Page 79 of Out of Bounds
“You’re a creep.”
“You would know.”
“Eat so you and the girls can have ice cream, and you can take your ass toyourhouse.”
“Oh, I can’t spend the night?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Damn.” I palmed my chest and feigned hurt. “I’mma remember that the next time yo’ ass call and ask if you can sleep over my shit.”
“One time, Kreed. It happened once, and you know I only stayed because the plumbing was backed up and the people couldn’t come right out. Yo’ ass wasn’t even home when we slept over.”
“You still stayed,” I tossed out while shrugging. Masai rolled her eyes and flipped my ass the bird on the sly.
“Hurry up!” she groaned like I was bothering her.
Masai could kick me out of her crib all she wanted. My ass was going to be right back over in a few days, lying on her couch like I still lived here. Mark my words.
I’d spentall morning trying to make sure the kids were ready and that I’d packed enough entertainment for them to sit through a twelve o’clock game today. I was starting to regret that I’d even told Kreed that I would bring them, but here we were. My nerves were on ten and within reason. Lamar had accompanied me to the game today, andthis was going to be the first time he was meeting my kids and mom. We had both agreed that we weren’t at that point in our relationship where it was valid for us to be introducing each other to the people closest to us. He’d met my friends, by default, but my family was a little different. However, being that Kreed extended the invitation for him to join us in the suite today, I guess we had no choice.
When I mentioned it to Lamar, I just knew he was going to say no. Unlucky for me, his ass was down, so here we were. I was a complete and total wreck as I sat here, waiting for him to let me know that he’d arrived.
As soon as we arrived, I got the kids situated and fed, so now all we had to do was wait for kickoff. My mom had taken off work so she could be here to help with the kids, and I couldn’t have been more thankful.
“Mrs. Dolla,” the suite attendant called out. “Your guest has arrived.”
“Thank you.” I tipped my head and smiled. “Mom, I’ve gotta run to the front to grab Lamar. I will be right back.”
“Okay,” she replied.
Pushing out a deep breath, I slipped out of the oversized room and trekked down the hall. When I made it to the gate, Lamar was standing by the metal detectors chatting with security. I shook my head, seeing that Lamar was at a Demons game wearing a Saints jersey. I’m sure he did it to spite Kreed, and all I could do was chuckle. I was Atlanta through and through and wouldn’t be caught dead in a Saints jersey. I’d dressed my kids in their Demons gear and opted to wear jeans and a black and red Demons T-shirt myself. When I left Kreed, I got rid of all of my gear, so I had to grab this from a boutique by the house.
I waved my hand to get his attention before sauntering over to him. “You made it.” I smiled and wrapped my arm around his waist. “I hope you didn’t have trouble getting in.”
Lamar kissed my temple before saying, “No, they let me right through.”
“Good.” It took a few minutes for him to wrap up his conversation with security, and once he was done, we walked back toward the suite.
“You nervous about today?” he quizzed. I’m guessing he could feel the nervous energy radiating off my body.
“I am.” I nodded.
“Why?”
“Because you will be formally introduced to the kids.”
“As your friend,” he clarified. “They don’t need to know anything different until you’re ready to tell them.”
“You’re right, I guess.” When we made it back to the door, I let his hand go and spun around, putting my back to the door.“Listen, my mother is a little different. Filters don’t exist with her.”
“I’m good.” He chuckled. “She can’t run me off.”
“Umkay.” I giggled nervously. “Here goes nothing.”
Spinning back around, I entered the suite and paused when I noticed my ex-husband was there. Kreed had on his uniform minus the helmet and was crouched down beside the kids while my mom snapped pictures of them. My heart leaped inside of my chest because the last time the two of them saw each other it wasn’t pleasant. Had I known Kreed was going to be here when we made it back, I would’ve waited outside until he was gone.
I cleared my throat to gain his attention. “What are you doing in here?”
