Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97426 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Chapter 18
Alone
Alexis
Seven months later…
“Wow, look at him,” Kid says as she moves closer to my hospital bed.
I’ve given birth to my son all by myself. I was frightened, but in the end, I did what I needed to do for him. AJ is my world. He couldn’t be any more perfect.
“Look at him all right. Nine pounds, eleven ounces. Twenty inches.”
“Damn,” Kid chuckles. “He’s his daddy’s boy, but he’s so cute. Look at all that hair. It’s sticking out of his cap.”
“Yeah, there’s a lot under there.”
“Let me get a few pics. For Ox,” she says.
“Wait, not with me in them. Place him in the bassinet.”
I hand her the baby and laugh when she gets him into her arms and her eyes go wide.
“Jeez, girl. Can you still feel your cooch?”
“Oh, I feel it all right.”
“Come on, godson. Let’s get these flix for your papa.”
I sit smiling as she coos down at my son. I wish Ant could be here, but we came up with the idea to have Kid show him pictures to introduce him to his boy. Kid will pass them off as pictures of her godson. They hang out enough that she’d share something like this with him.
“So how is everything back home?”
“It’s been quiet. Pit has been talking about proposing to Ven. Shawna has been staying at the cabin the guys bought for Ven and Ox has been entertaining starting something of his own. Not a bar, but maybe a restaurant or lounge type of thing. I think Pit plans to go in on it with him.”
“That’s cool,” I say, looking down into my lap. “Has he been seeing anyone?”
“No, he’s back to brooding when it comes to women. I haven’t had to threaten anyone lately.”
I give a little chuckle. I never told Kid to cockblock Ant, that was her own idea. I guess that’s why he was so insatiable that night.
“So what’s the plan after the pictures?” Kid asks, turning to look at me expectantly.
“I want him to hold him. I was thinking we’d give it a few months. Maybe when AJ is five months or so, you can come back here and pick him up. Keep him for a few weeks or something.”
“I can do that. You hear that, little buddy? You get to come spend time with me. I’m going to spoil you so much.”
“Kid?”
“Yeah, hon.”
“Thank you so much. You’ve done so much for me. Thank you.”
“You’re all the family I’ve got. You’re not getting rid of me. It’s going to be so hard to leave you two in a month.”
“I’m glad you’re here for as long as I have you.”
“I bet you would rather I were a certain six-six fine-ass bartender.”
I roll my eyes. “I could only wish.”
She moves to climb into the bed with me. “Aww, I was only teasing. I wish there was more I could do.”
“Where do we even start? I’ve been busting my brain trying to figure this out. I’m not raising my son without his father.”
“Then tell him. Let Ox handle this.”
“It’s not that simple.”
She sighs. “I know, but it’s a start.”
“I won’t risk everyone. I have to be sure I can do this and no one else is hurt.”
“I get it. We’ll figure it out.”
Chapter 19
First Meeting
Anthony
Five months later…
Kid asked me to come over for a Netflix and chill night. I was a little thrown, I’ve been paying more attention and I know she has a thing for my little brother. Leo, on the other hand, has no idea she’s into him.
Which is why I’m still wondering what this is about. It’s not like we haven’t had beers together at her place, but she made it seem like this is something different. She said specifically to come over to Netflix and chill for the night.
It could be my horny-ass brain overthinking. I’d love to find someone I could use to fuck Alexis out of my thoughts. I hate that I still think of her. Better yet, I hate that whenever I do try to hook up, if Kid’s not around to cockblock, I do it to myself.
Kid and Alexis are total opposites. I think I could bend her over off the strength of that. Other than the brown skin, I wouldn’t be triggered to think of Lex.
I ring the doorbell and wait as my thoughts continue to ramble. It’s been a long week. I’ve been helping Pit and Skittles run around for their wedding. I guess that’s why Alexis has been so heavy on my mind.
“Come in,” Kid says as she opens the door.
At first, I think her TV is on. There’s a baby crying. I groan, thinking she’s going to force my ass to watch some sappy shit all night. However, when I follow her into the living room, I stop short.
Kid picks up a baby out of a playpen. The little guy is almost as big as she is. He’s cute. Suddenly, it clicks. This is her godson.