Money tilted Swift's head forward, leaned in, and started dragging the clippers forward.
"She's strong, though. That cancer shit will never have her down and out. That's why she still does her nurse shit on the weekends. She says she feels compelled to help others, which gives her purpose outside of being a wife and mother."
"Hell yeah. Auntie London is the truth."
As Money bobbed his head, listening to music, Papa's whining could be heard from the back. He was fine before Swift showed up, but that told him he knew Swift's voice.
"Papa's whining for you like a little bitch."
"I think I need to take his ass to the shelter. That shit sounds cruel?"
"Hell yeah. You can't just discard his ass because you ain't made the time to train him. That ain't how life works, Swift. Damn, you're cold-hearted as fuck."
"Nigga, I thought you was tired of him. Figured that would make you happy."
"It would." Money laughed. "But I also know why you got him."
"Why?" Swift looked back, almost messing up the line Money was working on.
"Nigga, stay still. You won't be out there lying on my ass about your fucked up haircut," he grumbled.
"Fuck you."
"Naw, fuck you, and you know why. Auntie Lo ain't getting sick no more, Swift. Service dogs are cool and all, but if you give Papa to her, don't tell her that's why you purchased him. Tell her it's so she has a mini you around. Talking about a birthday gift. Nigga, I know you better than you know yourself."
"True, but it is a birthday gift. Pops spoils her, but it's hard to top his gifts. I try, though. I was making a local delivery when I walked past a new pet store that had opened. When I stepped inside, I looked to my right, and there Papa was, staring at me. I walked past him, and his eyes practically followed me as he barked. When he kept barking, I went back, and he immediately stopped. He made me forget my damn flower order for my moms, too. You know I send flowers every other week, sometimes each week."
"Uncle Cain should kick your ass."
"Please, nigga." Swift smiled. "I keep his ass on his toes. You already know that's my love language," he offered when Money pushed air from his lips and smirked.
"It is." Swift shrugged. "When it comes to people I love."
"My love language is getting money," his cousin countered, causing them both to laugh. "As for Auntie Lo, you just got to keep the faith. I honestly think that's why your ass won't settle down. You're too afraid that all that bullshit you've done with women may come back and bite you in the ass. God ain't like that, Swift. What your ass needs to do is sit down and talk to someone. Who ups and leaves college to come back to this damn place and drive trucks?"
"Me, nigga." He was already irritated. "Pops taught me that we take care of who we love and what's important to us. I had to come back while he made sure she went to all her appointments from chemo to radiation. Who the fuck else was supposed to step in?"
"I hear you. I'm just saying that you can't have faith and fear at the same time. Plus, we're family. We would have stood in the gap. I was making plenty of money off your ass each time Lancaster University won a damn game. That, and before you showed up, my daddy was there so much that Cain threw his ass out."
Money's father was Lawson. His parents were divorced, but he felt they were secretly fucking because he'd fly in and out of town to check in on them. He'd even question him anytime he thought his mother was dating.
"Uncle Law is the real deal."
"He is, but it doesn't hurt that Auntie Lo is fine as hell." He whistled when Swift's eyes formed into slits. "Nigga, all facts, and take that shit as a compliment."
"Nigga, that's your aunt."
"Calm your ass down." Money chuckled. "I'm almost done."
"I knew you always looked at my mom's ass anytime you came over to spend the night. Nigga, that's sick. She's your auntie." Money grinned, knowing Swift would have a full-fledged brawl about his mother.
"Aye, I ain't trying to have sex with her. I'm saying I understand Uncle Cain's plight. I mess around, but one day, I plan to marry Tasha. Just not yet. I need to sow my royal nuts."
"Oats, dumbass."
"Same thing."
"When we're done, I'm taking my fucking pup."
