Page 36 of Own It

Catching herself, she said, “I’m gonna go take a shower. I just came from the gym.”

“Don’t lose that ass trying to work out,” I said, stealing a glimpse of her booty before focusing back on unboxing the toy for my baby girl.

“Language, Josias. Gym helps my butt look better, but remember, nothing on my body is any of your concern anymore.”

I didn’t respond as she sauntered upstairs. For the next half hour, I ate about fifty times since my baby kept making different meal combinations with the plastic food that she wanted me to eat. The customer service was trash, but the food was good.

“Mommy, make chicken chips?” Divine asked as soon as her mama floated past us toward the kitchen, smelling good enough to eat.

I couldn’t help but watch, like always, eyes glued to her hair, her pretty ass face, and her body in them long ass shorts and a top void of any straps.

“I am, and it’s nachos, baby.” She chuckled.

“You make enough for ya boy, right?” I called out.

“I hadn’t planned on you staying, but it’s a whole tray, so it’s enough for you.” Kasia talked as she pulled out the supplies for the food. “I know this Saturday is mine, but can you take her for me?”

“Yeah, I got you.” I nodded, whispering to Divine that we were gonna eat sweets all fucking weekend, even for breakfast. “What you doing on Saturday? Them niggas called you in? I told you to quit.”

“I like my job, and I like having a job. I can’t just sit up in the house while you take care of me.” She recited the same shit she always did when I urged her to kick back. Tarin had no issue with the shit, which I appreciated. “I’m umm, I’m going out.”

“Going out? With who? Nila?” I sat up, interest beyond piqued until she eased a nigga’s nerves and confirmed it was Nila or even some other female. I hadn’t heard her mention Nila in about a year, so I was internally spiraling.

“Does it matter? You agreed to take Divine for me, right?”

“Who you going with, Kasia?” I rose to my feet, venturing into the kitchen after making sure Divine was still concentrating on her Play-Doh set. “Is it a fucking date?”

“Why does that matter?” She frowned up at me, one hand using a large silicone spatula to cook the good smelling meat in the skillet.

“Answer the question.”

“Oh my fucking gosh.” She angrily moved the chicken around the pan while shaking her head. “It is. I am going on a date. I just met him, so I don’t wanna invite him over or have him meet Divine. We’re gonna have dinner. Now, will you watch her for me? I can take her back the same night, or she can spend the night with you.”

“Nah, I got some shit to do,” I said, bothered as fuck.

Kasia turned away from the food to peer up at me with her mouth agape as if she was waiting for me to tell her ass I was joking.

I didn’t wanna be that type of nigga, but I couldn’t help it. I wouldn’t even be able to focus thinking about Kasia on a fucking date. It would take everything in me not to pop up on her shit and hem that bitch ass nigga up. It was fucked up since I wasn’t in a place to do right by Kasia, but I wouldn’t actively give her to the next nigga either.

Shaking her head while chuckling mirthlessly, she said, “It’s cool. I will tell him next Saturday is better for me since she will already be with you.”

She wouldn’t stop shaking her damn head.

“That works,” I replied, watching her as she migrated from one area of the kitchen to another while I attempted to conjure up some way to block that rescheduled date too.

“Can you move? I need space to cook.” She bumped into me. “Stop. I am not playing.” She shoved me hard as fuck when I grabbed her waist to kiss her temple.

I returned to the living room with Divine, who I played with until it was time to eat. Kasia didn’t say shit to me the entire time we ate, even having me make my own fucking plate.

Afterward, she bathed Divine, and then I read my baby girl a bedtime story until she dozed off.

I hit the shower since I had shit stored here, and upon doing so, I noticed Kasia had tucked all my shit into the bathroom cabinet instead of it being out already like normal.

“Fuck,” I mumbled, realizing what that shit meant. She didn’t want the nigga she possibly moved on to seeing my belongings, and that fucked with my ass, putting me in panic mode.

Once cleaned up, I searched and found my bag containing my toothbrush, paste, floss, and mouthwash, then got to work on my teeth before heading out and into Kasia’s bedroom.

She was in bed, reading a book but quickly put the shit down on her nightstand as soon as I opened the door.