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Page 41 of Out of Bounds (Atlanta Demon Series #4)

I’d spent all morning trying to make sure the kids were ready and that I’d packed enough entertainment for them to sit through a twelve o’clock game today.

I was starting to regret that I’d even told Kreed that I would bring them, but here we were.

My nerves were on ten and within reason.

Lamar had accompanied me to the game today, and this was going to be the first time he was meeting my kids and mom.

We had both agreed that we weren’t at that point in our relationship where it was valid for us to be introducing each other to the people closest to us.

He’d met my friends, by default, but my family was a little different.

However, being that Kreed extended the invitation for him to join us in the suite today, I guess we had no choice.

When I mentioned it to Lamar, I just knew he was going to say no. Unlucky for me, his ass was down, so here we were. I was a complete and total wreck as I sat here, waiting for him to let me know that he’d arrived.

As soon as we arrived, I got the kids situated and fed, so now all we had to do was wait for kickoff. My mom had taken off work so she could be here to help with the kids, and I couldn’t have been more thankful.

“Mrs. Dolla,” the suite attendant called out. “Your guest has arrived.”

“Thank you.” I tipped my head and smiled. “Mom, I’ve gotta run to the front to grab Lamar. I will be right back.”

“Okay,” she replied.

Pushing out a deep breath, I slipped out of the oversized room and trekked down the hall.

When I made it to the gate, Lamar was standing by the metal detectors chatting with security.

I shook my head, seeing that Lamar was at a Demons game wearing a Saints jersey.

I’m sure he did it to spite Kreed, and all I could do was chuckle.

I was Atlanta through and through and wouldn’t be caught dead in a Saints jersey.

I’d dressed my kids in their Demons gear and opted to wear jeans and a black and red Demons T-shirt myself.

When I left Kreed, I got rid of all of my gear, so I had to grab this from a boutique by the house.

I waved my hand to get his attention before sauntering over to him. “You made it.” I smiled and wrapped my arm around his waist. “I hope you didn’t have trouble getting in.”

Lamar kissed my temple before saying, “No, they let me right through.”

“Good.” It took a few minutes for him to wrap up his conversation with security, and once he was done, we walked back toward the suite.

“You nervous about today?” he quizzed. I’m guessing he could feel the nervous energy radiating off my body.

“I am.” I nodded.

“Why?”

“Because you will be formally introduced to the kids.”

“As your friend,” he clarified. “They don’t need to know anything different until you’re ready to tell them.”

“You’re right, I guess.” When we made it back to the door, I let his hand go and spun around, putting my back to the door. “Listen, my mother is a little different. Filters don’t exist with her.”

“I’m good.” He chuckled. “She can’t run me off.”

“Umkay.” I giggled nervously. “Here goes nothing.”

Spinning back around, I entered the suite and paused when I noticed my ex-husband was there.

Kreed had on his uniform minus the helmet and was crouched down beside the kids while my mom snapped pictures of them.

My heart leaped inside of my chest because the last time the two of them saw each other it wasn’t pleasant.

Had I known Kreed was going to be here when we made it back, I would’ve waited outside until he was gone.

I cleared my throat to gain his attention. “What are you doing in here?”

“Wanted to see the kids before we hit the field.”

“Oh… Okay.” I eyed him suspiciously.

“What’s up. Lamar? Happy you could make it,” Kreed said, surprising the hell out of me.

“Thanks for the invite.”

After he and the kids finished their photo op, he kissed each of them and told him them loved them and would see them after the game. When he was done talking to them, he stood and ambled toward Lamar and me.

“KJ n’em running a lil’ behind. She gon’ bring him as soon as they make it. I’ll be back up after the game to get him.”

“Or I can bring him when I bring the kids?” I offered. I knew it would take Kreed at least thirty minutes to an hour to wrap up everything before he could leave the stadium. I had already planned on dropping the kids off, so if I had to drop KJ off as well, it wouldn’t be an issue.

“That’s up to you. But I was gonna take them and come by the crib later to grab their stuff.”

“Just let me know,” I told him.

