Trust Me [Book 2]

Chapter 18: A Try

Chapter 18 Part 1– [October 30th]

            He gave me the code a few weeks ago but I still felt weird using it. The gate was one thing but his front door seemed more intimate. Like having a key. Adding the awkwardness of our last conversation, I wasn't sure I still had the right to use it.

            I totally chickened out and rang the doorbell instead.

            It took a few minutes before the door opened. My gaze dropped down to my baby girl jumping up and down with the biggest smile on her face.

            I dropped the bag on the floor to scoop her up and kiss all over her adorable face. "I missed you so much." Rocky said it first but I was thinking the same thing.

            My chest tightened. It took a few seconds before I could respond. "I missed you too." I squeezed her more and she hugged me with the same tightness.

            I blinked away mist forming against my eyes as I put her down. Rocky immediately spotted the clothes I brought for her. "Thanks! Daddy has no style." She picked up the plastic bag that held her options then ran in the opposite direction. "I be quick," she called over her shoulder, her voice echoing in the foyer.

            I'd sort of been avoiding Rick since he said he loved me. I hoped it didn't set us back a couple steps. I could admit I freaked out. As I stood in his home, a few steps away I couldn't bring up any words.

            Rick didn't help the situation. He stared with his arms crossed and an unreadable expression. I drank in the view of the black sweater and jeans on his sculpted body. I wanted to feel him.

"Hi." I waved, stepping forward. The distanced closed between us. I peered up at him, taking my bottom lip between my teeth.

            He looked down at me unfazed. What did he want? "I miss you too," I told him. It was true. Rick took a step back. Ignoring the pang in my chest, I advanced again. "Sorry I didn't return your calls or messages. I've been busy."

            Nodding, he walked away.

            I must have really messed things up. Just when it was getting good with us, I scrambled everything with my own fear. I thought I was passed this– passed fear controlling me.

            How could I get what I want if I kept pushing it away?

            Rick and Rocky returned minutes later with shoes and coats all ready to go. "Mommy my hair," Rocky whined.

"What's wrong with it?" Her hair was down in no particular style. I usually braided it on Sunday nights, hoping it would last but usually by the end of the week, the braids were out.

"Help please." I had no tools and no time. We were supposed to meet Leslie and her family in twenty minutes. "Please."

            Rick sighed impatiently. I ignored him while turning Rocky around. Doing my best to channel Gloria Anderson, I parted Rocky's hair with my pinky and gave her two cornrows going straight back. It wasn't my best work, considering I did it in five minutes with no moisturizer but it would do.

            There was one more piece that I almost forgot. Taking the towel wrapped can out of my bag, I held the ends of Rocky's hair against the fresh cloth and sprayed a coating of temporary dye.

"How I look?" Rocky asked, picking at her pink leggings.

"Cute," I assured. Thank God my child finally made a friend because it was a little sad how nervous-excited she got from this.