Dont Sweat It

Chapter 4

A/N ----- Switchin it up some, we're about to check into the lives of some of the other characters

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*Melanie's POV*

If you didnt catch on yet, yes! I am the mother of Jaccori's child. And although he's made it seem like he cant stand the thought of me, he forgets who takes care of his daughter.

Jaccori and I met about 3 years ago when he was still in high school. Back then, I was a sophmore in college and I didnt want anything to do with high school boys. But he showed me a whole other side of him I fell for that eventually got me pregnant. We only lasted about a year and a half. I loved him and still do but honestly didnt think he would be the father of my 1st child, and with him being younger than me he would either be extremely excited or careless to the situation. So I held out on telling him for about the whole first trimester and to be honest, he was completely clueless at first. Truth is I did cheat while we were together, the lie was that it was no one else's baby but his. Although I made it believable. He dropped me like a hot rock. And since then he's wanted nothing else to do with me except for our little one.

"Richards.!?"

"Yes?" I answered nervously.

"I dont pay you to take a damn hour break.! Get back to work."

"Yessir, promise it wont happen again." I said with a plastered smile

"I know it wont."

Dumb Bastard. I mumbled.

"Meet me in my office in 30." He said in a hushed tone, then he winked.

"Yessir."

I do take care of both myself and Teyonna so I had to get a simple hustle. I took this bartending gig at this new strip club a few miles away from my grandma's house. But ever since I've gotten it my boss has been on my jock real heavy. And everytime he demands me to meet him in his office, he feels me up and offers me a little side job that gives me way more money than I work on a regular shift. I was a lil offended at first, but I've also been trying to take into consideration how me and Tey are doing money wise on our own. We needed the money and all but I had way more self pride than that not exactly struggling because 'Cori takes care of majority of her needs and wants, but by myself I could be doing better.

I realized I'd called Jaccori to meet me before I got off. My perverted ass wino daddy is out of jail again and Im having to move because every time I think he's changed he finds some way to fuck shit up for me. Plus he's raped me and threatened my life numerous times but obviously he keeps gettin back out and I cant get away from him. Jaccori has met him once but we both agreed when Tey was born we dont even want her anywhere near that bastard of a father.

My thoughts were again interrupted by the vibrating in my pocket. I picked up,

"Hello?"

"Im outside."

"Mmkay."

I opened the steel door to see his black and gold mustang and blaring headlights. I hurried to the passenger side.

" Aight Im here. what was so important you couldn't tell me over the phone? "

" Now you may or may not flip out," I said hesitantly.. "But Terry is out again.. "

He looked at me with confused squinted eyes. " And....? What you want me to do about it? "

" I want you to keep our daughter until I can find somewhere safe for us to go, because obviously my grandmas place is not gon keep that man away. "

" Ok I can do that. And the fuck they let him out for this time? "

" Something about good behavior I dont really know and I dont give a fuck. I hate seeing his face... " I felt the tears welling up in my eyes but I couldn't let them go. Not here and definitely not now. I faced the window to get myself together but I could feel him staring.. and at that moment I knew he still cared.

*Jaccori's POV*

Im not gon lie. I do still have some feelings for Mel, but I cant see past how she hurt me. Not telling me about my first kid was low but shorty been through a lot and I try not to be a jerk all the time. I mean its not like I dont get to see my lil girl but I loved Mel all I could and got heartbroken in the process so I feel sorry for her but Its not my responsibility to take care of her anymore, and I cant help it. Truth be told she need to grow up and take care of her business but every man still has a soft spot for his babymama.

She fanned her face after every other siffle so I let her gather herself before I finished our conversation. I couldn't believe what I was about to do. I reached for my money stash and pulled the face of my radio off. I had a secret compartment everywhere, but if I took anything from it while somebody else was in the car I change locations. I handed her a bundle with 5 grand printed all over the seal.

"Take this.. find you a legit lil spot anywhere within a $5000 budget and Ill take care of Tey in the process. Take a whole week at the most & when you get it locked down you can come get her. But she aint goin to yo grannies and damn sure aint goin to a daycare."

"Wait.. so your giving me this money?Where'd you get it, and what are u living off of then?"
She asked in whispers. What is up with women and all these damn questions.?

"Take it woman. I know how bad you need this & besides I really think I deserve more time with my daughter. "

"Aww Jaccori.. You do still care! But wait its clear you'd go completely crazy tryna take care of her by yourself. And quite frankly it seems like you have nobody else to help you out either."

"But I do.." Prime example of my mouth moving faster than my brain..

"And who might that be?.." She said with folded arms.

" My new lady..." I said proudly

" Oh um, okaee. But Now I dont feel so sure about lettin her come to to stay with you. I mean some other grown ass woman that is supposedly your girlfriend, is going to help you take care of our infant? "

" Uh, Duhh, but I dont need this damn speech. You act like Im jus bringing random bitches in and out of my place..? "

She squinted her eyes at me like she knew I was lying, " Well are you? "

" Dammit Melanie !! I am way more of a responsible parent than you want to believe and you cant tell me Im not. I mean look at your dead-beat piece of shit dad.. "

Then the waterworks came.

"Well I apologize for not choosing a man who knew how to be a damn father.! And I never asked you to help me either.. so you can take your little funky ass $5000. I am perfectly capable of providing for both my daughter and myself on my own. Bye."

And with that she got out the car and stormed back inside. Was I gon stop her, Hell Nawl, Ima giver her some space and time to clear her head. That way she'll stop being petty and get her priorities straight. She knows how to find me when she needs something. And just in case she wasn't going to get right, I went to someone who I knew would be on my side...