Page 178 of Treason's Temptation
“Navie really locked yo’ ass down.”
“How did that date go?” I asked, not refuting his comment.
Ward rubbed his chin, then his smile spread, “It was smooth.”
“Grinning like that, it was more than smooth.”
“What was more than smooth?” Navie yawned, ambling into the living room.
“His date with Kelis.”
She immediately perked up.
“You didn’t tell me y’all had a date. How did it go?” Blue asked.
“He’s acting modest like he doesn’t miss her and shit.”
“Modest won’t get her back. You better put your pride aside and grovel,” Navie advised.
“Is that what Tre did?” Ward asked, glaring at me with a smirk.
“Of course,” Navie’s face twisted at his insane question, “You think I stayed for less?”
I grabbed her neck and she squealed, laughing at herself while I delivered a warning, “Don’t let that nigga get you in trouble.”
“You do have that nigga wrapped around your finger. I might need to listen to you.”
“Of course. I’d never steer you wrong, bro.” Navie reclined into my chest. “Can we get pizza on the way to the yard?”
“You don’t fuck with pizza.”
“Your big head baby does,” she complained.
“Don’t blame my baby. That’s your greedy ass.”
“You said I can have whatever I want.Wewant pizza,” she patted my chest like the help before standing up, “Make it happen,Daddy.”
“Do I need to give y’all a minute?” Ward asked, playfully covering his ears.
“Blue is just running her mouth.”
Then she returned an hour later, running me too. She couldn’t wait for us to grab pizza on the way because they were hungry now. Hauling to my feet, Ward followed me out of thehotel, clowning how his sister had me jumping at her every request like he wouldn’t do the same if Kelis asked.
After we ate, I sat back, rubbed her belly, and let it sink in. Initially, I was annoyed that President Anderson had turned a small visit into a spectacle, but getting dressed for this was a full circle. The sunlight poured through the hotel windows like it had somewhere to be, warming the hardwood floor beneath my feet as I dug through my overnight bag for the one thing I couldn’t find.
“We have to go, Stink.” Navie stood in the doorway, wearing a Naylor Southern t-shirt, which she had tied in the front, and a matching trucker hat pulled low. It arrived in my welcome basket from President Anderson after I turned my visit into an entire event, but somehow it became ours.
“Keep stealing my shit and I’m having you arrested.”
“Too late, you already did that.Twice,actually.”
“The first one was on you. Shouldn’t have been playing hard to get.”
“You had me jailed in compliance. Iamhard to get.”
“Now, you’re here on your own and having my baby. What do you have to say about that?”
“No comment.”
