She turns to me. “And you. Poor Ace. You ain’t nothin’ but a fuck ass mama’s boy without the mama part. I mean, you know that’s dumb as hell, right? You’re smart, but you’re slow. Some kinda way, you got it in your head to make me the mother you never had. Oh yeah, I peeped that shit. I’m Freud, bitch. I know I got issues, but nigga, you gotissues. And then you two idiots assemble like the fuckin’ Avengers to take down Thanos. Yes, bitches, I’m Thanos.”
I bite back a laugh.
“I’ll never forgive y’all, and I’ll never forget. But I still love y’all, Lord knows why. And I must be maturing, because I’m gonna work past this shit. I need you, Tori, because unlike Connie, you love me and you wouldn’t leave me, and I love you for that, you cunt. You’re my rock. And Ace, I need you because I really think your slow ass is my soulmate. Plus, I’d be broke as fuck without you, and you let me be me, and frankly, the sex is insane, and you talk me through it, and I just feel like I’ve found the dick I wanna ride for the rest of my life. And I really,reallylove you. So there’s that.”
She takes a deep breath.
“I’m gonna have your fucking baby, but I’m telling you right now…we’re going to the bank first thing Saturday morning. You’re gonna open me up a plastic surgery account and you’re gonna put money in it every month.”
“For?”
“A tummy tuck and a vagina reconstruction and a breast lift and whatever else I’ll need. Also? I’m not Ciara and you ain’t Russell Wilson. We are one anddone, negro.”
“I got you.” I take a deep breath, fighting the smile on my face, and fighting the urge to get up and run around this fucking restaurant. “You’re really gonna have it?”
“What I just say?”
Tori’s whole face lights up. “I’m gonna ignore the names you called me. I’m too excited to get mad.”
And then Tori and I lock eyes, and we both jump up at the same time and grab each other in a hug.
“See, this the shit that’s gonna set me off,” Raya grits. “Be happy, but not that fucking happy.”
I burst out laughing at that. “Come ‘ere,” I say, grabbing her hand. “I wanna hug you. Real quick.”
There’s a tiny hint of a smile on her face as she allows me to pull her to her feet. I grab her in a gentle hug, knowing that if I let my body do what it wants, I’d probably squeeze her to death. I can’t help it. I’m overjoyed in this bitch.
“I love you,” I say in her ear, giving her a quick peck on the lips before I sit her back down.
I blow out a breath and rub my hands together. “I feel like this is a celebration. Yall want some champagne? Well, not you, babe. Tori?”
“Fuck both of y’all. Y'all ain’t drinkin’ no fucking champagne in front of—did y’all not hear a word I said? Don’t trigger me.”
“Okay, okay, I hear you.” I glance at Tori, who’s also trying not to explode with happiness. “The mama’s boy with no mama and the bald-headed bitch will temper our excitement.”
Tori breaks then, and so does Raya.
Everything feels a little lighter after that, or maybe I’m just floating on a cloud. More drinks, more laughter, more food for Raya. It’s like she’s finally given herself permission to act like apregnant woman, and now she’s going for broke. Homegirl ate two whole steaks.
“Excuse me,” Tori says. “I’m going to powder my nose.”
We watch her leave, laughing when she wobbles on her feet, then I slide a little closer to Raya and lean in to whisper a little something.
“Did you get enough to eat?”
“I did.”
“I didn’t.”
She turns, and her eyes meet mine. “I got you later.”
“I know. I need a little taste, though.”
“Help yourself,” she murmurs. “There’s plenty.”
I swear to God, I wanna break her in half.
But I settle for a little whetting of my appetite. My eyes dart around as my hand sneaks under the table. When she feels my touch, she opens her legs, her gaze still fixed on my face.
