Breathless.

Chapter Twenty-Six.

"Nae." I laughed as she hugged me.

"Hey girls, what are y'all doing here?" She asked hugging Taya.

"I came to get her out of the house." Taya spoked.

"How you feeling?" Nae looked at me.

"I'm good."

"That's wonderful, let me know if y'all need help with anything. I gotta get back to the register."

"Okay."

"You want some more huaraches?" Taya asked me as I started looking at the shoes.

"No, too many people wear them now." I answered picking up a pair of Reebok Classics.

"Man, okay! Tired of seeing them shoes." She chuckled.

"You should get those." I smiled seeing her pick up a pair of silver Air Maxes.

"Sure will."

After damn near five hours spent at the mall, we was heading back to Ferg's to get Zoe. It was going on 7:00 and I haven't spoken to Rakim since early this morning. I was getting worried and of course, thinking the worse.

I pulled to the curb of Ferg's house and got out with Taya. I locked the car doors and walked behind her up to the door. She twisted the knob and walked right in.

"Rakim." I ran up to him, jumping on him.

"Woah, hey mama." He laughed hugging me.

"I thought you went to jail, I was worried." I sniffle.

"Why you cryin'?" He laughed looking at my face.

"Cause I thought you were gone." I wiped my eyes.

"I'm here, baby. I'an goin' nowhere." He licked his lips and smiled at me.

I let out a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding in.

Rakim

"Richard Christian Knight is found guilty of the rape of Lauren Rice, he will be sentenced to 17 years in prison." Judge Connell exclaimed looking at us.

"And for Rakim Mayers, not guilty. Case close." She hit the gavel and got up from her chair.

"Well done, Rakim. Stay out of trouble, you hear me?" My lawyer, Ms. Mattews, smiled at me.

"Will do." I watch as an officer handcuff Rich. He locked eyes with me as I waved at him with a smile.

Your boy dodged the bullet, man.

"Pop Tart, chill out." I groaned taking my shoe away from him.

"His name is Zoe." Lauren said coming into her room.

"Man, his name is Pop Tart." I threw my shoe in the corner watching Pop Tart go to his blue bed.

"What kind of name is that?" She chuckled getting into her bed.

"It's jiggy." I smiled checking my phone.

"Whatever you say." She laughed looking at her phone.

"Ain't that right, Pop Tart?" He barked and wagged his tail.

"My nigga." I laughed.

"How did court go?" She asked catching me off guard.

"He was sentenced to seventeen years."

I watch her shoulders relax as she let out a breath.

"I can relax now."

"You ain't had shit to worry about anyway."

"Cause you got me?" She smiled.

"That's right!" I laughed opening a text message.

T: Interview tomorrow at 9 still interested?

9:12 pm.

Yeah I'm still interested.

9:15 pm.

T: Aight see you at the company.

9:16 pm.

"I've been looking for a second job, but so far haven't been having any luck." She sighed, rubbing over her knees.

"I'on want you workin'."

"Well money doesn't grow on trees, so I have to."

"Nah, I'ma take care of everything." I said honestly.

"No, I'm not finna depend on you." She shook her head, frowning at the fact.

"What I say?"

"What I say?" She frowned, once again.

"I said you ain't gettin' another job."

"Why not?"

"Cause I don't want you workin'." I repeated.

"Rakim, it's only for the first few months."

I thought about it. Lauren doesn't like to depend on anyone but herself. Plus, I really can't force her from getting a second job. Either way, she was going get one if I said yes or no.

"Aight, only for the first few months."

"Thank you."

"Has it settle in that we're havin' a child?" I asked laying on my back while looking up at the ceiling.

"No," she mumbled. "What about you?"

"Kinda."

It been settled in, when I looked at them pregnancy tests. Every since we found out, I've been trying my hardest to stay out of trouble and not do anything that will cost my life. Just trying to make sure this little one have a better life growing up than I had.

And I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure that happen.