“No shit? Us too. Which part?”
“Runsdale Projects born and raised. I left for a business opportunity a long time ago, though.”
“And what business is that?”
Pulling on the blunt, I exhaled and said, “The weed business, sir. Got grow farms, greenhouses, warehouses, partnerships, and clientele.”
“Mmm.”
“Most people hear that I’m in the weed business and make assumptions. I’m not here to impress you or tell you I’m somethin’ I’m not. Like I said, I’ll be forty in two and a half years. I did the whole sellin’ drugs bullshit, duckin’ charges and all that.” I told Axel, looking him dead in his eye as he puffed on his cigar. “I’m a grown ass man, carry myself wit’ dignity and respect. Where I’m from, what I do, and what I wear don’t define me.”
Axel took another slow puff of his cigar, watching me. Then he nodded once. “You got some weight to your words. I can respect that.” He pointed the tip of his cigar at me. “Can’t lie. When Autumn first introduced us over the phone the other day, I had my doubts. Nowadays, everybody’s trying to sell an image. You? You just laid it out. Straight.”
“Only way I know how to move.”
“I won’t act like I know you completely but I know my daughter. She doesn't just bring anybody around me. This… you… obviously means something to her.”
I gave a slight nod. “I know.”
“You’re quiet, but I can tell you’re watching everything. That’s usually the dangerous ones.”
I cracked a slight smirk. “I’m licensed to carry. Ain’t got time to be reckless.”
He laughed at that, a real one. “I figured that. I can respect that too. Still gonna keep my eye on you though.”
“I expect you to,” I said, leaning back with my glass in hand. “She’s your daughter. That’s your job.”
He looked over at me again, that same sharp, observant stare he’d had since he stepped inside the cabin. “Y’all been seeing each other long?” he asked after a beat.
I took a pull from my blunt, then shrugged. “Long enough for me to know I’m not goin’ nowhere.”
Axel cracked a slight grin, just enough to show he respected it. “You usually do that shit?”
“Do what?”
“Speak like you done already thought about everything twice before you say it.”
“I’m an intentional man.”
Then he raised his glass. “Well. As long as I know my baby girl is in good hands, we’re cool… for now, son.”
I clinked my glass against his. “Fair enough.”
The conversation shifted after that. We talked music—old soul, some R&B, even got into a mini debate about the best Isley Brothers album. He had opinions. I respected it. We talked about goals and money, and I learned Axel was an attorney. Then we got into sports, and I realized that me and this man could probably yell about the Warriors and Lakers for two hours straight and still dap it up after.
But through all of it, I knew he was clocking me and watching how I answered. He watched how I carried myself and watched how I spoke about Autumn. Little did he know, we wasn’t just fucking. We was about to build something together.A life. Raise our child and probably a few more. He didn’t realize how gone his daughter had me, but he’d soon see it for himself.
Right on cue, Autumn came walking out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel, her curls bouncing as she looked between the two of us. “So… y’all cool?” she asked, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “Y’all ain’t about to fight or nothing, right?”
Axel laughed first, deep and genuine, standing up and stretching like he was already comfortable. “Nah, baby girl. Everything’s cool,” he said, reaching out and dapping me up. “Quamaine… I mean, Woods… is a good man here. I can see that. Plus, I’m gonna take all his money when we start betting on these teams.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I see where you get your horrible jokes from, gorgeous.”
“Hey, watch it,” Autumn smirked. “Dinner is ready, by the way, and…”
Before she could finish the sentence, her pops was already up, rubbing his stomach like he hadn’t eaten in days. “Thank God. I’m starvin’ like Marvin,” he said, making us chuckle as he leaned in to kiss Autumn’s cheek. “Good lookin’ out, baby girl.” Then he headed toward the kitchen, calling out, “Vanessa! You good in there, or you already fixing your plate?”
I took my time standing, then I stepped in front of Autumn, her eyes lifting to meet mine. My arms went around her waist, and I leaned down to kiss her deep enough to pull a soft moan from her. That shit did something to me.
