Page 31 of Defect
“That’s what sisters are for. Like I said, you’re going to jump on his young ass the second he wears you down and from the looks of things, he’s going to wear you down quickly. He is fine as hell with milk still on his breath.”
“Bye, Amaris. Don’t you have to go to bed? You have young minds to mold in the morning.”
“I know. Does, Ezra need a seat in one of my classes?” I grabbed her purse and handed it to her then pointed to the door.
“Out.”
“I’m leaving. I’m leaving. Love you sissy.”
“Uh huh. Love you too. See you in the morning.”
…
It was nearly nine o’clock and I was still grabbing shit off the counter when I needed to be in the car on the way to Malachi’s school so I could at least look at him. I rushed out of the door with my duffle bag strapped across my body and a million things in my hands. I cursed at myself for trying to balance everything and open my car door at the same time. It was one of the rare moments I wished I had a newer car and not a 2001 bug that needed a key to open the door.
“Are you always this uncoordinated in the mornings?” Ezra’s deep voice rolled over me like water. I jerked my head to the side and looked over my shoulder at him standing there. Shirtless. With water drops still beaded on his honey skin.
Fuck.
He grabbed a few things out of my hand and I opened up the car door, finally. “Thank you.” I looked at him after I put things on the passenger seat and fixed my hands to my hips. “Do you always just run out here without a shirt? You’re going to catch a cold.”
“You know the temperature has nothing to do with catching a cold, right?” He asked, folding his arms. I slid my gaze along his bulging biceps and sucked in a breath. Why was he so delicious?
“If you say so. Please go in the house and put on a shirt.”
“I got out of the shower and heard you out here strugglingagain. Sorry,” he held his hands up and took a step back.
“No, Ezra. You’re fine.”
Fine as fuck.
“Where are you headed this morning?” He asked. I pulled my hungry eyes away from his abs and looked at his eyes. Like that was any better. If I wasn’t careful, I was going to let something inappropriate slip out of my mouth.
“Remember I told you I’m still very close to my ex’s son? I’m going to his school to check on him. Sometimes, when you live with a monster who either neglects you completely or beats the hell out of you, it’s nice to have someone who cares.”
“You’re a really amazing person for doing that. He’s going to appreciate you for the rest of his life. Look, I’m not going to hold you because judging by the way you ran out of your house, I’m guessing you’re late. I’ll see you at work.” Ezra jogged back across the street and I watched his strong back flex and his perfect ass had the perfect amount of bounce.
Whoo, lord. Send help.
I sped to Malachi’s school and rushed in with the tardy kids carrying a bag of clean socks and underwear. I made a beeline for Amaris’ office and paused when I saw my baby sitting in the chair, swinging his feet. He was eating a bowl of cereal and munching on fruit. His shoes were filthy and the shoestrings were fraying into a million tiny threads. I made a mental note to buy him new shoes.
I hated that he couldn’t keep everything I bought him. If Vince found out that Amaris and I were buying him clothes, he would flip the fuck out and destroy them. It was like he wanted Malachi to suffer. Vince had a good job and the means to take care of his son. He just didn’t want to. He never wanted kids. He told me that while we were together and silly me…I thought I could change his mind later on down the line. I was wrong. So damn wrong. Since Vince didn’t want kids, he was going to continue to act like he didn’t have any. He was going to punish Malachi for simply existing and imposing on his life.
Vince didn’t give a fuck how Malachi got to school or got home. He didn’t care about homework or field trips. He didn’t care who watched Malachi when he had to work late. He didn’t care how Malachi got food or clothes or anything else.
It turned my stomach.
“Solo!” Malachi chirped when he noticed me standing there watching him.
“Hey, Tyke!” I hugged him and buried my nose in his curly hair. He needed his hair washed and cut badly. Even though he had on clean clothes, his skin smelled like mildew and it made me want to burst into tears.
“I missed you so much,” he told me. He sat down to finish his food and I sat beside him. How the fuck could Vince let him live this way? It wasn’t my place to overstep because I wasn’t Malachi’s mother but dammit, I felt like it.
“Oh, hey, Solana,” Amaris walked in and closed the door behind herself. “I told his teacher that I was going to keep him in my office for a little while so he could eat. Even after he had breakfast in before care, his stomach was growling.”
“I’m getting full now, Miss Monroe,” Malachi said, patting his tummy.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.” She tousled his hair and looked at me. “We need to talk.”
