I disgusted myself. I never thought I was a weak woman. Growing up, I witnessed so many of my friends get their hearts broken by guys who thought they were playas, and I always swore that would never be me. But now look at me, one six foot plus chocolate brotha with a banging body has proven me to be a liar.
I lifted my head on my shoulders. Damn that! I will never forget the hurt he caused.
Ayana began to buck in Albert’s arms. She had spotted Jo and she wanted him.
“Da-da!” She yelled, causing that sexy smile on his face to grow.
He reached for her. “Come here, baby!”
Ayana was so excited to see him she was practically vibrating with joy. When Albert put her in his hands she actually wrapped her little arms around his neck and squeezed him for dear life.
“How is daddy’s little lady?” he asked kissing her on her fat cheeks in the way that she loved.
Tears burned the back of my eyes. She’d missed her dad and if I was telling the truth to myself, I’d missed him too. I had come expecting to see him weak and in bed. So, you can imagine the shock at seeing him sitting here looking as good and as capable as the last time I’d seen him.
Better even!
He chuckled before his deep smoky voice washed over me. “Do I look that bad?”
It was then I realized I had just been standing there staring at him. I shook my head.
“No…no, it’s just that I thought you were hurt.”
His spirit seemed to deflate right before my eyes, he laid his head back against the couch. “I get spurts of strength, but then I burn myself out and I’m tired again.” Even his voice suddenly sounded weaker.
I cleared my throat as my guilt washed over me again. “Umm—would you like some help?”
With a pair of serious puppy dog eyes, he nodded. “That would be great. That’s if you don’t hate me too much.”
I took a few steps closer. “I don’t hate you, Jo.”
He lifted his head. “You don’t?”
“No, of course not. I—"
“Ma ma ma ma!” Ayana suddenly yelled out pointing to something behind me.
I turned my head to look and see what had caught her attention, turned back, but then whipped back around clutching the arm of the couch to keep from falling.
“What the hell?!” I put my hand on my chest.
There was a huge picture of me on the wall. I’m talking floor to ceiling. The thing had to be at least twenty feet. It was the picture my brother Rob had painted from a sketch he’d done of me while I sat in the window watching the leaves fall to the ground. I hadn’t even known he was sketching me.
How in the world did Jo get this? Only I knew that my brother sold his paintings on eBay. He didn’t want anybody else to know in fear that it may hurt his street cred. However, I know for a fact he didn’t sell anything this big, which meant somehow Jo got a hold of a copy and had this made.
Joseph
She was so damn beautiful! I struggled to remain sitting and not cross the floor and wrap her in my arms. I’ve missed having her warm plush body pressed against me. I’ve missed her taste. I felt starved for it.
My body instantly reacted to her, needing her in a way that left me in pain. During our time apart, I discovered that I couldn’t sleep without her, so for the last two nights, I’ve sat at my desk watching her sleep. To trick my body into resting, I had to lay my head on my desk next to the computer screen and listen to her deep breathing, imagining that she was lying next to me.
Noticing her mother on the wall, Ayana began to bounce on my leg pointing at the painting.
“Ma ma ma ma!” She cried.
Journey turned and glanced behind her, it must have taken her mind a moment to register what she’d just seen, because her eyes came back to mine before she whipped back to face the painting clutching the arm of the couch for support.
I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing. The look of amazed horror on her face was priceless. It was very similar to the look on my father’s face when he had come by to check on me earlier, only there was no amazement, just horror.
“Son, have you gone insane?” He’d asked as he stared at the painting. I sat where I was sitting now with my fake cast on my foot and smiled at him.
“Yes, I’ve gone insane.”
For just a moment, fear flashed in his eyes before he got himself together, he seemed a bit edgy all the way around. However, after I’d informed him that I would be working from home for the next couple of weeks till my foot healed, anger took its place.
“Dammit, boy! You can’t keep putting off your responsibilities!” I blinked at him innocently.
“Whatever do you mean, father? I was in a horrible car crash. Surely you don’t expect me to come back to work so soon. Plus, I have a doctor’s note.” I held up the papers that said I should stay off my foot for six weeks. He’d snatched the papers out my hand, balled them up and stormed out.
Frowning at the stricken look on Journey’s face, Albert turned to see what had caused it. I hadn’t told him about the painting. It was just installed this morning.
“Oh sh*t!” He actually jumped, not expecting the in-your-face picture. When his startled gaze came back to me, I winked at him with a huge goofy grin on my face. I told the old bastard I was going to
