Page 88 of Full Court Press

“You’re a liar! I called the Ritz, and they said you never checked in!”

“Because I moved to the Waldorf, Ana.”

“And you didn’t think to call me and tell me that? You’ve been moving really funny since that tacky stripper gave you a lap dance on the court! Is that who you were with?”

“If I say yes, what is that going to solve?”

She gasped extra loud like I’d sucked the air from her. “Oh my God. Is this what you want, Khalil? After six years of knowing me, two years of dating, and three months of us being engaged, this is what you do to me?”

I could smell the liquor seeping through her pores. She was drunk and acting reckless. No woman ever dared to put their hands on me, because I never gave them a reason to. She didn’t even have a reason to get violent with me. I understood her anger, but it wasn’t enough for her to put her hands on me.

“Anais, I’m really trying not to go there with you tonight. I got a lot of shit on my mind, and I think it’s best if you head home for the night before shit gets crazy around here.”

“I’m not going anywhere! You’re being a fucking walking cliché! I did not invest all of my time with you and deal with your smart-mouthed, disrespectful child, just for you to cheat on me and treat me like I don’t matter!”

I stared at her for a minute. Her red flags were dangling in my face, clear as day now. The first one was when she got on a live television show and announced our engagement before I could even tell my family about it. The second one was her inserting her unsolicited advice and opinions to my daughter about the way she dressed and acted. Now, the shit she just said proved that she didn’t fuck with my kid, and that was a no-go.

“I-I didn’t mean it like⁠—”

I held up my hand to stop her from talking. “You meant it. When people are drunk and angry, they say whatever is on their hearts,” I told her, shaking my head. “You know, onions have a lot of layers, Anais.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means onions have a lot of layers.” I shrugged. “You’re the onion. Every month, you peel back a layer, and I see more of the inner parts of you. I honestly came home to think long and hard about some shit because I didn’t want to hurt you, but at this point, you gave me a reason not to give a fuck about your feelings.”

“No. I won’t let you do this! I’m sorry about what I just said, but you know I’m not wrong, Khalil. Kiyanne doesn’t like me, and she gets smart with me every chance she gets.”

“You ever tried to understand why? Don’t even answer that, because I know you didn’t. You don’t kick it with her or do anything a potential stepmother would do. All you do is critique her and judge her. But none of that shit matters anymore. My daughter ain’t feeling you, and honestly, I’m not feeling you no more either.”

“So that’s it? You’re dumping me because your daughter doesn’t like me? She’s a child! She will adjust! You and your family fail to realize that you’re a celebrity now. Every day that she walks out of that door, she is a representation of you. What she wears, how she styles her hair, and the way she smells and talks, it’s all being judged and critiqued! I’m only preparing her for the real world—something you seem not to want to do!”

“Yo, you tweaking the fuck out, Ana. Don’t project the way you were raised on my fucking daughter. She’s allowed to be herself. Whatever she chooses to do or be, I’m going to support it because that’s my fucking seed.” I walked over to the bed, grabbed her overnight bag, and handed it to her. “It’s time for you to bounce, shorty. We gon’ end this shit here.”

She snatched the bag from my hand. “You’re making a huge mistake, Khalil. I hope you rot in hell!” she screamed, then rushed out of my room.

“And don’t bring your slut ass back around here!” I heard Kyani yell. I walked out of the room to see my sister, my moms, and Kiy standing on the stairs, watching Anais rush down them.

“Oh, shut up, lesbian!” Ana exclaimed. Moms had to hold Ky back from going after her.

“I’ll show your ass a lesbian, bitch!”

“She’s not worth it, Daughter. Calm down,” Moms said, blocking her path. I shook my head and waved my daughter to me.

“You should have let her loose,” I told my moms as Kiy walked into my arms. I hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. “I missed you, lil’ baby.”

“Missed you too, Dad. I’m glad that wicked witch is gone.”

“I’m sorry, baby girl. I should have gone off your vibes and not your words. I figured you only said you were okay with us being together because you thought it would make me happy. But for future reference, always let me know how you feel. Okay?”

She nodded. “Noted.”

“Go get your pajamas on then meet me back in my room. I want to kick it with you about some things.”

“Okay. Good night, TT Ky. Good night, GG.”

“Night, baby.”

“Good night, Niecey Pooh.”