Secrets

12

Alei

"I'm honestly happy for you two." I smiled.

"Same here." Jaz smiled as we all hugged.

Hearing that everything was settled with Shay and Devin and this baby was a relief. I knew it was pressure on her so for her to get that reassuring factor was great.

"Enough about me. What's the latest with you and August?"

I was back at the condo now that she was home and to be honest, I was still a bit emotional about everything but I was working on staying calm.

"Yea? Have you two talked or anything?"

"Honestly y'all, I'm just trying to focus on Amirah and Gabriel at this point. August said what he said because he has some kind of doubt or lack of trust for me after everything."

"I still can't believe he questioned their paternity. Like you've always been down for him." Jaz shook her head. "And you've always kept it one hundred."

"I guess that wasn't enough." I shrugged.

All while, Shay sat there quietly which we know wasn't like her.

"Shay, why are you so quiet?" I looked at her.

"Because I feel bad." She sighed.

"Why?"

I was genuinely confused by her feeling bad in this.

"I was the one who pushed this whole relationship from the beginning, now you're dealing with this."

"Shay." I laughed a little. "Regardless of you pushing it, it was still my decision to put myself out there, so you have nothing to feel bad about."

"That still doesn't help how I feel."

"I understand but its cool."

"So what are you going to do?"

"If he wants proof that Gabe is his, then I can't deny him that. I have nothing to hide. I've told him that."

"And then what? What are you going to do when it comes back showing Gabe is his?"

"I think I need to take some time from the relationship. I don't know." I sighed. "Its like I'm back in the same mess with Druex and I honestly don't need that. I've missed two of my counseling sessions already so I know I want to get back to that."

"You were in counseling?" They both asked.

"Yea." I nodded.

Explaining to them how it came about, they sat there in shock. Hearing Gabe's cries made me excuse myself to go get him before he woke up his sister.

"You're right you know Alei." Shay spoke.

Looking up from Gabe who was nursing, I waited for her to continue.

"You need to get yourself back on track. Like I've seen you dedicate yourself to your career, your children and Aug. Hell even Druex, before Aug came into the picture and its has worn you out."

"Mhmm. So I say, get back to the counseling and just do you." Jaz smiled. "But either way you and August have to sit and talk."

"I know." I agreed.

Smiled at Gabriel, I just think of the baby pictures of Aug and how much alike they were.

"Shay you ready for this all over again?"

"Shit I better be. And just to let y'all know, I don't want anything big for a baby shower."

"Noted." Both Jaz and I said.