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That was my way of getting the pressure off me. Jaharee started telling me about some man who had been in her messages for months.
“So, he sends you a fire emoji on every picture and never respond?”
“Chile, I accidentally hearted one of his messages on a drunk night. He been good morning my ass every day since.”
“Gave that man hope for nothing.”
“That nigga will heal. But can I tell you something else I noticed last night? It just hit me.”
My stomach dropped, so I picked up my glass and downed the rest of my drink.
“I asked Lloyd where you had disappeared to, and he said you went to the bathroom. Around that same time, Nikki asked me if I seen Meek. I didn’t think anything of the shit. But as soon as you texted me you were leaving, Meek ass reappeared holding hands with Nikki. I figured he had cornered your ass about Lloyd and ruined your night.”
“He did,” I lied.
“He needs to learn how to mind his business.”
Thankfully, Jaharee moved on without noticing how uncomfortable she had made me. When the waitress placed the check down, Jaharee snatched it before I could.
“Don’t even try it. I invited you, so I’m paying.”
As we waited on our cars, Jaharee hugged me.
“I’m so glad Rah married you. I always wanted a sister that was on my level. Averie just wasn’t it.”
“Bye, Jaharee.”
She walked off laughing. I climbed in my car and shut the door. I had no idea that Nikki was looking for Shameek. Did she catch us? Better yet, Jaharee said they walked back in the venue holding hands. Why was he blowing my phone and shit up about his feelings when he had a whole woman? The next time we talked, I was going to check him about it and leave it where it is. He can’t be jealous of the friendship I had with Lloyd, and he had someone to go fuck off on.
CHAPTER 21
AVERIE
“Yes,” I moaned. “Right there, Q.”
Q gripped my hips tight as he thrust into me, making my ass shake like an earthquake. For weeks now, I let my guard down and from that day on, Q had been satisfying me sexually and mentally. With all the funds that Rah had left me, I hired a nanny and started living my life. For years, all I did was work and take care of my kids. Q came along and brought some light. Now, did I feel guilty for completely cutting off the King family? Sometimes. They were calling and popping up, but my nanny was given instructions not to answer my damn door. Shameek would FaceTime the kids and that was the most he would get. I figured removing myself would help me get to know Q better. The shit worked. I didn’t wake up every day with Rah on my damn mind. What I did know was whenever I did run into any of the Kings, it wasn’t going to be a pretty situation. All that bending for them was over. Besides my kids, my connection to them was over. It was starting to feel great.
Q slapped my ass and went straight into the bathroom as I laid stretched out in his bed trying to catch my breath. That man had worn my ass out and still had enough energy to walk around like he hadn't put in a full damn shift. I pulled the sheet over me and reached for my phone. There were six missed calls. Kyenna had called me and Ms. Lorraine. Kyenna had called at least once a week trying to get the kids. Her ass was cut off, too. She was a King. It was the missed calls from my son that made me sit up. I dialed him back immediately.
“Hey baby. What happened? I saw you called me a few times.”
“I was just asking what time you were coming home. Ms. Nia said you told her you might be late, but you didn’t tell us that.”
His tone had changed so much over the last few weeks that I could feel the attitude even when he was trying to hide it. Kaiden had gotten quieter with me. Every question sounded like he was one answer away from telling me how he really damn felt.
“I’ll be home in a little bit. I didn’t realize it had gotten this late. Did you eat?”
“Yeah, Ms. Nia cooked.”
“Okay, I love you. I’ll see you when I get home.”
“I love you, too,” he said, hanging up.
Kaiden wasn’t rude, but I knew my child. Something was bothering him, and I knew exactly what it was. Q walked back in the room wearing nothing but a pair of sweats.
“You good?” he asked.
“My son called. I need to be heading home.”
