“It’s just me, babe,” Kenzi told him as her eyes came to me. “If she doesn’t belong to you, I want you to come back to Michigan with us. You can put the house on the market, and I’ll ship your things for you, but I don’t want you here. It’s not healthy, and I don’t want you doing anything to take you away from me.”
“What about my bookstore, Kenz? The shelter? I built a life here.”
“You can rebuild. I can’t chance it, Ghana. Please?”
I looked away and shook my head. I uprooted my life for this woman, and this was the thanks I got. It took me two months to adjust to this new life, and she ruined every-fucking-thing. I was silent for a minute before I looked at my sister.
“I’ll think about it, Kenz.”
She nodded, then stood. They got inside of Ruger’s F-150 and pulled out of the driveway. I watched the truck until it disappeared around the corner, then hopped on my bike. I waited a good twenty minutes, just scrolling through all the text messages from Nichelle.
Nich:
Ghana, please answer.
I had the baby. Please. . . we need to talk.
I know you’re mad at me, baby, but I didn’t do anything wrong.
I love you so much. I’m sorry if I hurt you. Please. Just come up here.
Answer the phone for me, please.
Ghana?
I exited out of the thread.
Fuck it. I can control myself. I can control myself.
I stuffed my phone in my pocket, started the engine, then pulled away from the house, heading to find out the truth.
“I never meant to hurt him, Kenzi. It was a mistake.”
I watched from the doorway as my sister reached into the bassinet and picked the baby up. A tear slid down my cheek, overhearing her confirm what I already knew. I could feel my anger rising, just watching her deceiving ass crying as if she really gave a fuck about the pain she’d just caused me.
I stood, trying to will myself to just walk away, but I couldn’t.
Kenzi put the baby back in the bassinet, then walked over to Nich and, without warning, slapped the shit out of her. Her head flew to the left, then snapped back over to Kenzi in shock.
“That’s for Ghana.” She drew her hand back again and backhanded her other cheek. “That’s for me. Stupid bitch.” She then turned to head out of the room, locking eyes with me.
My face twisted in anger, and before I knew it, I stormed inside the room toward Nichelle.
“Mekai! Grab him!” I heard Kenz yell, but it was too late. I rushed over to the bed, snatched Nichelle out of it, and tossed her across the room. Her body hit the wall and slid to the floor.
“Ahhh! Help meee!” she screamed, holding her stomach, but I didn’t give a fuck about her screams. For months, she had me believing the baby was mine, only for me to find out she didn’t belong to me at all.
I raised my foot, about to stomp down on her stomach, but Ruger grabbed me before I could and held me in a bear hug.
“Calm down, G! Come on!” he coached while I tried to break free from his grip.
“You lying, stupid bitch! I uprooted my life for you. I gave you everything! I’ve been struggling with being a fucking daddy for nine months, fucking hating myself for not being a regular-ass nigga or getting excited about being a first-time dad! And this is what your mutt ass do to me?” I roared, tears streaming down my face.
“Gha-Ghana . . . P-please!”
“Please, what, bitch? I fucking hate yo’ backstabbing ass! Let me the fuck go, Ru!”
“Calm the fuck down first, nigga!”