Page 5 of Steel

“I will. See you soon.”

I hung up and stuffed my legs into my joggers, almost breaking my ass in the process. Quickly, I pulled on a shirt, socks, and shoes before stuffing my phone and wallet into my pocket and leaving my bedroom. I’d just gotten to the stairs when I turned back and went down the hall to what would be my son’s room. Pushing open the door, I flipped on the light and surveyed the space.

KJ already had everything he needed. The moment Donna came to me with a positive test, I went all out making sure my boy had the best of everything. I did his whole room by myself, and I couldn’t wait to walk in here and see him in his crib. Walking over to the crib, I grabbed the stuffed elephant my niece Korri had picked out for him.

With a final look, I left the room and sprinted down the stairs, out of the house, and into my car. As I pulled onto the main road, I called my mama. Even as old as I was, I needed her with me at this moment. She answered the phone groggily, probably ready to curse me out.

“Kerrion? Boy, do you know what time it is?”

“Ma, I need you.”

I could hear her moving around in bed. “What’s wrong?”

“Donna went into labor. I’m on my way to the hospital. I need you to come with me.”

“Of course, baby. I’m getting up right now.”

“Bet. I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.”

We disconnected the call, and I pressed harder on the gas. I couldn’t believe I was about to be a first-time father. My nerves were high, but my excitement was higher. My son, my junior, was about to make his way into the world. I’d never known what it was like to love someone so much that wasn’t even here yet.

I’d been to every doctor’s appointment with Donna. I provided a comfortable life for her, so she didn’t have to worry about anything but growing our son her entire pregnancy.She was hesitant at first because she considered herself an independent woman and didn’t need a man for shit but some good dick.

I fought tooth and nail to get her to at least sit out until our son was a few weeks old, and she finally caved. Though she wasn’t my woman, she was the mother of my child, and I catered to her. I cared for her, and part of me loved her, but I wasn’t in love with her, and she wasn’t in love with me.

We knew what this was, and we acted accordingly.

My family was convinced that things would change once she had KJ, and we had to co-parent. I thought it was far-fetched. Some people were better separate than together, and this was one of those times.

As I swung into my mama’s driveway, she came out of the house and sprinted to the car. When she got in, there was a huge smile on her face.

“My grandbaby is almost here!” she said excitedly.

“I know,” I said, backing out of the driveway. “I’m nervous as fu?—”

“Watch your mouth.”

“My bad. I’m nervous as hell.”

She shook her head. “I hope you don’t curse like that around my baby.”

“Ma, Pops has never spared us the foul language. You hear how he talks to us now. He’s a parent first and my nigga immediately after.”

“Whatever, Kerrion. You just mind your mouth with my grandson.”

I smirked. “How is his aunt?”

She shot me a glare. I never let her live it down that she had a baby in her forties.

“She’s fine. Up looking in her daddy’s face right now. You ready for that?”

“I’m ready for it all. My lil’ dude is gonna be my best friend.”

She smiled. “I know you’ll be a great father. I hate that you didn’t have a wife first, but I like Donna, and I know she’ll be a great mom too.”

Everybody in the family liked Donna. They knew her as a friend. I started bringing her around when we had the conversation about having a baby. I wanted her to get a feel of my family and who our kid would be raised by. True, we raised hell, but there was nothing but love amongst the Dillinger clan. Our son would be a recipient of that.

Ten minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. My mom and I got out and quickly made our way inside and up to labor and delivery. For some reason, my chest tightened as we neared the floor. It was the strangest feeling, and I didn’t know what it was.