I heard her fussing at Keyani in the background before coming back on the line. “I’m fine, there was just a little…incident at the bridal shop, but I’m okay. I actually have something to talk to you about when you get home.” I immediately noted the way her voice went up an octave, so despite her saying everything was cool, I knew her little ass was lying.
“What type of incident?” I wanted to know. “What could’ve happened at a boutique that sent you to the hospital? One of them old bitches touched you?” I was already working myself up and ready to drive over there to shoot that shit up.
“No! Hell no! I-it’s nothing like that. I’ll explain when you get home later?—”
“I’m on my way now. These niggas finished up here anyway.” I cut her off, looking over my shoulder to see Aw’sum, Cruz, and AJ headed my way. Of course, Avery started rambling in my ear, trying to convince me not to cut my day short, but it was too late for that shit.
“Maasai! Did you hear me? I said it’s no need for you to rush home!” she shouted, not even realizing that her insisting I stay out only made me want to do the exact opposite.
“And I said I’m on my way, so I’ll see you in a second. I love you.” The guys reached me in time to hear that last part, and Cruz instantly sucked his teeth.Hating ass nigga!
“Ugh, okay. I love you too,” Avery muttered before hanging up. I could hear the pout in her voice, but I’d handle that once I got home.
“You good, bro?” AJ quizzed as I shoved my phone down in my pocket. Despite not knowing what was going on, I didn’t want to rope him into shit when Avery was already acting like she didn’t want to tell me. If it was anything that required his help though, I’d definitely put him on, but for now, I didn’t feel the need to.
“Yeah, I’m bouta go on to the crib. I’ll catch y’all later.” I slapped hands with him and then Aw’sum, saving Cruz for last.
“You ain’t never beating them pussy-whipped allegations, my boy.” He shook his head, smirking, and I shoved him playfully.
“And you ain’t never beating them hater allegations.”
“Fuck outta here!” he chuckled, pushing me back. “Take your soft ass home before Avery put belt to ass.”
“I’m the only muthafucka doing the spanking in my crib,” I said truthfully, and AJ pretended to gag.
“Ain’t nobody tryna hear that shit!” he scowled once he finally got himself together.
Laughing, I peddled backward to my car. I’d wasted enough time talking to those niggas already. Cruz and AJ were still talking shit as I slid behind the wheel of my car, but I turned my speakers up and peeled off.
By the time I made it home, I’d somewhat calmed down and was only half considering burning that bridal shop to the ground, depending on what Avery told me. I wanted to wait for her ass in the driveway, but I wasn’t trying to have the neighbors in our business, so I ended up pacing the floor of the living room. The huge bay window gave me a perfect view, and as soon as I saw Keyani’s car coming to a stop in the driveway, I bolted out the door, appearing at Avery’s side before she could get out. Her scary ass hesitated when she saw me, sharing a look with Keyani before accepting the hand I was holding out to her. Nervousness flashed across their faces, and she took her sweet ass time meeting me on the asphalt.
“Boy, what are you doing?” She swatted at me as I held her chin, inspecting her face for any marks then did the same with her body. ”I told you I was fine.”
“Just making sure,” I mumbled, pecking her luscious lips. I almost felt disappointed that I wasn’t going to be able to wreak havoc on somebody though. It had been a long time since I’dgotten into some bullshit, and with Jamo off the grid, I didn’t know when I’d get another chance to fuck some shit up. “Come on so you can tell me about this incident.”
Avery poked out her bottom lip, and I had to stop myself from pulling it in my mouth. “Let me say bye to Keyani first.” She trudged back to the car and ducked her head through the window, yapping as she grabbed her things before finally coming back to where I was waiting. Shorty looked like she was walking the green mile or some shit, with her slow-moving ass, and I shook my head. I let her walk ahead of me, and she didn’t stop until we were in our bedroom where she plopped down on the bed with a sigh. I opted to lean against our dresser, facing her with my arms folded.
“You ready to talk or?—”
“I’m pregnant!” she blurted out, looking just as shocked that she’d said it as I was to hear that shit. I was still processing that information while she continued rambling in true Avery fashion. “I, uh, I had a couple dizzy spells today and almost passed out at the bridal shop. They all started panicking and insisting on calling 911, and they gave me a pregnancy test at the hospital.”
“Pregnant?” My forehead crumpled.
“Yes, Maasai, pregnant!” Avery shot to her feet and began burning a hole in our carpet. “I know it’s probably a shock, but it shouldn’t be. We haven’t exactly been being careful, and I know we already have a lot on our plates with the wedding and the business and…yourfamily business.”
I was hardly listening as I tried to identify what exactly I was feeling.Pregnant!As much as me and Avery fucked, it shouldn’t have been so surprising that we were having a baby, but it was still crazy to hear. It damn sure wasn’t what I was expecting her to say when she said she needed to tell me something. I smoothed down my beard as I watched her pacing, searching for differences in her body, but I couldn’t find any visible ones.She’d complained about her dress not fitting anymore earlier, and I thought that shit was all in her head, to be honest. Her stomach still looked pretty flat to me and didn’t seem any different, but apparently it was. My baby was growing in there. My chest swelled with pride, and I couldn’t help smiling.
Avery was in the middle of spiraling when I closed the short distance between us. I could see it all in her face she was worried; probably about what I’d say, mixed with her own fears and what a child would mean for the both of us. I, on the other hand, was overjoyed. I pulled her body into mine, making her words trail off as she looked up at me, taking in the happiness on my face. “Y-you’re happy about this?” Her eyebrows lifted.
“Of course. I’m married to the most beautiful woman in the world and we’re having a fuckin’ baby!” I said, giving her body a squeeze, and she let out a relieved sigh as her lips lifted into a smile.
“Good, because we only have about six months to prepare.”
“Huh?” I didn’t know much about pregnancy, but I was sure it took about nine months to bake a baby. Avery’s smile grew, seeing my confusion, and she slipped her arms around my back, rubbing along my spine.
“I’m already three and a half months, daddy, so our little bundle will be here by the end of the year.” Her voice was too excited for the type of news she’d just dropped. I thought at least we had about eight months to get ready and settle into the idea of being parents, but obviously not.Damn!
Chapter 7
