crazy shit out of his ears. I mean it.”
“Screw you, Aries. If something is true to me,” she pointed her finger at herself, “then I’ll tell it.”
“You’re hurting him by tryna hurt me. As messed up as you are, Ashley, I never talk shit about you to Aiden.”
“Oh, bullshit!”
“It’s true.” He hated her smile, her smell, her nauseating ways. “When he asks me why you always say you’re gonna do this and that, then stand him up or blow him off as you often do, I tell him that maybe you got busy, or you’ve been working a lot. I make up excuses on your behalf, while you’re sitting over there lying on me. I definitely don’t do it to save your ass. I do it to protect him. But that’s going to stop if you keep pushing me.” She dramatically rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Keep playing with me, Ashley and you’ll end up on the wrong end of this. Besides, he’s getting older. I never tell him the truth—that you see my boy as expendable and—”
“Your boy? There you go again. Just because you have custody doesn’t mean he is only your son! He’s not property, Aries!”
“You’re damn right he’s not. That’s my flesh and blood. You’re a mother, not a mom,” he stated between gritted teeth. “You’re too busy chasing your man of the month, running after the next get rich quick scheme or talkin’ all that ‘I’m a gypsy’ shit. We’ve got responsibilities! That boy, our son, isn’t a liability. He’s a gift. One day, he’s gonna wise up and see you for what you really are. In fact, he’s already starting to. The paint is chippin’ off your exterior.”
She twisted her lips and shook her head.
“Mr. Perfect! High and mighty!” She chortled, venom in her tone. “Aries, always bragging about how great you are, all that you do while putting others down.”
“If that’s what you need to tell yourself to sleep at night.” He yawned.
“I’ve got news for you, man. You weren’t any catch. You’re rude. You’re arrogant. You’re a terrible listener and a know-it-all.”
“I’m just straightforward and you can’t handle a real man, especially one unwilling to blow smoke up your ass. Never cheated on you. Always paid the bills in full, on time. Took care of you and your mother, too. Gave you almost everything you wanted. Treated you like a fuckin’ queen. Paid for you to go back to school to finally finish your bachelor’s degree, but the second year, you took that money and ran. I haven’t seen a dime back. Gave you money to get an apartment after I filed for divorce, even after everything you did. I couldn’t have the mother of my kid out on the damn street. Most men in my position would’ve happily left your ass on the corner beggin’ for change with a tin can. You turned around and tried to get alimony, hung shit up in court and I had to prove you’d been unfaithful and guilty of slander. Also loss of income due to you going online and pretending to be a disgruntled customer – sayin’ I didn’t perform good services. Then when I was seeing Tammy for those few months, you somehow got her information and started harassing her on Instagram, tellin’ her a bunch of lies about me. I never said I was perfect, but I damn sure am a hell of a better person than you…”
The woman’s eyes narrowed to black slits. Before she could say a word, their child’s voice broke the tension.
“Hey, Mom.” Aiden drew closer, coming to stand at Aries’ side. His body leaned closer to his father and his shoulder brushed against his arm. The boy’s favorite Atlanta Braves baseball cap was pulled down on his head, covering his eyes a little, and his dark waves flowed out the sides. Sporting an over-sized shirt with a dinosaur eating a piece of pizza on it, Levi’s and his coveted Vans shoes, he was ready to go out to lunch with his mother, then to a store to pick out a new baseball cap since he collected them. To be honest, Aries was truly surprised the woman had actually shown up this time around.
“Hey, baby!” She threw on a huge smile, showing all of her teeth, and enveloped him in her arms, administering a tight squeeze. Her jewelry made a jingling sound as she ran a hand along the boy’s back while simultaneously showering him with