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“Does family fuck each other’s exes too?” I quipped, not holding back.
Tyson gripped the hair on his chin, knowing he fucked up. “You’re protective of Gi. I get it, but we’re on the same team.” Tyson seemed a lot more humble than he was at Mack’s party.
Hmm, Kyerra must’ve done a number on this man.
“For your sake, I hope so.”
“I’m a fun guy Lo. You’ll see. Soon enough, I’ll be your favorite instead of Mack.” Tyson grinned confidently, basking in our truce, but I wasn’t thrilled.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I have to go check on the girls.” Excusing myself, I left the guys to finish their conversation.
Trent had been blowing up my phone nonstop since the shooting, but I didn’t have anything to say to him. He claimed he wanted to be a father, yet he hadn’t even told his son about me. Permanently blocking his number, there was nothing else for us to talk about. Trent was who he was, and I had to accept that.
They were still fast asleep, so I made a snack. As if on cue, Cam woke up, and Serenity followed. Xora offered to take them off my hands, but I didn’t want Serenity out of my sight. Wondering if I would ever see my baby again was scary. Plus, I felt like I owed Sky.
From the moment we met, Sky became a friend to me. She didn’t have anybody else, and I knew how that felt, so Cam wasn’t going anywhere. Children weren’t the only ones who needed a village. Mom’s did, too, and I was a proud member of Sky’s, especially since she wouldn’t have been at the gala if it wasn’t for me playing matchmaker.
Serenity loved having Cam around. She would coo and reach for her as she sang and danced, entertaining Serenity. It was a game of peek-a-boo that had her thinking she could jump off my lap.
“When is mommy coming home?” Cam asked, and I was beginning to run out of answers.
“Soon.”
“How soon? Why hasn’t she called me? She always calls me.”
“Mommy isn’t feeling good right now. As soon as she is, she’ll call. I promise.”
“Is she sick?”
“A little. She doesn’t want to give you her germs, so you’re hanging out with me,” I smiled, pinching her cheek despite wanting to cry.
“Okay,” Cam moved on and grabbed Serenity's rattle, pretending she was putting on a concert.
Even though she moved on quickly, it wouldn’t be the last time she asked about Sky. Cam was a mama’s girl. A true testament to the love Sky had for her baby. As a newbie still, I hoped to find my way like Sky said I would.
Serenity had reached a new milestone and had a strict bedtime routine that allowed her to sleep most of the night. Gianni wanted more kids, but the way I saw it, we got it right the first time.
I finally released the tears I held since Cam asked about Sky in the safe confines of my bathroom. We were all doing our best, but each day that passed was more challenging than the previous. I jumped as Gianni walked behind me, stroking my arms. “Jesus! Can you knock or something next time?” Annoyed that he’d caught me in such a vulnerable state.
“I’m here,” he whispered, kissing my head. “Talk to me or not talk to me, but I’m here, Lo.”
Turning around to face him, I collapsed in Gianni’s arms. It had become my safe place during the chaos. We stood in the bathroom for what felt like forever, just the two of us. Occasionally he leaned down to kiss my face, providing the reassurance I needed.
Finally, I pulled back enough, to be honest, “I’m worried about you.”
“Why are you worried about me?” Gianni chuckled, and ironically I found myself thinking about his relationship with Kyerra. Was he so used to pouring into everybody else that he didn’t know how to let somebody be there for him?
“The darkness in your eyes. It scares me. I’m begging you, Gianni-.”
“Are you?” he drawled, wearing a sexy grin, hoping to throw me off. “If you were begging, you’d be on your knees, and I’d enjoy this conversation a lot more.” I usually enjoyed our flirtatious banter, but I was serious and needed him to do the same. “What do you want me to say, Lo?” he gasped, annoyed that I wouldn’t let him off the hook.
“Whatever, just don’t hide from me.”
“I was scared. I was scared that Serenity would never experience how great you are. Scared that I’d never get to see you in a wedding dress. Scared to call Sadie if you didn’t wake up.” Gianni was angry at himself for not being able to control his emotions as I swiped the tear that escaped. “I was scared, and I don’t like feeling scared, so I’m focused on finding whoever thought this shit was a good idea.”
“Wow, I thought I was supposed to fall for the kid, but that sounded pretty deep to me,” I smiled, and he shook his head. “I’m scared too.”
“You don’t have shit to be afraid of.”
