Page 10 of A Toxic Redemption

"I call you Luck because God must have brought us together. He knew I needed some bomb and hassle-free pussy in my life."

Her sweet giggles were the last thing I remember hearing as she snuggled against me. I don't know what this is that was happening, but this girl was having me do things I usually don't. Fuckin' raw and reckless, and sleeping at these women's cribs isn't something that I'm accustomed to. Just from the last few encounters, she was changing a nigga, and I'm not sure if it will be for the better or worse.

"We go play, DaDa?" My son peered down at me as I tied his shoe. "We get ice cream? I like ice cream."

I chuckled at how animated he was as I got him dressed and ready for the day. For him to be almost three years old, he was too damn smart. At times, it's hard to believe I'm a father, but I take pride in the role. I've missed too much time with him, so every day was an opportunity to make up for it. I wanted to create as many memories as I could with him, and I was determined to do it. We'd just come back from a trip to Disney World, and we had a fuckin' blast.

"Yeah, son, daddy will get you some ice cream." I helped him as he scooted from the couch. "You got your bag?"

"Oh shoot!" he yelped and shot off to his bedroom.

It was time for him and me to be in our own space, so I decided to get the condo cleaned out and childproofed. I let the security downstairs know that my mother and cousins were the only ones who were ever allowed access up here. There is no way I would have transformed the hoe room into his bedroom, so I gave him the master until I was able to find us somewhere else to live. My mother wanted us to stay with her until then, but there was no way in hell that would happen.

Since finding out that I had a son, my time and attention have been on him, and I haven't had time to entertain any of the broads I was dealing with. Plus, I'm more mindful about how I move. That rat-ass baby mama of mine still makes it hard for me to trust these bitches. Shit, it's probably worse now than what it was these past few years. Once a DNA test confirmed KJ was indeed my son, I told that bitch to scram, and if KJ wanted to see her, I'd reach out. I went back and forth on it for a while, but I decided today was the day I'd talk to her.

"I'm ready, Da!" KJ broke my thoughts as he came barreling into my legs. "Let's ride!"

Chuckling, I scooped him up in my arms and gathered my keys from the end table so we could start our day. Most times, he hates it when I carry him, but I don't care. I missed so much of his life that I can't get back, and I want to hold him in my arms until I can't. These past few weeks have been more than I could have ever asked for.

"You want to go see your Nana?" I looked in the rearview and asked him as I drove through the empty streets. "She said she missed you."

"Hmm." He tapped his little chin as if he were thinking. He was handsome with his kinky hair, deep chocolate skin, and hismother's bright, expressive eyes. I hate that bitch with every fiber of my being, but I'm thankful she took such good care of my son. "She make the cheesy noodles?"

I couldn't help but bellow in laughter because of how serious he was. Any time we were at my mother's house, all he wanted was her mac and cheese. She was always more than willing to make it for him.

"I will make sure I call and ask her once we get to the park." He looked to be satisfied with my answer as he continued to mess with his tablet. He was so focused, but I needed to talk to him while I had his attention. "Say, man, are you ready to see your mother?"

If I could have things my way, I'd never let Mia see my boy again for the shit she pulled. She's his mother, though, and at the moment, I don't have any legal rights. So for as long as I could, I would play nice and do the best I could to co-parent without killing the bitch.

"I miss her a little." He shrugged. "She lets me play on her phone and eat the candy when I'm good." He looked up at me through the rearview mirror. "We go see Mommy and Unkie Kay?"

"Uncle Kay, huh?" I chuckled as I pulled into the park. I was thankful that it wasn't many people out because I had no desire to fuck any kids up for playing too rough with or around my son. "I don't know about Uncle Kay right now, but we're about to see your mama."

He nodded and returned to what he was doing, and I left it at that. I'm thankful that Mia and Kaine let him know that he's his uncle because he would for sure die if he thought my son was going to be walking around calling him daddy.

Parking the car, I looked around to see if I could locate his mother, but I didn't see her. Her ass had better be here because I wasn't going to reach out again.

"You dressed like me, Da?" KJ asked as I got him out of the truck and placed him on his feet. We were both dressed in black and white Nike tracksuits, along with a fresh pair of Forces. My plats were fresh, and we both had crispy lineups. I bought him a matching cross necklace to match mine, and we were clean as hell out here. "You want to be like me?"

"You know what?" I laughed as I grabbed his hand and led him to the playground. "I do want to be like you. You're the flyest guy I know."

"Yeah, Bino tells me." He looked up at me and smiled knowingly. "He said he's my boy. I believe him, Da."

I couldn't help but bellow in laughter because the bond he was forming with my cousins was crazy. They have been at my mother's house daily since the barbecue, and they all love KJ. Even my father calls and checks on him. That particular situation is tricky, and I don't know what to do about it. Looking at my own kid, I can't imagine how someone would choose not to be in their child's life.

"Hey, how about you let me hold your tablet while you go play?" I motioned toward the slides once we reached the tables. "I'll be sitting right here watching you, okay? Play nice with the other kids."

"Okay." He nodded as he slid his backpack from his shoulders. "Bino say I fuck 'em up if they mean, Da."

"Son," was all I was able to get out before he shot off. I shook my head as I made a mental note to cuss that stupid ass nigga out when I saw him. Mama would lose her mind if she knew KJ was out here cussing.

I took a seat and looked over the area to make sure everything was on the up and up. I had my tool on me, so if some shit popped off at this park, I didn't mind airing it out about my seed. As I sat and watched him play, I pulled my phone from my pocket to check for any notifications. Just like I figured, Allison,Alicia, and Persia were blowing me up. Not only that, but I also had a few missed calls from my mother and even one from my father. It was one text in particular that had me smiling.

Little Miss Water Park: Hey dude, bring KJ by here soon to get cupcakes. I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks. I'm not above coming to Ms. Khalise's home. You know she likes me.

I chuckled as I read the message from Lucky because she wasn't lying. Ma asks me all the time about her, but I have to reiterate to her how we aren't on that type of time. Luck and I are just friends and nothing more. My people fuck with her, though, for whatever reason. She was cool people, so I guess there was no harm in it.

Since the day I went home with her a couple of weeks ago, we've been keeping in touch with each other. As I requested, I woke up to getting my dick sucked with wings and fries, waiting on a nigga. I was dipping chicken while I dipped in her throat. What was supposed to be me dropping dick off and leaving turned into a fuckin' slumber party. We kicked it all night just talking shit, kind of getting to know each other. I was impressed to learn that she owned her own bakery and that my mother and son were some of her favorite customers.

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