Page 19

CHANIYA

“ N ow, I have prided myself on letting you kids make your own decisions, but that was before I knew your man was kin to that witch. You’ve gotta stop seeing him, Chaniya. What I know about Jolene Malone is that she sucks frog toes while sunbathing,” Nana rants while pacing back and forth.

“I keep telling you that I should have gotten her checked out when she popped up pregnant and didn’t know how it happened.” Mom interjects with an indignant expression that I’m itching to knock off her self-righteous face.

“Ain’t nobody talking to your ho ass, Vernise. It’s crazy how you like to condemn your daughter for something you did. While you’re sitting in your seat of judgment, who the fuck is Chaniya’s father?” Nana snaps, halting her steps to give Mom a death glare.

Finally!

My mind echoes the single word dancing in my head from the minute Nana’s rant turned from me to Mom.

“I’m not sure why that’s relevant to this situation. You’re talking about more of Chaniya’s indiscretions, and I’m simply agreeing. If she ? —”

“No matter how many stones you toss in Chaniya’s face, she will never be him.

Either let her out of this one-sided feud or deal with the effects of the ass-whupping I’m about to deliver to you.

I’m sick of this bullshit from you. Chaniya didn’t have a choice in her existence, so either stop punishing her for your mistakes or nurse the continuous black eyes you’ll have if I hear any other negatives you spew toward her.

Matter of fact, go the fuck home, Vernise.

I’m tired of looking at your miserable ass. ”

“Fine, but you find someone else to help you with your child,” Mom says to me with enough venom to stop my heart before snatching her purse and leaving.

“Mm.” I moan when Germayne thrusts into me, bringing me out of my inner thoughts.

Contrary to what Germayne might have thought, my silence with him had only been due to dealing with the fact that Mom gave up on me.

I have been battling guilt about our fallout with the excitement and freeing feeling of no longer dealing with her vile attitude or damaging words toward me.

No part of me is sad that she walked out on Caleb and me, because loving my son and despising me is nasty work.

“Stay with me, baby. This is the only thing you need to be thinking about,” Germayne utters before covering my lips with his, growling deep in my throat.

After spending the day with Germayne, the three of us came back to my place, where we watched several movies before Caleb fell asleep.

Germayne carried Caleb to his bed and tucked him in as I watched with water resting on my eyelids.

No man I’ve dated or allowed in Caleb’s presence has ever been as gentle and caring as Germayne.

My heart damn near leaped out of my chest when Germayne kneeled to say a quick prayer over Caleb.

“Deeper,” I whisper when Germayne breaks our kiss.

Germayne grasps my wide hips while raising and lowering me onto him while thrusting upward with all his strength.

“Fuck! You feel amazing, Cha-Cha.”

Lost in nirvana, I’m unable to respond, instead allowing my body to communicate what my lips can’t in the moment.

Up, down, up, down, Germayne and I create a rhythm of harmony unique to our coupling that’s delicious, mind-blowing, and soul-tying.

Yet, I’m enjoying every minute of the intimacy within our mating.

This is the perfect way to end what shaped up to be a great day.

“Get your phone, Cha-Cha. Cha-Cha, your phone.” Germayne’s sleep-heavy voice penetrates my comfortable and peaceful sleep, causing me to stir awake when I register the tapping on my bare butt.

Scratching my head, I grab my phone from the charger and answer the incoming call. “Hello.”

“Your mother called me, talking about missing her grandson. I told her ass to ride the short bus straight to the gates of Hell,” Nana says, causing me to giggle lightly.

“Good. Neither of us needs that toxic foolishness anymore. Either she can find a way to get over her hangups and apologize, or she can continue getting updates about me and my baby through you.”

Feeling movement, I see Germayne turning over and raising the blankets over his head, and a smirk forms. We didn’t go to sleep until sometime early morning because Germayne said he needed to remove the backup I caused in his dick and ensure he didn’t become replaceable.

What Germayne doesn’t know yet is that I’m already in love with him.

I’m just waiting for him to meet me over the ledge before I express the sentiments of my heart.

“I don’t know where I went wrong with that girl.

I feel responsible because I’ve heard her utter little digs at you over the years but didn’t pay it any mind.

For that and my part in not speaking up sooner, I’m sorry, Chaniya.

Your mother’s problem is hers alone, but protecting your peace is what’s necessary right now, so let her miserable ass suffer until she gets herself together.

Caleb’s support circle didn’t stop or begin with her,” Nana rants.

My chest pinches, and my eyes mist because I’ve been living with Mom’s mess forever, but at this point, I choose me over her interactions with Caleb. Protecting my mental ultimately means protecting Caleb’s outlook on life, which is my only priority in life.

“Thanks, Nana. I hate to rush you off the phone, but it was a late night, and I want to return to the strong arms lying idly in my bed.”

“I see hardheadedness didn’t end with Vernise and Velma. Unlike Vernise, I won’t crucify you for it. Can you make me a promise, though?”

A grin upturns my lips because I have no idea why Nana is whispering like there’s someone other than the two of us on the line.

“Depends. Ask, and we’ll go from there.”

“If you marry that man, limit my interaction with that Jezebel he’s related to.”

“Deal.” I snicker.

