Page 57 of I Need It

When he left the room, I stood and went back to her bedside. I grabbed her hand and kissed it, thanking God for His favor. I stared into her eyes and said, “Yo’ boy better count his blessings one by one. I would’ve found his ass.”

She slowly shook her head. “There is no doubt in my mind that you would have, baby. I would have encouraged it.”

“I’m okay, Daddy. I promise.”

“That’s what you say, but you haven’t been good for the past two weeks. Whenever I bring up Christian, you change the subject or hang up the phone. What’s going on, Mya?”

“We had a misunderstanding, but we’re good now, Daddy. There’s no telling how bad Janson may have hurt me had Christian not shown up when he did.”

“Oh shit! My boy’s there?”

I chuckled as Mya rolled her eyes. “He’s here, Daddy.”

“Hey, Mister Andre. How’s it going?”

“Great now. I know y’all’s little hiatus was Mya’s doing. She’s stubborn as hell. I’m glad you didn’t listen to her.”

“Daddy!”

I chuckled once again as they went back and forth. I’d gotten Mya home about an hour ago, and I helped her shower, wishing I could have put her ass to sleep too. As soon as she moisturized her body, we ate and called her dad. I couldn’t bear rubbing lotion all over her. She had to do that shit herself if she didn’t want me disobeying the doctor’s orders.

I pulled her in my arms, grateful for this time with her and my baby. As I rubbed her stomach, Mr. Andre said, “Well, I’m gonna let you go. Christian, we gon’ have to hook up soon, son.”

I smiled slightly. “Yes, siiir.”

“I love you, Daddy.”

“Love you too, baby girl.”

They ended their call, and Mya lay back against me, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. We were silent for a moment, just soaking up one another’s presence. Her spirit seemed to be at ease, and mine was too. Pulling away from her, I slid from the couch to my knees in front of her. She spread her legs, allowing me to come closer.

I licked my lips as I glanced down at the shit that had snatched my fucking soul. “Mya, I want you to know that I’m here for the long haul. You not gon’ get away with that shit again. I ain’t going nowhere. But more importantly, I’m going to always treat you like you matter… like you’re my soulmate. You wanna know why?”

“Why?” she practically whispered as she stared into my eyes.

“Because I love you, girl. I don’t want nobody else. You got me a whole simp in these streets.”

Tears fell from her eyes as she held her hands to my cheeks. “I love you too, Christian. I won’t ever allow no trivial shit to pull us apart again. I mean… it wasn’t trivial, but it was definitely something we could have worked through. Just please… don’t ever shut me out again, baby. I want to be the person you confide in… the person you can be vulnerable with. I want to be your strength, your peace, and your best friend.”

“Girl, don’t make me tell KJ you tryna take his spot.” She chuckled as I smiled and swiped her tears with my thumb. “Naw, for real, you are already all those things. I promise to start showing you that shit.”

I softly kissed her lips, and she wrapped her arms around my neck. “I love you so much, Christian. Thank you for loving me through my trauma.”

“I’ll love you through anything… even bullshit. As long as you’re faithful, I got’chu, girl. Just don’t have me looking like a sucka. I’m a whole addict… got the munchies for your love ass nigga.”

She giggled, but I was serious as hell. That shit I had with Janay didn’t even compare to this. This was way more than some rebound bullshit. Mya’s young ass had snatched my heart and fucked the shit out of it… did tricks with the shit like Cirque du Soleil. I didn’t mind, though, because I was a willing subject.

CHAPTER 22

MYA

“Well got damn! It’s about time you made it back to Big City Nome!”

I giggled at Maui’s foolishness. She rubbed my belly then hugged me. I supposed word had gotten around. Christian’s mother and his aunt Jenahra were planning a gender reveal for next month, and I couldn’t wait. It had been a couple of weeks since Christian and I had reunited. After my doctor’s appointment, we spent time alone at my place, soaking up each other’s energy for an entire week.

I couldn’t believe he’d taken off work for an entire week to make sure I was good. According to him, he was there to give me inspiration to write the next story. If he only knew just how inspired I was. He’d bought all those books but hadn’t even finished the first one. He didn’t come across as a reader to me, but it was sweet of him to purchase them all, showing his support of my craft.

Being around him every day was something I knew I could get used to. I probably already was. I would know as soon as we had to be apart. Christian was funny, caring, sweet, and passionate. I couldn’t wait to feel that passion tonight once we left his brother’s house.

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