Shambles

Chapter 8: Ember

"Where are you going?" Grady asks me. I'm putting on Sweet Pea's other shoe.

"I'm taking her to her doctor's appointment. I think she may have an ear infection."

"Why the fuck didn't you tell me she had a doctor's appointment. I need you to be here when Monique drops off the boys."

"When I called they had an available spot so I took it. I didn't know."

"Fuck!" He shouts. "What's the point of having your ass here if you can't help me out?" I don't answer that question because I was hoping he decided he didn't want my ass here.

"Isn't it almost time for you to pick up the boy?" He never addresses my kids by their names. It's always the boy or girl, he or she. He told me two years ago he didn't know how to feel about having some white man's kids in his house.

"Well, I guess she will have to bring them over later when you get back because I have shit to do."

He walks up behind me wrapping his arms around me. "I need some pussy tonight. You've been holding back on me. Pretending you've been asleep." I inwardly roll my eyes. "You hear me?"

"Yes."

"You don't want me to cheat but be holding out on the pussy. What do you think I'm going to do?" He starts laughing. I don't respond. I could fuck this nigga all day and he's still going to cheat.

"Give me a kiss." Turning toward him I look up at this nigga. He's a very attractive black man, even if he didn't have money he could pull women on looks alone. He bends and kisses me. "I think it's time to put a baby in you. If we're gonna be together I need a baby with you. I can't keep taking care of another man's kids."

"I got my tubes tied," I say, lying.

"That shit can be reversed. I think in another year we should have a baby. But I think I'm ready to get married. I already tell people you're my wife might as well make it official." He lifts my chin up to him. "What do you think?"

"I guess. I haven't thought about it."

He starts laughing. "Why not. Who the fuck else is going marry you with white kids. Shit, I got your ass out of that strip club, put you in a nice car, and nice house. What else could you want? I know me fucking these dumb bitches ain't that fucking important."

"You're right. I should be grateful," I say not looking up at him.

He wraps his arms around me. "Hell, all these bitches going to be jealous. I've never wanted to marry no other bitch, but you're special. You're my baby," He says capturing my lips in another kiss.

He lets me go. "I do need to be honest about something though." I stare at him. "Stacy ass is pregnant again. I tried to get her to have an abortion but she refused."

My head drops. Stacy is baby momma three the one I got into with at the club. I can't believe this nigga really think I would marry his dog ass. This is the second bitch that has come up pregnant since we've been together.

"Ok," I say.

"Ok? You don't have shit else to say?"

"What can I say. You and her are having a baby. It's really none of my business." I bend down and pick up Sweet Pea.

He watches me. "Well, she wants Gabby to go to school with your kids so I'm going to start looking for her a house close."

"Ok." I bend down and grab her bag before I check the time on my cell. Looking back up to him, I try to keep my face from twisting into a frown. "I know how much you love your kids and their mothers. So I wouldn't dare stand in the way of y'all happiness." I turn and head toward the door. He grabs my hand.