“So, you’re ignoring me?”
“I’m ignoring you because ain’t shit to talk about.”
“So, who’s she?”
He shrugged. “The fuck if I know, baby. Damn, I came here to get y’all and you wanna talk about bitches.”
“Because the hoe came to me. She a fan or what?”
“Gotta be.”
“Are you in the streets?” I asked curiously.
His jaw tensed again. His eyes shifted like he was checking for something or someone. Shoulders stiff. Something was off. “Nah.”
“So, who’s Naya?”
“Nobody. These hoes jealous. Don’t let a mothafucka knock you off your square. I told you that.” He kissed the side of my head then helped me inside the car.
“That doesn’t answer my question, Courtland.”
He never answered.
Rayzor followed out behind me with the kids.
The subject hung heavy like a shadow.
I wanted to do something at the house. A cookout to formally introduce everyone. Rayzor was on the grill while I got in the kitchen and made side dishes. The music was lively and so was the house. One invitation turned into a houseful. With not one worry, I sipped on my margaritas and cooked in peace.
“Y’all know it ain’t a party if Suki ain’t in the building,” Suki announced herself before we saw her.
She entered with grocery bags. I shook my head while we exchanged hugs.
“I told you not to bring anything.”
“Now when have I ever entered empty-handed?”
“True.”
We cackled.
Rayzor walked into the house, looking good in grilling clothes. Although it was house clothes, the man could make oil look good. He always had my hormones raging. That’s why we had a quickie before people started showing up.
“Sup, Suk.”
“Hey, Rayzor. You can burn?”
“Shit, you tell me,” he replied, handing her a rib. When she bit into it, her eyes rolled back. I smiled because I did the same thing too when I first tasted his cooking.
“Damn, hold on. You might need to put them gloves down and pick up the grill because shit.”
“Hell yeah. Bro nice with the grill. He ain’t better than me though,” City said, entering the room.
Suki rolled her eyes so hard I thought they’d pop out of her head. Rayzor caught it too but didn’t acknowledge it. I took his lead and went to unload the groceries. We had so much going on in every space that we had to make room for more.
“You need help with something, E?” Suki asked.
“Yeah. You know you gotta do that famous pasta. I see you already got the ingredients.”
