Page 37 of Stand on That

Swiping, I answered the phone for Bree. “What’s up?”

“The daycare called and told me I had to come get Dymand because she has a fever. We’re on our way to the doctor. Just wanted to let you know.”

My brows dipped as Vani approached the table with a glass of lemonade in one hand. “She good? How she acting?” Vani set the glass in front of me and walked off.

“She’s cranky and whiny. I don’t think it’s anything too major, but we’ll see.”

“I just stopped to grab some food. I’ll call you when I’m done and see what’s up.”

“Okay.”

I was a first-time parent, but I had never been one to panic at the slightest sign that something was off. That was more of a trait that women possessed. For the most part, I could stay cool in situations until I had all the facts. Dymand was almost two, and she’d only had a cold once. Kids got sick. That was normal. And so were fevers. My mom always said fevers were good because that meant your body was fighting the infection.

I might not have been panicking, but when I was done with my meal, I was going straight to my baby. Money and anything else were stopped for the day or at least until I loved on my shorty and made sure she was good. There were many kinds of people in the world that I didn’t respect, and dead-beat parents were at the top of that list. I didn’t rock with no nigga that didn’t take care of his kids. It could be my daddy. I didn’t give a damn. Around the time Bree got pregnant, I was adamant that I didn’t want kids. I went from not wanting kids at all to not wanting them if Vani wasn’t the one carrying them. But now that Dymand was here, a kid was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I would stand on that against whatever and whoever.

Vani walked over carrying my food. I cleared my throat and sat back as she placed the plate in front of me. “Is there anything else I can get you?” she asked in that fake tone that was reserved for all customers.

“Nah, this looks straight. Thank you.”

Vani turned to walk away.

“Aye.”

She turned around.

“Sit down for a second.”

Vani’s brows rose. “Um, you do see that I’m at work, right?”

“Yeah, I do. I also see that another server just got here. And I know your people own the place, so you’re not going to get fired for sitting down for two seconds.”

“That’s not the point,” Vani rolled her eyes, but she sat across from me anyway. I peered at her for a few seconds. “I didn’t sit down for you to stare at me,” she huffed making me chuckle.

“I’m gonna fall back and let you do you. I’m not going to crowd you or do too much. You spent three years in the belly of the beast, and I know you gotta come home and do whatever it is that you need to do. Whatever you do though, make sure it’s safe. For you and whoever you’re doing it with.”

Vani’s jaw slacked. “Did you just threaten me?”

“I’d never threaten you. I made a promise though. And I put that on me.” I was serious as a heart attack, and I gave no fucks about us not being together.

I had my reasons for not visiting her when she was down, and they were valid to me. She’d get over it. Just like I got over the stupid shit she’d done.

“Goodbye, Darius. Have a nice day,” Vani chuckled as she slid out of the booth.

Bowing my head, I prayed over my food before I demolished it. When I was done, I left Vani a $500 tip. I was going to be as patient as I could be, but she didn’t have too much time to keep playing with me.

With a small smile, I shook my head at Brian before leaning forward to sip from my straw. “I hear you.”

“I’m glad you do. So, I’m not getting out of this booth until you tell me yes.”

That got a chuckle out of me. “You’re bullying me into going out on a date with you?”

“Bully you?” Brian’s face scrunched. “Hell nah. I’m just being very persuasive.”

“Let me think about it.”

“Take all the time you need but remember, I’m not leaving until you say yes.”

I laughed and sucked down more of my frozen margarita. I was at a popular wing spot on the strip with Lo, and I saw a guy I knew from high school named Brian. He had always been cute. He stayed fly, drove a decent car. Back then, I just viewed him as corny. He was the type that was awkward around females like he wasn’t sure of himself. His confidence seemed to have grown and while I was damn near bursting at the seams wanting to have sex, I didn’t see my first time since being free being with Brian.