Page 46 of It's Love I'm After

“Alright, you two. Let's grab a seat so y’all can eat quickly, and then we need to do some school shopping,” I say.

“Okay, Mommy,” Caleb tells me before shifting his focus back to Germayne. “Will you take me to school on the first day? I don’t want Mommy to be alone in case she cries.”

“I got you, C,” Germayne declares with authority before turning and winking at me.

I’m gonna suck the lining outta of Germayne’s dick before he goes home.

20

GERMAYNE

“Don’t tell Mommy, but I’m glad you’re taking me to get my haircut, Mr. Germayne.” Caleb smiles and takes my hand when I open the back door to let him out of my SUV.

“It’ll be our secret, C.” My chest is sticking out, and my gait is confident when Caleb and I enter the building, heading toward Ricardo’s suite.

“Oh sh—shoot. What’s up, C money? Germayne,” Ricardo greets when Caleb and I enter his room less than five minutes later.

“Hi, Mr. Ricardo. Me and Mr. Germayne are here for our haircuts. I need to stay fly,” Caleb says, pulling at his shirt and causing Ricardo and I to laugh at his antics.

“For sure, C money. Have a seat, and I’ll get you together,” Ricardo taps the chair, holding a cape to drape over Caleb.

Caleb hops into the chair, swinging his little feet back and forth with his eyes on the mounted TV. Ricardo applies the cape before walking toward me and whispering so Caleb can’t hear.

“You a slick one, I see. How did you pull this off?”

“Pressure and prayers. God favors me, my boy,” I say.

“Big ups to the King of Kings because you definitely got yourself a winner. Much respect, G,” Ricardo says, dapping me and returning to Caleb to start on his cut.

This moment feels organic and one I’ll treasure forever as a goofy grin upturns my lips at hearing Caleb tell Ricardo about our big boy outing once we finish our haircuts.

“Hey! If it’s not my favorite little person in the world.” Chaniya’s grandmother greets Caleb after opening her front door.

I asked Chaniya if I could be the one to exchange Caleb with her grandmother tonight. Despite the pulsing within Chaniya’s temple vein, I pushed the offer so I could have a brief word with her grandmother. Based on my heart's fast tempo, I’m unsure if I’ve made the right decision. However, I have to try because I want forever with Chaniya and Caleb, so I must iron out whatever weeds may stick up in objection.

“Hi, Nana. I missed you,” Caleb replies, returning my focus to the present.

“Go inside. I want to talk to your mom’s friend. I’ll be in there shortly,” Nana tells Caleb, who turns, waving to me before darting inside the house.

When Nana’s intense gaze returns to me, I fight the urge to show emotion or showcase the shiver sliding down my spine.Never let them see you sweat. You got this. Love is your only agenda here. Purpose over persecution. Mind over?—

“I hope that whatever this little melee between us right now has nothing to do with the woman you brought to my house not long ago,” Nana says, placing her right hand on her robust waist.

Mind over matter. Courage over fear.

“Kinda, but not for the reason you might think. I don’t want to shift the dynamics between us, Ms.—

“Calling me by that name instead of the one I gave you in the beginning will certainly fast-track a change in our dynamics.” Nana cuts me off.

“My bad, Nana. While I might not be privileged to know the story behind you and Grandma Jolene’s issue, the irrelevance is the same for me because securing my place in Caleb and Chaniya’s lives is the only thing that matters to me. I ask that you judge me according to my actions and not the bad blood you have with my grandmother. The two aren’t created equal, and I desire to have a relationship with you once we join together as a family.”

Nana steps fully onto the porch and circles around me like I’m about to be auctioned off to whoever has pockets deep enough to obtain me.

“You’re cocky. You’re handsome. Your stature is promising. You’re bold. Clearly, you don’t have a problem battling a tough opponent. All the qualities my babies will need in the man trying to solidify his position in their lives. Keep your grandmother in check, and we’ll be good.” With that, Nana reenters her home, slamming the door in my face, and a sly smirk upturns my lips.

Say less, Nana.

“You were up there for a while. Why won’t you tell me what y’all talked about?” Chaniya pouts.

---