Page 28 of Giving Him Something He Can Feel

“I didn’t say that.”

“Yeen have to. You’ve been moping and shit.”

“I’ve been just thinking, but you know what the funny thing about all this is?” She pushed me back against the bench in the shower.

“What?”

“I couldn’t go anywhere if you paid me, because to be to be honest I think you trapped me.”

I grinned hard as fuck, knowing she couldn’t see me in the dark ass shower room. For the life of me I couldn’t understand why she refused to turn the light on when she got in. Talking about it was peaceful, shit peaceful enough to break your fucking neck if you asked me.

“Trapped you how, baby girl?”

“How else? Stop smiling so fucking hard. I can still see your teeth in the dark.”

I chortled. “Trapped is a strong word.”

“Well did you?”

“You mad?” I asked, wondering if she was.

“Should I be?”

“I don’t know, should you?”

Seconds later her hand hit my shoulder. “Stop answering questions with a question. Should I be mad? Yes. Am I mad? No. Because something in me believes that if I am pregnant then maybe just maybe this baby is meant to mend what losing my grandfather did to me.”

I nodded. Honestly I couldn’t argue with that, because she truly believed that him dying left her down here alone, and that was the furthest thing from the truth. I just wasn’t a fan of words, I had to show her that through actions. I ain’t saying I was willing to jump into a relationship or anything like that, but for her I’d do some damage to the roster.

“Just promise me one thing though.”

My hand landed on her thigh. “What’s up.”

“If for some reason this isn’t working for you anymore, tell me that. Put me on game, so I ain’t out here looking stupid behind you.”

“I got you.”

ChapterFive

Virtue

My eyes scanned the playground, as I watched Adorie running about with the other kids. I always wanted the best for my baby and my goal was to give her that. I’d die making sure my daughter never wanted for nor needed for anything. The one thing I couldn’t give her was him. I couldn’t give her what I had, because I wasn’t willing to be stupid for a nigga who not only played me but expected me to be stupid. I hated that she didn’t have a father, but there wasn’t much I could do about it, except being prepared to have that conversation in a few years. It was what it was.

“Mommy look.” She yelled for me to watch her go down the slide.

I smirked, watching her slide down then clap for herself. She was a true diva. “Good job baby girl.” Of course I cheered because that’s what you were supposed to do as a parent.

I glanced down at my watch taking note of the time. I’d told myself that I was gonna give her thirty minutes out here, but then thirty minutes easily became an hour. Now I was cutting it close on getting her in the house, starting dinner and being able to go over my quarterly reports.

The ringing of my phone broke up those thoughts instantly. When I saw Eva’s name cross the screen I immediately rolled my eyes to the ceiling. The only reason she called was for one of two reasons. Shit, some of the time she called for both.

I didn’t want to answer, but I did and immediately I regretted it.

“They turned the lights off, baby. I don’t know how I’mgonna get the money to pay it, because I was so far behind. Can you?—”

“Dang, good afternoon to you, too, Eva. I’m fine as well,” I responded as if she had asked.

She sucked her teeth. “That’s good to hear. I really need you right now, baby girl. I know we have our differences but if my lights stay off, they’re gonna put me out.”

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