Page 29 of Defending the Post (The Complexity of Love #3)

“He begged just like he did the night we recovered your stolen mustang.” Jhae answered and I shook my head. Malcolm chuckled as we listened in on the conversation.

“Wait, Marquise stole your car?” Erin asked.

The soundtrack of spoons clicking against mixing bowls paused.

“Girl, yes, trying to impress some girl. Jhae and I tracked my car to the movie theater and stole it back. He called, panicking and begging for a ride home. He lied to his date about having a sports car. I guess his BMW wasn’t good enough,” Mom said.

For two hours, I had my family back. Khaira finally woke from her nap and played in her highchair. With Mom and Jhae laughing, it felt as if it was old times. We were back a family again until the doorbell rang.

“Hey, everybody,” Toni said, and I sighed.

Mom hugged Toni and Jhae, but Erin just waved. Afterward, she found my eyes. When my phone vibrated, I knew it was her.

Weirdo

Baby, tell me what to do. Are we leaving or staying?

Me

After you finish whatever, you’re cooking, we leaving.

Weirdo

Okay.

My entire demeanor changed as my body stiffened.

“Hi, everybody,” Toni said as she stepped into the living room.

I didn’t acknowledge her presence, but Malcolm and Pops greeted her with hugs. My vibrating phone stole my attention again.

Weirdo

I love you

Me

Love you too. About tonight.

Weirdo

You have a game coming up.

Me

I know that’s why I need sex.

Weirdo

I will not be responsible for you being tired.

I lifted my head to find her smiling as I pursed my lips to the side. She tapped out this morning on round two.

“Aye,” Caleb said as he entered the door.

He glanced over at Toni, and I shook my head.

Dude didn’t catch the hint at Pops party, but it’s his wallet.

The men migrated outside to the grill, leaving the women in the kitchen.

Caleb couldn’t keep his eyes off the kitchen and Malcolm was watching his ass.

I cackled at the shit because this was Toni’s goal—to keep up confusion.

“I’ve been auditioning some drivers for the team. Getting into the race car business was harder than I anticipated,” Pops said as he flipped over the meat.

“Kenny didn’t pan out?” Caleb asked Pops before he sipped his beer. As they talked business, my phone vibrated, and I pulled it from my pocket.

Weirdo

Fifteen minutes.

Standing in my parents’ backyard, I was uncomfortable and ready to leave.

“Marquise, a word,” Pops said, and we walked away from the grill.

Pops placed his hand on my shoulder. “Son, are you good? Your demeanor has changed and you’re anxious. Why is Malcolm giving Caleb the side-eye?” he asked.

“Toni is the reason Malcolm is giving Caleb the side-eye. He caught them talking at your party,” I said.

Pops turned to find Malcolm standing alone because Caleb had vanished.

“I tried to warn Caleb not to get involved. Toni isn’t worth the trouble. Erin and I are leaving in about ten minutes,” I confirmed.

Pop’s brows furrowed. “Wait, you gave me a lot to unpack. I don’t believe Toni is a bad person. I hate for you to leave, but I understand. Talk to your mother,” he said, and I shrugged.

“Yea, she didn’t leave you to get beat to death and try to destroy your family,” I said, and Pops sighed.

“Make time for Dr. June, Marquise,” he said, and I nodded.

Weirdo

We can leave. Jhae is going to take over.

Me

Let me run to the bathroom.

“Pops, that’s Erin. I’m running to the bathroom, and we are out. I’ll call Mom later and explain,” I said.

We hugged, and he walked back to the grill while I made my way to the house.

I pulled back the sliding door and exhaled hard.

All of this home cooking won’t get to touch my tastebuds.

I opened the guest bathroom door and jumped back.

Toni and Caleb were tonguing each other down.

They both jumped back with widened eyes.

Toni wouldn’t look me in the face. I shut the door and headed upfront.

“Marquise, slow down,” Caleb called after me, but I kept walking. I didn’t want any parts of what was happening between them.

“Marquise, wait before you take things the wrong way,” Caleb said and I paused.

He rounded me, and I stared. “Toni and I. . . we’ve been...”

“Wrong twin, I don’t care. Toni doesn’t mean shit to me. I tried to warn you at the party not to get tangled with her, but you’re hardheaded,” I said.

Caleb’s head jerked backward at my comment. “Marquise, do you realize what you said? Toni isn’t a bad person and we’re dating,” he said.

“Hey, it’s your pockets,” I said and walked away, leaving him behind. Entering the living room, Erin and I latched eyes, and she unwrapped her apron.

“Ladies, it’s been fun, but Marquise and I are leaving,” she said, and Mom’s eyes found me, loaded with confusion. She exited the kitchen, closing the space between us.

