BFF

Play time over

Dave's POV

I finally tracked down that deadbeat sperm donor of mine. This man had the audacity to get himself a penthouse suite in my name. I couldn't even make sense of it.

I walked into the building and straight up to the front desk.

"Hey miss," I said, calm but tight. "I need to be let up to Dee East's place."

She looked up, about to call up.

"No need, ma. He expecting me."

She smiled, probably caught up in how I said it. Gave me the access without question. These women always do.

I took the elevator up. Soon as the doors opened, I caught him—this old fool mid-stroke with some chick.

"Playtime over," I said. "Hop out that pussy, nigga."

He jumped, trying to fix himself, and the chick scrambled to gather her things.

While he fumbled, my phone rang for the seventh time. Tia. She was wildin'.

I answered. "Baby, I'm right in the middle of something. Gimme a minute."

"I haven't spoken to you all day," she snapped. "Stop playing with me."

"I'm type busy, ma."

"You know what, fuck you, Dave. I don't know what the fuck you doing and where, but I'm over you playing with me."

"You better calm the fuck down. Don't get me tight. I'll attend to your needs when I'm able. Don't raise your voice and talk to me crazy. You know how I'm coming. I ain't doing shit I'm not supposed to. You just hype for no reason."

"Heard ju."

"I know you did." I hung up.

Dee, still shirtless and grinning, said, "Taught you well, my boy."

I scoffed. "Nigga, you ain't teach me shit. Now go get my damn SS card. You running up my shit—I paid all that off. You lucky I don't beat your old ass."

He disappeared into the back and came out with my card.

"I didn't think it was a problem. Heard you in Cali, making money."

"I'm making money, so I get the rewards. Use your shit. You sent me off to live with your sister so you could fuck hoes all day. Surprised your dick still attached."

He sighed. "I sent you off 'cause I couldn't handle you."

"You a grown-ass man who couldn't 'handle' a kid? Nah, you just didn't want no son. You wanted to act like I ain't exist. But don't eat off me now. Keep this penthouse—it's on me."

He had nothing to say.

I left and hit my rental, straight to see my Ma—my grandmother, the only real parent I ever had.

Her house smelled like cornbread and chili when I walked in.

"Hey baby," she said.

"Hey Ma."

"You find your daddy?"

"Yeah. Got my card back, checked for copies, locked my credit down."

"Good. Sorry, baby."

She handed me a plate. Real love.

"I'm thinking about moving back here."

"Why, Dave? You doing good in Cali."

"I miss this. Miss you. Feels like I'm missing everything with you."

"Aww, baby. I get it. But you got business in Cali. And Tia."