Page 19 of The Love Dealer

“Why?”

“I haven’t seen Price in I don’t know how long.”

“She’s chill and laid back like I am.”

“Yeah, but she’s a teenager now, Zo. It’s been a long ass time.”

I took her hand into mine and kissed it. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Then you know I wouldn’t intentionally put you in a situation to feel uncomfortable. We’re not even going in the house, and you don’t have to worry about meeting AJ and Deja. Reka, either. I just want you to see Caprice so you’ll see for yourself that she never forgot you.”

Bre slowly nodded her head in agreement and released a shaky breath. “Okay. I guess I’m ready.”

I chuckled because I knew Bre, and she was not going to be ready. Period. She would be anxious until Caprice came out and showed her love. Then she’d question why she was nervous in the first place.

For the rest of the ride, I tried to keep her mind off things with the music I played. We rapped and sang along to everything that came on, and that seemed to relax her quite a bit. By the time we pulled up, her leg had stopped shaking and she was smiling. I texted Caprice and told her I was outside. Once I had them taken care of, I would go inside and speak to Reka and the rest of my kids.

If they weren’t with me at the house or out and about, they spent the weekends at my mom and George’s house. Family meant a lot to me, and I think that’s why I stayed with Reka for as long as I did, too. It seemed like Bre was on that same wave, but I was glad she had the courage to make sure she was with Nick for the right reasons.

Far too many people stayed in fucked up relationships for money, kids, or fear of having to start over. I didn’t give a fuck how many times I had to start over at this point… I just wanted me and my kids to be happy.

Before I could put the car in park, Caprice ran out of the front door. Bre gasped and sat up in her seat, covering her opened mouth as her eyes watered. I unbuckled her seat belt for her as she opened the door.

“Bre!” Caprice cheered.

I think the last time they saw each other, she was seven or eight. Caprice was at Walgreens with my mom, and they saw Bre, but my mom was running late for church, so they really only had time to wave and speak. But like I told Bre, we talked about her at least once a year on their birthday.

“Oh wow, you’re so big!” Bre replied before laughing and getting out of the car fully.

The two embraced, and watching them hold each other tightly had me tearing up. When Caprice was first born, I didn’t know shit about babies or being a father. I was overwhelmed, even with my parents’ help. Then Bre came around, and she brought us so much peace. Caprice literally didn’t want anyone else. I think she could feel the love and purity that radiated off Bre. The warmth. Whatever the reason, I had never seen anything like it before, and I was glad my baby had someone she felt so safe with.

“Oh my God,” Bre muttered, cupping Price’s cheeks. “You are so beautiful, baby girl. I can’t believe this.”

They hugged again as Caprice said, “I missed you. What took you so long to come see me?”

Bre laughed as they finally released each other, but their hands remained linked. “Life. But I’m here now.”

“I hope for good. I was your baby.”

“You still are,” Bre clarified, and that got a wide grin out of Caprice before she hugged her again. “I want to know everything that you’ve been up to.”

“Aye,” I said, gaining both their attention. “You don’t see me standing over here?”

Caprice sucked her teeth. “I see youallthe time, Daddy.”

“So? Come and give me a hug, then take this food inside. I need to holla at Bre real quick.”

“Okay, but don’t go. I don’t want her to leave yet.”

All I did was nod because I didn’t want her to leave, either. That’s why I wanted to talk to her privately. After giving me my hug, Caprice took the food inside like I said. I walked over to Bre’s side of the car and said… “I know I’m supposed to take you home so you can spend some time with your family today, but I was wondering if a little later, you’d want to spend time with mine?”

“I would love to. Can we go to Chuck E. Cheese? I want some pizza and salad.”

Chuckling, I nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we can do that. Reka is hood, but she’s a softie. She might give you attitude and try to warn you about Deja, but you know I’m not going to let anyone disrespect you.”

“That’s understandable. I’m sure she won’t like me regardless because of who I am to you, but as long as she doesn’t get disrespectful, I’m cool.”

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