Page 166 of Tainted

“It seems like you have an issue with our relationship more than you do the pregnancy.”

“Please, he isallyours,” she laughed a little before dropping on the sofa. “Seeing you two like that reminded me of what we lost.”

I slowly walked over, sitting on the chair's armrest across from her. The woman in me sympathized with Sydney even if she wasn’t my favorite person.

"I understand, but that doesn’t mean you can take it out on me. This isn’t easy for me, either."

We sat quietly for a minute, caught in the weight of everything that wasn’t said.

"I don’t want to be at odds with my best friend’s girlfriend," Sydney admitted.

I studied her, trying to decide if I believed her. She seemed sincere, though, and I could see that the weight of everything she was carrying was heavy enough without me adding to it.

"We don’t have to be friends, but we don’t have to hate each other, either."

A reluctant smile tugged at Sydney’s lips. "Deal."

It wasn’t perfect and didn’t fix all our issues, but it was a step.

34

Kenyon

Weeks later. . .

I stood by the loading dock, watching them move the crates from the truck. It was our first shipment since accepting Javier’s offer, so it was much more product than we’d ever received. Playing a juggler these few days exhausted me, but life didn’t care. It kept throwing curveballs like Zara’s first appointment being scheduled on the same day as the shipment.

“Nigga I told you we got it. Carry your ass.” Nolan yelled over his shoulder, breaking my train of thought.

“We can’t afford any fuck-ups.”

Shaudi snorted from the other side, barely looking up from the box he was inspecting. “Ain’t nobody fuckin’ up. Relax. We’ve done this a million times.”

I shot him a look. “Don’t get cocky. That’s how shit goes sideways.”

That was the last thing we needed. The police finally stopped snooping into John Jackson’s murder, allowing Sydney and her family to lay him to rest. I was thankful because I didn’t know how much more she could take without cracking. That would’veput me in another difficult position because prison was never an option, especially with Zara being pregnant.

“What time is the appointment?” Nolan asked, leaning against the truck.

“Two,” I said, running a hand over my face. “But I gotta handle something first, so I’m leaving soon,” I replied, looking at my watch.

“Go play daddy. We got it,” Shaudi replied, stacking another box on the dolly.

I looked at him but didn’t respond. I had bigger things on my plate today than seeing my baby for the first time.

“All right, I’m out. Call Kross if there are any issues,” I said, already heading toward the door.

“Off the clock for the rest of the day,” Nolan stated.

“Yeah, nigga. I earned it.”

Nolan and Shaudi nodded as I left. Zara had been more anxious than usual the last few weeks. I wasn’t sure if it was the looming appointment or the fear of being a mom. Thank God for Mom, who kept my patience at the forefront while managing Zara’s hormones.

But as a man, I had to show up and reassure Zara. That took another level of strength, but I figured Zara could use a little surprise to lift her spirits with everything going on. After securing her surprise, I was pressed for time, racing back home to pick her up.

The sound of the door closing made Zara barrel down the stairs because she didn’t want to be late, and I pushed it to the limit.

“You promised we weren’t going to be late!” Zara yelled, turning the corner, and then her stride halted.

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