Shayna straightened. “I will… if we can talk. Just you and me. See where things could go.”
I stared at her.
“You serious?”
“I never stopped loving you, Franklin,” she said. “I know you’re with somebody now, but that could change.”
Before I could respond, Buck stepped up. “You lost yo’ fuckin’ mind. Thugga will peel yo’ shit back and I’m gone help her.”
“Buck—”
“Nah, fuck that. You come in here, hold this man’s daughter hostage, and now you tryna bargain pussy for a paternity test?”
“I ain’t—”
He cut her off. “Listen, I don’t give a fuck if Liberty got wings and came from heaven. You gone take that test or Liberty’s favorite song gone be the one ’bout a motherless child.”
I looked at Shayna, dead in her face. “Ain’t no chance at a me and you. That shit been closed. You wanna prove she mine? Do the test. If not, don’t come back here. I can’t promise the next time I see you will be as pleasant as the former.”
She looked between us, jaw tight, then finally nodded. “Fine.”
She walked out and Buck watched her until the door closed.
“I should’ve drowned her ass in the toilet,” he muttered.
I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t because my mind was already heavy.
Before I could get my thoughts together, my phone buzzed.
Mama: Come see me…today
I sighed.
“Now what?” Buck asked.
“Mama,” I said. “She wanna talk.”
“Nigga, you in trouble,” he laughed.
“I’m grown as fuck. How the fuck I’ma get in trouble?”
“You gone see…grown ass.”
My brother left, and I got a few things done before I wrapped up and headed to my parents’ house.
***
I pulled into my parents’ driveway, trying to mentally prepare. I already knew Mama wasn’t gone let me slide on shit. Pops was home, but he was probably on the opposite end of the house. She opened the door before I could knock.
“Took you long enough,” she said.
I followed her inside and sat at the kitchen table. It smelled like lemon cleaner and something baked earlier.
She poured herself tea, then sat across from me.
“Lincoln said I should check on you,” she started. “Said you ain’t been yourself.”
I exhaled through my nose. “I’m fine.”
