Page 65 of What You Do To Me
“Yeah, I know, Granny, but you’ve had them every day this week,” I nervously responded.
“And when has that mattered?” she asked me with a raised brow. “What you doing that you have to leave those babies with Cheryl, anyway?”
I nervously shifted under her gaze. She was looking directly in my eyes as if she was peering into my soul and it had me uncomfortable. When I didn’t answer, she shook her head and spoke up again.
“Tiomi are you trying to get someone killed, including yourself and Dirk?”
“No Granny, but this is school stuff. You know just as well as I do that Jawan isn’t going to allow me to study with anyone, and the first thing that Rex would do is snitch,” I whined. If I’mbeing completely honest, I was terrified to study with Noah. If my husband got wind of this then he would surely board a jet to come and kill the three of us with his bare hands.
“You didn’t even try to tell him child.”
“Because the moment that I would have even brought it up he would have shut it down and made me withdraw from school. Do you know how hard it was to convince him to even let me go?” I cried. I loved Jawan with everything in me, but he was so unfair at times. Most things were nonnegotiable with him. He felt as if he knew what was best for our family, and he did. He was a man, so I let him lead, but there were times I wanted to compromise on stuff.
“Tiomi go ahead and go. I won’t say anything to JJ about this, but I also won’t deny it if he ask me. You’re playing a dangerous game and I hope you know what you’re doing.”
I nodded my head at her response and left. It wasn’t like I was going to do anything more than what I said I was doing. I would never cheat on Jawan. I climbed into the back of the SUV and Dirk headed into the direction of the library. The whole ride I was in my head. I couldn’t help but to feel guilty sneaking around. I would be pissed if the shoe was on the other foot, but I told myself that this was school stuff.
When I walked in, I spotted Noah at the table in the back with books and stuff already set up. As I got closer, he got up to pull out the chair that was beside him. “For a second I thought you were going to flake on me.”
Giving him a small smile, I took my seat. “I’m sorry. I had to get my daughters situated.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that you had kids.”
“How would you? We don’t know much about each other outside of school,” I responded without making eye contact.
“That’s an easy fix,” he joked with a shoulder bump, showcasing his beautiful smile.
“Actually, it isn’t. Can we just get this over with? I need to get my kids and get home,” I responded in irritation. It wasn’t my plans to take my frustrations out on him, but the words that Granny said to me had me in my feelings and I couldn’t mask it.
“Hey,” Noah called out and touched my arm. “If you’re not feeling this today, I get it. We can reschedule. Hell, I can research this shit myself and brief you on it tomorrow at school.”
Shaking my head, I declined. “It’s cool. I’m fine, really.” I touched his hand on my arm momentarily for reassurance.
“Naw, Tiomi. Go ahead and go. Your head isn’t in this and I feel bad for having you here. I know more about you than you think.” I allowed my eyes to connect with his that time and lifted my brows. “Naw, nothing like that,” he continued. “Everybody knows who your husband is, and I don’t want to cause chaos for you or me. I’d be more comfortable if I had a conversation with him before meeting with his wife, anyway.”
Nodding my head, I stood up and started to gather my things. It was a little weird to me that he said he knew me, but I also appreciate the understanding. The entire ride here and since the moment I sat down my nerves were all over the place. After I had thanked Noah, I left the library to get my kids and go home.
Me and Chy had just pulled up to the mall when a call from Star came through. “Hey sis,” I answered.
“Where are you? My vacation started and I need food and drinks. Darren is visiting his family for two weeks so I’m lonely.” I could hear the pout in her voice.
“We just pulled up to the mall. I need to shop for my birthday. Chy insist that I have a party tomorrow, so I need to find something to wear.”
I honestly didn’t want to do anything. My husband got caught up in Mexico on business so the two days that we originally planned for turned into five so far without a definitive return date. Every time I talked to him and he said he wasn’t on his way yet broke my heart a little more. I didn’t understand, I mean if he ran shit now, why did they need him to be more hands on? They paid people to take care of this shit.
“Well, I’m on the way so y’all wait on me. Have you spoke to JJ?”
“Yes,” I answered somberly.
“Has he said when they’re coming back?” Star asked.
“No, I’m about ready to te?—”
I was cut off by a hard bump to my shoulder. When I looked up my eyes locked with Jawan’s ex cum rag.
“Daman bitch, can you watch where the fuck you’re going?” she yelled, attempting to cause a scene.
Letting out a low chuckle, I took the high road and stepped around her without responding. For one I had my daughters with me and for two I knew I’d be seeing her punk ass again.
