Chapter 7

Jay got here early Friday morning. We went out for breakfast then hit up the mall. By the time we got back to my mom’s house it was after five. There was a man sitting in my dad’s chair and fury rushed through me at the sight. I could hear my mom yelling something to him from the kitchen. How dare he sit there? I must have said that aloud because Jay pushed me aside and yelled to my mom that we were back. She came from the kitchen and the man smiled as he stood.

“You must be Makynzee?” he questioned.

I didn’t smile back. I wanted to know who he was and why he looked so comfortable in my dad’s chair.

“Sweetheart, this is Stanley,” my mom explained as though that meant anything.

Sweetheart? She hadn’t called me anything remotely close to that since before my dad died. “Nice to meet you,” I responded stiffly. I didn’t offer my hand or any other pleasantries. My mom glared. What the hell had she expected?

“Your mom has told me so much about you. It seems as though she was raised a wonderful young woman.”

Jay discreetly nudged me with her elbow and I finally forced a smile.

“She has. This is my friend, Jaida.” She smiled and gave a small wave as my mom began to speak.

“We’re going out for dinner soon. We wanted you to join us, so we could celebrate your birthday?”

Why in the world would I do that? “No thanks, you two enjoy. We already have plans.”

“Then maybe we could have breakfast in the morning?” Stanly suggested as my mom’s brows dropped lower.

She was pissed. Big whoop. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold this smile. “Maybe we could do lunch, I wasn’t sure how late we’ll be out tonight.” By the time lunch rolled around I’ll have disappeared with Jay.

“Sounds like a plan!” he chirped.

Why was he so excited? His smile seemed genuine and I wondered if he could tell that mine was fake. “Enjoy your dinner,” I called as I headed for the stairs.

“You guys be careful tonight, okay, sweetie?”

I didn’t respond because I felt sick to my stomach and I’d puke if I open my mouth. How long would I have to suffer through her pretending to care just so she could impress this man?

“We always are, Mrs. Mitchell,” Jay answered.

I knew my mom had begun seeing someone, but I didn’t think she would let him come here. I wondered how long he’d been coming. I guessed that would explain why we hadn’t been fighting lately. I thought I didn’t care, but I clearly did. I dressed in silence, ignoring the worried looks Jay sent my way. Without saiding goodbye, I rushed out the door, needing to be away from my mom as quickly as possible.

“You want to talk about it?” Jay asked as we rode to the club.

I didn’t, but she probably wouldn’t take no for an answer. “She hasn’t called me sweetheart since my dad, she was so fake and for what? For him? He was sitting in my dad’s chair like it’s his, like he was used to sitting there. She decides to bring him around on my birthday. My freaking birthday! She was so freaking selfish!” I was probably yelling. Definitely rambling. Crying usually followed me rambling and I couldn’t cry tonight—it was my birthday.

“Wipe all that from your mind. We’re having fun tonight and nothing matters but you.”

Easier said than done.

“Besides, we get to see your baby daddy in a little bit.”

The thought of seeing Kalil instantly brightens my mood. “He thinks you’re a guy,” I confessed. Her eyes bugged and she gawked at me.

“Seriously, Mak?!”

***

            “I could have put our bags in the safe, but we’re late,” I explained as I stuffed our purses into the trunk then rushed to the club’s door. “Don’t lose my phone Jay.”

“No worries,” she said as she stuffed it in her bra, right between her cleavage. Eww, gross!

I opened my mouth to protest, but cheerful shouts stopped me cold.

“Surprise!” chorused through the club causing me to jump and nearly knock Jay over.

Balloons were everywhere and a banner above the stage read ‘Happy Birthday, Minx.’

“Happy birthday,” Cari screamed as she threw and arm across my shoulder and led me to one of the VIP sections. Kalil was there and I was glad I was already smiling so he didn’t know it was for him now. He pulled me away from Cari and I lost myself in his embrace.

“Happy birthday,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my earlobe.

I loved his voice. His scent was back to normal and I inhaled deeply. I was drunk off of him, but didn’t want to be obvious so I let him go. He held on and not a single part of me rebelled.

“So where’s your friend?” he clipped out, jaw tensing.

“She was right here.” I turned to look for Jay and should not have been surprised. She had three shot glasses in her hand. I swear I only looked away from her for a few seconds. Where the heck did she get shots from?

“Birthday shots!” she shouted.

“I wasn’t drinking that, Jay.” She ignored me and forced it into my hand.

“You must be the infamous Kalil, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

She gave him the third shot as she spoke. Why in the world would she said that?!

“Good or bad?” he asked, luscious lips pulled up into a playful smirk.

“If you can get her to drink, she’ll probably tell you,” she whispered conspiratorially.

I hated her. If she told him anything else I’d punch her in her stomach. I suddenly felt the need to remind her that I was supposed to be 22, but Kalil spoke first.

“What’s your name?”

“Jaida. Bottoms up, bitches!” she whooped and I knew it was going to be a long night.

Everybody tossed their shots back except Kalil and I. He watched me watching him.

“Seriously?” Jay asked.

Of course she’d have an issue with this. Reluctantly I drank. It burned and I squeezed my eyes closed as it went down. “dear God, no more, Jay!” Kalil’s chuckle did wonderful things to my body and Jay gave me a thumbs up as she went to pour more drinks.

I spent most of the night in the VIP section watching Kalil and pretending to drink. He kept his distance, but I knew he watched me, too. I caught him staring at me quite a few times. He made it pretty easy to since he didn’t to hide it. I liked it. Jaida tried to make me dance, but I refused. She’d went ahead and had her fun and was now she’d cuddled up with one of Kalil’s friends. I fought a yawn and checked the time. It was after three in the morning. Why was the club still opened, still so packed? I went to Jaida and let her know I was ready to go. She wanted to get a hotel room, which was fine considering I didn’t want to see my mom. When we left Kalil was nowhere in sight. I wanted to tell him bye and thank you, but I couldn’t find him. His friend came with Jaida and after making sure they were safely in their room I went to mine.