Page 92 of Surrogate For My Best Friend’s Man 2

“Miss what?”

“You.”

My smile disappeared. “Deuce.”

“I know don’t start.”

“No, don’t act like shit sweet.”

“I ain’t say it was just letting you know how I feel.”

I looked toward the living room and Brittany was sitting beside my mama watching TV again.

“I miss my family.”

I swallowed. “You should’ve protected it when you had it.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.”

The automated voice warned us the call was ending soon.

“Tell Brittany I love her.”

“You already told her about fifty times.”

“Tell her again.”

“I will.”

“And Lisha be careful.”

My mood changed immediately. “Don’t start that shit.”

“I’m not just watch yourself.”

I knew exactly what he meant. “I am.”

“Aight.”

The call disconnected and I lowered the phone and I stood there staring at it. Then Brittany yelled from the living room. “Mommy! Did Daddy say he love me again?”

I smiled. “Yep.”

She grinned. “I knew it.”

I walked back into the living room and sat beside her. I knew letting Brittany talk to Deuce was the right thing. But that call had reminded me of something I didn’t want to deal with. I still knew that man and I knew when Deuce was holding something back and he was.

The next afternoon, I decided to stop by Shante’s apartment. I had tried calling her earlier, but she didn’t answer. Normally, I would’ve waited for her to call me back, but with her being a month away from having twins, I checked on her more than usual. Plus, I had picked us up some food. I figured we could eat, talk shit, and maybe watch something until I had to head back to my mama’s.

When I knocked on the door, it took Shante forever to answer. By the time she cracked it open, I was already irritated. “Why are you opening the door like you don’t know me?”

“I was laying down.”

She looked tired, but there was something else about her. She kept herself planted directly in the doorway instead of moving aside like she normally would. I lifted the bag of food. “I brought something to eat.”

“You could’ve called.”

“I did.”