“Does it matter?”
“Yeah.” I didn’t hesitate. “It does.”
“I’m asking as your brother.”
I leaned back in my seat and my eyes tried to read my brother’s body language.
“Then, yeah. Asante and I have been seeing each other.”
Rook adjusted how he was sitting but my eyes were focused on our oldest brother right now.
“Okay.” King swallowed and nodded slowly. He exhaled and leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs. “Is it serious?” He asked after a moment.
“Serious enough for it to be exclusive to just the two of us, but not serious enough for you to be worried about my matches and shit. Asante knew what it was when we got involved with each other. We both did. I can do my duty when the time comes.”
“You never thought to tell me you had a boyfriend?”
“You never asked.”
King opened his mouth then closed it. “Did Rook have to ask?” He gestured to him.
I scoffed.
“Rook and I are two halves of the same soul. He didn’t have to ask because there was never a need to. He took one look at me in the club talking to Asante and he didn’t need me to confirm or validate anything he thought he saw between us.”
King nodded at that. “Take away the family and honor stuff and just be honest and real with me, B. Are you in love with Asante and is Asante in love with you?”
I sighed and let my head fall back against my seat. I groaned. I pinched the bridge of my nose and collected myself. I sat up fully after my next exhale and really took in my brother.
King looked both stressed and anxious, two things he didn’t wear often.
I didn’t know where this certain interest in my personal life had come from but I didn’t like it.
I didn’t have the heart to look him in his face and lie to him though.
“Yeah.” I answered King quietly. “There’s love there.”
“Real love?”
“Yeah. It’s real.”
“What do you like about him?”
“Do you really want to hear that shit?”
“I asked.” King sat up in his seat and I looked off as I thought about Asante.
A smile crept across my face before I could stop it.
“He’s good for me.” I said finally. “He uh, he looks out for me the way that I feel like I look out for the family. I don’t have to have my head on a swivel when I’m with him. When I’m home I’m worried about security and cameras and being aware of any potential threat to our family but when I’m with Asante, I knowI’m good. I don’t have to do shit but exist and I know he got me. He’s cultivated a space where I feel comfortable doing that.
“He gives me space to just be me. He doesn’t give a fuck about my last name or none of that shit. He’s funny. He makes me laugh when I feel like the world is crashing down around me. He supports me and pushes me and he’s ambitious and smart and so fucking emotionally intelligent it’s kind of crazy. He makes me feel even luckier to live the life I live with the way he looks at everything in our world with a wonder that I’ve never experienced.
“He’s my partner for real. He’s always there whether it’s to help me troubleshoot computers and shit or just sitting up with me while I get work done and make passports. He’s a man of few words but I talk enough for the both of us.” I chuckled. “He never tries to make me feel bad about our family business and stolen moments. Honestly, I feel like he gives way more than he takes and while I hate that shit he always reassures me shit is just the way it’s supposed to be.” I shrugged. “Loving and being loved by Asante is a…” I paused while I thought about my next words carefully, “spiritual experience.”
King nodded. “I’m glad you’ve found someone that makes you feel that way, Bishop.” He cleared his throat. “Look, if you want to hold on to that feeling and to Asante, you have my blessing.”
“Thanks.” I smiled softly.
