"Did you decide on my offer yet?" Chris sat in my office chair
"I did." I nodded
"So?"
"I would love to have your line in my store." I smiled
"Are you going to help me with the women's side?" He looked at me.
"Yeah. I'll give you my input."
"No. I mean like, I want your name on it too."
"Really?"
"Yeah." He nodded. "I think it would be dope."
"Ok. But before all of that, you need to get me those orders of what you're putting in my store so I can know which area to put it in."
"I got you. You still taking your medicine?"
"Yes father." I sighed "This cold is doing better than it was. I think it's going away."
"Good. We still having dinner tonight?"
"Yes. You scared?" I teased
"No. We are both grown men. I'm the one that told you to invite him anyway."
"You right. I'm glad you suggested it though. Everyone needs to be on the same page when it comes to the kids."
"Right." He nodded
"Ok now get out my office. I have work to do."
"Damn. Ok rudeness. I'ma excuse this behavior cause you sick. That cold must be making you act up."
"Bye." I laughed
~~~~
I opened the back door of my store and carried in boxes of clothes. I've been getting everything ordered, my next step is to start putting everything in place for the grand opening.
I sat the box on top of another and went back to my car to get another box. Once I was done, I locked up and drove home so I could start dinner.
Riley kept the kids for me. I don't know what I would do without her.
I walked in the house and she was walking out of the kitchen, feeding Aiyana.
"You're here early."
"I know. I have to make sure everything is perfect for this dinner."
"I can't believe you're doing it."
"Well it has to be done. Chris is around them just as much."
"Boy have the roles reversed." Riley shook her head.
"I know."
"Well go ahead and get ready. I'll let myself out once she's done with this bottle."
6:25 PM
I turned the stove off and covered the food. I went to my room to slip on something more presentable and pull my hair back into a ponytail.
"Your fever went down any?" Chris stood at the doorway
I nodded
"I got you some more medicine and set the kids table in the living room."
"Thank you."
The doorbell rung and I looked over at Chris.
"It's time."
I sighed and walked to the front door. I opened the door and Jay stood there with his hands in his pockets.
"Come in." I stepped to the side.
Chris was already in the kitchen when we walked in. Awkward was an understatement. No one said anything.
"So, I invited you to dinner so we can discuss things like adults should." I finally spoke.
"This who you with now?" Jay stared at me
"We actually aren't together. We have an understanding of what we are doing though." Chris answered
"She can speak." Jay never took his eyes off me
"Don't be rude." I looked back at him. I could tell how this was going to go.
"Lyric and Kody told me all about all the fun that ya'll have." Jay turned to Chris. "Going places, buying them things. Well I'm here now. None of that is no longer needed."
"Jay. What's wrong with you?"
"I'm just shocked." He shook his head. "I shouldn't be though. You free to do whatever."
"This is not how this conversation is supposed to go. I invited you here so we could talk about our kids. He is going to be around them and out of respect for you, he wanted you to know that."
"Ok." He nodded. "So he lose one and try to get her back plus two?"
"Man, that's not my intentions. You are a good father. I just didn't want any tension between us because I'm around."
"Right." Jay looked around
"I did want to know how you felt about me eventually telling Lyric who her real father is." I spoke
Jay laughed "Moving right back in huh? You want your rights back? Want me to sign over my rights for Kody and Aiyana too? Since you trying to replace me."
"Bro, I'm not trying to replace you whatsoever. That's not what I'm doing." Chris stood up from the table. I could tell her was getting frustrated. "I'ma go in the back and let ya'll talk."
I nodded and Jay sat back in the chair.
"I can't believe you." I shook my head
"Me? I could say the same shit to you. Got his crazy ass of all people around my kids."
"So being a drug addict and having drugs around them is better?"
"I'm getting help."
"So did he. He has a mental illness, got help for it and turned his life around."
Jay clapped. "Wow. He want a cookie?"
"I really can't believe how you're acting right now. You're better than this."
"Fuck it." He shrugged
"Those drugs are turning you into a whole different person."
"I been clean almost three months. Fuck you talking bout?"
"Clearly you don't realize it. I know when you're using. You're aggressive as fuck and have that I don't care attitude."
"Cool." He grabbed the cup off the table and drunk some water.
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"Listen. You are their father regardless. Chris only wanted to talk to you because he thought it was the right thing to do."
"I heard you the first time you said that. Look, I can't control who you date or whatever. Just make sure my kids are good and we straight. As far as him being around them, I have to accept that. You can tell Lyric the truth whenever you want. She was bound to find out anyway." Jay stood up and walked out of the house.