“I love you, Chaniya Katia, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Warmth spreads across my chest, jubilation fills my body, and joy fuels my heart, causing it to beat erratically.

“I love you too, Nana.” With that, I disconnect the call, preparing to snuggle against Germayne’s back until he shifts to face me. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No worries. You have the secret ingredient to put me back to sleep.” His words hit me in my core, causing it to thump enthusiastically at the thought of having Germayne between my legs again.

“Every single one,” I confirm in my best sultry vixen voice.

“Before we get into that, let me make something clear.”

I swallow over the sudden lump in my throat upon hearing his serious tone that matches the fire in his eyes. Nodding, I hold my breath while waiting to see what’s coming next.

“I don’t give a fuck what’s going on between our grandmothers.

I’m not giving you up, and I’m not letting you do it either.

What we can do is keep them out of what we have going on, and that’s it.

Under no circumstances am I sacrificing my happiness for someone else’s misery.

I love you, and I’m letting you know now that I’m locking you down. ”

My mouth opens and closes as Germayne’s words repeat in my mind, and I struggle to process his last sentence.

“Don’t doubt my feelings, Cha-Cha. I didn’t make a mistake in expressing them. Not only do I love you, but I’m in love with you.” Grabbing my hands, he pulls me down until our foreheads are touching, instantly elevating my heart rate.

Needing no further confirmation, I latch onto Germayne’s lips and kiss him with all the passion and sentiments I can muster.

Savoring the moment, I release a low moan at the comfort I feel, along with how right this moment is.

Falling in love with Germayne wasn’t something I set out to do, but feeling the leaping in my chest confirms my willingness to surrender anyway.

“I can’t believe my baby is about to go to school. It seems like I was changing his diapers just yesterday while dodging his little wee-wee.”

Staring at Caleb climbing the jungle gym at the mall, I spoon another serving of butter pecan ice cream into my mouth.

Looking at my calendar and realizing that Caleb’s first day of kindergarten was fast approaching led to Germayne, Caleb, and I coming to the mall to shop for his school clothes.

Despite knowing the time was coming and the confirmation of my baby becoming a big boy for real, I’m ready to cry in my bowl of ice cream.

“Yeah, but you’re gonna be alright. School is a natural progression of his existence. The great thing is that you won’t have to weather the storm of this next phase alone.” Germayne interjects.

Turning to look at Germayne sitting beside me, I smile upon seeing his rapt attention on Caleb.

“I love you, Germayne Malone.”

Germayne’s eyes slowly leave Caleb before settling on me, before a panty-melting grin dances on his lips.

“What’s not to love, Cha-Cha. Not to mention . . . I love you so much more.” Winking, Germayne’s keen focus returns to Caleb, causing my heart to race and butterflies to swarm in my stomach.

“Oh my gosh! Did you see me almost fall, Mr. Germayne? I almost wiped out.” Caleb’s voice shifts my gaze from Germayne’s side profile, and my chest expands at seeing the excitement on Caleb’s face while standing in front of Germayne.

Contrary to what I thought, Caleb’s resilience in entertaining the latest man in my life has come without incident.

With Dedrick, Caleb didn’t say anything more than he had to and didn’t engage with him freely.

From the moment Caleb met Germayne he has been open, free, and forthcoming with communicating with Germayne.

“I saw, and I almost went over there to fight that equipment for being in your way,” Germayne confirms.

“You can’t beat up that thing, because it's not real.” Caleb laughs.

“If it made you fall and hurt yourself, I would have definitely kicked it a few times,” Germayne adds, shrugging.

“You’re so cool, Mr. Germayne. Can we go get my ice cream now? I’m done playing now,” Caleb asks.

“Of course, we can. I was waiting for you. Come on before your mama asks for more, and we don’t get any.”

Caleb snickers before connecting his hand with Germayne’s outstretched one, leaving me to follow behind them.

My chest feels like it's about to burst at seeing how the two of them move through the mall like a unit. Caleb’s laughter pierces my ears, letting me know that whatever Germayne is saying tickles him.

When I arrive at the ice cream parlor a second after Caleb and Germayne, I stand back to wait for them to order.

My eyes are burning from the strain of containing the moisture begging for clearance.

“Do you want anything, Cha-Cha?” Germayne asks, breaking me out of my daze.

“No, thank you,” I say.

“She already had some,” Caleb adds.

“I know, C, but you should always make sure that your lady has whatever she wants. It’s your job to take care of her needs,” Germayne informs Caleb.

“I didn’t know, but okay. You know a lot of stuff, Mr. Germayne,” Caleb adds.

My baby seems to be hanging onto Germayne’s every word while giving him an inquisitive look, just as the worker hands them the ice cream they ordered.

“You will too, C,” Germayne tells Caleb before the two of them walk toward me.

Watching the Cheshire grin on Caleb’s lips, the beam in his eyes, and his imitation of Germayne’s swag has giggles escaping my mouth.

“Alright, you two. Let's grab a seat so y’all can eat quickly, and then we need to do some school shopping,” I say.

“Okay, Mommy,” Caleb tells me before shifting his focus back to Germayne. “Will you take me to school on the first day? I don’t want Mommy to be alone in case she cries.”

“I got you, C,” Germayne declares with authority before turning and winking at me.

I’m gonna suck the lining outta of Germayne’s dick before he goes home.