“Where is my sister?”
“What makes you think she’s here?”
His menacing gaze lowered to splits. “We lying to each other now?”
“I asked a question.”
“So did I, nigga! The snow is picking up. I would hope your sneaky ass didn’t get on the road or leave her at home alone.”
“She’s upstairs. Sleep.” The words were music to my ears though I could see how uncomfortable it made my best friend. A pained breath passed my teeth. “Listen, I know you’re ready to knock my head off over your sister. I can’t blame you. Just know, I’m not running from no nigga, and I’m not going to let you throw off her holiday. If you want to talk shit, call back tomorrow.”
“Los, that’s my sister! I can do what the fuck I want to do.”
“Not to thatone you can’t!”
When I recognized I was yelling, I stepped into my guest bedroom.
“I swear, niggas are foul,” he spat out. “You got the nerve to be huffing and puffing when you’re the one in the wrong. Fucking with my sister while calling yourself my brother is some strange shit.”
“It’s not. When I marry her, we’ll be brothers by law.”
His two-toned brows reached for his nose. “Does it look like I’m joking, Loso?”
“Take off the damn Santa suit then ask me again.” I laughed when he snatched off his hat. “Shiloh, I don’t know what I can say to convince you that your sister is in good hands, but the love and respect I have for you makes me want to figure it out.”
“How long has this been going on?” he quizzed.
“Not long enough for you to feel betrayed. You may not believe me, but I was going to tell you.”
He forced a long exhale through his nose. “Why didn’t you?”
“I started to when we were at the country club. I’m happy I didn’t. It wasn’t my decision to make alone. Me and Essen started planning the party, and things just went from there.”
Over a decade of riding for Shiloh, I could tell when he was conflicted. He didn’t look angry by the realization, more so skeptical.
“Do you love my sister?”
I grinned at the mention of the petite lady blessed with the features of a doll. “Something close to it. I haven’t given my heart to anyone since ol’ girl because I didn’t want to, not because I wasn’t capable.”
He nodded as his attention drifted to something off camera. “You’ve been my best friend for over fifteen years. You know howI’m coming behind my family. If you break her heart, you got to see me.”
“I respect that,” I agreed with a smile. “I can hear the girls getting rowdy in the background. Get off the line and go take care of your family. Tell my god daughters I’ll keep the gifts under the tree until y’all get back.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Shiloh repositioned the fake beard over his face. “Merry Christmas, Los.”
“Merry Christmas, Loh.”
The weight that restricted my shoulders dissolved when I ended the call. I knew things between me and Shiloh would be different, but I could live with that. The only way shit would go left was if I stopped showing up for his baby sister, and the only way that would happen was if I was taken from this Earth.
I started to wake Essen up, but thoughts of making her breakfast in bed changed my plans. As late as she fell asleep, I figured she needed the extra time to rest. She stayed up past midnight worrying about how Shiloh would respond once we got up north. She even rambled about her pending church date with my parents. All the time she spent questioning herself was pointless since the weather would keep us indoors for Christmas.
With a smirk on my face, I snatched Essen’s Santa hat off the couch then emptied my coat closet of gifts I bought my little helper. I had been ordering presents for her since the night after our first kiss without really knowing if I would have the chance to give them to her. A low laugh rocked my chest when my arm brushed against the pine. I hadn’t set up a Christmas tree in over six years. Even when my ex was around, I rejected the idea.
“Look at your simp ass now,” I mumbled, clowning myself.
I hated to admit it, but Essen’s pushy ass clowned me into the Christmas spirit. Over the last five days, I found myselfhumming to predictable holiday tunes. No matter the song, it birthed a clear image of her.
I was able to start breakfast and enjoy a blunt before my mom interrupted my groove. She had always been an early riser, but I was surprised her long night didn’t keep her in the bed.
