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Deja parked and ran to the after-school room, her heels click-clacking on the way through the dimly lit parking lot. She only had five minutes to pick up Miles before the school closed at six. A light drizzle fell, so she pulled her coat’s hood over her long, straight weave to prevent frizz. It grew dark so much earlier after they’d set the clocks back for daylight savings time, so it felt like she should be crawling into bed, not just starting her evening.
Raquel had been right earlier; Deja’s afternoon had been filled with non-stop calls and a few client walk-ins. Fatigue was threatening to set in, but Deja still had a long evening with Miles ahead of her. She threw the after-school room door open to find Miles was the only student left.
“Hey, Mom.” Her son rose from the table and slung his backpack over his shoulder.
Her lips tightly pursed, Ms. Medina checked her watch then extended the clipboard to Deja.
“Busy day at work.” Deja signed Miles out.
Ms. Medina let out a humph.
Deja had too much on her mind to care about Ms. Medina’s attitude. The lady couldn’t possibly understand all the demands placed on a woman raising a child alone while working a full-time job. Deja placed her hand on Miles’s shoulder, and they walked to the car. “How was your day, buddy?”
“Okay.”
Deja glanced at her son, expecting a further response, but none came. “Everything going all right with the other kids?”
Miles shrugged. “Yeah.”
When they reached the car, Deja’s phone beeped—a text from Nina, reminding her about Rodney’s birthday dinner. “Shoot.”
Miles hopped into the backseat. “Who’s that, Mom?”
“Auntie Nina. She wants us to come over for Uncle Rod’s birthday dinner, but I don’t think we’ll be able to.”
“Why not?” Miles whined. “I like going over there.”
Usually, Deja didn’t feel comfortable spending too much time there when Nina was home. After breaking things off with Rodney, it would be even more awkward. “I’ve had a long day, and I want to relax at home.”
“But Mo-om...”
“You were just there yesterday. Conversation’s over.” Deja glanced in the rearview mirror at Miles’s scowl. She didn’t like disappointing him, but spending an evening with the Taylors was out of the question. The first time she’d ever really talked to Nina had been about six months ago. Deja had gone to get Miles close to six, and Bree and Laila were still in after-school care with him. Nina had run in at the last minute, apologizing to Ms. Medina because she’d forgotten her nanny was off for the afternoon and had overslept during a nap.
Nina had turned to Deja. “Oh, you’re Miles’s mom, right?”
Though Nina looked worn out, Deja had been surprised at her attractiveness. She wasn’t even wearing makeup, but her upturned eyes were lined with lush lashes. Her heart-shaped lips were full, and her chestnut-brown skin was clear and without a wrinkle. “Yes, I’m Deja.”
“Right. Over the past few months, the girls have been telling me you that you and Miles have been spending time with them and Rodney while I was staying at my dad’s.”
Deja’s pulse picked up. Surely, Nina was preparing to cuss her out after piecing two and two together. Deja had prepared herself for the fact that this day might come, but she didn’t want a scene in front of the kids.
Nina stepped toward Deja, and before Deja could react, Nina’s arms were wrapping her in a hug. “Thank you. It was really hard taking a step back from the girls’ everyday lives, and I appreciate you helping Rodney out. I’m doing much better now, and I’d love to treat you to a coffee. I’ll get your number from Rodney and text you.”
“Okay” was all Deja could manage to get out. And so their “friendship” had begun.
“Did you change your mind about going to Uncle Rod’s, Mom?” Miles asked when they pulled into their apartment complex.
Deja slid her car into its parking space. “Nope.” Deja followed Miles, who stomped to their unit. Once inside, he tossed his backpack by the door, stormed to his room, and closed the door behind him.
Plopping her purse and keys on the coffee table, she fought the urge to sit on the couch and relax and went to the kitchen instead. She pulled out the two pieces of steak she’d bought with the money Rodney had given her. With roasted potatoes and vegetables, she and Miles would have a nice dinner all by themselves.
Deja started at a loud knock on her front door. She hurried to it. “Shit.” Maybe she could pretend she wasn’t home.
“I just saw you get home, Deja. Don’t act like you’re not in there,” Kevin said.
Deja cracked the door open. Though Kevin still had the same light-brown eyes and baby face, he’d grown a goatee and swapped his curls for a short fade.
“You said you were coming this weekend. Why are you here?” Deja kept her voice low so Miles wouldn’t hear her.
Kevin pushed the door open, knocking Deja back. He shoved her against the wall, pinning her to it with his broad chest. His lips touched her ear. “I’ve given you more than enough time.” His sour breath heated Deja’s cheek. “You owe me.”
Deja shoved Kevin, but at two hundred pounds, he barely budged. “I’m sick of you threatening me. If anything, you owe me after what you’ve put me through all these years.”
Kevin hit Deja hard across the cheek. “You’ve always been an ungrateful—”
“Get off my mom!” Miles screamed.
Turning his back to Deja, Kevin said, “Shut up, Miles.”
Deja ran to Miles, trying to steady her shaking body. “Go back in your room, buddy. It’s okay.”
Miles didn’t move, a grimace covering his bright-red face. “You said when we moved here, we wouldn’t see him no more.”
Kevin laughed and strolled to Miles, resting his hands on his shoulders. “Oh, that’s cute. You didn’t miss me, Miles?”
Deja removed Kevin’s hands from her son. “Go to your room, Miles. Now!”
After Miles hesitantly left the living room, Deja glared at Kevin. “I’ll follow your plan to get the money. But Miles is here, so please just leave now.”
“Good. That’s all I wanted to hear. I’ll be back.” Kevin forced a sloppy kiss on Deja’s mouth, though she tried to avoid it, then moseyed out of the apartment.
Deja wiped her mouth hard with the back of her hand. She hurried to Miles’s room. Tears streamed down her son’s cheeks. She sat next to him. “You okay?”
Miles clenched his fists. “I hate him.”
Miles had witnessed Kevin’s cruelty toward Deja too many times to count. “I know. Hey, let’s not let him ruin our night. Why don’t you grab your jacket, and we’ll head over for Uncle Rod’s birthday.”
Miles sniffled. “Really?”
Deja’s fingers wiped the tears from Miles’s face. “Yeah. Why not.” There were plenty of reasons why they shouldn’t go, but in that moment, Deja no longer cared. “I’m going to clean up and change clothes. I’ll meet you in the living room.”
As Deja left the room, knots twisted her stomach. Kevin wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted, and if she wanted a future for herself and Miles, she would have to give it to him.