Perfectly Mixed (3 page)

“No!” Grayson screamed when Larissa tried to get him out of the playhouse at Kidz Adventure Zone. It was a kid’s dream; it had different color lights coming from the ceiling, floors, and walls. She had his little wrist, when he pulled away from her. “You not my mommy!” He shouted jumping up and down, and then started giggling, running deeper into the bounce house. Kids music blasted from speakers on each corner. Grayson’s favorite spot was the huge jump houses and the trampolines, and right now he was behaving like a brat. Larissa sighed, glancing over at the arcade games on the right, looking for Shane. He went to the bathroom and left her with the chore of getting his son.

Larissa stepped back as the people around the playing area stared at her. Her feelings were hurt, but he was right she wasn’t his mother.

“Ma’am,” the security guard walked up. He had a radio in his hand, moving closer to her. “Is there a problem?” He stared at Grayson and then at her.

Larissa cocked her eyebrow. “No, I was trying to get-”

He didn’t let her finish. “I think you have the wrong kid. You might want to look over there,” he pointed at a birthday party with predominantly African-Americans toward the front of Kidz Adventure Zone.

“Excuse me,” She placed her hand on her hip, and tilted her head to the side, looking at the idiot in front of her. “I know exactly whom I’m talking to,” she glanced at the little boy. “Grayson! Daddy is waiting for us.”

“No!” Grayson giggled, jumping up and down. “Not ready!”

The security guard raised an eyebrow. “Lady…”

“Lady nothing,” Larissa huffed, glaring at the chubby man. “He knows me, and I don’t appreciate what you’re insinuating,” she raised her voice. “Grayson!”

Grayson laughed. “I luv you Rissa!”

Her frown turned into a smile, she couldn’t help it. “Me too.” Grayson jumped out of the playhouse, and ran up to her and hugged her waist.

“Sorry,” he looked up at her with those grey/blue eyes. “Ready,” Larissa patted his back and then he took her hand.

The security guard watched Grayson as he hugged her. “I apologize.”

“Is there a problem?” Shane strolled up, staring at the guard.

