“When I see Karma, I’ll try not to be a bitch.” Piper waved on her way out.
“I’m out too.” Hustler headed for the door. “Think I’ll call Nurse Naughty to take care of me.”
“The woman from the hospital?” Dad asked in surprise.
“That’d be the one.” Hustler flashed a crooked smile. “I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“What’s a nice woman like her doing with a playboy like you?” Dad shook his head as if pitying the woman.
“Do you really want to know?” Hustler waggled his eyebrows.
“No,” Lady M snapped.
“Didn’t think so.” He turned toward me. “It was a dick move punching you before finding out what happened.”
“It’s cool. You didn’t know what went down.” Only Bone and Spectre had been in the know.
“No, I didn’t. I would’ve beaten Bone’s ass had I known the shit he was pulling.” He narrowed his eyes at Bone. “Not cool, bro.”
“You could try now,” Bone said smugly.
“Nah, maybe some other time. I’ve got an appointment with a hot nurse.” Hustler left.
“I’m gonna go have a drink.” God knew I needed one.
“Keep us posted.” Lady M called. “Do what needs to be done.”
I didn’t reply on my way out. She wanted me to dominate Karma, but she didn’t know the woman she had become. I wouldn’t put it past her to stab me with a butter knife if I tried to control her.
No, I needed to be careful, or I might lose her and my kid for good.
The only way to get Nova in my life permanently was to win back her momma. It wasn’t only about being in my kid’s life for me. Karma was vital to my happiness. Without her, nothing else mattered.
I couldn’t fail this time. I only hoped I could keep a level head dealing with my woman.
My phone vibrated on the table in front of me as I licked my wounds. When I saw her name, my heart stopped. Karma wouldn’t text me unless I was the last person on the planet. Even then, she’d figure out her situation on her own.
With my stomach tight, I swiped the screen to read the message.
Karma: I don’t give a fuck about you either!!!
Karma: Have a crappy life, you lying, cheating son of a bitch.
Oh, Jesus. This was fuckin’ bad. I sought out Hustler. The dick must’ve told Karma what I’d said about not caring he’d found her last month. Why did these things always come back to bite me in the ass?
I left the bar to go into the hallway and call her. She had it wrong as usual. The ringing unnerved me. Would she even answer?
“What?” she yelled, not sounding like herself.
“I wanted to explain.”
“Save it, you two-bit jack off.” Her words came out a little slurred. “I don’t want to say anything you want to hear.”
“What?” I didn’t understand what she said. “Have you been drinking?”
“You betcha! All damn day… I mean all damn night!”
“Where’s Nova?” My daughter’s well-being was the first thing to pop into my mind. Karma was obviously drunk, which was fine, so long as Nova was somewhere safe.