Chapter 24

Twenty-Four

Neo

Three Weeks Later

Early April

When Aries askedme to hang out, I didn't know what to expect. Asia had never asked to spend time with me with Steven and China or alone. Looking back on that relationship, there were so many signs I missed. I could pinpoint the exact moment he started cheating on me, because it was also when China started to change.

At the beginning of our relationship, China and I were cool. She was sweet and respectful, and we had a great time together. After I moved in with Steven, she started acting more distant and closed off when she came around. I remember the day she got her report card, she just so happened to be at our house. Because she'd gotten a D in one of her classes, Steven took her phone.

He went through her text messages and saw that China had been talking big shit about the both of us with her mother. Asia had been planting seeds of discord between us, talking to China about me and my relationship with her father as if she was a grown woman. I appreciated the fact that Steven told her she had to respect me, regardless of what her mom said. After that, though, it was never the same.

Even though I tried to make a relationship with me and China work, I was paranoid and felt like she was never being sincere. All I could think about was how I was putting forth effort to bond with her and she was talking about me to her mother as soon as our time was over. I still tried to hang with her and make sure she felt comfortable around me, but I knew we'd probably never have the close bond I wished I'd have with my man's child.

Things were already different with Aries and Marz. Not just because Marz was younger but because Aries was putting forth the effort to get to know me. I kind of wanted to get inside her head about it, but I was also trying to trust that she had pure intentions. None of them deserved to deal with my paranoia and overthinking, so I was trusting my God wink and that I was truly safe with Merc.

We decided to go bowling, since that was something we could do that wouldn't require a lot of talking. After our second game, we started to loosen up more. I'd set the order of quesadillas I'd purchased us on the table as she said, "You're pretty cool. I see why Merc likes you."

"Thank you. You're pretty cool yourself. I'm glad bowling is something we both enjoy doing. Maybe we can make this a monthly thing until your belly gets too big for you to see over it."

Aries laughed as she nodded. "I'm down with that for sure. I'm a home body and don't go out too much, but I do love bowling and skating."

"Ooh, I love skating!"

"Yassss, we'll have to do that too then."

"For sure." I paused before asking, "What made you ask to do this?"

Her smile was warm as she chewed the piece of quesadilla that she'd just bitten. "I was waiting for you to ask me that." We shared a laugh. "I want to get to know the first woman Merc has had around our son. Based on how he feels about you, I think you'll be around for quite some time." That made my heart melt. "Also, I wanted to be able to tell you myself that there is absolutely nothing romantic between us. I know people can lie in your face about that kind of thing, but I don't want Merc's crazy ass. What we had is in the past, and we are not compatible at all. We're good friends and great parents to our son, but that's as far as it will ever go. You never have to worry about him cheating on you—with me or anyone else."

I didn't really know how much I needed this moment until she said those words. Standing, I walked over to her side of the table for a hug. This was the kind of thing I needed to feel safe with my man. I never wanted to have baby mama drama. A man with a child had an extra gift that came with him. One that I'd be able to provide with extra love. I wanted to be with a man whose baby mama understood and appreciated that, not felt threatened by it or want to push me away.

So far, things with Merc, Marz, and Aries were off to a really great start, and I was excited to see where they would go.

I was so embarrassed.

After we took Marz to Incredible Pizza, we chilled and got ready to go out for karaoke with the crew. Merc was cross faded off weed and whiskey, and he'd decided to serenade me. The problem was, Merc was great at a lot of things, but singing wasn't one of them.

I couldn't stop laughing as he belted "Made for Me" by Muni Long at the top of his longs. I mean I was laughing so hard tears were in my eyes. Everyone around us laughed and recorded the scene, and I knew Innvy would send it to me before the night was over for me to cherish forever.

He took my hand into his and helped me to stand. We swayed with our arms wrapped around each other as he sang and I laughed. When the song was over, I think everyone was clapping so hard because he'd finally shut up. The microphone was quickly yanked from his hand, and that made me laugh harder.

"That was great, baby," I said as we sat back down.

"Aw yeah? You want an encore?"

"No!" I yelled a bit louder than I intended to, along with everyone else at our table. We all burst into a fit of laughter, and Merc did too after he flipped everyone off. This man was irreplaceable, and I was glad I decided not to let fear rule.