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“Jaharee, are you serious right now?”

“Dead ass.”

“Did you come for the story or to stir up shit?”

I ran the story down to her, but I couldn’t help but think she was picking up on Shameek and I. Keeping the shit hidden was starting to be harder than actually dealing with the feelings themselves. Jaharee was watching, and her ass noticed everything. Grif was picking up on it, and then my personal security already knew because of all the late nights Shameek was coming to my house or me going to his. This shit was getting out of control, and it wasn’t because of me. Shameek had to get control of his feelings in public.

CHAPTER 27

AVERIE

Ihad been putting this day off for weeks. Every time Q asked when he was going to meet the kids, I found a reason to push it back. Either Kaiden had a football game, practice or Khari had something going on. The truth was, I didn’t know how I wanted to introduce a man into their lives after Rah. I knew Q wasn’t trying to replace anybody, but kids didn’t always see things the same way adults did. Especially when one of them was twelve and old enough to understand exactly what was happening. Kaiden had already made it clear he wanted to meet him. That was the only reason I finally stopped making excuses. Q was coming over for dinner, nothing extra. I told him not to bring gifts and not to try too hard. He laughed at me when I gave him the list because apparently, I sounded like I was preparing him for an interview instead of dinner. My children’s opinion meant a lot to me.

As soon as I got home from work, Khari was sitting at the kitchen island coloring while Kaiden was stretched across the couch pretending not to care that Q was coming over.

“Did you finish your homework?”

“Yes.”

“Did you put your football uniform in the laundry room like I asked?”

“Yes.”

I stepped out of my shoes and looked at him.

“Is that all you know how to say today?”

“You’re only asking yes or no questions,” he said.

Khari laughed so hard she almost fell out the chair. Kaiden acted like he didn’t care but had texted me three times asking if Q was still coming. I headed upstairs to shower and change. After my shower, I threw on some leggings and a sweatshirt. I wasn’t making some huge production out of dinner because I didn’t want the kids thinking this was more serious than it was. Q and I had been seeing each other consistently for weeks, and yes, I liked him. I was not about to start talking about forever just because a man knew how to make me laugh and fuck me correctly.

The doorbell went off right at seven. Kaiden sat up and Khari jumped up off the sofa.

“Is that him?” she asked.

“Probably.”

“Can I answer it?”

“Girl, no! Go sit down.” I laughed.

Q was standing outside holding a grocery bag. I immediately frowned.

“What did I tell you?” I said through gritted teeth.

“You said no gifts. You’re cooking dinner, and I brought dessert. It’s called me being raised right, woman.”

I stepped aside and let him in. He kissed my cheek, and that was the first thing Kaiden noticed. His eyes went from Q to me and then back to Q. He looked him from his feet to the top of his head and then back down. I couldn’t believe my twelve-year-old son was sizing up a grown man. He was Rahmelo’s son for sure. Q caught it too. He didn’t act weird about it.

“Aight, so which one of y’all is the boss here?” he asked.

“Me,” Khari said.

“No, she’s not,” Kaiden blurted out.

“I knew the boss would speak up.” Q laughed.

“Q, this is Kaiden. Kaiden, this is Quincey, but everybody calls him Q. And this bundle of energy is Khari.”