“I got you, Dad.”
“Cool. Let me holla at your mama right quick.”
Brendon passed the phone back and I already knew Trust was about to pick a fight. I could hear it in the sarcasm from when he was talking to Brendon.
“Yes Trust.”
“So, you got time to go to a game, but you can’t make time for me to come see my family? What kind of shit you on, Yani?”
“Trust, please shut the fuck up. Brendon told me what you said when he asked you. Nigga you had to take Truce to your niece’s birthday party and wouldn’t have time, remember? Well, guess who made time for their son?”
Trust thought I was stupid, but I was beginning to see more and more each day how he really wasn’t hitting on shit. I was blinded by the comfortability we had. I tolerated entirely too much.
“I would’ve done something with him Yani.”
I scoffed from his dumbass response. “Trust you are such a disappointment, it’s crazy. You don’t even realize that you just called to see if you could come by and spend time when you had the time all along to do something with him. You just wanted to be in my damn face. Look, we about to head inside. Bye.”
Hanging up, I went ahead and turned my focus on so that he wouldn’t be able to get through. Trust was failing me by the second and that was hurting more than I thought it would. It was clear that the family he made with Xara was more important to him than us.
The thing was, Trust wanted me to fight for him when I refused to do so. He fucked up and acted as if Brendon and I were replaceable so now he had to stand on that. I didn’t want anything to do with him.
Pulling into the parking lot twenty minutes later, we saw how packed it was. The game started at seven and it was already half pass six. We had enough time to make it to our seats and get settled. I was excited and the smile that my son wore on his face said that I was doing my job.
“Alright baby boy. Let’s go,” I said finally finding a parking space. “Stay close to me at all times. This is a big place baby, and anything can happen.”
“Yes ma’am. Do you think I can really get an autograph from Steph?”
“Uhm, I don’t know baby. We’ll see.”
We exited the vehicle and made our way inside. There were crowds in each direction. Every step we took caused my anxiety to go up. I had never been around so many folks a day in my life. I held on to my son as we made our way through the sea of people and to our seats. When I saw Lina, a weight was lifted off my shoulders.
“Girl, I thought you got lost. I’m glad y’all made it. Hey nephew.” She wrapped her arms around Brendon and broughthim in for a hug. “Your boy is over there fixing him something to eat, go join him.”
He ran off and I was thankful to be able to finally relax. I scanned the room, and it seemed as if our box would have very little traffic. That would work in my favor. I proceeded to take the empty seat next to Lina’s purse.
Looking out into the stadium, I was amazed at how many people showed up for a good time. I was glad that Brendon was able to experience this. His father failed to bring him, but his mom and aunt came through. I was reminding him to thank Lina once he came to sit with his food.
“How you feeling, Yani?”
I was tired of answering that question, but I knew everyone that asked was just concerned. Everybody and their mama knew how I felt about Trust. It was heartbreaking finding out what I did but what was done in the dark always came to the light. It was just his time to carry the spotlight.
Somewhere in the mix, I was supposed to feel relieved that his lies were front and center, but it was fresh, and I was still attached. I told myself that leaving him was for the best, but I wasn’t so sure at the end of the day. Trust had a huge effect on me that no one could ever understand.
“I’m here Calina. That’s all I can say.”
She nodded and took a seat beside me. I didn’t want to continuously talk about Trust. I really wished everyone would just let me have my time and bring up something other than him.
“Ma, they had nachos.” Brendon had returned to me and was showing off his plate.
“I see. Sit and eat. It looks like the game is starting. Also, thank your aunt for getting us tickets. She didn’t have to do this for us.”
He did like I asked then took the seat next to me, and for the next half hour, he was so invested in the game that I couldn’t gain any attention from him. He had the biggest smile on his face and that was the only thing that kept a smile on mine. His enjoyment somehow became mine.
“You know you’re in the state of Oklahoma, right?”
I had come accustomed to that baritone. My nerves had kicked up a notch and my smile had dropped. Turning around, I was looking into the face of Paxton Hughes. His fine ass had found a way to be in my presence once again.
“What are you doing here Paxton?” I inquired, trying not to seem flustered.
