Page 6 of Kid
Nella
“Are you going to tell me what that was at Kid’s birthday party?” Chelsea asked as we folded tiny clothes for the tiny human that was growing inside her.
“I don’t know what you man.”
Chelsea placed a onesie on top of the pile then struggled to get out of the stuffed chair. She paused to catch her breath. “I swear, sometimes I think the doctor made a mistake and there are twins in there.” She rubbed her belly.
I looked away from her. The truth was, I never even imagined being half as beautiful pregnant as she was in that moment.
It was almost as if she was glowing.
“Nella, something happened between you and Kid.” Chelsea spoke to me. “But if you don’t want to tell me, that’s cool too.”
“I’m fine.” I lied. “It really was nothing. I had to leave.”
“Because of a promise you made to Jeremy.”
“Right.”
“Sure.”
I could tell Chelsea didn’t believe me, but I didn’t push the issue. The baby sitting on her bladder had her waddling along the hall and locking herself fin the bathroom.
That was the third time in an hour.
I finished up the folding and carried an arm-load over to the shelving beside the baby’s changing table. After stacking the clothes in their right places, I dragged a finger against the new table, up one section of the shelving unit and down again.
Demon and his brothers had done an amazing job setting up the baby’s room. I would stop by under the guises of bring them lunch. All the while, it was to watch Kid, to take in what I wanted but couldn’t have. After the birthday party, I’d stopped coming by.
He was taken—off limits.
They’d finished up the work.
With Demon at work, I took the day off and spent it with my best fried. She was due to give birth soon and I didn’t want to be very far when she did.
The flush of the toilet followed by water running in the sink drew me from my stupor. I thought about the woman Kid had brought with him as his date and was almost sick to my stomach.
By the time Chelsea made an appearance, I had pulled it together, even managed to smile. I made her something to eat, poured her a glass of juice and was sitting beside her on the bed when Demon hollered from the living room.
“We’re in the bedroom, sweetheart!” Chelsea replied.
Demon wandered up the stairs and into the bedroom. He kissed the side of my head then kissed her lips and made his way into the master bathroom.
“Darius Arrowood, do not make a mess in that bathroom.” Chelsea warned. “Sanaa just cleaned it.”
Demon laughed. “I promise nothing.”
“Demon!”
He merely laughed harder. “Okay, okay. I won’t make a mess.”
I shook my head and kissed her forehead. “I’m heading home.”
“You’re not leaving because Demon is—”
“Your man is home.” I told her, standing. “He’s probably had a long day. He wants to spend time with you.”
The shower began and I sighed.
