Page 87 of Out of Bounds
“Right.” She tongued her cheek. “Another thing: while I enjoyed my tenure as president of the women’s organization, I don’t want to step back into that role. I’m perfectly okay with attending events when my schedule permits, but I don’t want my entire identity wrapped up in you. I enjoy my independence; I enjoy being able to say no—being able to choose when I want to be present for something. I love my job. It gives me a sense of purpose outside of those kids and you. Simply put, my life no longer revolves around you.”
“I’m okay with that.”
“You really don’t have a choice.” She laughed slightly. “It won’t be an overnight thing, but we can start small and see what happens.”
“I heard your demands, and I have a few of my own.”
“Really?” She cocked her head to the side.
“Nothing major.” I laughed. “You gotta get rid of that nigga. If we gonna work on us, you can’t do it and still be fucking off with Lamar. I’m not feeling that shit.”
“Done.”
“Cool. The last thing is therapy. I think we should give it a shot.”
“Since when have you wanted to do therapy?” she asked incredulously.
“Since it was suggested to me.” I shrugged. “I’on know if it’ll help, but I’m not against trying the shit out.”
“Therapy is cool with me.”
“Aight then.” I clasped my hands together. “So, we really ’bout to do this?”
“I think so.” She exhaled through a small smile. “I don’t want to tell the kids because I don’t want them to get their hopes up.”
“I understand that too.”
“And we’re going to remain in separate houses.”
“Now, hold on now. I ain’t say allat.”
“Kreed…” she groaned, and I felt my dick stiffen at the husk in her voice.
“I’m fucking with ya. That’s fine with me, Sai. I’ll take whatever you’re offering. I’m at your mercy right now.”
“You are.”
“Believe me, I’on have no complaints.”
Getting serious, Masai said, “Kreed, you don’t get any more passes. Me choosing to forgive you and work this out is more for me than it is for you. If we reconcile and you cheat on me again, there will be no more chances. At that point, it’ll be my fault for even taking you back after the first time.
“You get no more chances to fuck up. I really want you to understand how thin the line you have to walk on is. At the first sign of trouble, I’m going to bow out. I will not make it a habit of forgiving bad behavior. I don’t do it with my kids, and I’m not going to do it with you.
“I’m not dealing with any bitter baby mama drama. She isyourproblem, not mine. If I allow you back in, that means I’m accepting you with all of your baggage, but me dealing with her outside of anything having to do with KJ is a no-go for me. When he is in my care, he will be treated just like I birthed him. Anyinteractions I have with her will be concerning him. Thenexttime she even thinks about stepping to me as awoman.” She made air quotes with her fingers. “I’mma beat the fuck out of her.”
I held my hand up in protest. “I’on deal with her unless it’s ’bout KJ. Hell, and if it wasn’t for you suggesting that I keep it cordial with her for his sake, I wouldn’t even do that. I’d let my lawyers handle it as they had been. I’on see her being an issue for us.”
“It better stay that way.”
“What’s next?” I asked.
“What’s next…” she repeated before saying. “You gotta win me back. Give me a reason to let you back in. And believe me, it won’t be easy.” She shrugged.
“I’m already knowing. And guess what… I’m ready to put in the work.”
“You better because I’m worth it.”
“That you are, my baby. That you fucking are!” Biting down on my bottom lip, I stared at her. This was the love of my fucking life—my heart, my best friend, my every fucking thing. Hurting Masai was me hurting myself as well as my kids. I never meant to put us in this situation. I never thought we wouldn’t ever be together because I’d never thought to cheat on her.
