Taking a seat next to Sin, I didn’t open my mouth all the way before he started going off.
“You know that was fucked-up, right?” Already knowing what he was talking about, I just nodded. Wasn’t nothing I could say because I was dead-ass wrong for snapping out on her like that. “She was just trying to help yo’ stupid ass calm down but the way you blew up on her, I agree with her leaving.”
“She left?” Hearing that fucked me up even more. I wasn’t trying to push her away. I just needed to be left alone and my mouth got a little reckless.
“The fuck you wanted her to do? I would have left yo’ dumb ass here, too.”
“I expected her to stay and wait on me.”
“That’s yo’ girl, but not your wife. She’s not committed to you for life yet, so if she chooses to not deal with your foolishness, then she can do that.”
“You right, I’ll call her and—” I stopped talking and mugged Sin when Bri and my mama walked back into the room with coffee in their hands.
“Don’t look at me like that, I had to scare you a little bit. Fix that shit. We are here to make sure Zoo is good, then we’ll worry about everything else later. That lil’ nigga won’t get too far, so right now, let's focus on Zoo. Calm down and go talk to ya girl.”
Dapping Sin up, I got up and walked over to Bri. “If you aren’t coming over here to apologize then go sit cho’ ass back down, Brooke.”
“Mama, why you mad at me?”
“I heard the way you spoke to her. She should've popped you on yo’ lip so hard that it went cleft.” Mama had everyone in the room laughing but I ain’t find that shit funny at all.
“Go sit down and be careful. You know you fragile. Should have stayed at home anyway.”
“That’s my favorite nephew, ain’t no way I was being left at home.”
“Auntie!” Sin spat, holding his hands up with a shocked look on his face.
“I love you, too, but that Zeus is my favorite. I’m sorry. You’re my favorite, too, Sin, but he’s my favorite, favorite.”
“Get over here and sit down. I agree with Brooklyn. You are fragile as hell, up walking around with no help.” Aunt Renee was going at her now, and Mama just waved her off and walked to her seat.
“My soon-to-be daughter-in-law had me. I wasn’t alone at all. Mind yo’ business, Renee, and worry about your daughter-in-law and why Sin only asked her to marry him because she’s knocked up. It was a guilt proposal, baby, tell him no when you get back home.”
“Auntie, really? Don’t be telling her that.” Sin wasn’t upset because he knew my mama was bullshittin’. Naomi didn’t know that though so he’d have to fix that shit later.
They continued to fuss while I asked Bri to step into the hallway. She looked irritated but I couldn’t be mad because I made her act like this.
“I was wrong for the way I spoke to you. I’m sorry. It’s just this shit with Zoo got my emotions all over the fucking place.”
“We are good, I get it. I don’t like the way you spoke, but it is what it is. Just know, I put up with a lot in my last relationship and I’m not doing it again. I haven’t found my peace yet and before I allow you to fuck me up even more, I’ll leave.”
“Baby, I promise it won’t happen again.”
“I know because I'm stopping it now before it becomes a habit. I only stayed around to tell you goodbye.”
“Huh? Nah, we are good. I was just angry.” My words hit her back as she walked off from me.
“Is this the family of Zeus Smith?” I was already standing by the door when the doctor walked up, then the rest of the family came running.
“How’s my baby?”
“Can we see him now?” PJ spoke after Auntie.
“We had some complications during his surgery. The bullet was too deep in his chest, and we couldn’t remove it. His heartrate and blood pressure started to drop, and we couldn’t get it back stable. I’m sorry but we lost him. Someone will be out shortly to take you to another room to meet with the chaplain. From there, he will pray for you guys and offer any type of assistance that he can to make this process move smoothly for the family. I know this isn’t the outcome you expected, but we really did do all that we could do.”
My ears went numb once my aunt and PJ’s cries pierced them. Heated, I walked away letting a loud scream of pain out followedby tears flowing that I couldn’t control. Pushing the doors open, I left out the hospital with one goal in mind—I had to find that nigga Teddy.
BRIANNA
