Page 27 of Surrogate For My Best Friend’s Man 2

“I know I don’t gotta, but I want to.”

She didn’t say anything then I heard Malik again. “You need to get some rest.”

She sighed. “I know.”

I smiled a little. “Let that man take care of you.”

“I am but he is annoying sometimes..”

I laughed. “I love you, Shan.”

“I love you too.”

“Get some rest.”

“Aight.”

We hung up. I set my phone in the cup holder and kept driving. Something about that conversation didn’t sit right with me. She sounded tired. But it was like she was choosing every word before she said it.

I knew Shante when something was bothering her, she got quiet and yesterday she was quiet before she ever hit that floor. I looked at the road ahead. Whatever was going on with my best friend, I wasn’t letting it slide.

By the time I pulled up to my mama’s house, it was a little after noon. Brittany was knocked out in the backseat with Minnie tucked underneath her arm. I looked at her through the rearview mirror and shook my head. She had been talking my damn head off all morning, and now she was asleep.

Figures, I parked in the driveway and cut the truck off. For a second, I just sat there. I already knew Mama was gone ask about yesterday. There wasn’t no way around it. I got out, opened the back door, and unbuckled Brittany. She barely woke up. “Come on, sleepyhead.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck. I carried her up the steps and knocked. Mama opened the door before I could knock again.

“Finally.” She smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “Hello to you too.”

She looked down at Brittany. “She sleep?”

“Yep.” I replied.

“Bring her in here.”

I carried Brittany to the couch and laid her down.

Mama grabbed a blanket and covered her.

“She was wide awake when y’all left.” She asked.

“She talked the whole ride here.”

“That’s my baby.”

I shook my head and followed Mama into the kitchen. She had food sitting on the stove. “We already ate.”

“I didn’t ask if you ate.” She looked at me. “I cooked just in case you were hungry.”

“I’m good.”

“Fine.” She poured herself some coffee and sat at the table.

I sat across from her. She stared at me for a few seconds. “Now tell me what happened yesterday.”

I let out a long breath. “Ma…”