{Unedited}

I was fuming. Just like that, we're done. He just proved my point. Call me selfish then, I don't care. I will never depend on a man for nothing. At the end of the day it's still me and my son.

A few hours went by and I had just finished helping KJ get washed up and ready for bed.

We're reading the Harry Potter series. He fell asleep shortly after two chapters. I went to clean up the kitchen and get myself ready for bed. I made a note to call my boss in the morning about staying on permanently.

After settling down and getting ready to take a shower, I got a knock at my door. I'm not sure who it would be at this hour. So I took it upon myself to grab my damn bat. I looked through the peephole, it was Raina and Michael.

I put my bat down then slowly unlocked the door dreading this conversation.

"Hi." Rai greeted. I was a little shock to see them. I was all set to get in the shower and go to bed. I really don't feel like arguing with him anymore.

"Hey Raina."I mumbled.

"Y'all need to talk, I'm going to the guest room. Just let me know when you're ready to go." She said to both of us.

I stared at Michael, he was looking down at his shoes and scratching the back of his head.

"I really don't have anything to say, so you might be wasting your-"

Michael looked up and I saw he had been crying or close to it. His face was red and puffy.

He shook his head tugging at his beard. He let out a sigh as a tear rolled down he quickly wiped it. "I'm sorry."

"I can't lose you and KJ." He added while clearing his throat.

"Oh, —so I'm just going to head to the guest room now," Raina ducked walking between us making her way to the guest room.

"We can't keep doing this," I started to him.

"I know." He nodded roughly running his hand down his face.

"I'm not quitting the club."

He shook his head repeatedly, responding defenselessly. "Ok."

I rubbed my hands against my jeans. "I need this for me, just like how you were willing to break up. I can't depend on that."

"I'm not Khalil." He looked into my eyes.

"I know you're not, but KJ's not your responsibility either. He's mine."

"Leah, honestly when you say shit like that it pisses me off." His volume elevated slightly.

"I'm the closest father figure he has. You can't discredit that. I've been there. You keep throwing that shit in my face." He added.

"I'm not trying to-"

"I cut his hair every week. I taught him how to tie his shoes. I read to him. I'm there at his therapy sessions. His first word was my fucking name!" He yelled which made me wince a little.

"You say all that but you get to leave. I don't get to do that. Like I said he's my responsibility!" I yelled back.

He exhaled and interlocked his fingers on top of his head. "What do you want me to do to prove to you that I'm here for good, huh?"

"Be consistent. Secure that for me. When we met you were a senior in high school. I had already dropped out with a baby. We were getting to know each other. We became close after a few years then you left. You stopped talking to me."

He shook his head. "I was in college then, why did we stop talking Leah?" He asked knowingly.

I had nothing to say.

"It's because you lied to me. You don't realize I been through some shit too, it wasn't always easy for me. You know my sister and I were separated. I don't trust easily. You lied to me about where you work. That's why we stopped talking for those five months. I was also the one who reached out to you after those five months." I remained silent.

"The fact that I found out about you stripping two years after knowing you says a lot. It tells me you didn't plan to say anything." He argued.

"I didn't know how, I felt like I failed. You were in college. Here I was a drop out with a baby working at a night club." I started to tear up again.

"A year before meeting you my life had just changed. Meeting my grandmother, and her bringing us out here. —Leah, you got me fucked up. I ain't better than nobody, my sister and I barely made it out." He paused. "If it wasn't for Mama Laurie who knows where Raina and I would be."

"I remember a long time ago I fucked this lady just so she could get a message to my then seven-year-old little sister." He paused. "I was thirteen, she was a grown ass woman. I later found out my sister had been placed with another family. —So I basically fucked this random lady for nothing. For almost three weeks I didn't know where my sister was."

"You don't talk about your past how am I supposed to be there for you." I sniffled.

"Just like I have to show you that I can be consistent, you have to show me I can trust you. I want to open up to you but lying doesn't sit well with me."

"You changing your plans after we already agreed on you quitting makes me feel like you weren't telling me the truth about you wanting to quit and start something new." He added.

I took a moment to think about what he said. "I want to make you happy, and I know quitting will do that. But I want to make sure I'm doing what's right for me as a mom."

"I want to do what's right for you as your future husband. —Can you at least give me somewhat of a time frame and agree to no private dancing. Also no more getting completely naked?" He vulnerably pleaded.

"Ok, I can do that. I will also make sure there's no touching, maybe just stage performances. I can maybe continue bartending some nights."

"Aight, —and another thing I want to eventually adopt KJ. I want him to legally be my son. I want both of you to carry my last name. I know it's early but with more time I want you to know that's my goal."

"You want to marry us?" I blushed.

He laughed. "Yes, I'm not going anywhere. I know I've been inconsistent with us and I apologize for that. I was a wild boy, I'm not going to lie about that, but I'm not that boy anymore. I'm growing every day trying to be better." He grabbed my hands.

"Those five months I cut you off when I found out you were working at the night club was miserable. Ask Adrian, I was angry all the time. I did whatever I could to not think about it. I was lost." He pulled me closer to him.

"Yeah, but then you came home out of the blue apologizing to me, for blocking me out. I was so happy because I was just as miserable. I felt so bad for lying to you, —I'm sorry for lying to you." I gave him a weak smile.

"Leah, you've apologized over a million times. All is forgiven. My ego held me back, that's the only reason I stayed away so long. —I won't bring it up again ok, that's over." He pulled me in even closer hugging me I nodded as tears rolled down my face.

"I love you so much, Leah Joi."

"I love you too Michael Kyree." I blushed and squeezed him tight.

"Mmm, I want you so bad." He whispered in my ear, then chuckled.

"Not yet."

"I know, we just got into a relationship." He mocked me.

I giggled, I held his face in my hands pulling him close to my lips kissing him passionately. After pulling away I realized we were still standing in the doorway.

"I guess I better text Raina unless you want us to stay over."

"Awe you're going to miss me?" I playfully pouted.

"I just love sleeping next to my woman is that a crime?" He gleamed.

"No go ahead and text her, let her know you're staying over. I'll hit the lights, then finally shower."

"Can I join you?" He queried.

"Nope."

"Can I watch?"

"No Michael," I whined.

"Damn, I can't get nothing?"

"You got me."

"I know that much." He laughed, I shook my head.

"Besides no more getting naked remember," I smirked.

"Oh, you're real funny." He laughed then smacked my ass. I squealed running off.

_____________________________

{Unedited}

{Aww they're cute or whatevs}

{That was a little history on Leah, KJ and Mike}

{Song: "Ex" by Kiana Ledé }

{Back to Adrian & Raina next Chap.}

Thanks a bunch ✌🏾