Kyra was acting real dry after we got home the other day but I knew it was cause she got checked by Ant. I couldn't lie and say what he said wasn't the truth though. It was already late so we just went to bed. Well she did, because I was too busy thinking about my run in with Amir and what the hell Ant meant by his remark yesterday? It almost sent chills through my spine because rather than a joke it feel more like he was being honest. Ant was always talking tough though so I didn't want to overthink and make it something it wasn't.
Today he kept his promise and let Kyra and I go hang out at the park where the courts were around the block. Shockingly, he said Bruce gave him a good report so today we could go unsupervised to see if we could keep it up.
I only did what Ant said because I knew the power he held and after he put his hands on me once I didn't need to end up all fucked up like Kyra. After the pregnancy thing with Kyra ant kept her ass on lock- she ain't jump unless he said jump. And now that I've been introduced to how he was hustling and what was going on I was just as stuck as her. I could've ran but somebody would've caught me or reported back to him. I listened, he took care of me with no abuse, and most of all I loved Mira and couldn't dare leave her behind with this shit.
Kyra and I were back talking today and you could definitely tell she was in a good mood being on her own today. We were heading up the block and less than four feet away Kyra suddenly stopped me. "Hold up." She grabbed me pulled me near a nearby tree. "You push Mira for me while I'm here." She told me.
"Wait wha-?" I was confused as hell.
"I'm finna change, ain't nobody finna have a nice day like this and wear a damn hoodie. On top of pushing her butt around while all them boys stare at me. Fuck Ant thought this was." Kyra laughed pulling up the hoodie to expose her white half shirt she wore. One of many Anthony's rules were she needed to stay covered up if she go out. Kyra always been boy crazy, it's like she craved attention from any and every man. That's why I was her only friend now. However Kyra did always have my back no matter if I liked it or not.
"Girl you doing too much, it's 70 degrees and the damn jacket thin as fuck. You playing with fire Kyra it's like you just can't learn until you end up in a damn body bag like ——"
"Like who Sugar?" I stayed silent. I couldn't ruin this day like this, I needed a few more of these to gain Ant's trust. "That's what the fuck I thought. Now I'm gone put this shit back on but don't say nothing to me at this park." She tossed the hoodie back on leaving me and Mira. Damn man.
I caught up with Kyra and she went to sit on the bleachers to watch the boys play. Typical. I decided not to bother her and tend to Mira since it wasn't like she had a mother. "Hey baby" I cooed to her and smiled up at me kicking her little feet.
Looking at Kyra once more I seen how she took the hoodie off and was now sitting with the group of boys. It was sad how I was more excited for Mira turning five months today than she was. I woke up this morning and got her dressed in a pretty tu-tu, put her two ponytails in the front of her head and clipped two bows in. She was so pretty, too pretty not to have someone to look up too.
"Happy five months tooda" I picked her up and opened a sucker for her to celebrate. A little candy never hurt anybody. I laughed when she held it and put it to her mouth drooling all over it.
As the day went on Mira had played herself to sleep right on my chest. It was getting chilly, and almost time for us to back home so in the middle of me getting her a jacket and pants on, I cold hear Kyra walking towards me. Looking up I sighed seeing her hoe ass walking with two dudes my way. I didn't have time for this right now, she was really irking my damn nerves at this point.
"So this is my best friend and her daughter-"
I looked at her. "This is my goddaughter, and her pussy popping ass momma already lying to you. I'm sure y'all know Ant and she's his so don't add me in this bullshit." I snapped not meaning too embarrass her but I didn't have time. This is what I meant about her trying to fuck it up for us.
I had seen Ant out the corner of my eye and to avoid him coming for me I just let them know now. "Girl who Ant ass run? And ain't nobody scared of his bitch ass. I didn't tell him how-"
"KYRA" I bucked my eyes, he sat behind her on the bleachers staring at her with a frown. Before I could warn her she continued.
