Page 69 of Kid
Nella
I fucked up.
And I didn’t even know when it happened.
As the world began being normal again, I began invested more and more time into getting everything figured out for and with Jeremy.
Soon, not having to deal with Kid had become easier. The more time I put between myself and him, the harder it became.
It was like lying in the ocean on my back, allowing the waves to sway me about at their will. Then suddenly I lifted my head and I’m too far away from shore to go back.
Right then it occurred to me that if I didn’t try for shore, I’d drown.
The look in his eyes at the hospital tore at me and I realized then, I was drowning.
I sat with Jamilla who’d come over to check in on me. I hadn’t been picking up her call—I should have known that would have made her worry.
She’d brought her kit with her and as we talked through everything, she did my fingernails.
“So, why are you hiding?” Jamilla asked. “Let me tell you, a man doesn’t go through what Kid has gone through with you for a hit it and quit it scenario. He does all that to show you he’s ready.”
“How can he know?” I rummaged through her bag to pick the colour I wanted to use. “How much experience could he possibly have to be this serious?”
“The same amount you have.” Jamilla replied. “You’re what? Three years older?”
I pulled out a black one and held it up to the light before shaking the bottle. “That’s not fair.”
“Neither is what you’re doing to Kid.” Jamilla took the bottle from me. “Because you’re hurt is no excuse to break his heart, you hear me?”
I lifted my fingers to the desk for her to start painting the nails.
“Maybe now isn’t the best time to make any long-term decisions on your love life.” She sighed.
“Maybe.”
By the time Jamilla left, Helen stopped by after her shift at the hospital. She basically gave m the same advice.
I only faced the world otherwise to ensure Jeremy was set. Other than that, I hid in at my place until I had to take Jeremy to register for school then dropped him off at Mamba’s stuio.
Apparently, I wasn’t nearly as cool as the brothers.
With that complete, I found my way to Chelsea’s place.
I spent the rest of the day in Godmother mode. Chelsea was home and though Demon was a good man to her, I could tell he hadn’t slept since the baby came.
Hell, he probably hadn’t slept since Chelsea told him she was pregnant.
While he rested, and Chelsea sat comfortably in the bed eating, I paced the room while feeding Grace. As I looked down into her face, I couldn’t get over how beautiful she was. So far, I’d managed to only cry once.
“What’s going on between you and Kid?” Chelsea asked.
I turned to look at her.
“What?” She asked. “You didn’t think I’d notice? Sis, even with labour pains I could see. The two of you haven’t been in the same room since after you rescued Jeremy. What is happening? Did he do something?”
I couldn’t find the right words to reply to those questions. Grace gurgled happily and I looked down into her fac to see the bottle was empty. I put it on the bedside table, strung a towel over my shoulder and lifted her there while gently tapping her back.
“He didn’t do anything.” I replied softly. “It was all me.”
