“Kas, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sure to you guys, I’m theotherkid too.”
“Nah, to us, you’re the kid who mattered. The one he was there for, took care of.” Kas felt bad as tears prickled Maya’s eyes. He didn’t mean to be harsh, especially not to her, becauseshe had no fault in the situation. “My fault, I didn’t mean to come off at you like that.”
“No, it’s okay.” Maya grabbed a napkin and dabbed tears from her face. “You have a right to be angry. I’m angry too because I could’ve known you guys all this time. I hated being an only child and knowing I had not one but two brothers… it would’ve been amazing having you two in my life.”
“Well, we’re here now, right?”
“Right.” Maya nodded. “But Onyx… he’s not really felling me, huh?”
“Nyx, man… he’s complicated, but don’t take it personal. The situation with Nouri is a sensitive topic for him. He likes to act like itsfuck Nouri,but I remember how badly my brother wanted a father when we were little. Then we grew up, and Onyx feels like we don’t need the nigga no more. He worked his ass off to make sure me and our mumma never have to want for anything. But our brother… he’s a tender ass nigga.” Maya laughed loudly at that. “He won’t admit it, but he wants Nouri’s love. His ass is just too stubborn to be receptive to it now.”
“And me?”
“You just give him some time. He’s very family-oriented, so he won’t let too much time pass without knowing you. He’s just being stubborn as fuck right now.”
“He can take all the time he needs. I’ll be here when he’s ready. I’m just thankful you’re giving me a chance.”
“Me too, witcho’ Onyx looking ass. You just a female version of him.”
“Me? You look exactly like him, just lighter. I told daddy that too, he excused it as dark skinned Persians looking alike.” She giggled.
“Nigga colorist as fuck.”
Kas and Maya shared a laugh, and the awkward silence between them disappeared. They ended up ordering appetizers,and soon they were chatting and chuckling like they’d known each other for years. Kas really wished Onyx was there because he knew his brother would love Maya.
“Next time you’ll have to come by the house to chill with my husband. I think you and Logan would get along well.”
“I’m looking forward to it. His sister is the one Kalil is obsessed with, right?”
“Yea.” Maya chortled. “The whole story surrounding her, Kalil and how he became an unofficial part of our family is a crazy one. Her husband fucking hates Kalil, but he’s cool to the rest of us. Knowing he’s my cousin now makes me wonder how the dynamic will change.”
“That nigga ain’t even worried about y’all. All he cares about is whether or not us being related means him and Londyn are too.”
“Oh, my goodness! As if he had a chance anyway, Londyn and her husband are so in love they practically breathe for each other. And yea, technically they’re related through marriage or whatever, so he has to get over it.”
“Yea, we got to find that nigga a girlfriend or something.”
Maya and Kas continued to chat while enjoying their food and drinks. Once they started the conversation between them flowed effortlessly, and before they knew it, two hours had passed.
“Well, that’s my husband blowing me up. I know he’s probably wondering what’s taking me so long,” Maya informed, checking her phone.
“Oh shit, well I ain’t gone hold you.” Kas already paid the check, and the table had been cleared. “I definitely want to do this again though. I’mma keep trying to work on our brother and just let me know when you want me to come over and kick it with yo husband.”
“Of course.”
Kas and Maya hugged once again, promising to get together soon before heading their separate ways. Pedal to the floor, he did 90 all the way to the county. Meeting Maya felt good, and he now wanted nothing more than to make up with his brother.
Kas released a deep breath as he stood at Onyx and Troi’s front door, waiting for one of them to open it. He didn’t want to use his code because he was unsure whether Onyx wanted him to. Seconds later, the door opened, and Kas was pleased to see his brother standing on the other side.
“What you want?” Onyx questioned, still attempting to be mad.
Mustering the saddest visage possible, Kas lifted his head and spoke. “I just stopped by to see if you still hated me.”
“Hate you? I’m pissed as fuck at you, but it ain’t shit in this world that could make me hate you. Fuck is you talking ‘bout?”
“How come you wouldn’t come to the phone for me then, Nyx?”
“I just told yo ass, it’s because you pissed me off! I didn’t want to talk to you after you brought yo’ hoe ass daddy to my house.”
