Page 175 of Tainted

“Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome, baby.”

Mom vented about how the teenage version of Sasha was driving her crazy. Every day, there was a new earth-shattering problem, from friendship drama to her last-minute communication. Sasha decided at the last minute she wants to go to homecoming, and now they had to go out after school to find a dress.

After picking up dinner, I had never been happier to pull in the driveway, I reminded Mom to stay strong and ended the call so I could shower and relax. I wasn’t looking forward to teenage Kyce because the toddler version was already bossy enough.

The house was dark as I carefully walked to the kitchen, setting the food down. Noticing the faint light down the hallway, I knew Kenyon was in his office. Trudging down the hallway, I paused outside the door. Nolan and Shaudi tried to convince him to meet them at the bar.

“Nah, man. I’m chilling tonight,” I heard Kenyon say.

“Get yo’ old ass up bitch!” Shaudi yelled, causing me to throw my hand over my mouth in the hallway to avoid giving myself away.

“I have shit to do.”

“Mentiras?*,” I said, pushing through the door.

“I don’t know what she said, but it doesn’t sound like she’s on your side. Wassup Sis,” Shaudi slurred into the speaker.

“Hey,” I replied, moving Kenyon’s chair back so I could straddle his lap. It had become my favorite place after a long day.

“Babygirl is home. I gotta go,” Kenyon ended the call before Nolan or Shaudi said anything else, “I didn’t teach you Spanish for you to sell me out.”

“Why aren’t you going out tonight?”

“You trying to get rid of me?”

“More like trying to get you away from this desk.”

“I can think of a few ways to do that,” he joked, bouncing his eyebrows.

“Show me,” I flirted, kissing his neck.

“Let me wrap this up first.”

I didn’t reply because I was too tired for the conversation that would’ve ensued if I had. Peeling myself from his lap, I shut the door behind me and walked to the kitchen to heat my food. Mom said it was better to have a man who worked too much than one who didn’t, so I tried not to complain.

When my food came out of the microwave, Kenyon shuffled into the kitchen, wedging me between his body and the counter.

“What do you want to do tonight?” he asked, kissing the discolored birthmark I passed down to Kyce. Only hers was on her temple. It was the only thing she had of mine because she was the spitting image of her father.

“I thought you had work to finish.”

“Right now, I’m more concerned with you,” he replied, nipping at my earlobe.

“Good, because I’d hate to remind you who you’re acting like,” I joked.

I could feel Kenyon’s smile on my face, “I’m acting like Eric, huh?”

“Yeah, you are.”

“What do you want to do tonight?” he asked, kissing my neck.

“It was a long day. I just want to spend time with you.”

“Why was today so long?”

Kenyon listened while I vented about covering extra classes while trying to organize this showcase and dealing with annoying ass parents. He listened intently while warming up his food and hopping on the counter to give me his undivided attention.

---