Page 67 of The Need to Know

“His existence in the time frame of our relationship is low,” I shot back. “Answer me this, would you still be here if I stepped out and got pregnant? If I had a son?”

Corey stood back and his eyes raced up and down my body, stopping at my flat stomach. “Another man’s kid?”

“Exactly. You can’t even fathom the thought. I’m supposed to be a good girl and keep it nice and locked up for you, while you’re out giving it away every chance you get. That’s ya problem.”

Corey went from apologetic and soft, to his true form, hard and defensive. “So, what’s up? You seein’ someone else? I drove by your shop, I see y’all been busy, so I know life treating you good. I seen ya Instagram, too. Picnics and shit, and how you was posted up in public restrooms smiling all happy. You got something you wanna tell me?”

The accusatory air in his voice made me want to hit him, but I wouldn’t. He wasn’t worth the energy or exertion. Not to mention he could easily take me down.

Still, my blood boiled at the audacity of him to question my love life. I almost wanted to lie and tell him I was seeing someone new, someone with a fatter wallet and a bigger dick, just to get under his skin.

“I don’t owe you an explanation about what I’m doing with my life. You got some nerve turning up out of nowhere and questioning me,” I said. “I’d like you to leave if I’m being honest.”

Corey was taken aback as he sized me up. “I’m sorry. Okay? Is that what you want to hear, because I am. I can’t take back CJ, and I know that’s hard on you, but I want to move forward, to be better. I want to build a life with you, Nas, have a family, a pretty little girl, and just be us.”

I was only twenty-five years old, completely unsure about the thought of having my own children. There was no way I was interested in dealing with someone who did. In becoming a stepparent. Not at this point in my life. Scorsese was all I could handle.

The situation with Corey’s son was completely different. It would always be there, the fact that he was conceived during my and Corey’s relationship. The fact that we’d entered our relationship two childless people and now Corey had gone and experienced something life changing without me. I held no animosity toward CJ. I was sure he was a beautiful boy, as his father was a handsome man, but I wasn’t going to stomach the pain I felt about the reality of the situation.

Paisley was right when she spoke about men and their double standards. If I’d been the one to have a child outside of our relationship, Corey wouldn’t have gotten past it. He wouldn’t have the heart to look at another man’s child every time we got together.

So why should I?

“Have you tried being a family with your baby mom?” I asked. “Why not link back up with her and let her have your daughter?”

Corey sucked his teeth and lulled his head back. “I’m not going to stand here and lie. I did try to make it work with Dee, but she bring something out of me that just don’t work. We not good for each other like that. I’ma always do my part with CJ, but that’s it. I’m good with Denyce.”

If this were the past, perhaps I would’ve been moved, but I wasn’t.

Heavy knocks greeted my door and my stomach leaped to my throat.

Corey’s eyes shifted to the door and I could see his stance stiffening. “Who’s that?”

I felt Corey behind me as I went and got the door. I was doing no wrong, but my head hung low as I opened it and revealed Ezekiel standing on the other side. In one hand was a case of beer. Corona.

Corey laughed behind me. “Wow.”

“Can I help you?” Ezekiel didn’t wait for me to invite him in. He helped himself as he passed me the six-pack swiftly.

Corey angled his head, staring over at Ezekiel, perplexed. “Ain’t you that club dude?”

Ezekiel took a smooth stance as he stacked one hand on top of the other and stood tall, facing Corey head on. “Now that we know who I am, who are you and why are you here?”

“I’m here for Nastasia,” Corey shot back.

Ezekiel wasn’t convinced. “I seem to remember her asking you to leave before we ended our call. So why are you still here?”

Corey’s eyes snapped to me. “Yo, what the fuck is going on?”

“Corey, please,” I begged.

Ezekiel’s annoyed eyes found me and I could tell he was losing his patience. “She asked you nicely. Again.”

Corey smirked. “I’m talking to her. I’m not going nowhere.”

Ezekiel angled his body, showing a hand toward the front door. “You tryna have a conversation outside?”

The veiled threat sent a chill down my spine.