“What you clearing your throat for?” Keywan asked him. “This woman recognizes a good man when she sees one. Not that she sees many examples of one around here.”
“Boy, go home. Ain’t you happily sprung or some shit?”
“Thank God I met my wife because my brother backdoored me from getting the woman I thought was the girl of my dreams. You’re still a beautiful woman, Carteay. You can do much better than this.”
“Get out,” Kannon fussed, trying to fight back his laughter as he escorted his brother toward the door.
It was so cute to see Kannon and his brother interact. He was usually so stiff and cold unless it was just us. His brother’s brought out his cheerful side. After walking his brother out, Kannon came back in still wearing that adorable smile. His smile made me smile.
“What?” he asked, only breaking his smile a little.
“Just glad to be here.”
The designer sneakers Kannon showed up with before the stylist came were undetectable in the floor-length gown we selected. I practiced walking one more time for the road before climbing into the limo.
“Carteay, you gotta let me help you,” Kannon fussed as he slid in beside me.
“Yes, sir,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Keep playing. You’re the one with the busted ankle.”
I laughed. “My ankle is not busted.”
“If you say so. What about your head? How do you feel?”
“It’s been good.”
“Do not do too much on that stage, C. Let your voice do the work tonight.”
“I’m not getting in my head about injuries and shit while I perform. I have to let the moment take over so I don’t get nervous and mess up.”
“Do what you feel, but remember, you all fucked up right now. I’m the one that has to take care of you when you walk off that stage.”
“Noted.”
Kannon mentioning my ankle only made my nerves go haywire. When we made it to the venue, he got out of the car first. Once he was out, he turned around and reached for me, but it wasn’t necessary.
“I can get out by myself, Kannon.”
“Give me your hands, Carteay.”
I sighed hard and rolled my eyes playfully, but I gave Kannon my hands and let him help me out of the truck. I shouldn’t have been surprised when he pulled me out of the car and scooped me into his arms. He balanced me against his chest as he bumped the car door closed. When I thought he would place me on my feet, he started walking toward the entrance.
“Kannon, I can walk to the door.”
“The agreement was wheelchair or be carried.”
“The agreement was sneakers or be carried, and I’m wearing the shoes you got me. They were actually perfect.”
“Now I’m carrying you to the carpet. I’ll put you down before you get to the paparazzi. I need you on your feet as little as possible.”
Since I knew there was no reasoning with this man, I allowed him to carry me to the faux wall they’d built to conceal the red carpet from the road and traffic.
“Remember, my people are here. I have them in position all over the place, and my brothers are in the audience. Most importantly, I’m right by your side. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Got it,” I said, nodding quickly.
He smirked. “Go get ’em.”
