Page 77 of Out of Bounds
“Nothing. Was planning on hanging around here with them. Why? What’s up?”
“I was just asking. I need to run by the office after I get them fed, and I was going to take Sophie and Aurora with me.”
“That’s fine by me.”
“Great. It’s your weekend, so I didn’t want to impede.”
“You good, Sai.”
“Maddie, y’all go wash your hands and get ready to eat.”
The girls trotted off while Masai worked to fix everyone a plate. The way she was moving around my kitchen was as if she belonged here. To me, she did. Shit, the fact that we were gettingready to sit down as a family to eat felt like old times back at the other house. Her being here had me replaying all of the little moments we shared over the last fourteen years. I’d fuck Masai so good some nights that she would wake up the next morning and make a big spread for breakfast. Sometimes, we would find ourselves in the breakfast nook, reminiscing about some shit that happened in the past while waiting on the kids to wake up. Those quiet mornings were my favorite because she was just Masai, and not Masai the football wife or Masai the mom. She used to stroke the back of my head while I drove, and I missed that shit—my drives be boring as hell now without presence. But of all the little things, I missed the feel of her resting her body on top of mine. Whether it was her head, her feet, or her whole body—I loved when she shed her superwoman armor and allowed me to comfort her at night.
I missed my best friend and wanted those moments back. I’d realized quickly that all the shit I took for granted was the glue that held my sanity together. I know she called herself having a man or whatever he was, but that nigga didn’t know Masai like I did. I was determined to get my wife back, and I knew exactly what to do to make it happen.
Once the girls finished in the bathroom, Masai served everyone before fixing herself a small plate. We chatted with the kids while everyone ate, and once we were done, I cleaned up the kitchen while Sai made sure the girls got dressed. A few hours later, she and my two babies left the house. I popped a movie in for KJ while my oldest two did their own thing. KJ, Kree, and I stretched out on the sofa and took a nap.
“Daddy?” Maddie Claire quizzed after she opened the front door. “I didn’t know you was coming over.”
“I wasn’t. I stopped for ice cream and decided to bring some for y’all.”
“Who was at—” Masai started to ask, but stopped when she saw me standing there. Looking down at the bag, she quizzed. “What’d you do?”
I held the Spun Cow Creamery bag up. “Ice cream.”
“They haven’t had dinner yet.”
“I can wait.”
She shook her head and turned to walk off. When I trekked into the kitchen, the girls were sitting at the counter doing homework. Kree was in his highchair, snacking on berries. “What my babies doing?”
“Daddy!” the girls yelled. One by one, they hopped up and embraced me.
“You brought ice cream!” Aurora screamed while showing all of her teeth.
“I did,” I confirmed and opened the freezer so I could put the bag down. “But you gotta eat dinner first.”
“Yes, sir.”
I played with the girls for a few minutes before propping up against the counter. “What you cooking?”
“Sweet potato taco bowls.”
“Yo’ ass must be cutting carbs again.” I jested.
“I am.” Masai laughed. “I’ve gained like ten pounds.”
Tilting my head to the side, I ran my eyes up and down her body. “In all the right places. You filling out them pants.”
“I’m fat,” she complained.
“Nawl, you fine as fuck, Sai. You already know that, though.”
“You always think I’m fine.”
“’Cause you are.”
“Whatever, Kreed. Are you hungry?”