“Yes, there was,” Larissa voiced, giving the man a dirty glance. “He thinks I’m trying to kidnap your son,” she picked up Grayson, and walked off.

~~~

Shane scanned the area seeing that there were too many kids around. The people were waiting for his reaction to the mall cop. He glared at the man, knowing that he needed to watch his language. “Why would you think my girlfriend was trying to kidnap my son?” Shane stood about one foot taller than the security guard.

“Sir,” his voice cracked watching Shane. “I never said she was kidnapping him.”

“But did you insinuate it?” He moved an inch closer, looking at the gold badge on his shirt. Tim.

“No,” he stepped away. “The kid was screaming ‘no’, and then ‘you’re not my mom.’ What was I to think?”

Shane lifted his wrist up showing him the neon ink on his skin, making the security guard flinch. “What the fuck is this stamp for?” he pointed at the number, the young lady stamped on him, Larissa, and Grayson.

Tim stared at his wrist.

“Every time we leave this place the person at the front desk makes sure we place our wrists under the florescent light to make sure I’m not taking someone else’s kid.” Shane cracked his neck. “So, why didn’t you just ask to see their wrists, and all this would’ve been avoided?”

“Sir.”

“Sir what?” Shane raised his voice. “I know this isn’t the first time that a child screamed no, or you’re not my mom, is it?” He waited for his answer. “Is it?”

“No.”

“But because it was a white kid screaming to an African-American then it became a problem. It didn’t occur to you that he responded to his name when she called it.” He clenched his jaw losing his temper; it was time to go.

“With everything that’s happened with kids’ abductions, I had to be careful.”

Shane chuckled, shaking his head. “If my son would’ve screamed at me, would you have approached me?” Tim didn’t answer. “I thought so,” Shane just walked away. He wasn’t worth it. He ambled to where Larissa was putting Grayson’s shoes on him. “Are you okay?”

“I’m great,” she looked up at him, and then stood. “I’ll be right back,” she walked over to the restroom.

Grayson smiled, watching him. “Daddy, ready.”

Shane sat next to his son, staring at him. “That wasn’t nice what you did to Rissa.”

His smile faded. “She’s not my mommy.”

“I get that she isn’t your mom, but she is an adult. You will respect her.” He continued to peer at his little boy. “When she says it’s time to go, it’s time to go. If not I will not bring you here anymore. Do you understand?” Shane didn’t like to do this, especially on his weekend, but he wasn’t going to raise a disrespectful kid.

“Mommy will,” Grayson replied, crossing his little arms.

“Grayson,” Shane raised his voice, and pointed. “Watch your mouth, buddy, or I’ll take you to the bathroom.”

“No…” He pouted. “Mommy said Rissa not nice.”

Shane combed his fingers through his hair, and took a deep breath. Why would she involve Grayson in her issues with Larissa? “Your mom is wrong, Rissa is a very nice person. Has she ever been mean to you?”

Grayson shook his little head, “No.”

“Rissa has always tried to make you feel special,” he wanted his son to see that what his mother said wasn’t the truth. “She cooks your favorite meals, she plays and watches cartoon with you, and she even took you to church. Does a mean person do that?”

“No,” His son watched him through big blue/grey eyes. “Rissa very nice, Daddy.”

“You will apologize when she comes back.”

He nodded his head.

Larissa walked back wiping her hands with a napkin, and as soon as Grayson saw her, he jumped out of his seat, and wrapped his arms around her. “Sorry… I luv you. I listen… I promise.”

She watched Shane, patting Grayson’s back. “Apology accepted, sweetie.”

“It’s time to go,” Shane picked up Larissa’s purse. “After you,” he kissed her lips. They were headed out of the entrance, when the young man in the front stopped them, and scanned their wrists with the florescent light. “Tim,” Shane yelled at the idiot, getting the man’s attention. “Look,” he pointed at her, she belongs to us, maybe next time you can ask me if I kidnapped her,” Larissa shook her head in embarrassment. “I love this woman.” Shane yelled, making all the patrons look their way.

“Me too, Daddy,” Grayson giggled.

Shane’s cell rang, and he knew exactly who it was without looking at the screen. “Liza,” He answered with annoyance in his voice. “What the hell do you want now?”

“I’m checking on my son,” she stated with an attitude.

“Our son,” Shane exhaled, staring at Larissa and Grayson playing on the trampoline in his backyard. He didn’t want them hearing the conversation with Liza. “He’s playing with Larissa.” He made sure to mention that bit of information. “You don’t need to check on Grayson, he’s with his father.” 

She didn’t say anything.

“Your brainwashing isn’t working,” he stood. “Why the fuck would you bad mouth Larissa to him? Keep whatever you think of my girlfriend to yourself, she’s never done anything to you. She’s been more cordial than me. I don’t fucking talk about your bitch of a man.”

“I don’t want him around people who are going to be bad influences in his life.”

“Right now, you’re the bad influence,” he turned the burgers on the grill. “You’re referring to my girlfriend?” He knew but he wanted her to say it.

“Shane, stop being a jackass,” she shrieked. “I don’t want him around ghetto people.”

He threw the tongs on the grill, strolled over to the house, and pulled the glass door open, entering the house. “What the fuck do mean ghetto people? So, let me get this straight, because Larissa is black that makes her ghetto, less than your mighty white ass?” he asked and slammed the sliding glass doors. “Did you forget that I come from the projects? Liza, you’re treading on a fine fucking line.”

“You can’t change how I feel.”

“I don’t fucking care how you feel, but you will not rub your prejudice off on my son.” Shane gripped the phone tighter. “Grayson doesn’t see color, he’s a kid. I won’t allow you to raise him with hatred.”