“Aight. Y’all enjoy the game.” Before exiting the suite, Kreed gave me a side hug and kissed me on the cheek.

Awkward…

“Mom, this is Lamar. Lamar, this is my mom, Everly.”

Lamar held his hand out. “Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Everly.”

“You as well.” She beamed. “You are so handsome.”

“Thank you. You’re very beautiful yourself.” This nigga had the nerve to blush. I mean, he actually blushed and was showing all of those pearly whites of his.

“This lady…” I giggled and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go so you can meet the kids.” The way my mom was standing there, swooning, she might have actually shot her shot at ole Lam. And I understood because the man was very attractive.

The introduction to the kids went smoother than I thought.

They were very respectful, and Aurora had even tried to teach him how to play Roblox.

Maddie Claire was very pleasant, and I was shocked by that because my baby was Team Kreed.

It was probably the fact that every time I went out with him, I reiterated that he and I were just friends.

Either way, I’m glad the introductions went well.

Thirty minutes after Kreed had left, the nanny arrived with KJ.

While my mom and Lamar chatted over by the food, I sat in the row above the kids and played with the baby.

Someone had dressed him in a Demons jersey, and he was just the cutest little thing ever, looking just like Kree and Kreed.

Koya and Jream waited until kickoff before the two of them joined us in the suite.

As the day went on, I realized I was nervous for no reason.

Lamar seemed to be enjoying himself; in fact, the entire afternoon was going off without any hiccups.

Sliding into the seat next to me, Koya bumped me with her shoulder. “I like him for you, babe.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I like the fact that he can hold his own against Kreed. I also love the fact that he seems to really be into you. I’ve been watching the two of you interact, and I think if the two of you continue getting to know each other, then this could really be something.

You’ve just gotta be open to marriage again. ”

“Ssss… I’on know about that. But I like him. We have good conversation; the sex is good. He’s a pretty good guy.”

“Your mom thinks the world of him.” Koya laughed.

I chuckled. “My mom thinks the world of everybody.”

“How is that going?” she asked and tipped her head down at KJ, who was nestled against my chest.

“Friend… I don’t know.” I sighed. “I can’t even explain it, but I’ve found myself getting a little attached.”

Koya cocked her head to the side. “Really?”

“Yep,” I confirmed. “He’s a good baby. I tried not to get attached, but him and his father are always… there.”

The truth was that over the past month or so, I’d seen Kreed more times than I could appreciate.

He was always finding random ways to stop by the house.

It really felt like we were moving and doing this as a unit.

And that shit was really fucking weird considering the fact that we were divorced!

Hell, the man was around so much I was having to sneak out of the room to talk to Lamar when he called because Kreed was always there.

If he wasn’t picking the kids up from school, he was coming over for movie night.

I’m almost certain the kids orchestrated a lot of that, but for two people who were moving on, we had been sharing a lot of space.

“What do you mean, always there?”

“Girl… Kreed is at my house more than he’s at his. He’s always over, doing shit with the kids, which turns into all of us hanging out. When it’s his weekend with all of the kids, they’ll call and invite me to come hang out.”

“And you go?” she asked perplexedly.

“I mean…”

“Masai…” she drawled. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“No.” I shook my head vehemently. “I’m just… Shit. I don’t know what I’m doing, okay. I’m confused. There… I said it.”

And this was the very reason I hadn’t said anything to Koya or Jream about what had been taking place lately. I had somehow found myself in a situation that I didn’t know how to get out of.

“How, Masai? Like… what the fuck happened?”

Biting down on my bottom lip, I stared out to the field.

“At first, it was just conversations about the kids.

A few text messages here and there. One weekend, he had all of the kids, and Kree ended up getting sick.

I was supposed to be spending the night with Lamar and ended up having to leave to take Kreed some medicine for Kree.

“It was late, I was tired, so I spent the night.

I ended up in bed with the two boys while he slept downstairs.

I woke up to the kids asking for breakfast, so we did that as a family .

And shit… it really went on and on from there.

We started FaceTiming each other. He started calling late at night to talk about nothing in particular.

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