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“Baby, stop! We’re are not doing this shit at my job!” I snapped.

“Rah, move,” Mase ordered, keeping his eyes on Dexter.

“No! I’m not about to lose my damn job behind neither one of you crazy ass niggas!” I argued.

Mase finally looked down at me. I could see him trying to get his temper under control, but he was still pissed. He wasn’t the type to back down from anybody, and having me standing between them wasn’t sitting right with him.

“So you protecting this nigga?” He questioned, sounding more offended than anything.

“Fuck Dexter! I’m protecting my gah damn job! You think I give a fuck about what happens to him? You just can’t do this in here,” I reasoned.

Mase stared at me for a moment before his expression softened slightly. He glanced around my office, then back at me, finally understanding why I was so upset.

“Aight, baby… I hear you,” he replied, taking a step back. His eyes shifted toward Dexter again. “But nigga you gone have to see me whether you want to or not,” Mase warned.

“Nigga, I’ain worried about your ass,” he replied.

“You should be.” Mase smirked.

Dexter looked at Mase one last time before he tucked his tail and left. Once he was gone, Mase finally turned his back to the door and focused on me.

“You good?” He asked.

“I was until that muthafucka decided to show up here,” I answered, exhaling.

“How long that nigga been out?” Mase questioned.

“Hell if I know. Today was the first time I’ve seen or heard from him in years. Now he’s talking about wanting to see AJ.”

“Then tell him. AJ ain’t a little ass boy, Rah. Let him decide if that’s something he wants,” Mase advised.

“I know, baby. I just don’t want Dexter coming around getting his hopes up and disappearing again.”

“Then that’s something we’ll deal with if it happens. But don’t start worrying yourself over shit that ain’t happened yet,” he replied.

I sighed, knowing he had a point. My biggest concern was AJ, and I wasn’t about to let Dexter come into his life and undo everything we’d worked so hard to give him.

One thing was certain, though. Dexter wasn’t about to come into our lives making demands, and I damn sure wasn’t letting him disrupt the life AJ already had.

Chapter Four

Rasheeda

after work…

By the time five o’clock rolled around, I was ready to get the fuck out of that office. I’d managed to finish everything that needed my attention, but concentrating had been a bitch after Dexter’s unexpected visit. I don’t know why he thought he could stop years of communication and come home thinking shit would be sweet.

Once I finished closing out the day’s files, I grabbed my things and let Nia know I was leaving. I had every intention of going straight to Joni’s house because my brother needed to hear what happened before Dexter decided to make another unexpected appearance.

I called Tori after getting in my car, and she answered on the third ring.

“Hey, girl? Wassup?” She greeted.

“Girl… I’m on the way. I got some shit to tell you.”

“Everything okay?” She questioned, sounding concerned.

“I’ll tell you when I get there,” I countered.