Kas couldn’t contain the laughter that slipped out, because he probably would’ve had the same reaction. He knocked at the door, and a few seconds passed before Nouri opened again.
“Close the door on me again, and I’mma dip. I’m not ‘bout to kiss yo ass.”
“Fair enough, I wouldn’t expect you to. We will respect each other, though.”
“Respect is earned, muh’fucka. Let me in.” Pushing past his father, Kas entered the hotel room and looked around. From the opulence of the suite, he could tell his father had money.
Nouri chuckled. “I fully understand the dynamic here, so I’mma let that second occurrence of disrespect slide. Don’t make a habit of that.”
“Not you trying to be a father.”
Shaking his head, Nouri laughed at Kas’ antics. “Yea, you’re definitely my son.”
“Nah, I’m Layla’s son. I don’t even know you.”
“Well, can I assume you being here means you want to change that?”
“We’ll see,” Kas responded, taking a seat on the accent chair. “Aye, you got something to drink in here?”
Nouri nodded, knowing Kas wasn’t asking for soda or juice. He traipsed to the minibar, grabbing a glass, whiskey, and ice. After fixing both of their drinks, he took a seat on the foot of the bed, facing Kas.
Accepting the drink, Kas downed nearly half before focusing his attention back on his father. “What did me and my brother ever do to you? We was ugly kids or something? Why did we deserve to be abandoned?”
“This little nigga,” Nouri grumbled under his breath, also taking a hefty gulp of his drink. “Nah, y’all weren’t ugly kids. Actually, you were two of the most handsome little boys I’d ever laid eyes on.”
“So, why’d you leave?”
“Well, that’s a long and complicated story. I’d actually feel better discussing it with Layla present.”
“I bet you do wanna be near my mumma. I ain’t miss how touchy you were with her at the mixer.”
“It was an awkward situation. I was just trying to be there for her.”
“Right… so why you back? Why now?”
Nouri took another sip of his drink before responding. “Your mom called me and told me about her cancer… scariest fuckingcall I’ve ever received. Anyway, we kept in contact after that, trying to find the perfect time for me to make an appearance.”
“‘Cause yo’ ass the main attraction and shit, huh?”
Again, Nouri tossed his head back in laughter. “Hey man, you’ll learn that you’re more like your old man than you know.”
For the next two hours, Kas and Nouri talked and drank whiskey. Nouri told Kas more about himself, and Kas returned the favor. It didn’t take long for the conversation between them to flow organically. If they’d been in public, no one would’ve been able to tell the men hadn’t been in each other’s company for two decades.
“Tell me about my sister.”
“Maya… well, she’s pretty pissed off at me right now. I don’t blame her, though.”
“Me either. She’s older than me and Nyx, right?”
“Yea, she’s got Onyx by three years. Got you by five. She asked me to give you two her number. I was going to relay the message through Layla, but since you’re here, take out your phone.”
Kas pulled his phone from his pants pocket, unlocked it then passed it to Nouri. He watched as Nouri programed Maya’s number into his phone, wondering if he was supposed to call or text her first. As Nouri finished, a thought hit him.
“You can um, you can go ahead and put yours in there too.”
That request gave Nouri pause, but he quickly recovered, a smile gracing his face. Kas having him put in his contact number meant he was open to getting to know him further. After entering his number, he passed the phone back to Kas.
“I’m glad you stopped by to see me, Kas. Real glad.”
