Reality (Sequel to Future)

Chapter Fifteen

I was in a better mood ever since Chresanto and I started doing our conjugal visits. Officer Jacobs has managed to work out me coming there twice a month so I'm not sexually frustrated anymore. We had actually been at this for about three months now and every day I cope with our situation better. At the moment, Deon, Devin, and I were at the mall getting new clothes for Deon. He was getting bigger everyday and I noticed that his clothes were tighter and more difficult to put on him. I pushed him around in his stroller on the way to Gymboree. We passed Foot Locker and Devin gave me a strange look.

"What?" I asked.

"We just passed Foot Locker..."

"And? You wanted some shoes?"

"Nah but he does" he said pointing at Deon. "My nephew gotta look clean for the shawties at the park"

I laughed and shook my head.

"I'll pay for it" he smiled hoping to win me over.

"Fine" I said rolling my eyes.

We walked into Foot Locker and instantly Devin started pulling down Nikes and Jordans from the walls. I wasn't even thinking about getting Deon his first pair of Js until his birthday but I guess not. After he bought him like ten pairs of shoes and a few t shirts, we went to Lids. He picked up a Chicago Bulls shirt for babies and I raised a brow.

"Um, what is that?" I asked.

"What?" he asked looking back at me.

"That thing in your hand"

"Thing? Girl, you better act like you know about my team" he said waving me off.

"I'm sorry but we only rep New York in my house" I said reaching up and getting a Knicks snapback plopping it on Deon's head.

A wide smile spread across Devin's face. He reached up and grabbed a Bulls snapback knocking the Knicks hat off of Deon and replacing it with his.

"Nah, I think red and black fits him better" he said with a smug grin.

I giggled and shook my head pulling down a Miami Heat snapback.

"Okay, how about we get one that reps his birthplace and call it a day?"

He made a face.

"Fine. But when he grows up, he'll know better" he pouted.

"He sure will when he asks Mommy for a Carmelo Anthony jersey, isn't that right baby?"

Devin looked like he was going to say something else but he stopped as he looked past me. I looked behind us and saw a couple who had a baby with them as well. They had smiles on their faces so I assumed they heard our entire feud about who's the better basketball team.

"Sorry, we'll get out of your way" I said embarassed pulling Deon's stroller to the side so that they could get through.

"It's no problem. We were just observing" the mother giggled. "You're a very beautiful family"

"Oh we're not-"

"Thank you" Devin said with a smile interrupting my attempt to correct the lady. "You guys have a beautiful family too"

I looked at Devin fighting the urge to punch him in the face. Why would he lie about us being a couple? And the smile that still showed on his face proved to me that he didn't care.

"Well, we should get going. See you guys" I said.

"You too" they said in unison.

We bought the hat and shirt to go with it. Afterward, we went to a few more stores and got some more clothes. All the while, I couldn't help but think about what happened in Lids. Was I overanalyzing? Maybe he just wanted to avoid conversation. Or maybe he really did like the idea of us being a family...me and him together. No, that couldn't be true. We had gotten past that. Way past that. It had been months since we had talked about our kiss and we had really come to an understanding about it. But I still couldn't help but think about what he did. We got to the car and pulled away from the mall. I looked out the window trying to focus my mind on something else.

"You okay?" Devin asked me.

I nodded.

"You sure?"

"Yeah" I said looking at him. "Why do you ask?"

"Well ever since we ran into those people in Lids, you've just been acting funny. I don't know"

I sighed.

"Why'd you let them think we were together?"

He chuckled.

"I knew that might've been it"

"Well, why'd you do it?"

"Oh c'mon, Bahja, I was just having some fun. Besides, we're never gonna see those people again"

"It doesn't matter. What if someone who knew Chres was there?"

"Then I'd tell them the same thing. Look, what's your problem? You and I both know it's not true and it's never gonna be. We talked about this already a long time ago. You're about to ruin the whole day"

I sighed regretting that I'd even mentioned it. He was right, it had been a good day before this. I put my hand over his that was on his lap.

"I'm sorry" I said sincerely. "I'm just not used to anybody else but Chres claiming me...even if it is fake"

"It's cool. Just chill out on me next time. I know boundaries"

I gave a small smile and was just about to suggest we get some food when my phone rang. I looked and saw that it was Zonnique. I hadn't talked to her in forever it seems. Before I moved, we used to talk everyday. When I first moved, it was like twice a week. Now we call each other every so often each month. As far as I knew she had finally moved to Virginia, got a little job in retail, and found herself a decent apartment to live. As for me, she knew that Deon was born, Chresanto was in jail, and that he had a friend looking over me. I answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Hey, girl" she greeted me. "Whatchu doin'?"

"Nothing. I was just leaving the mall. I got Devin some stuff. What about you?"

"Oh just waiting outside of this airport for my best friend to come get me so we can link back up" she cooed.

I instantly sat up in my seat.

"Y-You're here?!" I squealed.

She laughed.

"Yes, I'm here. Now come pick ya girl up. It's hot as hell out here"

In case ya'll couldn't tell, I'm a basketball fan lol. But the Cavs are actually my fav team. For my other bball fans reading this, what's your fav team? New update coming soon! -Bailey