“Damn, say something, bruh. You looking at me like I said some crazy shit,” Trooper said with a grin.
“That’s because you did.” We both laughed, then I got serious. “You know you my people. I support whatever you do, and to be honest, I agree. You’re on your grown man shit right now. I don’t even know who you are anymore. I should have made your ass show me ID before I let you in my shit.”
“You dumb for that shit, bruh. I’m still me, just doing what’s right.”
“Just because it’s right don’t mean it’s what you want.”
“Nah, I’m good. It’s what I want. I love her, Los. It’s crazy for me to even hear myself say that shit, because before I met her, I can honestly say I had no clue what that even was. You know my story. I ain’t saying I’m on some profound type shit, but I do know I like who I am when I’m with her. I want that for as long as I can have it, so it’s what I want.”
“Ah, shit now, Trooper done flipped that shit and grew up on me.” We both laughed again. “Nah, but real shit. I feel you on that. Maddie got me on some thoughts about what’s next. I ain’tgetting no younger, so it’s about time to settle into some serious shit. I need a little shorty too.”
“Word?” Trooper looked at me with raised brows and a smirk.
“Yeah, muthafucker, damn. Can I be on my grown man shit too? I’m not saying we need a buy one get one on that rock you ’bout to purchase, but I’ll be checking shit out while you looking, just to see what I’m in for.”
Trooper chuckled and moved his hand across his head. “Aight, then. I’m getting married,” he said with a big ass grin.
“Cool, when?”
“Next week.”
“Next week? Damn, your ass said soon, but I didn’t think you mean like right fucking now.” I shot him a look and he nodded.
“No time like the present. Where Maddie at? I need her help with this shit. In fact, I need her to plan it for me.” He looked around like he was searching for her.
“With Maureen’s pushy ass. They went for massages. We got dinner later, but I’ll tell her to hit you up.”
“If you don’t think you’re right behind me, your ass is in denial. They ain’t getting no damn massages. They’re at a jewelry store right now and Maddie is trying on diamonds, bruh.”
I smirked, because knowing the two of them, he was probably right.
“Well, it ain’t happening until I say it is, so I don’t give a fuck what she’s trying on.”
“We’ll see,” Trooper said before he leaned forward and lifted his glass, stood, and headed to my kitchen to refill it.
I just let my head fall back and closed my eyes. Things were changing for all of us and I had no complaints about that.
“Maddie, it’s just me, why are you sending all this food?” I looked across my apartment toward the kitchen where my mother and Maddie were and smirked.
I loved my mother, but I was ready for her to go home. Mostly because I had plans for Maddie’s body and watching her little skinny ass walking around in the short ass dress she had on was trying my patience.
“Youmighthave a visitor, so I’m sending enough just in case.” Hearing that made me look up just as my mother waved her hand dismissively at Maddie, but now they had my full attention.
“He’s working late, and shhh, before my son hears you. I don’t want to have that conversation with him.” My mom was trying her best to whisper, but I heard that shit loud and clear. I was on my feet and heading their way quick as hell.
“He? Who the fuck is he?” My mom was barely five feet, so I towered over her and waited.
“Heis none of your business.”
“Don’t try me. Real shit, Ma, who the fuck is he?” My brows dipped in and my eyes stayed on her.
“Carlos Alonzo, I don’t care how old you are or how tall you get. You will not talk to me like you’re the parent and I’m the child.” She lifted her little ass hand and pointed her finger at me, which forced a grin onto my face.
“I don’t know what you’re smiling at, I’m serious,” she said, looking at me like she ran shit. My ma knew what was up. I loved her ass to death, but she wasn’t about to have some dude around that I didn’t know and approve of. Not that anybody was good enough, but I at least needed to have a conversation with the dude first to let him know if he fucked up, he’d deal with me.
“I’m smiling because you know the rules. I don’t play that shit, Ma. You can’t just be dealing with anybody.”
“What I know is you need to mind your business.” She pointed at me again and turned to Maddie, who mouthed, “I’m sorry”.
