Page 22 of Out of Bounds
Sitting on the bench at the foot of the bed, I peppered kisses along his little face. “I’ve missed you, big boy.”
Kree smiled at me, warming my chest.
Without taking my eyes off my son, I addressed my wife. “I’ve talked to the girls. For the most part, they understand that I won’t be living here anymore. Maddie Claire cried herself to sleep, and I’m certain when she wakes up, she’ll have more questions.”
“Okay…” Masai muttered.
“How we gon’ do this, Sai?”
“I don’t know.” Letting out an exasperated breath, she mumbled, “Never thoughtdoing thiswas an option.”
“I fucked up, Sai.”
“Yeah.”
“I can’t miss spending time with my kids even though I fucked up.”
“I’m going back to work, Kreed,” she blurted out, making me turn and stare at her.
“When did you decide that?” I queried because I was under the impression that she preferred staying home with the kids.
She snorted. “When my husband decided to create another baby with another woman.”
“Okay, Masai. What we doing ’bout the kids?”
“School, and my mom is going to watch Kree.”
I didn’t come here to argue with her, so instead of opposing, I simply said, “Okay. And where do I fit in the equation?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’thaveto go back to work, Masai.”
“You didn’thaveto break up our family, Kreed. But you did. So, we all have choices to make, and I’ve decided to go back to work.”
My wife had reached the point where sadness had turned into anger—it was evident in her tone and volume. Her feelings were valid, and I couldn’t really do shit but take whatever she threw my way. “Okay. You’re going back to work.” I huffed. “Anymore life-altering events? Because with me not being in the house, we need to figure out a way for me to get the kids and see them whenever they need me. I’m not missing time with my kids, Masai.”
“I never said you had to miss time with them. I’m simply saying that I’m going to finally do something for me.”
“And you can do that. I won’t fight you on it. I might be asking for too much, but you know how I am about my children. If you want to go back to work, Masai, do that. But ifworkstarts to interfere with my children’s livelihood, that’s where we’re going to have an issue.”
“As if problems don’t already exist in their livelihood.”
“I’m not refuting that, Masai. I’m just trying to make sure thatthey’regood.”
“Make sure they’re good.” She snorted after mocking me. “Like all of this isn’t your fault.YOUdid this, Kreed!” she bellowed. “Had you kept your dick in your pants, we wouldn’t be in this predicament now, would we?”
“No, Sai.” I exhaled, trying my best to keep it cordial. “We wouldn’t.”
“Right. So don’t try and tell me shit aboutlivelihood. These kids’ lives are changing because of your actions, not mine.”
“I’m not, and you’re right,” I conceded. Keeping the peace at this point was essential. I didn’t want to be at war with my wife, especially when seeing our kids was ultimately up to her. Instead of trying to get her to understand where I was coming from, Ipivoted and said, “I’m going to look for a house to rent. The kids need their own space when they come visit.”
“I’m filing for a divorce, Kreed.” The knife just kept going deeper and deeper the more she responded. Deuce told me she was filing, but hearing it come from her hit my soul a little differently.
Peeling my eyes from my baby boy, I glared at her. The fury in her gaze told me to drop it. Rising from the bench, I walked over to the side of the bed and passed Kree back to her. “I’ll call the girls in a few days so I can spend some time with them. My phone is on; they can call me anytime they want.
“I know you’re angry, Masai, and you have every right to be. When you’re up for a conversation, I’m down to have it. Shit ain’t what it seems, and I know my silence in the beginning didn’t put your mind at ease, but whenever you’re ready to hear thetruth,I’m willing to give it to you.” Leaning down, I placed a kiss on her forehead and let my lips linger.
