Page 212 of Prickly Romance

Akira clears her throat. “Did you eat today?”

I flip my tablet open and focus on my work.

“I saw the lunch I brought you in the trash yesterday.” Her concerned eyes bore into me through the rear-view mirror. “You cannot keep skipping meals. You look as though you are wasting away.”

I do not respond.

“Even your mother says you look pale.”

“How would she know?” I swipe across the tablet.

“On your last video call, your cheeks were gaunt. She is thinking of flying back to America just to feed you.”

I glance up. “Tell her not to waste her time. I am fine.”

“Why do you lie, Ryotaro?”

“What would you have me say, Akira?” I fire back.

She keeps her mouth shut.

I sigh heavily and stare at the passing buildings. Should I curl into a ball and cry? Beg for Dejonae to come back to me when she does not trust me? Throw my responsibilities to my daughter away for my own happiness?

As long as Ashanti is in my life, Dejonae will never be at peace.

And as long as Niko is alive, I will always be connected to Ashanti.

We are at a stalemate.

There is nothing more I can do except work.

Unfortunately, Dejonae’s absence has left a sinking crater where my passion for work should be.

The car slows in front of the middle school. Niko is sitting on a bench along with Beth, Bailey and Micheal. The children look rather subdued, despite all the colorful banners behind them advertising tonight’s talent show.

Beth rubs Niko on the back. She says something to my daughter before they hug. Niko strides to the car. I help her get settled in and fix her seatbelt.

She stops me with a hand to my wrist. Her eyes hold a hint of anger.

“I can do it,” she signs.

Stunned, I ease back and attach my own seatbelt.

Akira meets my eyes.

I arch an eyebrow in question.

She shrugs and shakes her head.

“Niko,” I turn to her, “are you nervous about the show tonight?”

She shakes her head ‘no’.

I set my tablet aside. “Will your friends be performing too?”

“Beth is going to change a tire.”

“Oh, that’s… well, that’s something.” I clear my throat. As expected for the daughter of Dawn Stinton. “What of the boys?”

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