Page 17 of Kisses Behind The Spotlight 2: Finale

“My man ain’t a bum. He has a job,” she refuted.

I laughed hysterically and looked up at Vincent. Maybe he could kill her? I wasn’t sure if he was that cold to murder a woman, but he could definitely give her the Stanley special. She could use a few broken bones.

“Of everything I said, you only heard me call that nigga a bum.” I shook my head, realizing I was arguing with stupid. My tone leveled out, and I went from shouting to monotone. “That nigga is a bum who can’t possibly have shit. If he did, your fridge wouldn’t always be empty, and the nigga wouldn’t be in there eating my brother’s shit.”

“Owwwww! Noah just over there runnin’ his mouth telling everybody my damn business. I sacrificed for years raising⁠—”

I hung up on the bird-brained bitch.

“You ever killed a woman?” I asked Vincent, who was watching the argument unfold.

“Khaleesi!” Auntie squealed.

Her admonishment caught me off guard. I thought it was just Vincent and me out here. In the midst of my argument with Bridgette’s bird ass, I didn’t even hear her come out of the store.

“I was just kidding,” I snickered, heading back into the store and tossing my dad the phone.

“You and Bridgette were a match made in hell. I’m so glad y’all stupidity didn’t rub off on Noah,” I mumbled.

“Khaleesi—”

“Don’t. I’m twenty-eight years old. You don’t have to lie to me. I got Noah. Just get his documents from that mutt you procreated with.”

“I have a copy of Noah’s Social Security card, and I’ll work on the birth certificate. I love you, and I appreciate you.”

“I love you too. I gotta pick Noah up from school. Let me know when you find the Social Security card,” I side-eyed him, then exited the store.

“Don’t worry about the money Melody asked for. I’m going to pay for Maurice’s summer camp. I also sent you the money that you spent on Noah’s toiletries,” Auntie informed me.

“I didn’t spend any money on toiletries. I just said that,” I laughed. “Noah came over with his own stuff. The only thing he forgot was the toothbrush, and I keep those on deck. Like I just told Stanley, their idiocy didn’t rub off on him.”

“Do you think you’re up for Noah living with you? Or do you want him to come live with us?” Auntie pried.

“No, he loves his school, and you’re just as far out as Stanley. Noah is fine with me. It’s an adjustment that I’ll get used to.”

“You sure?”

“I’m positive. If anything changes, I promise I’ll let you know.”

“Okay,” she nodded.

Vincent held her hand as she turned and headed for their truck. Once Auntie was safely inside, Vincent turned to me and whispered.

“Ion put my gun on women anymore, but if you need something to handle her,” he raised his hand in the shape of a gun right in front of his chest so Auntie couldn’t see. “I can make it happen. Nothing will come back to you.”

“I’m surrounded by maniacs. Your veiled threats can become a reality real fast around here,” I huffed and turned to my car.

“See you later, Niecey Pooh,” Vincent waved with a smile.

Slipping behind the wheel of my Audi, I sped to the interstate to make it to Noah’s school on time. I joined the carpool line late, and barely any cars were waiting. Noah ambled over to the car, phone pressed to his ear.

“Who is that?” I mouthed to him.

He muted the phone and plopped an AirPod in his ear.

“It’s my mama. What did you say to her? She tripping, man.”

“The truth,” I confirmed, pulling away from the school.