There was more shuffling in the background before Lance smacked his lips and huffed into the phone. “Is she good?”
“You would know if you were here or had answered the phone. You gotta stop doing this shit, mane. If you don’t want to be with her, you need to keep it real and go.”
“How many times are we going to have this talk, Mahari? You and everyone else knows Aspen is my heart, and I’m not going anywhere.”
“Then you need to fuckin’ act like it. You need to get your shit together and tend to your girl and daughters more than you do the streets before someone else steps in and do it for you.”
“And what the fuck is that supposed to mean? You know a nigga trying to step in?”
Mahari ran his hand down his face and bit down on his bottom lip. The words resting on the tip of his tongue were hard to swallow. What he desired to say would have caused havoc within their relationship, so Mahari chose to redirect the conversation.
“Nah, mane. I don’t. I’m simply keeping it real with you on the situation. Have you thought about how your actions affect Aspen?”
“I’m sure he hasn’t,” Aspen spoke as she opened the door. “It’s funny how he can sit there and answer your call, but apparently, I’m blocked for the night.”
Lance fussed in a harsh whisper, “You didn’t tell me she was beside you listening. Let me find out you’re trying to be on some sneaky shit, Mahari.”
“Sneaky shit? How would I be on some sneaky shit when I’m calling you out on what you’re doing and trying to help you.You know what . . . It’s all good. I’m going to stay out of your relationship.”
Without waiting for Lance to reply, Mahari hung up and shoved his phone in his pocket. He glanced over at Aspen. She was leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed while silently crying. Mahari held his arms out, and she slowly made her way into his embrace.
“I got you, Bunny.”
Aspen sniffled. “I know. It’s just frustrating for me. My father would be so pissed if he were here. All this really makes me miss him, Mahari. I know it wouldn’t be like this if he was here.”
“I know you miss him, and going through this pregnancy is hard without him, but when you start to feel down, think about the positive. It’s a lot easier said than done, but it helps. Whenever I think about Heaven, my mind goes to the good times. I try not to dwell on how it would be if she was here, because she isn’t, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m simply grateful for the time I had with her.”
Grief was one thing Mahari and Aspen bonded over. They were there for one another when they experienced the major losses in their lives. While Mahari’s was a little fresher than Aspen’s, it didn’t take away how deeply it cut.
Lifting her head, Aspen peered up at Mahari and gave him a soft smile. “You’re right.” She paused and took a deep breath. “Thank you for that. It was exactly what I needed to hear.”
“If anyone knows how you feel, it’s me. No thanks needed.”
For a moment, they got lost in one another’s eyes. Mahari’s grip tightened around Aspen’s waist as he pulled her closer. The emotions swirling in the pit of his stomach told him he was walking on the line, on dangerous territory, but he couldn’t pull away. He wanted to bask in the feeling of how good it felt to have Aspen in his arms.
Their moment was interrupted by Aspen’s phone vibrating against the nightstand. Mahari went over to grab it for her since it was uncomfortable for her to walk, to see it was Lance calling her. He held it up for her to see, and Aspen smacked her lips.
“Answer it and put it on speaker, please,” she instructed, and Mahari did as she said. “What, Lance?”
“Aye, mane. Fix your tone.” Lance fussed. “You good, mamas?”
“As if you truly care.”
“Don’t be like that, Aspen. You know I do. I’m headed home now to get you right. Do you need me to stop anywhere to get you anything?”
Aspen waved her hand as if Lance could see her. “You can go back to wherever you were. Mahari is about to take me to get what I need like he always does. I’m good on you.”
The frustrated breath Lance blew out made Mahari chuckle. His cousin was upset for the wrong reasons, but it wasn’t his place to speak on it anymore. Mahari couldn’t wait to fill Justin in on what happened.
“I’m coming home to you and the twins. Text me what you need, and I’ll see you soon. I love you, and I mean that shit.”
Mahari witnessed Aspen’s face soften and knew Lance was getting to her. He didn’t understand their dynamic, and maybe it wasn’t meant for him to understand. No longer would he insert himself to try to get either of them to see his point of view. If they wanted to continue with the back-and-forth, so be it. None of it concerned him.
Sighing, Aspen walked over, wincing with every step before taking the phone from Mahari and taking it off speaker. She and Lance conversed a bit longer. By the relaxed expression on Aspen’s pretty face, Mahari took that as his cue to leave. No words were spoken as he helped Aspen back into bed, kissed her forehead, and headed toward the door.
“Mahari?” Aspen called out.
Mahari looked over his shoulder and waited for her to speak.
