“No, you chill the fuck out. You’re wrong. That’s the end of the story.”
“I ain’t even did shit, but aight. And get ready because I’m taking you to the fucking doctor tomorrow. The only reason I’m letting this shit slide is because this shit got to have something to do with pregnancy. ’Cause right now, you’re fucking tripping and I ain’t feeling it.”
“Let go of my door, Luca.”
“Don’t play with me, Ever. I’ll break this motherfucker and make you ride home with me until you cool the fuck down.”
“Goodbye!” I yelled in his direction.
The sadness in his eyes left my heart aching. When he slammed the door and walked toward his truck, I used the opportunity to get out of dodge. I didn’t want to chance him changing his mind and turning around.
Checking the clock on my phone, I noted the time. There were two more hours left before Essence would be let out of school, but I couldn’t wait that long. I needed her in my sight immediately. Waiting would only cause me more stress.
I headed to my bakery to switch vehicles. Emorey and I made the exchange as quickly as possible. She’d finished the cone just before we hopped in because she knew that there was no eating allowed. I double-checked to make sure everything was locked up from the app. There was not even a possibility that I’d be returning before the day ended. I pulled off with Essence as my destination.
EIGHTEEN
“You sure youdon’t want me to lay her down?” my mother asked me for the third time.
“No. She’s fine.”
I didn’t want to let Emorey out of my sight. Her presence was bringing me the small amount of peace that I’d be getting for a while. I’d experienced so much in the last few months that something deep in my bones was telling me it had come to an end. It wouldn’t be much longer before all hell broke loose.
My thoughts drifted toward Luca. The disappointment that flashed across his face as I spoke to him stuck with me. I’d been rude and disrespectful to the man who had been nothing but a blessing to me. Instead of running into his arms for the safetyand protection I knew he could provide, I lashed out at him and ran in the opposite direction.
“Okay, well can you at least tell me what’s going on?”
“A lot, Mom. A lot.”
“Okay, well you’re here so you must feel like I should know.”
She was right. That’s exactly how I felt. When there was no place else I felt welcomed, it was in my mother’s arms. It was her I ran to, which was why I’d come as soon as I picked up Essence from school.
“I saw Scar.”
“Okay, who is Scar and why is seeing him important?”
“Scar is Dewayne’s best friend.”
There was a brief moment of silence before she continued.
“And what did he say?”
“Nothing really. I rushed past him and told him that my flight would be leaving in an hour. You know how much I hate lying, but I had to think of something in case he goes back to tell Dewayne. I know he will.”
“Is he here alone?”
“That’s something I don’t know either and what’s killing me. Because what if it’s actually Dewayne that he’s in Channing with? He travels often so his presence in another city isn’t unusual but Channing of all places? What are the odds?”
“Have you talked to Luca about this?”
My mother was in love with Luca. She’d met him on several occasions and even managed drop-offs and pickups for the girls with him. She had never seen a man treat her daughter with so much respect and love me so openly until she met Luca. While she was praying for our union, I was making a mess of it.
“That’s another thing. I fought with him instead of confiding in him. Now, I’m hurt that I probably hurt him.”
“How? Ever, what have you done?”
My eyes pricked as I leaned my head back on the pillow of the couch. I was so ashamed of my actions that I didn’t even want to share what I’d done with my mother. However, I knew she wouldn’t judge me. She’d only tell me how to move forward and learn from my mistakes.
