Attractions: Book 2

27

"However pissed off you is right na', you'd be even more pissed if I told yo' ass the whole story."

Malia rolled her eyes, stalking up the steps. "Why was she here?"

"I was helpin' her wit' sum'."

"With what?" She challenged. "You don't want to tell me what happened so at least tell me why she was in this house. That you and I live in. With Kaari."

Ja gave her a look. "That girl is 19 Malia. Whatever you assuming and it ain't nun' like that."

Malia gave him a look in turn and walked slowly up the stairs. She really wasn't in the mood for what Ja was doing right now. All in all, she didn't have time for it.

Truthfully, she didn't care why the girl was here. Malia just thought that no matter what the situation was, Ja had a woman in here and though he wasn't hiding it, it was disrespectful.

"Malia, stop."

"You know what, Ja?" Malia shook her head, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Don't bother telling me anything. I don't care anymore."

He sighed. "Na' you just being childish."

"If that's what you feel."

Ja should've told Malia exactly what happened. It would be smarter considering how she was acting right now. The guard just knew that no matter how Malia chose to look at it, he'd done something to upset her.

Kaari walked past Ja and into the room, sitting on the bed next to Malia. She hadn't seen her most of the day when normally, they'd spent almost every single day together.

"I'm not mad at you." Malia continued, not wanting to continue since Kaari was present. "You should go to bed soon. Don't forget you guys have a flight out tomorrow."

The point guard also had no desire to argue in front of his daughter. "Aight."

Malia changed into pajamas as Ja moved around the house. She could hear him and she knew he was getting everything ready to leave tomorrow. She laid next to Kaari in the bed as Bluey played on the television.

"I love you." Kaari said, sleepily toying with Malia's ear.

Malia giggled softly to herself. "I love you, too. So much."

Kaari was silent for another few seconds. "Is your baby gonna be my sister?"

"Or brother." Malia murmured lying on her side to face Kaari. "Yeah."

"What happened to my brother?"

The school teacher and soon to be Mom brushed soft curls away from Kaari's face. This wasn't a question Malia expected Kaari to ask right now and it made her feel some type of way.

But, Kaari was a little older now and Malia always said that Kaari was a lot smarter than they gave her credit for. Which she was.

"Lia didn't protect him good enough." She whispered. "But I will this time. I'll protect them just like I protect you."

Kaari's eyes opened slowly. "Like in the fire?"

Malia swallowed, having to remind herself that Kaari had gone through just as much as she did. It was her life that was also put into question and Malia wished that people didn't often forget that.

See, that night, Malia had made a choice. She wasn't even aware that she was making a choice when she'd done it. At the end of the day, Malia would choose Kaari.

If there was a next time, Malia would make sure she chose both. She couldn't stand the thought of a life without Kaari and she also couldn't stand another loss.