Page 22 of Mister Fireman

“This isn’t weird to you? Even having this conversation? Just the thought of having sex with you creeps me out. You’re like my sister.”

Her laugh allowed me to relax a bit more. “I mean… no, not really. I guess because we’ve always been so close that I trust you with all things. That’s why this means so much to me. I don’t just trust you to be an amazing co-parent with me, but I trust you with my body too. I trust you to make sure I’m taken care of while I carry and give birth to our child. I trust you to advocate for me in that hospital room. I trust you to raise our baby and make sure they know me if something was to happen to me.” She sighed as the weight of her words settled in my heart. “Plus… there are worse things than having sex with me. I can promise you that.”

I chuckled as I finally considered her request. Our pact.

“I hear you, and I’m honored you trust me, Robin.”

“But…”

“Things aren’t so black and white for me right now. If you’d come to me with this even just a month ago, I probably would have agreed with no hesitation. But now…”

“You’re seeing someone?”

“Yeah.”

“It can’t be serious if you haven’t told me about her.”

“We’re not committed yet, but I do like her a lot. It’s a bit complicated, but I want to see where things will go. That can’t happen if I agree to have a baby with you.”

“Why not? Y’all aren’t together yet. If you got me pregnant now, she’d have no choice but to accept it.”

“That’s not some shit you try and force a person’s hand about, Binny.”

She sighed. “Look, I understand your plight. I do. I’m happy that you like someone, but still… I’m your best friend. Doesn’t that mean more? You promised me, V. Please don’t let me down.”

I shook thoughts of that conversation off as I headed into my parents’ home. It didn’t end how I thought it would. She actually made me feel more inclined to go through with this. I felt like I had to choose between her and Enjell. My mind was telling me to be loyal to one of my best friends, but what I felt for this woman that I’d just met… it made me feel like that choice was one I’d regret. Sure, Enjell and I didn’t have a lot of history, but my God… our chemistry was off the fucking chain.

This was one time I was glad Aspen was late. Pops had his arms wrapped around Mama’s waist, swaying to Al Green as she washed her hands with a smile on her face. That was the love and companionship I hoped to have one day.

“Y’all going for baby number three?” I teased, pushing Pops back slightly so I could hug my mama.

“You gon’ be a hater all ya life, son?” he asked, smacking the back of my head as Mama kissed my cheeks.

“Leave my baby alone. I haven’t seen him in days.”

“Mhm,” he grumbled, going toward the refrigerator as I laughed at their exchange.

“Is dinner ready yet?” I asked, accepting the beer Pops offered.

“Almost. Should be ready in about fifteen minutes. I got some rolls and biscuits on the dining room table.”

“Perfect,” I said, heading that way. Between this beer and the bread, I would probably end up taking more food home than I’d eat here. “I need to talk to y’all about something before Aspen gets here,” I said after I’d returned to the kitchen with a roll.

“Wassup, son?” Pops asked, motioning toward the chair across from his at the table.

“There’s no easy way to ease into this, so I’ma just say it,” was what I said, but I ended up finishing my roll and taking a sip of my beer first. “Me and Robin made a pact years ago that if we weren’t married by thirty-five, we’d have a baby together. Since her birthday was in July, she wants to make that happen now.”

They looked at each other before Mama slowly walked toward the table and sat next to Pops.

“That’s… an unconventional way to have a baby, but it beats having one with a stranger or someone you don’t like,” Mama said.

“Yeah, but from the look on his face, it doesn’t look like he wants to do it.”

I chuckled and squeezed the back of my neck. “I met someone.” Mama gave me a slow spreading grin. “I like her a lot. Like… more than I’ve ever liked anyone. I feel like I was falling in love with her, and Robin woke me up from our fantasy world. It happened fast too. From the moment I laid eyes on her, I felt like she was the one. I was sure she was the one. But now…” Shrugging, I looked at the lines in my palms. “I’m not sure.”

“What’s causing the confusion?”

“Robin. Plus… I’m not sure if the timing is right. I know we could have something good, but she’d literally just gotten out of a relationship that ended badly. There’s not a lot of space for me in her current situation to be the kind of man I can be to her. She’s cool with us just kicking it, but when I try to actually be there for her, she shuts down on me.”

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