“You know, I’m surprised you’re such a stickler about pedigree.”
Her face tightens. “What does that mean?”
I give her that smile right back. “I mean, given what you went through.”
It’s quiet, now.
“What are you trying to say?” she demands.
I don’t actually wanna say it. For Ace’s sake. But she made me do it. Her and Kam, with their smartass remarks and giggling made me become the person I’m trying not to be. So, fuck it.
“Didn’t you leave college early because you were pregnant?”
You could hear a pin drop.
“Matter of fact, wasn’t it a state school?”
Kam shakes her head. “Don’t start no shit, Raya. It ain’t gon go well for you.”
“It’s just a question.”
“It’s a lie.” She turns to her mother, and I can see the moment the indignation drains from her as she wonders if I’m telling the truth.
“What’s she talking about?” Vanessa says. “Mama?”
Angela’s too busy shaking with rage to answer, so Jackson finally speaks up and says, “Now isn’t the time to get into this.”
“Okay, but what isthis?” Kamryn demands.
The tension heightens to the point where even I’m uncomfortable, then Angela points a finger at me and says, “Howdareyou?”
“How dareyou?” I ask without blinking.
She looks over at Ace. “Enough! I want her out of my house.”
Now we’re both looking at him, because I’m real curious about how he’s gonna react.
“No.”
Her mouth falls open. She sputters a few times before Jackson cuts in.
“Did you just tell your mamano?”
Ace nods. “Sure did. We’re family now. That means we work stuff out.”
“What is there to work out?” Vanessa says. “Is it true?”
Angela’s eyes well up with tears. “Whether it’s true or not, it’s nobody’s business but mine.”
Ace grabs my hand and squeezes it. “Raya’s business was hers, too, until you made it about you.”
“I was worried about your well-being,” she says, wiping tears off her cheeks. “It’s different.”
“I’m a grown man, Mama. You gotta let me make my own mistakes.”
I frown at that, pulling my hand from his. “So I’m a mistake?”
Jackson chuckles.
