Page 186 of Treason's Temptation
“Wow, that actually sounded genuine.”
“I am, so don’t ruin the moment by pissing me off.”
“Thanks,Mom.”
I stopped calling her Mom when I was fifteen years old. We fought, and as usual, it felt like I was the adult and she was the child.
When you start acting like a mom, I’ll start calling you one!
That almost led to a fight, Sloane pinning me against the wall before she stormed out of my room.
“I know I messed up. I wasn’t soft. I wasn’t sweet, but I was always there. You never went through any of it alone. I love you and Rayven, even if I don’t know how to show it. Now you’re about to be somebody’s mama. Love that baby softer than I loved you, but don’t you ever let the world teach them before you do.”
“Old age is making you soft,” I snickered.
“No, it’s you making me a grandma,” she frowned at the word, her red lips pursed. “I have to be all wise and nurturing now.”
“You don’t have to do anything. Nobody’s making you be Grandma.”
“Please, and give Inez one up on me. I think not,” Sloane scoffed.
I chuckled because Sloane wasn’t as against this baby as she pretended. She was scared that I’d end up raising it on my own, just like she did with Rayven and me. She was twisted for reasons I didn’t care to know, but she was trying. For now, at least.
“It’s not calling meGrandmaeither. I’ll come up with my own name.”
“You’d better hope Gummy Bear calls you anything, you keep pissing off its father.”
“Please, that baby will drive you nuts, you’ll be begging to dropGummy Bearoff,” Sloane smirked.
I didn’t know about that, but I was curious to meetGrandma Sloane. Dropping her off at her hotel, I was sure Jaleb paid for, I drove home to change. I convinced Daige to play tennis with me to blow off some steam after that pointless meeting, but twenty minutes in, she regretted being such a supportive friend.
“Damn girl!” she yelled, jumping aside, otherwise my overhead smash might’ve taken her out.
“What?” I huffed, resting my hands on my hips.
“There are perfectly air-conditioned boutiques we could be in right now, spending money to heal your anger. Instead, yo’ ass wanna be out here like Coco Gauff!”
I served anyway, Daige yelping as the ball zipped past her.
“Alright now!” she called out, letting the ball bounce off the fence. “Do I look like Serena Williams to you?”
“You have her body for sure. I thought you’d be more athletic,” I joked, walking across the court to the bench.
“This body is for show and to look good on vacation. That’s it!” Daige replied with finality.
“Alright,Venus, we have a lunch reservation,” Daige joked.
I scooped up my belongings and followed Daige to The Griot Room. It was packed with wealthy guests waiting to enjoy small plates and wine pairings designed around West African, Caribbean, and Gullah Geechee cuisine. Daige Hampton didn’t do lines, so we were immediately escorted to a prime table, apparently reserved just for her and Abdul.
“Damn, I didn’t know you had it likethat!”
“Money rules everything around here, and Abdul has a lot of it,” she said in a casual tone, waving her hand. “Now spill it. What the hell’s been going on with you?”
“What’s not going on?” I groaned.
“We need a drink before you start.”
“Oh yeah, I’m pregnant, so I can’t.” Daige’s eyes ballooned, so I rushed my finger to my mouth before she yelled something I couldn’t take back. “We haven’t announced it or anything.”
