I didn’t say anything. I was still pissed, and yes, I knew my wife needed me. I just didn’t want to be there for her right now.

“Daddy! Daddy!” Caliph yelled, running to jump on me. I used to be able to easily pick him up and turn him upside down. That was over now.

“Hey, Dad,” Kareem said as he came and stood by me.

“Dad, are we going home now?” Shaheem asked.

The twins were calm and cool for six-year-olds. “I was thinking about stopping by the park,” I told them.

“Yeah, let’s do that!” Shaheem said and headed for the front door with his brothers on his heels.

“Did Mommy have our little sister yet?” Kareem turned around and asked.

“No, not yet. Let’s go have some fun.”

“Trae, you’re not going straight home. You didn’t hear what I just said?” Angel was still in fuss mode.

“I need to clear my head first. I’m sure Tasha does too. Thanks for keeping the boys.” I kissed her on the cheek and left. She was still running off at the mouth, but I had tuned her out.

I took the boys to the park and let them run wild. We ate all the junk we could find, and I made them promise not to tell Tasha. My plan was to stay until it was dark; that way, I could be sure that the only thing they were up for was a bath and a bed.

“I’m ready to see Mommy now,” Caliph screamed as he pumped his legs on the swing, trying to go higher. I knew the boys loved their mother, and until this Kyron thing, Tasha had always been an impeccable mom. I knew that she would have never did what she did had I not fucked around on her. Tasha told me up front: if she let me into her heart, she would not tolerate any cheating. I promised her that I would never break her heart. I had no idea of the drama that would come from breaking my promise. I should be able to take this like a man. I made my bed and I have to lie in it. But damn it stung. Now I knew how Tasha felt.

As the boys started to tire out, I thought about how I had seen all three of them born. I had watched them each take their first breath. Suddenly, I wanted to be there when Tasha had this baby—no matter what.

Chapter Eighteen

MARI

I couldn’t wait any longer. I pushed the number programmed in my cell phone. “Hello, Trae?” I could hear the kids playing in the background. I had to admit it. I was jealous to know that Tasha had such a good husband and father for her kids.

“Who is this?”

“It’s Mari. Kyron’s widow.”