Page 13 of Only for Me
He nodded stiffly, staring at Avi in a way that felt weighted. “I damn sure won’t be perfect but I’ll show up and I’ll make her a priority. I’m giving you my word on that.”
“Okay.” I had to give something or risk him bulldozing his way into our lives and taking over. “What time is the test?”
“Let me know what works for you and I’ll make it happen, but today. I’ve already missed enough time.” He lifted his eyes from Avi and glared at me.
He stood and removed his phone. “Let me get your number…”
You don’t already have it was at the tip of my tongue but I pulled back because pushing this man wasn’t going to get me anywhere. I had to think about my daughter. I called out my number then heard my phone vibrating on the table near me. “Save my shit and let me know what time. Don’t keep me waiting all day either or I’ll pull up and don’t fucking run. I promise you don’t want to piss me off any more than you already have.”
“You’re pissed about me doing you a favor?” I shot back and he frowned hard.
“How the fuck is keeping my kid from me doing me a favor?”
“You don’t want kids, Omiri. I’m not even sure you want Avi but I know I can’t stop you from doing this.”
He snorted. “Nah, you can’t.”
I noticed he didn’t disagree about the not wanting kids statement and that annoyed me. Wanting to be in her life and wanting a child were two very different lanes. “I’m about to head out. Let me know as soon as you figure your shit out.”
He crossed the living room and the door slammed behind him when he left. I kissed Avi’s head, grabbed my phone, and sank onto the sofa. “Well fuck, muffin. I really messed this up.”
She smiled up at me and reached for my face so I leaned in closer, giving her more access and stole a kiss. “That was your daddy with all that damn arrogance and anger. You cool with letting him into our little world?”
My baby girl grinned and grabbed my nose. I balanced Avi, slid down off the sofa, and dialed Tiana, rushing out my concern and frustration as soon as she answered.
“Hey, boo thang.”
“He came to my house.”
“Shit, when?”
“Just left and he’s demanding a DNA test. I have to tell him when.”
“Damn, that was fast, but does he really need that? She has his eyes and pretty much his whole face.”
“She does not. Well… his eyes, yeah, but not his face. Avi looks like me,” I argued and Tiana laughed.
“No, baby. I know you want to believe she’s all you but aside from a few small things, Avi is her father through and through.”
It was true, but…
“Now is not the time to push that narrative. Will you come with me? I don’t want to do this by myself. He already has a lawyer and God knows who else on his side. It’s just me.”
“Aww babe, you know I’m there for you.”
“Thank you. You work today?”
“Yes, at seven, so can we do it before then?”
“Yes, he told me to set the time. I’m sure he’ll just snap his fingers and everyone will jump in unison to make this happen.”
I rolled my eyes picturing how much pull this man had.
“Was he pissed?”
“Very but it wasn’t terrible because he was a lot calmer than I expected him to be.”
“He has the right to be pissed.”
