“Bebe, you’re supposed to be on my side.” My father huffed as he got up off the floor, pushing Jamari’s hand when he reached up for help. “You gon’ really choose these damn kids over me?”
Rolling her eyes at him, she walked away from him, causing him to follow behind her like a sad child. I looked on as he pulled her into his arms and kissed all over her face, making her blush. The shit was disgusting.
“Your parents are so cute.” Blossom wrapped her arms around my waist after sneaking up behind me. “I pray we have happiness like that.”
“You can bet on it,” I assured her, kissing her nose. “Are you feeling okay? Is this too much for you?”
Placing my hand on her small belly, I was amazed at how much it had grown since she told me we were expecting. It was as if one day she was flat as an iron board, and the next, she looked like she swallowed a melon. She was getting bigger with each growing day, and I loved it. I was here to cater to her every need with no questions asked.
“I’m more than okay.” She peered up at me, and I saw all the love in her eyes. “I’m so happy your parents invited mine. With everything that’s happened, they needed to be surrounded with love and happiness.” She nodded toward Governor Reid, who beamed as he spoke to Jaxson. “Jax is going to have to get a restraining order on my father before it’s all said and done. He’s a true Reapers fan.”
As I was about to respond to her, I took note of Karlie coming back into the living room with Marshall behind her. Her puffy eyes instantly put me on alert. Blossom caught on to my sudden mood change and followed my line of vision.
“You know she’s an adult, right?” Blossom grabbed my chin, pulling my lips to meet hers. “Don’t make a fuss today. We’re here to celebrate you, to celebrate us.”
“Baby—”
“No, you listen to me…” she fussed. “I will never betray her trust, but I swear to you, nothing is going on with them. He’s just a friend, and she needs one, JJ. Please, baby. Leave her alone.”
Clenching my jaw, I gave her a curt nod before kissing her cheek. I heard what Blossom said, but I still needed to have a word with Marshall. I watched her sigh heavily before she walked back into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Once she was conversing with my mama, I turned to go find myfriend. She would probably get on me about doing the opposite of what she asked later, but I knew a few ways to get us back on the same page.
“My man…” Marshall grinned as I stepped onto the back patio. He’d joined my dad and uncles for a smoke session. “Congratulations on the baby and promotion. You’re growing up on me.”
“Whatever, nigga.” I pushed him off once he tried to hug me. “I appreciate it, but…” I lit fire to my own blunt, inhaling deeply before blowing out a smoke cloud. “You want to tell me what’s going on with you and Karlie?”
Nodding, he pulled from his cigar, eyes never leaving mine. “I respect you because you’re my brother, JJ. Know that I’m a grown-ass man, and I move like one. If there was something going on with me and your sister, I’d tell you. And check this…” He turned his head slightly, exhaling his own fumes. “If it ever came down to it, I’dneverask permission. I’d deal with the consequences, standing ten toes, on pissing y’all niggas off. I just been checking on her mental with what’s happened. That’s all. You have my word.”
Saying nothing, we stared at each other with an understanding. I wasn’t going to push the issue, but I was for sure going to keep my eyes on them. I didn’t want to hear that “grown” shit when it came to my sister. For now, I would leave well enough alone.
“Since both of y’all are out here, I wanted to have a word.” My father walked over, oblivious to the conversation seconds prior. “With the spots being shut down in Willow Springs, I’ve been talking to Mitch and Amir about it being permanent. We have more than enough money from the casino, stocks, and other business shit. We’re getting too old for that shit, and now that I’m going to be a grandpappy…” I chuckled at the smile he flashed. “I don’t wantnothinggetting in the way of me growing old to see my kids raise theirs. Marshall, if I need to buy myself out?—”
“You good.” He waved my father off. “We can sit and talk about the logistics later.” He placed his cigar at his lips but paused, eyeing me. “What about you? You still my right hand?”
“Always.” I dapped him up. “However, I want to scale it back. Y’all are my family, and I always got your backs. Blossom is my family, too, now. She and the one we’ve created will always come first.”
Nothing else needed to be said as the fellas nodded.
These were my people, and I was honest about always riding for them, allowing Slash to appear when needed. But I had to move smarter. I had promised my girl I would always come home to her and our kids, and I’ll be damned if I didn’t keep it. She was my reason, and nothing would come in the way of that.
“Stace,you know I’m only coming to this little shindig because I love you, right? I need to be home preparing for my man tonight.”
Last week, Marshall closed on his home, and I couldn’t have been happier. I walked away from the table with a hefty commission from the sale that I split with Stacy and pure joy that I’d helped another client purchase the home of their dreams.
“I know all about the freaky shit you trying to do today.” She wrinkled her nose as she glanced over at me. “I just want you to attend this housewarming for a little bit with me. How am I going to bag me a fine, rich nigga if I’m not in the mix? Between JJ’s brothers and his friends, I’m bound to get into the family.”
Shaking my head at her, I eased into the passenger seat. At almost five months pregnant, I was exhausted. Baby McKnight was getting busier by the day, but I was so blessed because I didn’t want for a thing. All the morning sickness and body aches would be well worth it when he or she got here. Placing my hand on my belly, I smiled at the small kicks and flutters.
I’m in love already.
“Are you sure you don’t want a gender reveal?” Stacy asked for the thousandth time. We’d finally made it to Mills Manor, and I couldn’t help but perk up. I just loved the houses out here. “You know we’re all anxious to know what you’re having.”
“I know, but you guys will just have to wait.” I rolled my eyes and groaned as we pulled up to Marshall’s home. Cars were lined up and down his driveway, so I knew there was a crowd inside. “That’s a moment I want to share with just JJ. He deserves that.”
The night I told JJ we were having a baby, I felt so bad that Stacy was the first one to know. She was my best friend, so I didn’t mind sharing the moment with her, but I would have preferred it to have been him. I decided not to have a gender reveal, letting the family know they would get the news after I shared the intimate moment with JJ alone. I wanted to do something specifically for him and me.
“I guess I can understand that.” She pouted, throwing the car in park before turning to face me. “Have I told you lately how proud I am of you? You’re a fuckin’ boss in every sense of the word. Life has thrown you a lot of curveballs this year, but you caught them all and tossed them right back. What was meant to break or hurt you, you took that shit on the chin. This baby is going to be so blessed to have you.” She reached over and wiped my tears as I did the same for her. She knew this baby had me extra emotional these days, so I didn’t know why she chose to do this to me. “Not only the baby, but JJ as well. He has one hell of a woman, and if that nigga ever goes wrong, you call me. I don’tcare how big and scary he is. We will chop that nigga down like a fuckin’ tree. I love you, sis.”
“I love you, too, best friend.” I reached over the center console and pulled her into a hug. “With all of my heart. Thank you so much for being there for me and sticking up for me when no one else would. Ugh, look at us!” I pulled back from her and dabbed my eyes. “You have us going in here around these people looking crazy.”
