Only You

ONLY YOU KAYLYN Copyright © 2023 by Kaylyn and Kay Way Koncepts All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage or retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of quotations in a book review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination. Created with Vellum Contents Connect With Me Part I Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Part II Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Part III Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Part IV Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Part V Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Connect With Me Kaylyn's Catalog: https://amzn.to/3n3t9Mc Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/KaylynsKorner Facebook Page: https://bit.ly/Kaylyn_ Facebook Like Page: https://bit.ly/KaylynLikePage Instagram: https://bit.ly/KaylynIG Mailing List: https://bit.ly/KaylynMailingList Website: https://bit.ly/KAYLYN Part I Chapter One SUMMER BEFORE JUNIOR YEAR “Mo Mo,” Zayd gurgled, forcing my eyes to flutter open. He was sitting on my bed, likely because the sun was up and he was hungry. “Zay Zay.” He saw that as an invitation to crawl over and lay his head on my stomach. “Ready to eat-eat?” He nodded, clapping his hands as I grabbed my phone off my nightstand. Quila: It was a late night, but a bitch made a lot of money. I’ll pay you to keep Zayd until noon. Me: Call me when you get up. Quila’s text came in at almost five this morning. It was no way in hell she would be up and ready to parent by noon. I’d been babysitting for her long enough to know, but I wasn’t tripping because she would pay me for my time. Quila and I met last year at a block party, and despite her being three years older than me, we clicked. I had always been mature for my age, so we kicked it occasionally, going to the court when it was nothing to do. Tequila was three years older than me but still childlike in many ways. She grew up fast and never got to experience certain things, so she lived vicariously through me. Tequila danced at night to care for her son, but when Mrs. Theresa suddenly passed away, Quila was left without a sitter. I couldn’t get a traditional job then, which was a win for us both. Our friendship blossomed, and they became a part of the family. Scooping Zayd up, I trekked downstairs to the kitchen and fixed us a quick egg and bacon breakfast. Cheese eggs were his favorite, and he didn’t leave one crumb on his plate. Afterward, I texted Yarah to see if she wanted to sit outside until Tequila woke up. “We’re going outside Zay-Zay!” I cooed, pinching at his cheeks, resulting in laughter that warmed my heart. He was the definition of perfection. “You’re better than me. Tequila would have to figure her shit out. Ain’t no way I’d always have somebody else’s baby,” Gabby complained. “I’m glad you finally admit I’m better than you,” I smiled, moving around my room while deciding what to wear. It wasn’t much on my agenda today, but going to the basketball court. It was summertime, so it was bound to be packed with people. “Not in the way you’re thinking,” Gabby sucked her teeth and plopped down on my bed. “He’s so cute, though.” “Quila pays me well,” I shrugged. “If I wanted a baby attached to my hip, I would make my own.” I turned around, stunned because that sounded like the worst idea. “I get paid to have Zayd. Then he’s back to his real mom. I like my plan a lot better.” “Don’t you want a life like a normal teenager?” “I have one. I’m going to a party tomorrow.” “I’m glad you’re getting out of the house.” “Remember that the next time you’re asking to borrow money,” Gabby sat up and flipped me the bird before marching out of my bedroom. Gabby was a senior and worked at Footlocker because she loved sneakers and got a discount. At sixteen years old, I could get a traditional job, but working for minimum wage when I made more babysitting wasn’t enticing. Gabby could keep clocking in at the mall, but I had a plan. Since Zayd spent so much time at our house, I kept a few things here even though I had a key to Tequila’s apartment for emergencies. After we dressed, I walked outside, and Yarah was already heading toward me. “Hey, girl.” “Hey boo! You look cute,” I complimented. Yarah’s round face and chubby cheeks gave her an air of innocence. It was nothing innocent about her curvy frame that she shied away from. “Thanks, girl,” she replied with a half smirk tugging at her shorts before dipping down to focus on Zayd. “He’s so adorable! I want to eat him up.” “Ain’t he?” I replied, sitting on the bottom step with Zayd between my legs. “How long are you babysitting?” “Quila said she’d be up at noon, but I know she’s lying. After she takes him, you want to go to the court?” “I’m down. I can’t stay long, though. We’re going to see my dad later.” “That’s good news,” I replied, mirroring the excitement I thought her comment would bring, but instead, she seemed solemn about the man she claimed to miss so much. “Right?” I asked when she didn’t offer much of a reaction. “Have you ever been to a prison before?” “No,” I quipped, as if her question was a stereotype or genuine curiosity. Yarah and I were still getting to know each other,