“Daddy!” His little boy hollered. “Look, come out.” Grayson waved his hand, and then he and Larissa began doing half-ass cartwheels.

Shane wasn’t going to let Liza ruin his time with his son, he thought as he opened the doors, and stepped back out. “Larissa has never said one bad word about you around Grayson. However when he isn’t here, I’m the one bad mouthing you.”

“Shane!” She hollered, making him move his cell away from his ear. “I don’t want him getting attached to her. She won’t be around for long.”

“Who says she won’t be around?”

“Why are you spending so much time with her?” Liza knew this relationship was different than any other he’d been in. Shane had never introduced their son to any of the women he dated in the past.

“It’s none of your damn business, but I’m going to share this with you first,” he sat back down, picking up his beer and took a gulp. “I plan on marrying Larissa.”

Liza gasped. “No!”

“So stop telling Grayson that his soon to be step-mother is evil, because it’s not working. Leave her out of this. You were the one that destroyed whatever we had, not Larissa. It’s been over for four years, and how many men have you bedded on your part?” He leaned back waiting for her reaction. She loved pushing his buttons, and he always pushed back.

Grayson was laughing loudly, and Shane made sure Liza heard him. “Rissa, look,” he jumped higher.

Larissa sat on the edge of the trampoline, out of breath. “Be careful.” She wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hands.

“I’m going to take you back to court.” Every time they had an argument she’d threatened to take him to court.

“For what?” he took another gulp of his drink. “The eleven hundred dollars I give you a month isn’t enough?” Shane smiled at Larissa as she stared at him.

“I didn’t make him by myself.”

“At first you didn’t know who you made him with.” He chuckled, making her huff. When would Liza learn to leave him alone? “I will always take care of my responsibilities. I don’t have a problem paying child support. What I do want to know is why my son is walking around in shoes that can barely fit him, but you’re wearing Michael Kors.”

“What I wear is none of your business.”

“You’re right, but he’s my business. Higher buddy,” he yelled at Grayson. “I don’t care what you do with the money as long as my son is taken care of.”

“He is being taken care of,” she replied. “Grayson isn’t missing anything.”

He was tired of the small talk. “What did you want again?”

“I want to talk to Grayson.”

“He is rather busy at the moment.”

“Put him on the phone. He is expecting my call.”

Shane wouldn’t put Grayson in the middle of their arguments. He wasn’t going to get down to her level. “Buddy, your mom wants to talk to you.”

Larissa helped him down, he ran up to the table. Shane placed the phone on speaker. “Hi, Mommy.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, Mommy,” he took a sip of his water. “We fun.”

“Remember what I said,” Liza slipped in.

Grayson watched his dad. “Rissa is nice, I like… Rissa.”

She didn’t reply.

“Go wash your hands, buddy,” Shane picked up the phone as Grayson walked into the house. “Really, Liza! I’m so fucking tired of you. I guess what I said went through one ear and out the other. If you continue this shit, I will be the one taking
you
back to court.”

“Go ahead, they will side with me.” Liza said.

Larissa walked over to him, and sat on his lap. “Today has been fun.” She gave him a feather kiss on his lips.

“Really,” he rubbed her thighs with his palms.

“Yes, kids will be kids.” She wrapped her hands around his neck. “Liza would be jealous of anyone you’re with, I don’t think it’s the color of my skin. That’s just her excuse. She doesn’t intimidate me.”

“Shane, I’m talking to you!” Liza yelled through the phone, though Shane paid her no mind.

He swiped his finger over the screen, ending the call. “Good,” he patted her ass. “Sorry about all the drama.” He said, and gazed at his girlfriend.

“I don’t scare easily. I can handle Liza,” She buried her hands in his hair. “I’m in for the long haul.”

“Me too.”

Larissa rested her head on the hard marble surface in the bathtub, her body was sore from playing with Grayson on the trampoline. She closed her eyes imagining her hands around Liza’s neck, her lips curled up into a naughty smile. Larissa’s father always said she had bionic ears, and she had heard some of Shane’s conversation with Liza. She was going to have a little talk with Shane’s baby mama. She hated that term, but in this case that’s exactly what Liza was. Grayson was innocent in all of this. Larissa loved him, regardless of his outbursts she thought, knowing that Shane was tucking Grayson in for the night.

“What are you smiling about?” Shane’s deep sexy voice echoed in the bathroom. Her grin widened as she opened her eyes.

Larissa twisted her head to the side, gazing in to his sparkling grey irises. “I was thinking of a few things I have to handle.” He took her breath away, standing at the door without a shirt. Damn, his lips were perfect for kissing; her core tingled at the thought.

“I can help.” His eyes held hers as his lips crept up into a smile. His strong hands, slightly rough from working, held a box of her favorite chocolates. Shane’s broad, lean frame demanded attention whenever he entered a room. Larissa stared at his sculptured washboard abs, down to the perfect V going into his shorts.

She seductively eased her leg out of the bubbles. “I think I do need your help.”

Shane sat on the edge of the tub, and touched her bare thighs with his calloused palms. “Don’t tempt me, baby.”

“Who’s tempting?” She beheld the box in his hands. “You’re the one holding chocolate.”

“These?” he held then up.

“For me?” she pointed at herself. “Why?” Larissa raised her brow, what was he up to?

