Sophi rubbed her shoulder. “Whatever it is, you’re not alone. And you know you don’t have to carry this by yourself.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Pregnant or not, we got you. And if anybody come at you sideways again? They’re dealing with all of us.”
“Even Buck?” Kasha teased.
“Especially Buck,” I smirked.
Mel finally cracked a smile, but I could still see the weight behind her eyes. “Thanks, y’all.”
We wrapped up the rest of the shopping trip on alert, sticking close to Mel and staying tight like we always did. But I was still pissed off. That bitch might’ve walked away easy this time, but something told me this wasn’t over. Not even close.
Before we left, we promised to check in later.
I couldn’t wait to get home and get in Buck’s shit because I know who knew about this shit and lied to my face.
***
The house was too damn quiet when I walked in. Benny was with his grandma for the night, meaning I didn’t have my usualtornado of energy bouncing off the walls. I kicked my shoes off and dropped onto the couch, and my phone already pressed to my ear.
“She really said they’re siblings?” I asked Mel again, even though I already knew the answer.
“Word for word. And with a straight face,” Mel replied, irritation lacing her voice.
I stretched out on the couch, with my arm propped up on the back cushion. “That shit sounds calculated to me.”
“It was. Ain’t no way she just ran into me.”
“She tryna get under your skin, and probably Kilo’s too.”
Mel sighed. I could hear her frustration clear through the phone. “And he’s been moving funny for weeks. That ain’t no coincidence, Nic.”
“No, it’s not.”
We sat in silence for a moment. I hated this for her. I hated that some back-in-the-day bitch had the nerve to pop up out the blue with some secret baby trope storyline.
“You good though?” I finally asked.
“Not really. But I’m pregnant. I can’t afford to fall apart right now.”
I nodded to myself. “You don’t gotta fall apart. You just gotta let us hold you up until you’re ready.”
“I’m ready about to beat that bitch ass,” I muttered.
Mel let out a soft laugh. “You sound like Buck.”
That made me smile, even though I didn’t want to. “I do, don’t I?”
“Thanks, sis.”
“You ain’t ever gotta thank me for that.”
I hung up and took a breath just as I heard the locks disengage.
Buck walked in like he ain’t have a care in the world—shoulders relaxed, phone in hand, locs hanging low. He shut the door and looked up at me.
“’Sup, Shorty,” he said, coming toward me for a kiss.
I gave him one, but it was tight.
