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My mother stood there with her arms folded.

“You’re getting on my nerves.”

“Because I know my children.”

“Bye, Ma.”

“And I know when your ass lying too.”

I shut the door.

Fuck.

I got behind the wheel of my Camry and sat there for a second.

Carter babbled from the backseat.

I looked at her through the rearview mirror.

She smiled.

And now that my mother had fucking said it, I couldn’t unsee it.

Not necessarily Xay.

But Serenity? A little.

“Don’t start looking like that nigga now,” I muttered.

Carter smiled harder.

“I’m serious.”

She kicked her feet.

I pulled away from the curb.

I needed food.

And apparently a fucking drink.

By the time I met Heather at Light or Dark, Carter was already getting cranky.

The whole reason I liked the place was because it was made for people with kids. You could eat decent food without everybody turning around giving you evil-ass looks because your baby decided to exercise their lungs.

Heather already had a table when I walked in.

Collin was asleep in his carrier beside her.

“Look at my baby!” she said when she saw Carter.

“Girl, take her.”

I handed Carter over before sitting down.

Heather kissed her cheek.

“Hey, pretty girl.”