Page 34 of Love's Most Wanted

“I never thought about the fewwomenwho have side babies.” She smirked, but then it faded as quickly as it’d shown up. “But no, my father was married when he got my mother pregnant.” She fell back onto the pillow, sighing. “My childhood was terrible because of it. His wife didn’t want me around him or his other kids, and therefore, I only saw him when he could swing getting away for a bit, and even then, the visits would consist of him rubbing my head like a dog and then going to have sex with my mother in the back room.” She swallowed a lump. Usually, when I saw people feeling sullen and shit, I’d try to ease the moment with a joke, but now wasn’t the time. And honestly, I didn’t have a joke to give.

“That’s fucked up,” I stated, thinking on how Devante Compton sounded like father of the year in comparison to that nigga.

“Yeah. Then those visits happened less and less, and my mother started becoming depressed about it. My aunt says she actually believed the shit he told her and how he was going to leave his wife because she was the love of his life. But he didn’t because they never do.” She snickered humorlessly. “And once he started treating her like a nuisance and me like I was nonexistent, she started drinking heavily to the point where I would only see her a few days out of the month because I had to stay with my aunts.”

“Can’t imagine if you didn’t have them.”

“I think about that all the time.”

“She good now?” I didn’t wanna ask, but I had to know. I was hoping her mama had gotten herself together and her pops some fucking sense. I knew better than anybody that parents would abandon their children, but I was hoping shit turned out differently for Kabrina.

“Nope. She died from alcohol poisoning, and my father didn’t even come to her funeral. Didn’t even send flowers or a card, and though I know this was her fault because she knew he was married, it didn’t make it hurt any less.

“Now,” she sighed, “I don’t even know him or where he is or his kids.” A tear rolled down the side of her eye, making me stop the massage and move to lay next to her. “So that’s why his betrayal hurts. He knew all of that. It’s also why I have a deep hatred and disdain for mistresses and side chicks, of all kinds. The ones who know they’re a mistress or side chick.”

She turned on her side to face me as I lay on her extra pillow, admiring how pretty her eyes were and how supple her vanilla complexion looked.

I was realizing, at this moment, that I didn’t have a type, because Kabrina was the prettiest woman I’d ever had the pleasure of looking at, and she wasn’t even a pinch close to what I thought I fucking preferred.

Naturally, my hand moved to touch her supple skin as my thumb brushed the lone tear staining it.

“Yo’ mama was in the wrong, but yo’ pops is the one who owed the most loyalty, love. Not only to his wife but you. Whether you came from his wife or a hooker on the street, a man is supposed to be responsible for his kids.”

“Yeah.” She nodded, sniffling.

“A man is also supposed to take his vows seriously, and some of these niggas forget it means you not supposed to get another woman pregnant.” I half smiled, and she mirrored me.

“Even you, Mr. Two Girlfriends?”

“Even me. Ihaven’t gotten married because I understand how serious that shit is. I think muthafuckas these days be doing it just because. My brothers are the only niggas I believe are getting married because they actually want to and plan to stick it out for the long haul.”

“Well maybe one day you will find that person that makes you want to be like them.”

“Yeah… maybe.” We stared at one another, heads still on the pillows. Her heating pad was radiating so much heat that it was low-key burning the fuck out of me, but I wouldn’t move an inch for shit. The devil could be poking me in the back with a fiery pitchfork, and I’d keep my ass right here so I could stay beside Kabrina’s perfect ass.

Before I could stop myself, I kissed her, and she snatched back from me immediately.

My phone rang, interrupting any words that could be exchanged, and when I pulled the shit from my pocket, I saw it was Daisy. I should’ve sent her to voicemail, but I was laid up preaching about another nigga showing loyalty when I could barely do it as a damn boyfriend.

“What’s good?” I answered, sitting up.

“Hey, where are you? I thought today was an off day and we could go to the movies. I’m in the mood for buttered popcorn.” Daisy smiled through the phone.

“How about tomorrow, love?” I asked, closing my eyes when I felt Kabrina shift.

“I thought you worked tomorrow, Unique?”

“I do. I do, but it should be an early day, so soon as I get back, I’ll take you.”

“Alright. Just make sure you let Miss Thang know because tomorrow was supposed to be no one’s day, and now that it’s mine, she is gonna be pouting all night,” Daisy reminded me.

Everything I do, I only have to worry about doing it for Anastazia or how it’s gon’ affect her…

As I massaged my forehead, Asif’s words plagued my mind, but I quickly shook it off. That nigga didn’t know shit. I could handle it if I wasn’t so fucking wrapped up in Kabrina. I had no issues until her.

“I will. Night.” I hung up before Daisy could ask anything else.

“You should go,” Kabrina called out before I could even slip my phone back into my pocket.