“Why do you ask?”
I didn’t want to get into this with him because I knew how he felt about my career choice too. Even with us not being together, Jasiel hated it. He was the reason Tunk was around.
“Just wondering. Hey, I have to go. I want dinner to be done when Jo-Jo comes home and I have to finish this schedule for Byrdie.”
I went to hang up when Jasiel called out to me.
“I know I’m not Byrdie, but you can tell me anything, Liv. And I might be reaching when I say this, but there are other waysto help people with intimacy issues that don’t involve physical touch from you. I think once you figure that out, everything will make sense.”
“Ugh, not you trying to give me sound advice like you’re some relationship guru or something,” I joked but appreciated Jasiel’s subtle approach to helping me without prying into my fucked up love life.
“Anytime, baby momma.” I groaned while he released a light chuckle.
“Kiss my son. I’ll call once I make it.”
“Will do.”
We hung up and I busied myself to keep my mind off the man who had managed to swoop in and attach his soul to mine, yet to let it go.
The sound of music blaring and a car pulling into my driveway had me turning my head to the side to see Byrdie bopping her head to the latest track by Siren as she sang loud and off key.
“Don’t play me second when you know I’m your only one.” I smirked at her ass even trying to harmonize with the oohs that made it sound as if she was crying out in pain for real.
“Uht uhn, heffa, don’t pull up to my shit doing all that hooting and hollering. Let the professional handle that, please and thank you.” She shot me a glare before she went back to singing, flipping me off in the process. I cackled as I put my attention back on my tablet screen that displayed two calendars, both hers and mine, so I could finalize the best days for this mini vacation.
By the time Byrdie made it onto the patio with me, I was reaching over the table for the pitcher and the glass I had waiting for her.
“Ooh, I love this car to table service I’m receiving. Are you trying to make up for the fact that your ass has been M.I.A theselast couple weeks for real? If so, a snack or charcuterie board would’ve told me that you’re sorry for real.” I snorted as I topped my glass off.
“No. And I haven’t been M.I.A, just extremely busy. Camp is over so I’m officially working around the kids’ schedule with Highland.” Which was the truth. Like I told Jasiel, Highland and I still let the kids spend time with each other, just separately. It felt as if we were sharing custody with our agreement. While I worked, he had Jo-Jo, and while he worked, I had the girls.
Unlike Jasiel, Byrdie didn’t know Highland and I had broken up. I wasn’t ready to go over everything that happened that day again because I was sure she would side with him too. And I didn’t need another person not seeing my side of things right now. This was my career, my business, and how I made my money that took care of me and Jo-Jo. It was all I knew since I graduated from school.
“How are things going with you two? Ooh, we should double date while we’re down there. No, wait, maybe have a family game night while there. And y’all can most definitely host it at Stepdaddy Highland’s beach house.”
“Slow down, girl. We haven’t even finalized dates yet. Highland might be working. Are you still thinking of staying one week?”
He might be working, Olive?
I had to say something that would make sense as to why he wouldn’t be part of any double dates or family game nights while we were down there. Hell, I wasn’t even sure I was going to get away with renting a house for Jo-Jo and me without Byrdie knowing.
Girl, ain’t no way you’re going to rent a whole house to save face. Just tell Byrdie, that way you can get the house together.
No.
“Liv, what the hell do you think we’re doing now? We’re getting all that together. I mean, it would be hard for him not to be there, especially at night since it’s his house, girl. You can’t keep hiding that man, Liv. You gotta let him out to play sometime. And no, I’ve decided to stay two weeks since Troy has the vacation time available too.” Byrdie waved me off as she chuckled.
See, Olive. Just tell her so she doesn’t expect to see him down there.
“We’re going overourschedules. Highland runs a very successful business that is in the biggest and busiest season of the year for him. Hell, I barely see the man. And okay, two weeks. I think I can make that work.” Another truth, just not the way she probably was thinking.
Byrdie squinted and pressed her lips together, giving me a quizzical look.
The sound of a car pulling in had me getting up to see Jo-Jo was back early from his day out.
Fuck.
“Oh, is that him? I’ma just ask him to kick it myself since you trying to keep him all to yourself and what not.” Byrdie’s movements were fast, rushing past me as everyone was getting out of the car, with Highland helping Neela.
