don’t be selfish. You’re already marryin’ my prince charmin’. The least you could do is make sure I look my best in your weddin’ photos.”
His phone rang, interrupting us.
“Ah, shit… it’s your future baby daddy.”
“Don’t answer it.”
“Hmmm…” He thought about it for a second.
“Danté, I mean it. Don’t you dare ans—”
“Hiiiiiiiiii,” he answered, and I jumped up, instantly screeching out in pain.
“Yes, that was her. No… I don’t think that’d be a good idea, cuz then she’ll just throw my phone, and I don’t wanna be at Verizon all day buyin’ a new one. Ain’t no one got time for that.”
I swear I heard Aiden growl from the other end of the phone.
“She actually don’t wanna talk to you right now, cuz you said you loved your wife in your sleep.”
My mouth dropped open. “Danté! I can’t believe you,” I clenched out, fucking furious.
“Shhh!” He hushed me, putting his hand in my face. “I’m talkin’ on the phone!”
“I’m going to kick your ass!” I took a step and recoiled in pain.
“She hurt her ankle on your stairs when she was haulin’ ass outta your house.” He looked over at my foot, I was clutching in my hands. “It’s really swollin’, kinda purple, blue thing goin’ on wit’ it… No, she won’t go. She says she’s fine… Oh, I know, I told her she wasn’t a doctor too.”
“Danté, I swear to God if you—”
He put his hand over the speaker. “I’m on the phone!” Rolling his eyes, he uncovered it. “Sorry ‘bout that, she’s rude as all hell. I already told her she shoulda’ just smacked you, not ran out on you. Mmm hmm… Yes… Oh, I agree… Oh, that’s perfect… Oh, I love that idea… Mmm hmm… Right… Okay then… I’ll text it to you… Byeeeeee.” He hung up.
I stood there with my arms crossed over my chest, livid. “I hate you.”
He typed something in his phone, put it in his back pocket then peered up at me, annoyed.
“I just saved your relationship. You’re welcome.”
“We don’t have a relationship.”
“That’s not what he said.”
“What?” I lowered my eyebrows. “What did he say?”
“Maybe you should check your messages, cuz I’m sure he said everythin’ there.” With that, he sidestepped me and went inside the house.
“I cannot believe him.”
But I was still dying to know what Aiden said.
“Goddamn it!”
I hobbled after him inside, holding back my temper so my parents wouldn’t ask me any questions. Glaring at Danté like I did Jackson from the table.
He simply smiled, waving his fingers at me from the couch. After watching the telenovela on the screen for what felt like forever, I couldn’t resist the urge any longer. I pulled out my phone and swiped the screen, reading the text messages.
7:43 AM “My Tiny Dancer, being left alone in bed isn’t how I expected to wake up this morning. Where are you?”
7:59 AM “Did you go out to grab us breakfast? Why aren’t you answering your phone?”
8:18 AM “I don’t understand what’s going on, and you not answering your goddamn phone doesn’t help me!”
8:34 AM “Are you okay?”
9:04 AM “I have a hundred different scenarios running through my mind on what could have happened to you, so—”
“Mama Dukes!” Danté shouted, bringing my attention to him. Instantly feeling like a piece of shit for making Aiden worry about me.
I didn’t think he would. I guess I wasn’t thinking about him at all.
“Shit.”
“Oh gurl, I know, you in trouble wit’ a capital T!”
My mom walked out into the living room with a mixing bowl in her hand.
“When is your delicious lunch ready? Your boy is hungry.”
“I’m almost finished, Hijo,” she called him son before looking over at me. “Are you hungry, baby?”
“I’m okay, Mom.”
“Ay, look at you. Skin and bones. Are you eating?”
“Yes, I’m eating.”
“Did you put Vicks on your ankle?”
“Mom, vapor rub doesn’t fix everything.”
“Papi! Tell your daughter she needs to eat more!” she hollered, ignoring me.
“Oh God,” I muttered under my breath as my dad walked into the living room with two beers in his hands. Giving one to Danté.
“What your Mita says. You need to eat more.”
“I do eat, Dad.”
“Well we wouldn’t know. We haven’t seen you in months.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy with work.”
“What kind of employer doesn’t give you time off to see your parents?”
“It has nothing to do with him. The kids take up all my time.”
Danté coughed, “Bullshit.”
I shot daggers at him.
“Danté, have you met this man? The one she works for?”