Page 48 of Gang of Roses: Rebel

“It fit you perfectly.”

She studied herself in the mirror, tugging at the dress.

“You really think so?”

“I know so. You look really good.”

She turned and looked at me like she didn’t believe a word coming out of my mouth.

“You just saying that.”

I chuckled. “Rain, if it looked ugly, I’d tell you.”

She laughed because she knew I wasn’t lying.

“Yeah... you definitely would.”

“Damn right.”

I folded my arms across my chest, letting my eyes drift over her one more time. She froze for the briefest second before pretending to look through another rack. Then she went back into the dressing room to change. After she was done, we paid for everything and left the mall.

While I was getting ready to pull off from the mall parking lot, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen sitting on my desk and frowned. Seeing my ghetto-ass baby mama’s name flash across it had me annoyed, and I hadn’t even answered yet.

“Yeah.”

“Damn, nigga. You don’t gotta answer the phone like somebody died.”

I rubbed a hand over my face. “What you want, Shameka?”

“See, that’s your problem right there. You always got an attitude.”

“And yet you keep calling.”

She sucked her teeth. “Anyway, I need the deposit for Sebastian’s birthday party.”

“Alright.”

“That’s it?”

“What else you want me to say?” I was annoyed

“I don’t know. Maybe act like you care.”

My jaw tightened. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Act like I don’t take care of my son.”

“Whatever.”

“Look, I’m busy. I don’t have time to go back and forth with you. Do you need anything else?”

“Your son wants to speak to you.”

Shameka put him on the phone.

“Daddy, can you pick me up? I know this isn’t your weekend, but I miss you.”