Page 42 of I Don't Want You Back

“Landon,” Faryn whispered, trying not to startle him too much.

He stirred a little, but he still didn’t wake up. His phone was closer to her, but she didn’t want to take it upon herself to answer it. They had just made things official the day before and she didn’t want to start out the wrong way.

“Landon, your phone is ringing,” Faryn said, shaking him harder.

“Answer it,” he mumbled groggily, making Faryn smile.

She picked up the phone and looked at the unavailable number before she answered the call. She never even got a chance to say hello before the automated operator started to talk.

“It’s somebody calling from jail,” Faryn informed him.

“That’s probably that nigga Aiden. The fuck did he do this time?” Landon asked aloud.

He sat up in bed and wiped the sleep from his eyes as he looked over at the clock. It was entirely too early for him to be up and dealing with his uncle’s bullshit. He knew that he would probably have to get up to go bail him out and he had already prepared himself.

“It’s Malia,” Faryn said once the person said their name. She knew that Malia was Landon’s ex-wife because Lance had told her his mother’s name.

“The fuck!” Landon yelled in shock.

Faryn accepted the call and handed him the phone. As soon as the call was connected, Malia started talking.

“Oh, my God, Landon. I’m so happy that you answered the phone,” Malia said, sounding relieved.

“What the hell are you doing in jail Malia?” Landon asked.

“I really need your help Landon,” Malia said desperately.

“I’m listening,” he replied.

“Me and my sisters were arrested for disorderly conduct. I only need like five hundred dollars to get out. I promise I’ll pay you back every cent once I get released,” Malia replied.

“You better call your nigga to get you out. I can’t do nothing for you,” Landon said.

“Roman is locked up too. Landon, please, I feel like I’m losing my mind in here. I’ve been in a pissy smelling cell all night and they’re just now letting me use the phone. Please don’t leave me here like this,” Malia begged.

“Man-” Landon started before she cut him off.

“Baby listen, I know I messed up a lot in the past and I’m sorry for that. I made a lot of stupid decisions that I now regret,” Malia said, throwing Landon off when she called him baby.

“Malia-” Landon said when she stopped him again.

“I just… I just want my family back. I’m ready to be the wife and mother that I should have been over a year ago. Please forgive me, baby. If you take me back, I promise you won’t regret it.”

“I’m in a relationship now Malia and I’m happy. I’m sorry, but I don’t want you back,” Landon replied, making her heart plummet in her chest.

“You are not in a relationship. You don’t have to lie Landon. I know that I hurt you with my actions and I’m sorry,” she apologized.

Malia knew without a doubt that Lennox would have told her if his father had a girlfriend. She asked him all the time and he always said no.

“I don’t have a reason to lie to you, Malia. I wouldn’t want you back even if wasn’t with somebody else,” Landon noted.

“We can talk about all that later. I’m just focused on getting out of here right now. This place makes me sick to my stomach.” Malia frowned.

The life that she had growing inside of her didn’t help all that much either, but Landon didn’t need to know that. She would have that problem rectified as soon as she could. There was no way that she could go back home to her family with another man’s baby inside of her.

“That ain’t my problem Malia. My son sat around calling and waiting for you all day yesterday. I had to cancel my plans to make good on something that you promised him. You know I never have a problem with you unless it comes down to my boys. I’ve been cleaning up your messes with our kids for over a year and I’m sick of that shit.”

“I’m in jail Landon. I couldn’t come get him or answer my phone. I know that I have to do better with our kids. I promise that I will, but I can’t do anything from behind bars. How do you think your sons would feel if they knew I was here?” Malia questioned, hoping to play on his soft side.

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