Page 91 of Out of Bounds
“What did y’all therapist say?”
“For me to stop pretending that it doesn’t hurt.”
“Then stop.”
“I don’t think I pretend… I think I just don’t allow myself to process it.” I giggled before taking a deep breath.
“And that could be true. However, I applaud you for moving forward. I know it’s a work in process, but I can say it looks like it’s working.”
“I love Kreed. And I want to get to that final place of healing. I’m content with taking one painful step at a time. I just pray he can do the same.”
“If he wants it as bad as he claims, then he has no choice. After all, it was his actions that landed us here.”
The doorbell ringing had me dropping my head back. “I’m sure that’s her.”
“Want me to get it?” Koya offered.
“Nawl, I got it.”
“I’ll be outside if you need me.”
“Okay.” Pushing away from the counter, I strolled to the door and snatched it open.
“Hey… Masai,” she said in a questioning tone. “I didn’t expect you to be here.”
“I’m sure you didn’t, but here I am. You can come in and wait. I’ll go grab them.”
Sauntering away from the door, I went out back. “His mother is here. I’ll bring his bag down.”
“Aight. I’mma let the kids say bye.”
“Okay, baby.” I smiled and slipped away.
After retrieving KJ’s bags, I brought them downstairs. Ashton was still standing by the front door with her hands tucked in her pockets. Eventually, Kreed came inside with KJ tucked at his side. His mother smiled when she saw the happy expression on his face.
“He looks like he enjoyed himself.” She reached for him.
“His lil’ ass prolly gonna fall asleep as soon as he gets in the car.” He chuckled. “Sai only gave him a small piece of cake.”
“Thank God. I don’t want to deal with another bellyache.”
While the two of them talked, I watched their interaction. I knew how she felt about him; she made it clear when she called herself coming to me as a woman. I was looking to see how he felt about her. Any man who had feelings for a woman could not look at that woman without some twinkle or twinge. Kreed had been adamant about not knowing how they ended up sleeping together and that he had no feelings for her at all. If I sensed a lie, I was going to beat his ass, and possibly hers too. When my spidery senses didn’t detect anything, I dropped it. After a while, I made myself known and said, “I’ll let you two talk. Bye, KJ.” I rubbed his head before turning and walking off.
It took a few more minutes for Kreed to shut the front door and meander back into the kitchen where I was. “Ashton wanted me to tell you thank you again.”
“Ummhmm.” I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t be like that.” He chuckled. “What’s on your mind?”
Sucking in a shaky breath, I asked, “Can we talk about something? I uh… I don’t know how to say this?”
“Wait.” He held his hand up. “Please, baby. I’m trying. I thought you was trying too.”
“No, Kreed. That’s not it.” I knew if I let him go on, the man would’ve been on his knees begging me not to do this to him. My leaving was the least of his worries. We had a bigger issue on our hands, one that I didn’t know how he would take.
“What is it then?”
“I’m uh… I’m pregnant.” There was a pause. Kreed’s eyes rolled down to my stomach before making their way back up to my face. “And it’s not yours.”
