"And look what happened!" She threw her hands up emotionally. "Remel, look at your face!"
"Mama—"
"No!" Her voice cracked. "You have a child!"
That part hit me hard as hell. The room fell quiet for a second.
Melo came bouncing back around the corner with his backpack but slowed when he noticed the tension. His little face looked worried all over again. "Daddy?" he asked softly.
I forced my expression to soften. "Yeah, buddy?"
"Did the bad guy hurt you?"
Jesus Christ. I swallowed hard. "I'm okay."
He walked over slowly and wrapped his arms around my legs carefully like he was scared to hurt me more. "I don't want nobody hurting you, Daddy," he whispered.
That almost fucking broke me. My eyes squeezed shut briefly as I rested my hand against the back of his head. "I'm alright, son." I reassured him. But holding my son while my mother stood there crying quietly and my father stared at me like he was trying to figure out how bad this really was; I realized this situation wasn't just affecting me and Gianna anymore. It was bleeding into every part of my life now.
Mama folded her arms tightly over her chest before finally speaking quieter this time.
"I knew something was off the moment that situation at the restaurant happened." She shook her head slightly.
"Ma—"
"No, let me finish." Her eyes finally lifted back to mine. Fear sat in them more than anger. "You're not reckless by nature, Remel. You're a good man. Gentle. You don't move like this. You don't fight." Her voice cracked again. "This thing with that girl is changing you."
Pops glanced at her carefully but didn’t interrupt.
I exhaled slowly. "I love her," was all I could say. And that was all I needed to move however I needed to move for her protection.
Mama let out the heaviest sigh. "I know you do." She shook her head slowly. "That's exactly why I'm scared, son."
Chapter 46
The movers Remy hired were efficient and quick.
A four-man crew—two men and two women. They arrived locked and loaded. The women began packing our clothing, dishes, and fragile items carefully, while the men disassembled and moved our furniture.
Me and Ronnie didn't have to lift a finger, just instruct them on how we wanted things packed and where we wanted them to go.
"You got you a real one, sis," Ronnie remarked. "Remy is quickly becoming one of my favorite niggas and he ain't even mine," she smiled as we sat on our balcony watching.
I laughed lightly. "Thank you. He's a sweetheart," I sighed happily. "Like really sweet. Not a bad bone in his body."
"I can see that." She nodded. "His friend on the other hand—" she gave me a sly smile. "That nigga full of bad bones, and I'm enjoying each one."
"I bet." I smirked. "You drained him dry yet?"
She sighed wistfully. "Not yet. But I'm making good progress."
We laughed, high fiving each other.
"I wanna laugh." Remy's head poked out with a smile.
"Baby!" I jumped up happily and went into his arms. He wrapped me in his embrace kissing me all over my face and making me giggle.
"Y'all cute or whatever," Remy teased.
