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Jaylen

I'm nervous.

Women don't make me feel this type of way, or at least they didn't use to. I be forgetting that that was a long time ago. I am not that same smooth ass nigga, though I wish his ass would come back.

The house is quiet when Correy ain't here. Sierra ass got him right now, and I'm just hoping she'll give him back when it's my turn. Let me try not to think about her petty ass while I'm tryna get ready for a date.

I searched through my closet trying to find something to wear. I was trying to make this date casual but not too casual to where I was looking bummy. But Ieen tryna get too dressed up because what if I look more dressed up than she is? But what if I look too dressed down?

See. All this indecisive shit really pisses me off. Now I don't even feel like going.

The truth is, I'm actually excited. I never go on dates, so I'm bout to make this shit fun. I have to. I can't be in my twenties and not living my best life.

Fuck what I'm wearing. I look good in everything.

After one last look in the mirror, and one last spray of cologne, I'm ready to go. I check my phone and type in the adress Nina sent me. I texted her that I was on my way and she replied immediately.

Nina (future gf, hopefully)

okay can't wait !

That little exclamation had a nigga stomach doing flips. I don't know if she really was excited to go out with me, but it ain't matter. I was excited as hell, and I had been meaning to do this for a minute now.

Last week when I went to get Correy, I walked passed a couple who was leaving the daycare. They were kissing and holding the hands of their two daughters. The kids were lowkey going wild and tryna pull their parents towards the car, but they were just kissing and happy to be together. I know that sounds like some romcom ass shit, but it made me feel lonely as fuck.

Ain't no problem with my life revolving around my son. Once you become a parent, things really change. Like everything you do is for your kid. Bizzy is my project but it's for him too; I gotta make money so he's always taken care of. Other than that, I ain't got shit else going on in my life.

Shit, just let me get a taste of what that's like, to be kissing and all boo'd up with bad ass kids. I want someone to come home to.

I'm thinking too damn much. This is just one date. Let me not get sprung before I even get to know who she is.

After I went in there to get Correy, I took one look at Nina and I knew that shit was now or never. I straight up just asked if she wanted to have a good time with me. I ain't know how else to say it, and I knew if I started thinking as hard as I am now, I'd start stuttering and shit.

Luckily for my ass she said yes. And here we are now.

I pulled up to a nice little townhouse that was a little further away from the city. It was quiet, and the streets wasn't wild with tourists. I got out and knocked on the door.

I could hear her heels clacking on her way to answer the door. After she opened that motherfucker I almost did a double take. I swear my goofy ass was probably drooling just looking at her. I only ever saw Nina behind a desk, so this... this was something else.

"I didn't really know where we was going so I hope I'm not dressed wrong," she blushed.

I just sat there not knowing what to say. She side smirked and stepped outside of the house while I led us down to my car.

After opening the door for her, I realized that I still hadn't said anything to her yet. "You look amazing, don't mind me being an idiot." She smiled and strapped in as I took us back into New Orleans.

Not saying she was Domonique, but I hadn't looked at someone like that since her.

"Something about this city. Always moving," she said, looking out the windows. Though she worked here she was pretending like it was all brand new. "You not used to it by now?"

Nina shook her head. "Nah I'm from the country. I used to think it was too slow and too quiet, but sometimes it's too fast and too loud over here. I don't mind too much."

The drive was short, and I parked the car on the side of road to let us out. I grabed some things from the backseat as she let herself out of the car. "Where did you bring me?"

"To a side of New Orleans you clearly haven't seen yet. Come on," I grabbed her hand with my free one and led us to a spot close to the water.

I'm not gonna say that this was a super original idea for a date, because to be honest I had to ask my employees for help. I ain't wanna be basic though. So I basically put all of their ideas together in one.

I handed her the basket and spread out the blanket as far asit could go. We took a seat and just watched the water and the birds in silence. It wasn't uncomfortable silence; it felt right.

"I didn't just bring you out here to look, I'm not that boring," I said. "Here," I passed the basket back over to her.

She took out the paints and the canvases and passed me one. Yes, a nigga had us out here painting. I feel like a fool right now, but we had already come out this far.

"I'm not that artistic so don't judge what you see. If it's ugly just mind ya business."

