Page 2 of Full Court Press

“What up, Nia?”

“Hi, Khalil. I was wondering if I could come pick up Kiyanne around three? My mom and grandmother want to spend some time with her.”

“Your mom and grandma?” I queried, already disapproving.

“Yeah.”

“Mm. And what about her mother?”

“Don’t start, Lilo.”

“Start what? You know, I’m getting really tired of the back and forth, Niana. One minute you’re here, and the next, you’re not. You just had her three months ago and only had her for six weeks before you left her on me and disappeared.”

“I’m really trying, Khalil. You don’t know how bad I want my baby.”

“It doesn’t seem like it!” I yelled but then sighed heavily to release the anger I was feeling inside. I knew Nia’s mental state wasn’t all the way there, but I tried everything to make her see that she wasn’t alone in this. But no matter what I tried, nothing ever worked. “Look, I’ll have my nana bring her to y’all. I don’t trust her in the car with you.”

“Are you serious?”

“Dead ass.”

“Whatever, Khalil! Can you have her bring her around three? That’s when my mom’s flight is coming in.”

I drove, contemplating if I wanted my daughter around her moms. This was the same woman who allowed her husband to beat on her daughter. The same woman who didn’t believe Nia’s claims and believed the nigga she was married to over her own daughter. I didn’t know how Nia was able to forgive her, but I hadn’t. I didn’t want her ass around my daughter. I didn’t trust her. But Nia needed to spend some time with our daughter.

“Look, if you’re not going to be there, let me know now. I don’t want ya moms around my daughter alone.”

“Of course, I’m going to be there. I know that I’ve been distant, but I swear I’m trying, Khalil.”

“Yeah, okay. If I find out you’re not there, it’s going to be a problem. I’ll call and let my nana know.”

“Thank you.”

I hung up and sighed again. This shit was rough. I loved Nia dearly. She would always hold a special place in my heart, but us being together couldn’t happen. She had too much trauma to sift through and hadn’t taken any necessary steps to get better.

It took the will of God to stop me from going to her moms’ crib and killing her husband for what he did to Nia. The only way I knew how to get her out of that situation was to move her away from it.

I blamed myself a lot for getting her pregnant, but I couldn’t help but give in when she needed me. A two-night stand produced an angel who I vowed to always love and protect. Kiyanne may not have been planned, but now that she was here, I couldn’t imagine life without her. Kiyanne was my world, and before I let anybody hurt her, I’d die behind her every time.

I pulled into the parking lot of the campus fifteen minutes later, grabbed my bag, and got out of my truck. Loud music could be heard behind me as I looked and noticed Lamar zooming into the parking lot.

I shook my head and smiled as I waited for him to get out of the car.

When I found out Lamar was attending TSU, I was happy I had someone here that I knew from back home besides Nia.

Lamar stepped out of the car and approached me.

“What’s good, fam?” he asked.

I gave him a pound. “Shit. What happened to you meeting us last night at the Waffle House?”

“Oh… man! You remember Sabrina, right?”

“Sabrina? Sabrina Murphy?” I asked.

“Yeeeah! I ended up hanging out with her last night.” He stood, cheesing like he had won the damn jackpot.

“You hit?” I asked, laughing as we made our way toward the building.