happy 5th birthday to the twins!
Riley's POV
The birthday party is going to be a huge success. Cassius had given me the keys to the surprise mansion that he had bought me, moved us in, and I hadn't seen him since. I didn't really care because I had three kids to take care of. In a span of less than a month, I had the ultimate birthday planned out and ready.
"The cake... Where is Theonna with the cake?" I raved, pacing around the beautiful kitchen that I lusted over as soon as I had moved in this house. Not only was all of the applicances touch screen but colors and patterns were gorgeous. We even had some bitch as a maid. "Did Theonna say when she was bringing the cake over?"
"Uncle Darius said he's going to come over with it when his make up is finished." Asia told me without looking up from her iPod's screen.
I let out a breath of fresh air knowing that one thing could be crossed off my list. "You need to sit down, no, you need to fix that hair. You walking around looking like what the fuck when guests should be arriving here in a hour." My mom chasisted by the oven as she cooked the foods she was responsible over.
Touching my head subconsciously I knew I most likely looked a hot ass mess. "Okay I'll go do that." I rushed to straighten my hair, do my make up, and put on the outfit that I had matched with Asia. The two of had new matching outfits while the twins had there's. And of course they wanted me to buy Cassius one to match with them but I'd be surprised if he even showed up.
Taking out my phone as I headed back down the stairs, I went back to Cassius's message thread. A bunch of texts from me sat there still unanswered and unread.
Where are you???? The party is soon.
I'm glad he hasn't spoke to me since he choked me that morning but forgetting about our children... that's a different story. The twins ask about him sometimes but Asia seemed to forget about him too. I know the death of his brother was hard on him but that doesn't mean walk out on us.
Shaking my head in disappointment I put my phone up and reached the bottom of the stairs at the same time as the boys ran past laughing and playing. "Hey! Hey!" I called to make them stop in place, turning to look at me confused. "Go in the backyard if you want to run. If y'all break something I am going to whoop your ass."
Three lips from my sons and nephew smacked as they stormed out the house. I was shaking my head when the front door opened and my best friend stood there with two gift bags in her hand. "Hey bitch!" She screamed excitedly and I ran over to hug her.
"Hey Heather." I took the gifts from her. "I'm so glad you are here. You know that dead beat ass nigga not even here yet?" I was immediately spilling the tea because we hadn't been able to talk in a minute so I had to fill her in with everything. "His dumb ass won't even text back or at least call to tell his kids happy birthday."
"I won't be surprised if he doesn't even show Ri."
I could see Asia roll her eyes from my corner vision. "Can we stop talking about that nigga? When is Jasmine coming?" She spoke up making my eyes widened because I never really hurt foul language from her. The twins yeah, but never from her. Especially when it's about her dad. She loved Cassius more than anything else.
"Don't say that Asia. What's wrong with you?" I looked at her and she just shrugged.
"When is Jasmine coming?" She asked again.
"Go to your room." I ordered. Asia groaned, raising off the couch and stomping up the stairs. "She is eight going on eighteen I swear." I mumbled signing to myself.
Heather chuckled and nodded in agreement. "She is going to be a handful when she's older I can see it already."
When Ahlex arrived, I had the both of them along with my mom help me arrange the party and soon everyone had started to show up. The backyard was filled with children and parents as the age appropriate music played.
The party didn't truly start until Ryan and Darius showed up dressed as characters from Teenage Mutant Turtles which was a show the boys had now became obsessed with. From the green painted skin to the tights they were wearing, I was taking pictures to keep memories of this hilarious shit. All of the kids seemed to enjoy it, playing and joking with the two men.
"Are you having fun?" I questioned Caius when he finally left his game on the basketball court with Darius and Theonna's older son Carmelo to sit beside me, taking a few bites of his plate of food.
Nodding his head, he smiled at me with barbecue over his face that I reached over to wipe off. "I want to get in the pool later Mommy like Asia is, can I?"
"You can do whatever you want but sell drugs, it's your birthday baby." I brushed my hand over his head and he smiled again, wiping his hands and running back over to Melo.
I glanced at Ahlex who was across the table from me chatting with some women that I knew around town about nothing important. When the conversation seemed to take a brief break, I decided to start my own with her. "Has Cassius hit you up?" I asked her lowly so no one else could hear.
"Nope." She answered. "Why? He isn't here?"
"Do you see him here? He's been MIA."
"Have you talked to Ryan?"
I glanced over at Ryan who was saying a hot dog while a kid tugged at his tights at the same time. "No. But that's a good idea. I'll do that later."
Taking a bite of my own food, I felt eyes burning into the side of my face. Looking in the direction it came from I gasped lowly when I seen who had made their way into my backyard. Darrell's family member... Malakai stood there glaring at me. Why is he here?! I quickly licked my fingers free of the barbeque sauce and stood, walking over to him confidently.
"Do I know you?" I asked as soon as I was in front of him.
He took his time to survey the party before finally landing his eyes on me. "Hi." He smiled and my breath was almost taken away from how flawless his white teeth looked against his dark skin. "I'm Malakai, Darrell's foster brother. You are Riley." I nodded. "I heard a lot about you. Do you know where my brother is?"
"Uh.... No actually I haven't seen him since the funeral. And once again my deepest condolences goes out to you."
"Thank you, it's fine. I'm just here for my brother."
I had to think. And fast. "Well how about you sit down and eat. I'll call Darrell and tell him that you're here."
When he was settled at the table and my mom had sat a full plate in front of him, I quickly went into the house, my heart beating fast. How did this boy know where I stayed? And what do I tell him about his brother?
Cassius's POV
"Nigga I'm sitting here at your kids' party dressed gay as fuck and you not even here." Ryan complained through the phone to me. "You should be doing this, not me."
I withdrew my tongue from inside of Mackenzie's mouth and sat back, sending her a wink. Instantly her face blushed. "Man ain't nobody told you to go to that bullshit." I spat back at him.
