Faheem squinted his eyes at Frankee. “For what though? We family, ain’t we? Let’s go.” He turned around, not leaving her any room to argue.
“Juniper,” Frankee whispered tightly on our walk to the family table. “This is going to end bad.”
“Good,” I deviously replied. Faheem needed to be reminded I wasn’t that bitch that he could string along. I had options just like he did.
Turning to Dolo who was a few feet behind us, I grabbed his hand in mine, smiling sweetly up at him. “Are you okay?”
“I’m straight as long as I’m with you,” he sweetly replied, smiling down at me. Heat ran down my back, already knowing what it was. There was no need for me to wonder.
The family table was at the head of the room. Faheem sat at the head of the table with Mixie to his right. Three chairs to his left were open. A few faces I hadn’t seen before were scattered at various seats. I assumed the empty chair at the opposite end of Faheem was supposed to be where Big Frank sat and Toi in the empty seat to the right. Frankee went to sit at the seat closest to Faheem, across from Mixie.
“Hold up,” Faheem said, stopping Frankee from sitting. “Juni,” he said, motioning for me to sit where Frankee was about to.
Shaking her head, Frankee moved to the other side of Dolo, and we all took our seats. Servers began serving the main courses. We had to choose from steak or salmon pasta. After everyone’s food was sitting in front of them, idle chit-chat began. Frankee kept giving me worried glances. I wanted to laugh at her concern. She was aware that shit was about to hit the fan at any moment. Being the shit starter she was, Mixie ignited the flame.
“Hello, I don’t think I met you before. What’s your name?” Mixie asked, looking directly at Dolo.
“Dessmond. It’s my first time coming around,” Dolo answered, giving Mixie his first name.
“I like that. I didn’t know Frankee was dating anyone. How long have you two been a thing?” Mixie continued to pry, prompting Frankee to speak.
“If I was dating someone, why would you know anything? We not like that for you to be in my business,” Frankee nastily said, frowning at Mixie.
“Frankee, chill with that hostile shit. Mixie was just asking a question.” Faheem jumped in, checking Frankee.
Rolling her eyes at the triumphant smile of Mixie’s face, Frankee sarcastically replied, “Oh, my bad. Since you must know, this is my first time meeting Dessmond. He’s actually here for Juniper.” Frankee smiled a fake smile at Faheem then Mixie.
Faheem sat back in his chair, giving me a look that would have killed me if it was a gun.
Mixie smiled bigger like that was the best news she’d heard all day. “You two must be new then?” Mixie questioned Dolo.
“Does it really matter?” I asked, annoyed with Mixie.
“It doesn’t. Just making small talk,” Mixie replied in a condescending tone.
“Talk to someone else,” I smartly said.
Mixie pressed her lips together, lifting up her glass of wine taking a sip. An uncomfortable silence fell over the four of us. The awkward tension lingered as we all ate.Fuck it.The bear was already poked, so why not finish provoking it?
Running my hand down Dolo’s arm, I lovingly asked, “Do you like your food?”
“It’s aight.” A hand on my thigh briefly took my attention from what Dolo was saying. Looking down, I saw Faheem’s hand tightly gripping my thigh.Good. Nigga be mad.“Ion know if this place is worth the hype though. Or maybe I shoulda gotten the steak like you.” Dolo smirked at me.
“You want a bite?” I asked, ignoring the death grip Faheem had on my leg.
“You gon’ feed me?” Dolo smiled at me.
Instead of replying, I cut a piece of my steak, lifting it up to feed Dolo.
“On my mama, you put that shit in that nigga’s mouth, he ain’t gon’ leave this resturant. Fuck you think I am? I ain’t no ho’ ass nigga, Juniper. I’ll air this bitch out.” The deadly tone of Faheem’s voice halted my movements. Looking back at him, his chair was slightly pushed back.
“Faheem? Really?” Mixie asked, trying to act bewildered.
“Right, Faheem. Your girlfriend is right over there.” I folded my arms across my chest. Was I a little nervous? Absolutely. The look in Faheem’s eyes alone were enough to put me on edge, but I wasn’t about to back down.
Chuckling evilly, Faheem stood to his feet. “And my wife is right here.”
Dolo, not wanting to be caught off guard, stood to his feet. “Ion know what y’all got going on, but ain’t no nigga finna threaten my life.”
