hey,” Faith secured the towel more, “I didn’t think you took a shower now. I thought you were asleep.”
“I was going to but I smelled like Play-Doh and whatever else the kids put on me,” Eli smiled, “so I had to freshen up.”
“I’ll do your laundry so you’ll have fresh clothing in the morning,” Faith added, “so you’re not wearing the Play-Doh smell again.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.” Eli nodded. A small silence stood between the former couple and that was Eli’s cue to go to sleep. “So, um,buonanotte, amore mio.”