I didn't know what I was drawing because I was too busy looking at her. I wanted us to talk more but I'm ass at conversation, so I'm hoping she starts carrying the conversation.

Luckily for me, she does.

Getting to know her a little better eased my anxiety. Though Nina's only a year older than me, she seemed wise beyond her years. She talked about things she loved with passion, lowkey using big ass words I didn't know. When I'd ask what they meant, she would stop and laugh harder. I felt like she was cracking hella jokes about my ass but it was fine, they made me laugh too.

"You must be in school or something. You sounding like you should be at Oxford or some shit."

Nina laughed. "I work at the daycare because I'm trying to pay for school. Dillard is not cheap, but I've had a few scholarships covering my fees." I knew she seemed smart as hell.

"What are you studying?"

"I'm pre-law. I got to college a little late, but at least I got there, you know?" I nodded.

"Everybody do things on they own timeline. You're going and that's what matters the most. I like that." I watched her look up at the scene and look down again. She must have been painting the water.

"I feel like I've talked too much about myself. I'm spilling my life story and you're sitting all quiet."

"No worries, ma. I'm just taking you in, that's all." She had a story for everything and I didn't mind listening and adding in my two cents here and there. I wasn't used to talking about myself and I had no idea where to start. I ain't wanna give her too much ugly and make her not want to come on another date with me.

She picked out some more paints and I thought of where to start. "Well, I have a son."

Nina smacked. "Well no shit. I see him often." I ran a hand across my face. Of course she knows I have a son. I need to give her something else. "Correy right?"

"Yeah. I named him after my best friend." Domonique was coming to my mind and I smiled to myself. She was trying to help me even on this date. "He's my purpose, if I'm being honest. I just want to be a good father." I didn't know my father, and I don't really know if him being in my life would have changed me in anyway. I don't want Correy to ever have to question himself like that, so I intend to be there for him no matter what.

"I think you're doing a great job," Nina smiled. Not gonna lie, her big ass grin was making a nigga giddy and shit. "Other than him, I have the store."

"How did you get into clothes and allat?"

When I was younger I didn't wear shit but joggers and hoodies. It wasn't like I was dressing badly, but I wasn't styling. After I stopped playing football, I didn't really have an excuse to be wearing workout clothes all the time. I was trying to be fresh though. Not even to impress anyone, but for myself. I knew what I liked to wear and I knew I wasn't the only one who liked it. at first I only sold through Instagram or Depop, but then my business started to grow. I got a website then a storefront and here I am now.

We talked for hours, painting and stealing glances at each other. Nina didn't think I caught her ass staring but I did, she ain't slick. Of course I ain't mind the attention from her. The sun wasn't quite setting yet, but it started to get a little dark. I started to pack everything up and we walked to the car together.

"I hope you like Gloria's. Best Mexican food I ever had," I said. My stomach rumbled just thinking about it. A few people walked passed us as I noticed someone standing close to my car.

They heard our footsteps and spun around. The woman seemed to be dressed in professional clothing like she worked at an office or something. She looked very out of place in the park. "Jaylen Green?" She asked. Damn, she was using the full government.

"That's me," I scrunched up my face. She took a peice of paper out of her briefcase and handed it to me. "You've been served."

Now this was embarrassing.

Nina's mouth twisted to the side as I stared at the envelope. "You okay?" She asked.

I nodded, and we got in the car. I didn't want to open it, but I already knew what it said on the inside.

"Let's just go eat," I said dryly. I could feel my mood changing, and I felt bad for doing this while I was on a date.

I opened the door gor her and we walked in, instantly being seated because I had reservations. "I'll have a water, but you can get whatever you like."

"We'll take two tequila cocktails," she grabbed my hand, "You look like you need a drink." I rolled my eyes and tried to fight the smile that was forming on my face. "Don't even worry about it, Jay. Let's just have fun tonight."

And we did. After we ate, a live band started to play and the restuarant was turned into a club. Everybody started dancing and cha-cha-ing and shit, and so did Nina. Seeing her having a good time did enough to pull me out of my misery. If this was just the first date, I could imagine the rest.  I like Nina, a lot, and I know Correy will like her too.

Correy. My mind flashed back to the attorney. I would read it tonight, just to be sure. But I knew what the document said.

Sierra was filing for full custody of our son.


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