"No, I'm sick of it Sugar you act like you're so much better than me, when I put you on. You always throwing Ant up in my face when I could of told him you were entertaining and thinking about meeting up with your ex nigga." As soon as the words left her mouth Ant had stood up and from there I knew it was about to be nothing but bullshit tonight.
The dudes had started to laugh until Ant showed his face and the way Kyra face had drained color I was sure she pissed herself. Leave it up to her pussy popping, deadbeat, big mouthed ass.
"Aaight, we gone head out," One dude said and then the other followed him quickly walking away.
"Baby listen-" I closed my eyes and flinched when he'd slapped her right to the courts ground. Looking around no one made a move towards him nor called the police. They all just minded their business. His dark eyes looked into mines and it felt like I forgot how to breathe.
Kyra had sniffled and pulled her hoodie over her head and Anthony didn't have to say say anything for us to know to walk off and go home. Kyra snatcher Mira and her stroller, power walking off, I followed behind her hearing Ant's car zoom passed us. My heart was beating out of my chest as tears weld up in my eyes, not only for Kyra but for me as well. I was scared.
___
Carefully laying Mira down for her nap my hands shook hearing Kyra and Anthony fight, I was trying to ignore it until I heard her scream for my help. It was so bad that I couldn't stand to not try to do something. Walking down the hall my eyes widened when his gun went across her face. "ANTHONY!" I screamed and crouched down to Kyra seeing how badly she was beat up.
He looked at me. "You a hoe too huh? I tried. I expected more from you Sugar! You entertaining niggas just like this bird ass bitch huh? What you gone pop up pregnant like her too?" He walked towards me and I crawled back seeing the look on his face. "Who is this nigga Sugar?"
I went to say something but then was lifted to my feet from him grabbing me by my neck and pinning me against the wall. My breathing was cut short clawing at his hand, tears fell from my face.
"Let her go Anthony! It's me that you want. Let her go!" Kyra cried and pushed at him, he let me go and then pushed her so hard she fell into the table.
Holding my neck I gasped for air and then felt a hard sting across my face making me scream out when my head flew to the side and I tasted blood. Looking up to him he looked back at me and then his face softened.
"I- I'm sorry Sugar." He crouched down to me and I flinched. "I didn't mean too, I swear I didn't mean too baby." He pleaded and I shook my head for him not to touch me. Baby?
Kyra looked back and forth between us and I seen all the protectiveness she just had over me go right out the door. I was confused to why he apologized to me and he never did to Kyra, I didn't know why but I knew he actually meant it to me. My head was spinning, my neck hurt and I wanted to just go to my room and sleep. I wanted this all to be over but Kyra had other plans.
"I knew you two had something going on! How could you?" Kyra yelled and then picked up a lamp knocking Ant back a little before running up to me and kicking me in the face almost knocking me out.
I didn't have the strength to fight back while I let her sit on top of me and punch me in my face repeatedly. I was going in and out seeing her snatched off of me, I rolled on my side and coughed up blood holding my head. The room was spinning and Mira cries were the only thing that I was worried about. Barely able to stand to my feet I fell down and decided to crawl.
"KYRA CALM DOWN! I swear to god if you hit her again imma kill you bitch" I heard Ant yell.
"See why the fuck I mean? She got to go! Put her out right now Ant!" She yelled and I sniffled making it to Mira, I grabbed her and held her to my chest while
I cried.
"If anybody get out, it's gone be you! Either you can calm down or leave in a body bag or I'll throw you out! That girl ain't been shit but good to you!" I listened to them yell.
"I bet I don't go anywhere! I'll get you your third strike! Try me, if she stays we need separate rooms tonight Anthony! You hear me? Go get my damn child too, I'll shoot this gun right now." I knew for her to be talking like that she had to have the upper hand.
Hearing footsteps I looked up to see Anthony come in the room with a look in his eyes. He rubbed my cheek and reached for Mira. She started to cry while I handed her to him.
"M Ma Ma" Her big eyes looked to me while they walked out and she began to scream making me cry all over again.