“You snuck a girl in the house?” Quade blurted at his nephew. “You strap up?”
“It wasn’t like that, Unc. We were just watching a movie.” His nephew shrugged, but Quade grabbed his arm.
“Movie or not, don’t disrespect your mom’s house like that. You want to chill with a girl, let somebody know.”
“I hear you, Uncle Quade.” He wandered past me and into the art studio like he was trying to get away.
“Whoa,” he whispered. “You did all these paintings?”
I smiled. “Yeah. You like art?”
“Yeah. I got a sketchbook, but people always saying it ain’t gonna make me no money.” He shrugged. “I mostly do cartoons and bubble letters.”
“Art, like any career, is what you make it.”
He stared at me like I had just unlocked something and smiled. “That painting over there of weird flowers is dope!”
“Thank you,” I said as Quade’s sister stepped closer, giving me a full onceover. I don’t know why, but suddenly, my posture straightened, and my heart pounded. I guess I wanted her to like me.
“You must be Noa.”
“I am,” I said, extending a hand and offering my best ‘I’m not freaking out’ smile.
“I’m Jessica, JaQuade’s big sister. Everybody calls me Jess.” She shook my hand, then glanced over her shoulder at her brother. “She’s gorgeous. She’s gorgeous. I guess I’ll give you a pass for not checking in.”
I laughed, biting back my nerves.
“I told him he could at least go home for a day. Or show his face at the office,” I said.
“Exactly!” Jess pointed at me, like she was happy to finally find someone who agreed with her. “He acts like checking in is going to kill him. I understand he’s grown, but still.”
“He’s stubborn,” I said, shaking my head. “Don’t listen.” I glanced up at Quade, who was shaking his head at me. Did I feel bad for throwing him under the bus to get in good with his sister? Yes. But I’d make it up to him later.
“Mmhmm, tell me about it. He has been like that since he was born. Wouldn’t even let me give him his bottle as a baby. He was trying to hold it himself.”
I smiled. “Sounds about right.”
“I like her for you.” She looked at me and over Quade.
“So y’all just gonna bond over talkin’ shit about me, huh?”
“Yep,” Jess replied without a second thought, and we started laughing. I took a deep breath.
“I would offer y’all a seat in the living room, but it’s still under construction. The kitchen? Anybody want some water?” I wheeled off toward the kitchen.
“At least you have manners.” Ron followed behind me. “I’ll take a water, Noa.”
“Whatever. I ain’t tell y’all ass to pop up over here,” Quade muttered as we all piled into the kitchen like it was a family reunion. I opened the fridge and retrieved several bottles of water. I was raised by my father, who was raised by his grandparents, so I had some manners.
“I got it.” Quade took the waters from my hands and set them on the table before sitting in the chair closest to me and placing his hand on my knee. “Y’all see me. I’m good.” Quade leaned back in his chair, and suddenly, the energy shifted. All the eyes in the room landed on Ron.
“You get those messages I forwarded you?” Ron asked. Quade didn’t even blink before he responded.
“Yeah, I got ’em.”
“So… you not gon’ respond?” Ron cocked his head.
“Nah, ’cause I ain’t doing it.”
