Page 112 of Tainted

“I’m not leaving,” I protested while my eyes bounced between them.

Brandy sat back down like it had just gotten to the good part of her favorite movie. I folded my arms, watching Kenyon stand up and kiss Nana’s cheek.

“My peace is based on hers, and she loves you more than anything. So get some rest and don’t give these people a hard time. We can’t have Babygirl stressing.”

Banana Girl’s lips curved into a soft, playful smile like they had a joke no one else knew. She nodded, and his finger padded against her nose before turning to me.

“Are you going to make me carry you out, or can you walk like a big girl?” Kenyon asked.

“Somebody needs to stay with her,” I fussed.

“That’s what the staff is for. Get some sleep and come back in the morning,” Kenyon replied.

We stared each other down, trying to make the other break. Realizing I was stalling, he smirked, “You have sixty seconds to decide before I decide for you."

I had no doubt that Kenyon would drag me out if he had to, so I threw in the towel.

“I guess he told you,” Nana chuckled as I dropped my arms, accepting defeat.

“I saw you over here holding his hand too. I’m watching you,” I joked, kissing her cheek.

“Don’t worry yourself to death tonight. I’m fine,” she smiled, stroking my cheek.

I walked out with Kenyon behind me like I would turn around and run for it. Even though Nana was fine, Kenyon’s hand rested on my thigh as he drove, but my mind was stuck on my argument with Aunt Misa.

I wished I could call Mom and ask her about Misa’s comment.

Like mother, like daughter. It stuck out the most as I glanced at Kenyon reclined in the driver seat, loosely holding the wheel. He wasn’t anything like Rodney, but maybe she was referring to my biological father. I knew nothing about him to assess, so I didn’t even try as I climbed out of the car and walked inside to shower.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think yo’ ass was homeless the way you’re always in my closet stealing shit,” he groaned, sliding in bed with me.

“Suck it up. What’s yours is mine,” I smiled, sliding my feet underneath his thigh.

Kenyon gave me a look that might have scared most. A few months ago, it probably would’ve scared me, too, but another side of the Big Bad Wolf was reserved just for me.

“Where did the name Banana Girl come from?” he asked.

“When I was little, I said she was yellow like a Banana. It just kind of stuck.”

“Damn, you’ve been shady your whole life.”

“Whatever.”

He grabbed the book off his nightstand and tried but couldn’t focus on the words. After about ten minutes, he finally gave up. Another reminder that Keyon was off. It was how his kiss lingered in the shower, like he needed comfort.

“Did being in the hospital make you think about your dad, the baby, or both?”

His eyes briefly found mine before picking up his phone.

“All of it.”

I knew he’d call me nosey for asking, but I couldn’t help it. He had become my favorite subject to study.

“Did your dad have freckles too?”

“No, he didn’t, but our kids might.”

I didn’t know how to respond because I wasn’t ready to be a mother. Since it didn’t feel like the right time to point that out, I kept the conversation on the other topic Kenyon kept hidden.

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