Page 17 of A Toxic Redemption

With that, I placed the strap of my purse on my shoulder and switched toward the exit. As I got into my car, I sighed heavily once I was seated behind the wheel. I tried to act as if Monty ditching me didn't bother me, but it did. That was the prime example of why I didn't take these niggas seriously. As soon as you give in to them, they let you down. Yes, I may be overreacting when this was only a simple date, but if you could disappoint me over something as small as this, I can only imagine if it were something of importance. This just further proves my point of sex with no attachments or expectations. Love and the things that come with it just weren't for me.

CHAPTER

FIVE

KHALIL

"Khalil,I'm telling you now, son, that I don't want any shit out of you boys today," my mother fussed as we walked into the restaurant. She thought meeting with Kaine in a public place would keep me from acting a fool, but she was sadly mistaken. I will lay that muthafucka out wherever and pay for the damages later. "I mean it, Khalil."

"Mama, you gotta relax baby." I pulled her into my embrace and kissed her cheek as we stood at the hostess stand. It sure was crowded for it to be in the middle of the day. "You act like I don't have home training."

"I just wish Sean or at least Jacob could have come along today." She sighed as she peered up at me. "Somebody needs to be here to help me."

"You talk about home training but want to be in a public space with Bino and Jake?" I chuckled as we followed the hostess to our table.

She decided on a steakhouse, and I was glad. I haven't had a Porterhouse in a minute, and I was dying for one. Plus, I usually have KJ with me and all he wants is cheesy noodles or chicken nuggets. I was thankful Kira kept him for me today for many reasons.

"Those two young men are something else, but for the most part, they know how to act." As I pulled her chair from the table, I didn't even bother with responding. "Have you talked to your father?"

"Here and there," I answered as I took my seat and looked over the menu. "I can only focus on one fuck nigga at a time, so he has to wait in line. Owww, mama!"

"Watch your damn mouth, boy."

Placing my hand over my face, I winced in pain as she hit me in the mouth with a saltshaker. I rubbed the spot and lowly chuckled as we waited for the server to come to take our order. Since she wanted to have this bullshit lunch with her hoe-ass son, I called ahead and requested to be seated ducked off somewhere. I don't want to embarrass her too much when shit gets out of hand, like I'm sure it will.

"Good afternoon, and welcome to Royale Cuisine." My head snapped up at the sound of Persia's voice. It slipped my mind that she worked here, but not that it really matters. I haven't talked to this hoe since she trashed my car. "What can I get you today?"

"Can I get the biggest Porterhouse you have, medium well, with a side of loaded roast potatoes and asparagus?" I handed the menu back to her with a slight mug on my face. She looked at me with sad eyes. I couldn't care less about that shit because she knows it doesn't move me one way or another. "That'll be all for me."

"Loon, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked in a shaky voice. "I miss you and—"

"Girl, do you not see me sitting my ass right here?" my mother snapped as a tear slid down P's face. "He has enough whores causing him trouble, and I don't see why you want to be added to the list so badly. Take this damn menu and bring methe same thing he is having before I make you go and get your manager."

Embarrassed, Persia took my mother's menu and profusely apologized as she took our drink orders and told us she would return. I didn't even wait until she was from our table before I bellowed in laughter. Mama sat across from me, mumbling about hussies having no shame as I sat there with tears in my eyes. That lady was a trip.

"Mama, you didn't have to embarrass that girl like that," I stated once I caught my breath. "She was already having a bad day."

"I'm shocked you only have one child with the way you carry on with these damn women."

"What can I say?" I popped my collar. "The ladies love Loon, girl. You raised a handsome ass nigga." We shared a laugh as she rolled her eyes and called me delusional.

"Well damn, what has y'all so tickled? I want to laugh."

Hearing Kaine's voice, I paused my banter as the anger built within me. The smirk on his face made me want to take off in his shit. His bruises were healing from a few weeks ago, and I wanted nothing more than to put hands and feet on my brother again. Dressed down in a plain white tee and pair of black Levi jeans, he looked as if he didn't have a care in the world. The single Cuban link around his neck and diamond studs in his ear made him appear to have a little money. That took me back to the night mine was stolen from me. At that moment, I once again wanted to kill him.

"Hey, baby." My mother stood from her chair to greet him. Kaine smiled as he hovered over her, pulling her into his embrace. "How are you doing, son?"

"I'm good, mama." He chuckled and kissed her forehead. They detached as he helped her back into her seat. He brought his eyes to me and stared for a moment before he decided tospeak. Extending his fist, he held it out for me to dap. "What's up, bro?"

"Nigga, fuck you," I spat as P sat our drinks on the table. She and my mother gasped as he chuckled and placed his order.

Kaine took a seat beside mama, but he never took his eyes off me.

"Watch your mouth, Khalil," my mother warned. "Respect me at this table, both of you." She pointed between the two of us. "We're going to sit and talk like sensible adults, like a family."

"Family?" I scoffed. "That's your son, but he ain't nothing to me, mama. I'm having this conversation off the strength of you and nothing else. We have until the food comes, and I eat, to talk and then I'm out of here. I have to go get my son."

"Your son, huh?" Kaine leaned back in his chair and smirked. "You know, Mia cried all night because of the way you handled her at the park. You know that's her child, too, right, especially legally? Your name ain't on shit, and if we want to, we could come and get him." He paused as his drink arrived. "Be thankful we even let you see him."

---