Page 32 of Out of Bounds
“I know…” She gave me a tight-lipped smile. “I was just saying.”
“I know, babe, and I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s a touchy subject right now, and I’m trying to navigate as best as I can.”
“I’m sorry for bringing it up, Masai. I have to remember that Kreed hurt you, and not the other way around.”
“It’s okay… really.”
Things got quiet for a few minutes. I don’t know what was on their minds, but mine was wondering how things would play out this season. Kreed liked for the kids to be at all the home games. We made good use of the suite that we paid for yearly. In my mind, I was wondering if he expected me to occupy the space this season as I’d done in the past.
Did he expect me to show up as the supportive, doting wife as I’d done time and time again? Those were the things I thought about at the end of the day when the rest of the world wassleeping and I was stuck in my head. As much as I was prepared to move on, the ease or difficulty of doing so was hitting me quickly. Time would tell because the season would be here before you know it.
Opting out of continuing to stew in my feelings, I sparked up a conversation with the girls. The best thing to do for my mental health at this point was to pretend like my world wasn’t falling apart. The more I focused on Kreed and my martial demise, the less chances I had of healing, and my healing was essential to my peace.
A week after my kids and I had been photographed at the training camp, the blogs had somehow gotten a picture of Kreed with his otherfamily. Those assumptions had now turned into speculations, and now my business was really out there.
I knew without a doubt that ole girl had sent those pictures to them. She thought she was one-upping me by doing so, but she’d done the complete opposite. The blogs were calling her a homewrecking hoe, and they were right.
I could’ve popped off online, but that wasn’t in my character to do so. Besides, I didn’t owe anybody shit. Instead of saying what was really on my mind, I decided it was best if I just poured into myself and remained silent.
The first thing on my agenda was accepting the job offer I’d received from the law firm. After accepting, I made sure my kids were set up with after-school care and even went as far as hiring a nanny to help my mom, who was going to keep Kree at my house. My initial plan had been to wait until the kids started school again, but Mommy needed an outlet and needed one fast.
Today was my first day steppingbackinto the workforce, and I was nervous as hell. I’d woken up early as hell this morning just to mentally prepare myself. My mom had stayed over last night, so I didn’t have to worry about getting the kids up and ready.
Once I’d finished putting the final touches of my makeup on, I grabbed my blazer off the bed and hit the lights. When I made it downstairs, my mom was already up and standing at the refrigerator.
“Turn around; let me get a good look at you.” She beamed.
Doing a full spin, I held my hands out. “What you think?”
“I think you look amazing. Ready for today?”
“I am… A tad bit nervous, but I’ll be okay once I get acclimated.” Tossing my jacket over the back of the chair, I grabbed my new lunch box off the counter and proceeded to pack it with enough food to get me through the day.
“You will,” she assured. “I’m so proud of you, Masai.”
“Well, thank you, Mommy.” Pausing my task, I placed my palms down on the counter. “I need to do this for me. I’m scared of the changes that’s going on in my life, but I need this.”
“Yes, you do,” she agreed. “And you’re doing it.”
“I am.” I smiled through my tears. “Never expected it, but hey… It’s life, and I’ve gotta move on with mine.”
“Speaking of moving on…”
“Oh, God…” I groaned and tossed my head back. “If what you’re getting ready to say is something that’s going to ruin my mood, please save it until later.”
She huffed. “Well, I’ll wait.”
Against my better judgment, I said, “Go ahead.”
“Um…” She cleared her throat. “Maddie Claire was on the phone with her father last night, and he mentioned havingsomeonehe wanted to introduce the kids to.”
I sucked in a deep breath before expelling it out through my nose. “I figured now that it was out to the world, he would introduce them.”
“How does that make you feel?”
“He’s their baby brother, so I expected it to happen at some point.”
“You do know you have a say so?” she queried and stared at me, awaiting my response.
