Page 51 of Nothing Like Your Ex

Kwinn smiled. She loved hearing the underlying excitement in his voice. After showering, they brushed their teeth, moisturized, and slipped into lounge clothes. Melo was yawning like crazy, and she knew they weren’t getting out of the house anytime soon. Not until he at least got an hour of sleep.

While he replied to birthday shoutouts, Kwinn read over his list. An array of emotions flooded her as she read intricate details about his life. A life before fame, during it, after, and parts that weren’t so glamorous. Melo didn’t list just one or two things he was grateful for; he explained why. Seeing how much thought he’d put into each bulleted point made Kwinn’s eyes misty.

“Baby,” Kwinn said, grabbing Melo’s attention.

He looked up from reading another text message. “Yeah?”

“One of the things you said you were grateful for was being able to give back, but you said you wanted to do more. I have an idea.”

All ears, Melo locked his phone and set it beside him. “A’ight. What you thinking?”

“So, with your shoe having just launched, I think it’d be nice to give back to the high school you went to. Or do a back-to-school drive. There are so many kids who may not have parents or anyone in their lives who have money for new shoes, clothes, and essentials.”

“You want kids?” Melo asked, catching her off guard.

Kwinn cackled. “Malone… what?”

“I’m saying, do you want any?”

“Yes, possibly. That’s not what you need to be focused on right now.”

“Shit, how can I not be? You really be making me want to put a baby in your gorgeous ass, talking the way you do. Raise a little girl or boy together after I ice that finger out. I’m telling you this now, so you won’t say I trapped you if shit goes left.”

Shaking her head, Kwinn didn’t fall for what he was saying. She and her birth control shot had been locked in since she was in her twenties. If Melo’s mighty sperm defeated it, she’d be very surprised and a first-time mommy for sure. A wife as well because his word about putting a ring on it hadn’t been missed.

“I wouldn’t say that, but let’s focus on other people’s kids right now. Me and Saiko were talking about it and thought it’d be a good idea. Every year we donate to a high school, fund a few college girls’ dorm rooms, and I decorate them.”

“For real?” Melo asked, not one bit surprised but intrigued to get in on the mission.

“Mhm.” Kwinn nodded. “We know times can get rough, so we do as much as we can. Just something for you to think about.”

“Yeah, ain’t nothing to think about for real. I’ma hit up my contact at Adidas and see what they can come through with. See if we can pull some shit off within the next few weeks,” Melo expressed with his creative wheels turning.

Smiling, Kwinn crawled over to him near the edge of the bed. “I knew you’d agree. You never tell me no.” She kissed his lips.

“And I won’t unless it’s necessary. Ask me for whatever. Use me, baby. I’m your nigga. If you gotta idea in that pretty head of yours, talk to me about it. If you need anything and I got it, it’s yours. Even if I don’t got it, I’ma do whatever to get it for you, a’ight?”

Kwinn answered with a nod.

“Nah. Let me hear you,” Melo urged.

A wave of deja vu hit her. Like they were back in the studio, Kwinn asked, “What do you want me to say?”

“Say, I can come to my man for any and everything I want and need.”

Biting her lip, Kwinn grinned and repeated his words but with a twist. “I can and will come to my man for any and everything that I want and need because he gon’ give me that shit with no questions asked.”

“Yeah, there you go,” he praised, standing up from the chair, ready to slide inside her again. “Say that shit just like that and mean it.”

Seeing that look in his eyes, Kwinn shook her head. “No. Nope,” she said, giggling.

“What?” Melo asked, tugging at the little shorts she put on. “I just wanna eat it real quick.”

“I’ll let you if you let me take you out first. It’s your birthday, baby,” Kwinn reminded him.

Melo kissed her thigh and stood up straight with a grin. “You right. Let’s throw some clothes on and bend a few corners. It’s a real nigga’s birthday.”

His smile warmed Kwinn’s heart. Melo deserved the best on his day and every day after, and Kwinn was going to make sure he received just that.