Page 77 of Body Language
“Very. You’re too damn smart to be trapped in that school with no A/C and a principal that smell like depression and backwoods. I’m getting your transcripts sent this week.”
She blinked like she was about to cry again, but in a good way.
“Also,” I continued, walking toward the kitchen like I didn’t just drop another bomb, “I’m calling Talynn Baldwin. She’s a top notch OB/GYN.”
Zejah looked stunned. “But that probably costs—”
“It costs what I’m willing to pay,” I cut her off again. “You gone carry this baby like royalty, not like a burden. That child will have a mother that’s cared for, not dismissed.”
Hux sat down like the whole future just hit him in the chest. I saw his head drop into his hands and I just… let it sit there.
Because it is real. This is what life does when it starts life’ing too damn fast.
“I’ll be tough on y’all,” I said, softening my tone. “But I’ll always be here. You hear me?”
They both nodded.
I crossed my arms and looked dead at both of them, making sure every word stuck.
“And lastly, let me break this down real simple before y’all start thinking life is about to stay cute. Zejah, unnecessary mood swings? Yeah, I’m not having it. You cry, you laugh, you throw an attitude. Whatever you do, that baby’s gonna feel it and reflect it.”
She sniffled, trying not to smile, and I pointed at Hux.
“And you. Don’t think you gone get off easy. This ain’t no one-sided parenthood. You wanted to shoot the club up, congratulations, you now own the whole building.”
Zejah choked on a laugh.
“Y’all are both going to parenting classes. Matter fact, I’ll sit in the back with snacks just to make sure y’all pay attention. And Rita? She cooks her ass off, so on some days, Zejah, I want you in that kitchen watching her. You ain’t babysitting anymore, baby girl. This is your child. Step into it.”
I turned back to Hux, smirking.
“And on the days Zejah gets her girl time, guess who’s on daddy duty? Spoiler alert, it’s you. Full responsibility. Don’t even call me unless the house is on fire.”
They both stared at me like I had cursed them with a lifetime sentence.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“What?” they said together.
“You both are about to start watching Heidi, too. Rita deserves a damn break, and I can’t wait to see the looks on y’all’s faces the first time she says she wants McDonald’s but really means Chick-fil-A. Good luck.”
I clapped my hands together with a fake-ass cheerful smile.
“Welcome to parenthood. I hope this teaches you both the importance of condoms next time.”
19
Kendrix
It had been two weeks since I told Arlette her run was over, and since Niv became the new face of GivGold.
And in just fourteen days, the club was louder than it had ever been before the doors even opened.
Her face was on every damn flyer, billboard, and IG story. Phones going crazy, men trying to book tables weeks out like they knew her personally. It was scheduled to be our first big Friday with her front and center, and I already knew it was gonna be a movie. People were lined up outside at six, knowing we didn’t open the doors until nine.
All because of her.
I leaned back in the office chair with the contracts and financial reports spread out on the desk. Shit didn’t just look good. It looked different. Cleaner. Smarter. Like she’d been born to run this shit. She’d already pulled in a few sponsors from her own connections, tightened up bottle service so nobody couldskim off the top, and made sure our dancers felt more like assets than replaceable bodies.
