“I knew she couldn’t be trusted,” Mrs. St. Patrick said, obviously upset.
“I don’t know how you're so calm right now,” Kilo commented.
“In these kinds of situations, cooler heads prevail. What are you planning to do, Son?” Mr. St. Patrick asked.
Knox had just told everyone the news, and as expected, they were shocked.
“Do you think Olivia has an ulterior motive?” Nyomi asked.
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Mrs. St. Patrick muttered.
“Her motives don’t matter. If the DNA test proves Knixon is mine, I’m filing for full custody.”
“She named her Knixon, and that other nigga still thought she was his kid?” Kilo questioned with a chuckle.
“Kilo, this is no laughing matter,” his mother scolded.
“My bad, Ma,” Kilo responded.
“Full custody is a tall order, Son, but I’m proud of you being so eager to take care of your responsibilities if she turns out to be yours,” Mr. St. Patrick said.
“Coming from someone whose father wanted nothing to do with me, this is great to see. I say go for it,” Nyeem added, lightening the mood.
“I second that for similar reasons,” Stokely agreed.
“Skye, you’re awfully quiet. How do you feel about all this?” Mrs. St. Patrick asked.
“I’m as shocked as everyone else and here to support Knox in whatever way he needs.”
“Even as a full-time stepmother?” She continued.
I looked at Knox, and he already had his eyes on me.
“Yes, ma’am. Even as a full-time stepmother.”
Knox’s phone rang, grabbing everyone’s attention. I caught a glimpse of his screen before he answered, and it was an unsaved number.
“This is Knox.”Pause.“What do you need, Olivia?”Pause.“No. I told you I’d be there tomorrow to pick y’all up for our appointment.”Pause.“Black Elm Suites is not a cheap hotel.”Pause.“I don’t care what you’re used to. I’m not paying for you to stay anywhere else.”
He ended the call, understandably annoyed. The silence was loud until he spoke again.
“She’s gonna be a problem.”
Mrs. St. Patrick and Kilo didn’t hesitate to agree with him, while Mr. St Patrick kept his comments to himself. We discussed the situation a bit longer before those who didn’t live there headed home.
“Why don’t you let Stokely take your car home, and you come home with me?” Knox asked before we reached my car.
“Are you sure? I’ll understand if you want to be alone. Today has been a lot to process.”
“It has, but that has nothing to do with me ending my night with the woman I love.”
He said that word again. The word he said at my birthday party. The word we hadn’t discussed. The word he hadn’t said again until now.
“Okay. I’ll come home with you. Let me tell Stokely.”
“I already told him, but he needs your keys.”
I looked toward my car, and my son was standing on the driver’s side, looking at us.