Kilo dragged his hands over his face. “I’m tryna handle it, Mel. I told her I want a DNA test.”
“And what about me?” My voice broke slightly, but I kept my chin up. “You trying to take care of everything but your fiancée. I’ve been right here, pregnant, stressed, and confused. And instead of talking to me, you shut me out.”
“I didn’t mean to,” he said, finally meeting my eyes.
“But you did.”
Silence stretched between us.
“You always said you’d never lie to me,” I said softly. “Not even by omission.”
“I know.”
“Well, you did. And it hurts.”
He looked like he wanted to say more, like words were burning in his throat, but nothing came out.
I stepped back. “I need some air.”
“Mel.”
“Nah. Don’t.”
He didn’t try to stop me. Just stood there watching as I left the room, heart thudding in my ears.
Downstairs, I sat on the couch, rubbing my belly as tears welled up in my eyes. I wasn’t crying for him. I was crying for myself. For the version of us I thought we were. For thefamily we were building that now felt like it had cracks in the foundation.
I didn’t know if the little girl was his.
But I knew one thing for sure… he should’ve told me first.
14
Chapter Fourteen
Kilo
I sat on the edge of the bed, jaw locked, heart thudding like I’d just walked out of a war zone. Mel’s words were still ringing in my ears. Her voice full of hurt. Full of fire. She didn’t scream to scream. She screamed because she was drowning in silence, and I’d been the one holding her under. I didn’t chase her this time. I couldn’t. Not with everything crashing down.
My phone was buzzing on the nightstand. Buck’s name lit up the screen. I ignored it only for him to call right back.
“What?” I answered.
His voice shot through the speaker, loud and venomous. “Nigga, what the fuck is wrong with you?”
I didn’t answer.
“Thugga done got yo’ ass, ain’t it? I told you to handle that shit. But nah, you had-headed as fuck. Benny listens better than you. Not only did you get caught in yo’ fuckin’ lie, but my wife mad as fuck, like I’m the one moving reckless.
“Buck—”
“Nah, fuck that. Don’t call my fuckin’ name. You had weeks to tell Mel. Weeks to figure out what the hell Shayna really wanted. Instead, you sitting around looking constipated while everybody else cleaning up the mess.”
I gritted my teeth. “You think I wanted this shit?”
“You ain’t act like you didn’t. You let it fester. You act like ignoring the shit was gone make it go away. See how that shit worked out for yo’ dumb ass.”
My head dropped into my hands. I couldn’t say shit.