“It’s almost that time of the month, right?” He chuckled. “You do get a little bipolar.”

Larissa splashed a little water on his face. “No I don’t,” she squealed.

Shane wiped his face and continued laughing. “I’m just kidding, doll.” He handed the box of chocolates to Larissa.

“Hun, I’m in the bathtub,” she mentioned. “Can you hold it until I get out?”

“No,” He wouldn’t let it go. “Please take them,” he slid down to the floor, and sat on the tile floor.

He handed her the candy and she took it, examining the expression on Shane’s face, he seemed nervous. “Why do you have that look on your face?” She said opening the lid.

“What look?”

Larissa watched the man she loved as she opened the box, then her breath hitched, and her heart raced double time. Her hands started shaking, looking at a sparkling solitaire ring in the middle of the chocolates. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She was in shock to say the least. Larissa wasn’t expecting a proposal anytime soon.

“Larissa.”

She twisted her head to side, and Shane was up on bended knees.

“You know I love to be different,” he studied her. Shane wiped her face with his thumb. “I’m not down on one knee, I’m down on both, begging you to marry me,” he cleared his throat. “I don’t beg anyone for shit, but for you I’ll do whatever I have to. I have never done anything like this before, because I have never felt what I feel for you. Baby, I love you.”

Larissa just gazed at him as her heart raced. She’d prayed for a moment like this, so why was she so nervous? Why couldn’t she answer? 

“Larissa… will you marry me?” He gazed at her.

“Daddy!” Grayson screamed. Saved by the bell, she thought.

They both looked back, but Shane didn’t move. He was still on bended knees waiting for her answer.

“Don’t leave me waiting.”

“Daddy!” he yelled again. “Daddy!”

“Larissa…” he whispered.

“Shane, go take care of your son.” She told him, concerned.

He slowly stood, staring at Larissa. “I won’t take no for an answer,” he flicked the bubbles on her face. “I’ll be back, and when I walk through this freaking door, you better scream yes.” he strolled out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

Larissa picked up the engagement ring out of the box of chocolates, and slipped it on her ring finger, it fit perfectly. She grinned, admiring the gorgeous rock. Shane knew her so well. She placed the box on the edge of the marble surface. Larissa unplugged the tub, and stood. She turned the faucet on, and rinsed herself off as the water drained.

A few minutes later, Larissa stepped out of the bathtub, wrapping Shane’s robe around her naked body. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, and her lips crept up into a smile. Why did she hesitate in giving him an answer? She should’ve shouted YES to the world, but instead she kept silent. Shane came into her life when she had given up on being remotely happy. Shane made her smile when all she wanted to do before was cry. Larissa grabbed the box of chocolates, opening the cover, and ate one. “Hmmm…” She closed her eyes, “he knows me so well.” She placed it on the small table in his bathroom.

Larissa gripped her comb, and started wrapping her hair in a circular motion when Shane’s cellphone began ringing on the counter. She didn’t mean to be nosy, well yes she did. Larissa clutched the phone; her lips turned up when she saw it was Liza. She took a deep breath, no time like the present to have a little talk with his ex. She swiped her finger against the screen.

“You don’t get to talk to me-”

“Liza, Liza…” Larissa sat on the toilet. “I warned you.”

“Bitch!”

She chuckled, “Believe me you don’t want the bitch in me to come out and play. So, let’s get a few things straight.”

“We don’t have anything to talk about.”

“Oh, I do believe we do,” Larissa stared at the beautiful ring. No one was going make her run away from the love of her life, especially Liza. “You’re going to have to learn to deal with me, because I’m not going anywhere. I think it’s time for you to accept that fact.”

“I will never accept that. You don’t fit in his world.”

“And what world is that?”

“I don’t like you.”

“I don’t like you either, but this isn’t about us. It’s about your son.”

“Where’s Shane?”

She ignored her last question. “Stop using Grayson against his father. Shane loves his little boy, and you’re making it difficult. You guys need to reach a compromise, it’s not about you or Shane, it’s about Grayson.” She was trying really hard to bite her tongue. “You might regret taking him back to court.”

“What Shane and I do is none of your damn business, you’re just Shane’s new hobby.”

“New…” she laughed, they’d been together over a year. Nothing this bitch said would mess up what she had with Shane. Larissa wasn’t a doormat, and it was time Liza knew that. “I guess you wished you were still his flavor of the week.” Fuck biting her tongue. “Now he’s into chocolate. Once you go black you never go back.”

She didn’t reply.

“After tonight, everything that has to do with Shane is my business.” Larissa raised her voice.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Shane knocked on the door, slowly pushing it open.

“Yes! Yes!” Larissa yelled, “I’ll marry you!”

Shane grinned from ear to ear, rushing forward. He picked her up, and spun her around, making her giggle. “I was going to spank you if you didn’t give me the right answer.” He placed her down, wrapping his strong arms around her.

“I like it when you spank me…” She seductively smacked her ass with the cellphone.

Shane cupped her face. “I love you.” he lowered his head down, and kissed her.

A moan escaped her lips.

“Who’s on the phone?” he took her hand, kissing her fingers, palm, down to her wrist.

“Liza,” Larissa shivered as his lips brushed against her skin, she handed him the cell. “She needs boundaries.”

“Fuck yes.” Shane grabbed the gadget out of her hand, and swiped it off. “She’s not going to ruin this night. We’re getting married!”