Product of Love

Every Kind of Way

Two Weeks Later

"Ugh" the harsh grunt echoed through the home gym Zac had built onto their home to make their lives a little bit easier rather than having to go all the way across town to workout, he was able to build an easily accessible gym so he could work out and stay close to home at the same time. He pushed the heavy metal bar up into the air, away from his bare chest before bringing it back down to complete his set.

He picked up the lingering towel to wipe the sweat forming on his face before wiping down the cushioned seat with a Lysol wipe. One thing about his wife, she believed in cleanliness.

Zac sat against the machine, tucking his shins underneath the padded bar, lifting the weights up with his legs a few times before the sound of his phone ringing brought him out of his trance. He slipped the AirPod into his ear and accepted the call .

"Yo, Jake whats up?"

"My bad, I know it's early but Rachel wanted me to call you to see if you and Fatima had plans tonight?"

Zac sucked his teeth "Probably not, she not even talking to me right now."

"Not THE Zacanova got a spot in the dog house. What you do?"

"Why you always assume I did something. Maybe she made me mad."

Jake laughed making Zac shake his head "That don't even sound believable. So, what did you do."

"Long story short, I forgot to pick the boys up from daycare the other day because I took a nap. Fatima had a meeting with her advisor and asked me to do it and I forgot. She had to leave school and go grab them and they made us pay a late fee. And he missed speech so she was really pissed about that."

"And she's not speaking to you over that?"

"Mm...basically. Well that and the fact that I told her that I was tired from working all day."

"Wow."

Zac sucked his teeth again "Nigga is that all you gone say?"

"You're a dumbass. Is that better?" Jake laughed "Even I have never said anything that stupid to Rae. You know why? Because I love my life and I love my wife. You and I both know how hard Ti works and does."

Zac rubbed his forehead and continued his leg lifts. "Yeah bro, I know."

The double doors to their home gym opened slightly and Grayson poked his head into the room. When he noticed Zac was on the phone, he slipped into the small opening and crawled underneath the end table that typically held hand towels. Zac pretended not to notice his presence but inadvertently watched him through a side eye. Grayson pulled a pack of cookies from underneath his shirt and stuffed one in his mouth happily. Zac grinned watching him "Ima make it up to her though. You know me."

"Yeah, I'm surprised you let it go on this long. Usually you'd be running around like the Hawks offense trying to make shit right."

"Fatima is still herself. She can hold onto something longer than anyone I know. She ain't trying to hear that shit right now. But anyway, what you had in mind for tonight?"

"Oh, Rae wanted to get everyone together tonight. Like a kid free date night."

"That actually sounds like a good idea. I'm sure she would like some adult time. Especially since she's not feeling me right now. Let me find a sitter and set up something for afterwards."

Jake laughed "Yeah you got some ass kissing to do."

"And that shit stupid big, so it's gone cost me this time." He laughed and added another weight to the rack "Aiight bro, I'll let you know. Let me finish getting this work out in."