Page 19 of Anything Goes

“So, what do you have planned for today?”

“None of your business. Our discussion is over.”

“Damn, it’s like that?”

“Yeah, it is,” I replied before breaking out into laughter. “Nah, I’m just messing with you. I’m going to go get some popcorn and find a movie for me and Layne to watch. She said she wanted to have a movie night, so I’m going to give her what she asked for.”

“That’s why her little ass is spoiled now.”

“Don’t even try it. You know damn well that you’ve spoiled her rotten. You let her get away with anything.”

“That’s not true. I put my foot down sometimes.”

Shaking my head, I chuckled. “That’s a rare occasion. But anyway, I’ll talk to you later. I’m sure Layne’s going to come in here begging for her phone in a minute.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” he said. “Thanks again for hearing me out. I’m really sorry about all of this.”

“I know you are. Like I said, just keep your chick under control and we’re good.”

“Once again, she’s not my chick. I’m still holding out hope for us.”

“Bye, Latrell,” I said before hurrying to end the call.

I didn't know what it was going to take for him to finally get the picture, but I really hoped that he would figure it out soon. I didn't want to have to block him from my life. Having some kind of relationship with my daughter's father was important to me. Not to mention, there was still love there. Maybe not in the way that he wanted it to be, but it still existed, and it always would.

8

Law

“Just the person I wanted to see,” I said, stepping into the teacher’s lounge.

Alauni struggled to hold on to the glazed donut that was once attached to her lips. “What are you doing on this side of the building?”

“Didn’t you just hear what I said? Obviously, I was looking for you.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”

“Law, must you answer a question with a question?”

Laughing, I brushed a hand against her arm, prompting her to shiver. I knew the effect that my touch had on her, which was why I always made sure to connect our bodies at some point. “I’m just messing with you. I didn’t talk to you over the weekend. I wanted to make sure that you were doing okay.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine. Layne was back home, so I was pretty busy. Sorry I didn’t call.”

“You’re good,” I replied, knowing that our lack of communication was simply because she was trying to avoid me. I was used to it by now. Anytime we got too close, Alauni would always pull away. It was the way she handled things.

“Did you have a good weekend?” she asked.

“Yeah, it was cool. I finally talked to my sister.”

“Good. Did you get things cleared up about Keyon?”

I nodded. “Yeah, he was at work, which is why he missed practice. But she's going to make sure that he gets his schedule worked out, so that doesn’t happen again. She thought he had worked something out with you and that you knew about his absence.”

“Oh, I had no idea.” Alauni leaned against the counter and crossed one ankle over the other.

She wasn’t wearing one of her cute little pant suits, which meant her legs were exposed and looking good as hell. My mouth watered, thinking about the possibility of exploring her skin with my tongue again.