Time for Love (Book Four to New Flame)

Gotta Let Go

N'Aejah 

"One more time!" I whined taking my shoes off so I could get comfortable. I and my dad were in the middle of our tumbling session, and we were seeing who could do the most back handsprings back to back. I just did six and my dad did seven.

"You still ain't got me, Whodi." He chuckled.

"Whatever, whatever. On your mark, get set, go." I said and we started again. I did ten, and when I was done I saw my dad standing there. "How many did you do?" I asked.

"Five." He walked over to me and gave me a high five. "Let's work on this layup." I stood in front of him and flipped while my dad spotted me.

"Ugh!" I groaned.

"You almost got it." He said as the door opened. We looked and saw Jakari.

"'Kari!!" I ran over to him and hugged him only because he had two Chipotle bags in his hands.

"Sis." He chuckled hugging me. "I'm not sharin', so move."

"How are you gonna just come in here with food and not share?" I asked heartbroken. Dad walked over and they hugged.

"How you been?" He asked him.

"Good. Come on, let's eat." We all sat down at a bench in the room and he gave us our bowls. I was about to say....

"Why didn't Jayde come?" I asked. He usually had her around this time.

"She with Amory." He simply answered as I ate next to him. We all ate until Dad spoke up across from us.

"You getting on this mat with us?"

"Yeah, I'ma try."

"'Kari, your sister almost got her layup." I pointed at myself.

"That's wassup." He got his phone out. I took a spoonful of my Chipotle into my mouth hearing my brother clear his throat.

"Dad, so wassup with you and Ciera?" I looked at my dad who stopped eating.

"What you mean?"

"Y'all getting serious?" Jakari asked.

"Honestly, yeah we are. She's a really good person. I'm sure you understand."

"What do you think my sisters and brother will think? I mean, when they find out Ciera isn't just your friend?" I looked at my dad waiting to hear his answer.

"They'll understand, and I'm sure they will like her." He answered.

"Are you speaking for me, Dad? I mean, I'm not going to like anyone you bring into your life when it should only be Mom." I spoke up.

"See? I knew you would say that, N'Aejah." He sighed. "I and your mom are just not working out anymore, and you need to understand that I want to be happy."

"You wanting to be happy with Ciera is taking away me being happy." I looked at him for a while, until I couldn't hold it in anymore. I covered my face standing up as I cried.

"N'Aejah." Jakari started but I pulled away from him going towards the bathroom. I heard footsteps behind me and Jakari stopped me. "Why are you so upset?"

"You know why I'm upset!" I sniffed crying harder. "Dad is just letting Mom go like it doesn't even faze him and he's with this other girl! What if they have kids, 'Kari huh? Okay then-"

"Who said we're having kids?" I looked up and saw my dad standing there. Gosh, he is fast.

I looked at him and then back at Jakari. "I got this, Jakari." Jakari walked away.