“Why are you leaving?” Mom asked, cupping my face between her soft, comforting hands. I secured and kissed them leaving behind a half smirk.

“Love you,” I said as a reply, hoping we could leave things surface level. I should have pulled her to the side earlier, but I didn’t want to interrupt the energy.

“Caleb, let it go,” Toni said as they entered the living space behind her new victim.

“Marquise’s comments were out of line, Toni,” Caleb said, and the attention turned in his direction. Malcolm stood, which triggered my peripheral vision.

“It’s okay,” Toni said as she pulled on his arm, but he turned and caressed her upper arms.

“It’s not okay the way he treats you,” Caleb said. I looked at Pops, reading his eyes. From the steadiness of his posture and glare, he was asking me not to engage. I honored his request as I turned to secure my woman.

“Erin baby, let’s go,” I said, and she latched hands with me.

“Everybody stop!” Mom yelled and silence gripped the room. “What the hell is going on?”

No one said anything as our eyes danced around to each other. Malcolm stood with arms folded and Pops rubbed his beard. I’m unaware of what Jhae knew, but Mom was in the dark.

“Something happened and we can’t fix it with tight lips,” Mom said as she migrated to the living room.

“Fine. Marquise constantly disrespects Toni, and it’s swept under the rug. After catching Toni and I kissing, he called her a gold digger,” Caleb said, and Mom turned to me.

“Kissing? Didn’t I tell you to stay away from Toni,” Malcolm said as he unfolded his arms. Jhae moved across the room, planting her hands in his chest.

“Malcolm! You cannot control who Toni dates and Marquise, I know she is your moth?—”

My skin boiled at the mention of my actual mother giving her credit. The emotions resting at the pit of my stomach boiled over, not allowing me to stop myself.

“Toni ain’t shit to me. You are my mother.

In fact, I’m sick of looking at her at every family event.

Damn, can we have one event where she stays at home?

Why can’t she go to her people’s functions?

I’ve been trying to protect y’all but y’all keep inviting the snake in the room.

What else do y’all need, a damn picture book?

” I screamed at Mom, and she blinked at a rapid pace.

The room focused on me as I tried to regulate myself. My heart rumbled against my chest as I glared at Toni. Erin hooked her arms into mine to draw my attention.

“Marquise, I invited Toni because I consider her family,” Mom said as she wiped a tear from her right cheek.

“Mom, I’m sorry for making you cry but she isn’t my family. Either invite me or Toni but not both. I couldn’t enjoy my Mother’s Day gift to you because she hijacked it. The day alone should’ve made her hide her face. Mother’s Day?” I said with hard sarcasm.

“Marquise, what is happening here? I thought you two were in a better place,” Mom inquired as she reached for me.

“It’s okay, Anissa. Marquise needs me to be the villain in his story because I’m here and Winston isn’t,” Toni said, and I went blind with rage.

Erin rounded me and wrapped her arms around my waist as I trembled.

“Son!” Pops yelled.

“It’s okay, Khalil, let him explode,” Toni continued.

I chuckled in anger as my eyes watered. For the first time in my life, I wanted to hit a woman.

“Tell me off,” Toni said.

“You want to be mom of the year. Leaching off my mom’s hard work.

Can’t fuck your way out of the ghetto..

. huh? How about I beat yo ass the same way Winston beat Malcolm?

He had to sleep on his stomach that night over a piece of fucking bread.

You want a black eye for existing? Let me starve you and slap you to the floor because you ask for food.

Who did you protect, Toni? You don’t get to enjoy the fruits of my mother’s labor.

And Caleb, please don’t knock her up. She didn’t take care of the first two she had,” I said.

Toni pulled away from Caleb, but he secured her arm again.

“I searched for you, Marquise,” Toni said, as tears streamed down her face.

I wasn’t moved by her tears; they couldn’t compare to the ones I’ve shed.

“You didn’t search hard enough!” I belted hard and coarse, making my throat burn.

Erin pushed her face into my chest and squeezed to ground me. My chest panted as it vibrated. Sniffles drew my attention to Mom and Jhae both crying which triggered me to calm down.

“Mom and Jhae, I’m sorry,” I said as guilt hit me.

Khaira’s sudden wailing cut through the room. Jhae passed Mom and walked down the hall to retrieve my sister.

“Mom and Pops, I’m sorry for yelling in your house. But don’t invite me anywhere near this... whatever she is,” I said, dismissing Toni with my hand.

“Son, I want to talk to you,” Pops said, and I sighed, throwing my head back.

Erin dropped her hands, releasing me, and I moved in his direction.

After we stepped outside, he pulled me into a hug. “Calm down and then you can drive home,” he said, and I released tears. “I know you are mad but we gon keep working on this.”