Co-Parenting Nico said as he walked past Wynter’s room.
“So, I haven’t seen you most of 2021, but as soon as the baby gets to Miami, you find time?”
“I gotta get a jump on being her favorite person. You’re already her daddy.” He said as he came out of the bathroom from washing his hands.
“Gimme the baby.”
“No big Spring Break plans? You not linking up with Madison or your boys?” I ask as I hand him my daughter.
I was able to convince Eva to move back home with Wynter for the break. After our talk the week before Thanksgiving, she seemed to loosen up the reins a little bit and let me have an active part in this pregnancy, so much so that she actually agreed to get an apartment in the same building as me. She’s one floor below me, which works since she refused to move back in with me. As long as my baby girl is close. Her parents were glad to have them back home as well. Even though, it’s only for Spring Break right now, it’s a start. Once she finishes up the semester, they’ll be back for the summer. She hasn’t decided if she’s going back to school in August yet. She moved out of the dorm and is staying in the apartment that I originally rented for her mother’s visits to New York.
“Nah, man. I’ll get up with them later. Madison has Spring Break next week, so we’ll kick it that weekend before I go back. I just wanna watch you hoop and spend some time with this little one right here. Figured you could use a break.”
“From my baby girl? No way. I might go into early retirement.”
“Stop playing. You love the game.”
“I do, but this hits different.”
“I mean, it’s your world, but let’s not be too hasty. But, I also get it. Look at this face!”
I laughed at my brother. Wynter definitely had all the men in her life wrapped around her finger. Eva’s dad included. The old man folded like a blanket when his granddaughter was around.
“So, how is the co-parenting going?”
“Um, as well as to be expected. Traveling the way that I do makes it hard, but her parents have been a big help. But I’ll have much more time for her this summer.”
“Any plans for a reconciliation?”
“Not at the moment. I’m focusing on one thing at a time. And right now, Wynter is it.”
“You still got those blueprints?”
I looked over at Nico and nodded. I was making plans to either buy or build a house and asking Eva to move in with me when she flipped the script with this school and “not being a baller’s wife” talk.
“What about Miss Talladega Nights?”
“Stop calling her that, Nico.” I laughed at his nickname for Mickey.
“She’s been pretty cool with the whole thing. But Eva and the baby were still in New York. We’ll see how it goes. She understands that Wynter is my priority.”
“I mean, if things don’t work out with Eva, I think ol’ girl might be a keeper. I don’t know too many women that would be this understanding of your situation.”
“Well, this situation was before her. And even before we knew there was a situation, we were keeping it casual. So, it’s not weird. Everything is out in the open. No games, no secrets.”
I was heading to the kitchen to fix Wynter a bottle when I heard knocking at the door. I opened it and found Eva standing on the other side. To say she had given birth a little over two months ago, she looked great. I’m not gonna lie. I don’t know if it was because I knew she had given birth to my daughter or what, but she was giving off a different type of sexy. I wouldn’t be opposed to a second chance, but I’m not going to chase her. If she wants to work on this, she’ll have to make the first move.
“I gave you that key for a reason.”
“I know, but I don’t feel right just walking into your place. You may have had company or something.”
I knew what she was getting at, but I ignored it.
“Hey, it used to be your place too, remember?”
She looked down at the keys in her hand but didn’t say anything.
“Besides, nobody is here, but Nico. He’s in the living room with baby girl. I was about to make a bottle, but I guess nothing beats fresh tap, if you’re up for it.”
“I am definitely up for it. That’s actually why I came up here.”
I tried to keep my eyes focused on her face and not stare at the source of my daughter’s nourishment. I just nodded my head and stepped aside so she could walk down the hall. I took a few minutes to compose myself before heading into the living room just as Eva took Wynter to the nursery. I sat down on the couch and just stared at the door for a moment before Nico’s voice finally broke me out of my thoughts.
“You got it bad, Big Bro.”
“Shut up, man. Pass me the remote.”
He was right though. I don’t know how long this “just co-parenting” thing is going to last between the two of us.
