Diamonds in the Rough: VOL. I

fifteen

"Thank the lord for a child's unconditional love." Valery floated as she stepped out of a police station. It had been three days since Andre and his family had arrived with Kianna and hers. Since his mother had caught them in the pool alone, she had been avoiding him at all cost.

She would let his mom drag her all around town during the day to find different foods to get for meals. Kaila and Monica took her shopping with them as well. He would hear her in the kitchen with his mom and Monica cooking. Then dinner would come and she would be tucked away in her room for the night.

The curtains on her room were always closed even if he was in the pool for hours. She wouldn't budge. Today had been the first day they sat around each other. But a lingering tension settled between the distance she had placed between them. Andre didn't bother to figure it out and he knew that didn't help the situation.

He knew Kianna felt some type of way about being around his family. But he didn't see how it was a problem. As long as she was herself they would love her. They did love her. His mother didn't take to Chrissy for a second. She also didn't allow anyone in her kitchen. Especially when they couldn't cook. But Kianna was there faithfully every day.

Tyson stood beside him as Valery reunited with her girls who all had teary eyes. Keys stood behind them with his hands behind his back. Black glasses blocked his red puffy eyes. But didn't change that he too was crying happy to see his mom. "Why you ain't over there being introduced again?"

Andre looked over to his brother and frowned. Tyson smirked. "Here you go again letting her go. Didn't you learn from the first time?"

"I'm not letting her go. She needed some distance. Plus she told me from jump she didn't want to leave the wrong impression on nobody. We're friends."

"Please nigga I checked your lotion before we left the crib. You damn near empty. Only so much beating you going do before you sneaking into her bed tonight."

"Shut up." Andre laughed shaking his head. "I'm not going sneak into shit. She'll invite me if she want me in there."

"You better than me. Paige on her way and I'm not staying in a crib with all yall motherfuckers. I'll be damned if mom walk in on me when I'm about to get my shit wet." He shook his head.
"Of course she told your ass."

"I'm her favorite son." Tyson smirked. Andre pushed him away from him as Valery stepped in front of them. "I'm her favorite too." He joked. Valery laughed.

"Sure is." She winked at him before giving him a hug. "I knew you was going be here with my baby. But you." She pointed to Andre. "I wasn't expecting your ass."

"He likes Kianna." The siblings spoke together making Valery's smile grow.

"Boy ain't this a small damn world. Your Deandre. I know about you. Okay, okay. Mama approves." She smacked his arm. Andre laughed as she pulled him into a hug. When she pulled away she looked over his face. "Yup. I know you a good one. Where my girl at?" She looked at each of the kids.

"At the crib making you a feast like you did some real time."

"As she should Tyson. Don't be no hater baby. You too fine to be green." She touched over his cheek. "Let me quit it before Monica get me about you."

"That is my brother. Try again."

"So that little boy I met, this ain't his daddy?"

"No." Andre, Tyson and Monica answered.

"He's my nephew." Andre felt someone staring at him and met eyes with Kianna. There was something he didn't share. Monica and Diego's relationship. He could see from the way she was looking she was uncomfortable with the new information. She had yet to lay eyes on his nephew since he stayed back with their aunt for school.