Page 61 of Ride

“Once I drop Kayne at daycare and handle some work, I’ll call you.”

“Talk soon, babe.”

I stepped out of the car to speak with Virgil privately away from Kayne’s ears. I clicked off and dialed Virgil’s number, listening to the ringing tone. “Hi, Baby Boy.” I put on a smile when Kayne waved at me from the car.

“What do you want, Amena?” Virgil grumbled over the phone.

I glanced and saw Kayne roll the window down. “Mommy! I go be late for school.”

“One second, Kayne.” I held my hand up in the air.

Virgil always managed to be a complete turnoff when he didn’t get his way. “You made the decision to leave, so calling me now for money won’t happen.”

“Why did you take Kayne off your insurance? Me, I understand, but your son?”

“He’s not my son.”

“Virgil, I swear to god, you are a piece of shit and I regret ever meeting you.”

“The feelings are mutual. You were good pussy, but I can buy that anywhere.”

“Fuck you!”

He chuckled through the phone. “Figured you could keep getting a free ride, and I would just move on? Bitch, you cost me some business.”

“If you acted more like a husband and father, and if you were there when I gave birth to your son, then I might have loved you. All you cared about was your career.”

“My family never wanted me to marry you. I should have listened, but I thought you were the one.”

I sucked my teeth. “You are joke. The moment you proposed your mom gave me the death stare. She did everything in her power to make you hate me.”

“And she was right.”

My stomach tightened at the rejection.

I gasped. “You know what? I have officially grown out of my hatred. Kayne has a father figure in his life who loves him.”

“My rights will be signed over. Don’t call me again.” Virgil disconnected the line, and I tossed the phone in my bag, and hopped in the car to leave.

The love of my son was the most important thing to me. Virgil would regret it one day when he was on his deathbed, looking back on his life, missing out on Kayne’s moments. The way he portrayed how our love would be my saving grace should have been the red flag, but I continued to buy into the lies. Laikin was more of a father to Kayne. He didn’t even blink once he heard about the birthday party, and he was paying for everything. His money never mattered to me. For him to want to spoil us meant a lot—especially helping my business grow and be more independent.

My cell rang as I pulled up at Kayne’s daycare. I helped Kayne out of his car seat and answered the call.

“Hey, Sarai.”

“Ew, dryness in your tone! Did I call at a bad time?”

Kayne broke away from my hand when I opened the door to the daycare. “Sorry, how are you?”

“I’m good, calling to give you final information for the party to get you to sign off.”

I signed Kayne in, signaled goodbye, and thanked the staff.

“Do you mind meeting at the cakeshop?” Sarai asked.

I threw my purse in the front seat and jumped into the driver’s seat, raising my wrist to check the time.

“Sure, I know Laikin has a race today. I planned on being there early.”

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