I nodded. “Yeah. Shit wasn’t easy, but we’re here. You ready?” I asked him.
His eyes said he wasn’t, but I knew deep inside he was. I called out to Zeus and Sasha. They walked over and stood there. The moment Sasha’s eyes landed on Percy’s daughter, they lit up.
“Percy, this is my brother Zeus and his wife Sasha. The ones I was telling you about. Zeus, this is Percy.”
I didn’t know what was to come of the entire situation, but I was sure whatever Percy decided would be best for him and his daughter. Hell, I wasn’t even sure Zeus would agree to it, but that was something they could figure out.
There was a tap on my shoulder, which pulled me away from them. I knew that touch like the back of my hand. I turned to see Mars. She was in full tears. I didn’t say much; instead, I pulled her in a tight hug, picking her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist, nuzzling her face into my neck.
“I’m so proud of you. Have been the whole time, even when you thought I wasn’t.”
I stroked her back. “I know, Mars.”
Anika stood amongst her friends watching us with envy. Beans gave me a slight nod. I put Samara down as the music queued. The sound of Gucci Mane screaming he was a dog was the perfect anthem. The strolling began, and I hopped in line, catching the groove of my brothers. Our bodies moved smoothly as we graced the yard.
“Chi! Chi! Chi!”we shouted in between.
We worked the crowd as our bodies rocked back and forth smoothly, then added to the stroll. I hopped up while adding a spin before rocking back and forth again in front of Samara. We slowed it down, and I gave her a wink. Beans let off his whistle to keep the line going. Although I was enjoying the moment of triumph, I knew the fun was only starting.
PERCY
As Dio walked off, Zeus, his wife, and I stepped to the side, where the music didn’t hit as loud. I held my daughter tightly in my arms. This moment was something that was hard for me to do.
I cleared my throat. “I don’t know if Dio told you what was up, but I—” I paused. “Fuck man,” I mumbled.
Sasha came forward. “This is your daughter?” she asked as she reached out and touched her hand.
Breann smiled and giggled. The shit was breaking my fucking heart by the second. “I’m trying to finish school, but I can’t do that and take care of my daughter. I- I mean, her mother isn’t any help, and the help I had, which was my grandmother, she can’t. Dio, he...” I choked up really bad this time.
Sasha’s eyes saddened. She looked at Zeus as he crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re asking us to take her off your hands?”
The tears fell as I looked at my daughter. “Yeah. I mean she deserves better, but a nigga can’t give her better like this. I’m not going to lie. I want her to have a good home, but the thought of not being able to get her back fucks with my head.”
Zeus clenched his jaws as he looked at his wife. “We are looking toadopt, but I cannot put my wife through having a baby taken away from her, just as you're standing here, not wanting your daughter taken away from you.”
Sasha smiled. “She is beautiful, but something is telling me you got this. You just need a little help. What kind of people would we be if we took the one thing you loved away from you, even if you think it’s best? I can see the love you have for her, and trust me, although she would be in great care, there is nothing like a father’s love. Zeus and I will pay for daycare. We will put you in a place, make sure you and her are good if you promise to bring her to see me from time to time.”
I was confused. “Wait, what?”
Zeus’s hand landed on my shoulder. “Dionysus can be a piece of work, but the nigga got heart under there. He is still human. He told us what was going on and didn’t want us to take her, but he wanted us to help you. Any nigga who’s cool with my brother is cool with me. We got you.”
My head shot toward Dio as he moved with the line, strolling. When he looked at me, he smiled widely and nodded as he continued. I couldn’t fucking believe it. A person I’d only known for half the semester looked out for me in a way that my best friend, whom I’d known for three years, didn't. Dio wasn’t just the definition of a god; he was a real nigga with great integrity. He was one of the things that Ms. Cecily preached about often: he was the mission.
I exchanged numbers with Zeus so we could meet up later to handle everything. They told me they planned to stay in Covana until they knew Breann and I were settled. In the meantime, I wanted to talk to Royce because although the shit I found out was insane, I wanted to give her a chance to explain.
CHAPTER TWENTY- SEVEN
The second part of the semester felt different. Spring break had taken a lot out of me, but it also brought a little bit of peace. Xavier was working on getting back on the court while I was still playing polo, but I was feeling better about it. Since Dio’s probate, Alyse, Paige, Samara, and I seemed to have gotten closer. It was the first time I could honestly say I had friends. Today, however, was a big day for me. While I waited for Xavier to arrive, I nervously paced through my apartment.
A feeling of warmth came over me as if Kyle was standing here watching. I stood still for a second to embrace the feeling when the sound of Xavier’s bike revved outside my window. I grabbed my keys and bag as I headed out the door. Xavier stood next to his bike, his helmet in hand.
“Get on!” he told me.
I had never ridden on the back of his bike and wasn’t sure if I should. “I can drive,” I told him.
“Or you can get on this bike. You trust me, right?”
I reluctantly moved toward him. He slid the helmet on my head. “Look good as hell,” he said to me.
