Page 89 of Mafia Kings & Wedding Rings

“Thank you.”

“And I’m good with taking this as slow as you need to, Emerald. I like getting to know you, and I want Sapphire to have a future in basketball or whatever else he chooses to do. He’s got talent, and he’s smart.”

“He really is,” I beamed proudly.

“So, don’t let what’s happening between us stress you out. It sounds like you got enough emotional shit going on, so I can be your shoulder or ear whenever you need it.”

“I can’t put that on you. Sapphire and I are about to move into a new place though, and things are looking up. Once I go through implantation and get pregnant, you might feel differently.”

“Let me let you know when that happens.” He reached out and tugged on one of my locs. “I’m gonna head out though. I’m getting some of the guys together for an early morning work-out session before school starts.”

“Okay, thank you… for everything.” Stepping forward, I stood on my toes to kiss his cheek, and he moved past me to the door.

I went to lock up after him and decided to find a snack in the kitchen until Sapphire got out of the bathroom. In basketball shorts and a wife beater, he moved around the living room, gathering his sheets and pillows to make up the couch for his bed as I emerged from the kitchen with a slice of apple pie I’d brought home from work today. He dropped down into the couch when he was done and sighed.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked, propping myself on the arm and studying him as he scrolled his phone briefly and lifted concerned eyes to mine. “You think Mama had something to do with what happened to Pops?”

“Sap, you shouldn’t have had to hear that.”

“I’m not some little kid, Em. You ain’t gotta shield me from that.”

“Okay,” I sighed, noticing that his voice was indeed changing and growing a little deeper.

It made me smile because he was starting to look more and more like our daddy the older he got. Rich brown skin, slanted, hazel eyes, and a crooked smile that could melt any girl’s heart.

“I don’t want to burden you. It’s why I’m doing everything I can to support you. You are right though, you’re not a kid. To me you’re always going to be the little boy whose diapers I changed though.”

“Em,” he groaned, annoyed as I cackled and scooped another piece of pie into my mouth.

“I couldn’t help it! There is something I need to talk to you about though.”

“Is it about you and Coach?” he asked, side-eyeing me.

Swallowing slowly, I shook my head.

“No. But I guess I should have talked to you about us possibly seeing each other. I’m sorry.”

“It’s cool. Coach is dope, and I can tell he likes you,” Sapphire noted.

“Yeah, he is, and I like him too. I don’t know where this is going though. We’re just friends right now.”

“Like you and Ivo?” Sapphire presented, throwing me off.

“I told you what I’m doing for him and Jordan.” I nervously stood, and he leaned forward.

“Yeah, but that don’t explain him coming around so much.”

“Well, tonight he had something for me. A new place for us to stay, and a car for me to drive parked in the garage.”

“For real?”

“Yup. He wants me to be comfortable while I’m carrying their child. I didn’t say no because I want you to have your own space.You deserve that, Sap. So we’re going to be moving ASAP. Make sure all your shit is packed.”

“Bet.” He rubbed his hands together and grinned.

“I’m tired as hell, and you need to get some rest. Blaine said he got y’all doing early practice in the morning.” I aimed my fork at him.

“Yup.” Sapphire yawned and stretched his long ass legs along the couch and rested his arms across his stomach. “’Night, Em.”