Page 263

I looked at Q.

“You just said not expensive, Averie.”

Kaiden took the box and started dragging it through the kitchen to head out back.

“I appreciate you doing things for them. I really do. I just don’t want them thinking every man I date is supposed to come in here and spend money.”

Q leaned against the wall.

“Averie, I bought that boy something for football because the boy is serious about it, and I saw him looking at one online. That’s it. I ain’t trying to buy his love.”

“I know.”

“And I’m not trying to buy yours either. Stop looking for something wrong every time shit feels good.”

“I’m working on it.”

By eleven-thirty, Q and Kaiden were leaving for practice. I watched them load the football bag into Q’s truck while Khari stood beside me complaining that she wanted to go, too.

“You need anything while I’m out?” Q asked.

“No, I’m good.”

“I’ll bring him straight back. I promise.”

He kissed me before heading towards the driver’s side. I watched them pull off before going back inside. For the next two hours, I enjoyed the quiet. Khari eventually disappeared upstairs with her dolls, and I got through two loads of laundry without anybody asking me for anything. I even took a nap on the couch for twenty minutes. My phone woke me up when Jaharee called.

“Hey.”

“Hey, have you talked to Meek today?”

“No. Why?”

“I was just asking. Mama was trying to get in touch with him earlier.”

“No, I haven’t talked to him. Do you want me to try and call to see if he would answer for me?”

“No, I know how to get his ass to answer. Thank you anyway. How are the kids?”

“Ain’t nothing changed since they were with y’all last weekend. They’re both still the same spoiled behind kids.”

We shared a laugh before we ended the call. Before I could put the phone down, Q was calling.

“Hey,” I answered.

“Practice is over. I just wanted to call you and let you know we’re at District 12 for a minute.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Kaiden is eating me out of a house and home.”

“You said I could order whatever,” Kaiden said in the background.

“You ordered wings, fries, mozzarella sticks, and a burger,” Q said, laughing.

“Practice got me starving,” Kaiden said.

“Can you put my child on the phone?”