Page 5 of Van

“Stop eyein’ her like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re gonna fuck her next,” Mask says.

“I’m not fuckin’ the pregnant chick. What kind of man do you think I am?” I ask him.

“The kind who would fuck the pregnant chick.”

“I’m shocked.”

“No, you’re not. Don’t tell me the thought hasn’t crossed your mind,” he says.

“So what if it has? I’m curious what sex with a pregnant chick feels like.”

“She’s off limits, Van.”

“I know that. Doesn’t mean I can’t think about her when I’m jackin’ off.” He looks up at me now, and I nearly laugh at the look on his face.

“You’re a sick man,” he says as I laugh. That catches her attention. She turns to look over at us and I nod once at her. She smiles and goes back to what she was doing when I see her wipe her eyes. I don’t like seeing women cry. It makes me feel like I need to make it better, even if I can’t.

“Shit, she’s cryin’.”

“Don’t do it, Van.” Ignoring his words, I shove out of my chair and walk over, leaning against the wall next to her.

“Why the tears?”

“I’m just emotional right now.”

“He isn’t worth the tears, darlin’. No man is. Especially one who can hurt somethin’ as precious as you,” I tell her, bringing my hand up to wipe the tear falling down her cheek. The spark I feel when I touch her isn’t one I expected to feel. I jerk my hand away like I’ve been burned and narrow my eyes at her.

“I just … it’s hard.”

“I know it is. Leavin’ a bad situation always is, but you gotta think better of yourself. You gotta think about that baby inside of you. He doesn’t deserve that,” I tell her.

“He? I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet,” she tells me, a slight smile crossing her face. I reach out and rest my hand over her stomach as she watches me strangely.

“It’s a boy.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’m good at this. I have sisters with kids. I guessed every single one of them right,” I explain. She laughs as I pull my hand away from her and cross my arms over my chest.

“You should laugh more, Chy. It’s beautiful.” Her smile fades as she stares up at me. That’s when I hear Mask calling me back over. I wink at her and turn, walking back over to the table and taking my seat.

“Feel better?” he asks.

“Fuck off. I’m bein’ nice,” I snap.

“Or you’re tryin’ to get some,” he adds.

“I ain’t tryin’ to get shit. I’m just bein’ nice to the girl.”

“Better be all that is.”

“Prez, come on. When have you known me to take on a pregnant chick? I don’t want kids any time soon.”

“Heard that. Let’s keep it that way,” he tells me.

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