“Karim.” Aroyal’s mad, nosy ass made me look up from my nails to him.
“His name is Reminisce. I met him at a pool party a while back. His sister is Oden’s fiancé.”
Aroyal stared ahead at the TV while Bry looked like he was visibly thinking. Our circles were big and everybody didn’t run in the same ones, but in Chicago everybody knew of everybody.
“Not G, ’cause that nigga is married. You’re talking about one of those crazy ass twins, right?”
I laughed because was my man really regarded as one of those crazy ass twins? “Yeah, but he isn’t crazy. He’s normal, just like either of you.”
Aroyal nodded, still quiet.
“Are you bringing him by mama’s for dinner next week?” Brysheer asked.
“That’s the plan, but I’m not about to subject anybody to this psycho.” I pointed to Aroyal.
Bry chuckled before standing. “Leave my boy alone. You know how he is. Lemme go see what sis cooked. I’m fucking starving.” Bry left us alone, going toward the kitchen where Kay was.
Aroyal waved me off. “If you’re happy, I’ma let you be that. You’re my sister, Rim, the only one I fuck with, and you got me for life, lil one. So when it comes to your heart, I’ma always protect it like it’s my own, especially because I dropped the ball on ol’ boy. But I’ll be damned if another nigga hurts you. So, if you happy, I’m happy, but make sure I meet him before mama’s dinner ’cause I don’t fuck with surprises and you know that.” His tone was serious, so serious that instead of saying something flip, I nodded.
After that moment was over, I spoke to them for a while longer before making my way to the kitchen with Kay. As soon asI walked in the room, she had a big, dumbass smirk on her face. I just knew she was about to get nosy just like my mama.
“Did I ear-hustle correctly? You got a tattoo?”
I laughed. “Girl, you may as well had a cup at the damn door.”
“Why would I? The door was open. Let me see this tattoo.”
I turned my face to the side, showing the dainty, red lettering before looking back at her.
“It’s cute and I like it. Where did he get his? ’Cause I just know it was a cute lil impulse moment, right?”
More laughter spilled from my lips. “On his temple, but that’s exactly what it was and crazy enough I don’t regret it.”
“And you shouldn’t. If somebody makes you happy, then regardless of circumstances, they make you happy. So does your brother know he also has face tattoos?”
I laughed. “Um no, especially since apparently neither you nor my mother have spilled those beans.”
“Not my beans to spill, chile. But I am happy for you, and from what I see, he makes you float.” She grinned.
I laughed. “Like how my brother has you?”
“Nope, your brother has me feeling like I’m walking barefoot on Junior’s Legos.”
I cackled hard. “But you love him and he loves you. Shit, to be honest, I’m starting to think there’s something wrong with you because you’re able to deal with his irritating ass for so long.”
Kay laughed. “Leave my baby alone. He’s just used to things being a certain way. He’s stuck in his ways and I blame your mama for that.”
We both laughed at that.
“True.”
“Tell me about him though. What makes him different? I mean, I’ve been around for a minute and absolutely nobody you’ve ever dealt with has had you like this. Not even Turtle.”
I cackled because she insisted on calling that man Turtle even though she knew his name. She just never liked him, as she believed there was something about him. The only person in my life who gave Turo a fair shake was my mama, but I could tell she didn’t even like him for real.
“To be honest, I keep asking myself that same thing, but the only thing I’ve come up with is timing and the rate of growth. When I first met Reminisce, I was still carrying hurt from Turo’s actions, so I refused to give it a real chance. Then he was on his no strings, can’t sit still energy, so we allowed it to be what it was. Along the way we both caught feelings, but instead of acting like adults, we played in space.” I stared at the table as I spoke, then looked up just in time to catch Kaydence smiling.
“Now y’all are together for real? Like together-together.”
