Meja’s lips curled slowly like she was catching a memory of the dick. “We used to mess around. Nothing serious. I actually…”
“Mess around?” I took a deep breath and folded my arms. “Before or after Kassim was created?”
“Ny,” Knuck called out in that voice that told me to chill, but I ignored him.
She smirked, holding her hands up in mock defense. “Definitely a long time ago. It’s crazy… I thought the name looked familiar from when my agency sent me the paperwork, but… ”
“Well, thanks for coming out,” I ushered her back out the front door. “We won’t be needing your services.”
“Oh,” she said, trying to play surprised. “Are you sure? I came highly recommended, and it’s not like me and Knuck haveanything going on. It’s in the past.” She glanced at him like she wanted him to vouch for her, but he didn’t.
I could feel myself about to go off. Lately, my emotions had been all over the place and something in me snapped. “You sure you didn’t recognize her name on the resume, Keon?” My voice got loud. “Three interviews and one’s a bitch who used to suck your dick?”
“Yo, chill the fuck out,” he snapped, stepping closer. “It ain’t even like that. My new assistant actually…”
“Oh, blame it on Kelly!”
Meja sucked her teeth. “Look, I’m just here to interview and…”
“No, thefuckyou’re not,” I snapped, lunging for her. Knuck grabbed me fast, wrapping both arms around my waist and yanking me back.
“Aye! Relax!”
I fought him, kicking at the air as she ran off. “Let me go! You sent for this bitch…” I cried, twisting in his arms.
“I didn’t fuckin’ know! Damn!”
I stopped fighting, breath heaving, tears on my face. He let me go and slammed the door so hard the baby shower photo fell and shattered. I slapped him so hard it echoed. He didn’t move. Jaw tight, chest rising.
“You really don’t fucking respect me,” I sobbed, wiping my tears. “You don’t get it, Keon. I’m tryna build a home with you. I’m tryna raise a son, be your wife, your safe space, and your peace, and you still don’t… you just…”
“Wasn’t shit done on purpose, Ny. You’re fuckin’ forcin’ it. Maybe you needa hit up your doctor or some shit. You been trippin’ lately.”
“Wow… okay.”
Stepping closer, Knuck reached for me. “I ain’t mean it like that.”
“No!” I slapped his hands away, shaking my head. “You said it, so deal with it. Feel how this shit mademefeel!”
He reached for my arm. “Baby…”
“Don’tfuckingtouch me.” I started walking away. “Don’t kiss me, don’t hug me, don’t sweet-talk me… nothing!” Reaching for my keys and spring jacket, I snatched open the front door. “I’m going for a drive.”
I didn’t even care that my heart was beating all crazy or that Knuck was standing in the doorway warning me of what happened last time I drove off on him. This wasn’t that, but I damn sure didn’t want to be around him right now. Fuck that.
I got in my car and pulled off, tires screeching. Luckily, my Mercedes had a built-in eSIM, so I was able to call Sia. The tears didn’t really fall until the call connected. Sia picked up almost immediately, and I started wailing.
“Oh, hell no,” she shouted. “What happened now?”
I couldn’t even get the words out before she added Mikki to the call with her background all loud. “Ohhh shit, why are you crying?”
“Just come to the brownstone, Ny,” Sia suggested. “I’ll text you the address. Mikki, where the hell are you? You bring your ass back to the house, too!”
Sniffling, I nodded, “I’m on my way…”
Traffic was backed up for nearly forty-five minutes before I finally turned onto the street where the Airbnb was. I cut the engine, sat for a second letting the cool early afternoon breeze seep through the windshield, then hauled myself up the stairs.
Before I could even knock, Mikki yanked the door open. A single glance at my face and she huffed, “You gotta stop crying so much. Girl, you’re gonna look like a damn puffer fish in your wedding photos.”