Light conversation continues through dinner, mostly centering around Quise, the dance, the driver and Maybach who took him and Talesia to the dance, the game, and his driving process. In the middle of dinner and seemingly out of the blue, Debrah turns to Akeem and whispers into his ear.
“I’m so ready for another grandbaby,” Debrah utters and his eyebrows furrow. “I’m just saying,” she adds, smiling.
“Ma, eat your food,” he says dismissively but the thought has been trespassing his mind lately.How could it not?Axton is right as hell. Akeem is the relationship type. He’s always wanted what his parents have: respect, trust, and pure love. It didn’t happen like he planned with Charis, but with Sunjiya, he has high hopes. He loves her and sees a real future with her.
“I’m just putting it out there,” Debrah says before sipping her sweet tea.
They finish dinner and leave House of Mac around ten. Debrah, Ahmad, and Axton head straight to the beach house and Akeem and Sunjiya head to Charis’s. Quise rides with his mom and rushes into the house to pack when they pull up. Akeem is right behind them, pulling into the driveway five minutes later. She’s still in her ride in the driveway when they arrive.
“I’m going to holla at her for a minute. You good?” he asks Sunjiya.
“Yeah. I’m good. Full as hell but good,” she says as she crunches on the ice in her to-go cup. “I don’t think she gon’ let him stay with us till Wednesday though.”
“Charis on some bullshit but she’ll let him stay. I know her. She wants to talk shit and be heard but he’s staying,” he assures her before getting out. He treks toward Charis’s ride, opens her passenger door, and slides inside. “What’s up, Charis?” he asks and she sucks her teeth.
“What’s up with you and her?” she snaps.
“All you need to know is she’s with me and will always be with me.”
“Does she stay with you?” she asks and Akeem just shakes his head at her nerve. His silence is expected but still infuriates her. “I don’t like her,” she adds, to break the muteness.
“That’s childish as fuck and just as irrelevant. You need to get over whatever this is because she isn’t going anywhere. I’ll bring Quise back Tuesday night,” he says before exiting her ride.When he gets out, Quise is walking out of the house carrying a large duffle. “Where’s your book bag?” Akeem asks and he leaves the duffle on the porch and rushes back inside. Akeem grabs the duffle and takes it to the SUV. After putting it in the trunk, he leaves it open then gets back in the driver’s seat.
“He’s staying?” Sunjiya asks.
“Yeah. We’ll bring him back Tuesday night,” he says and the realization that they are leaving Wednesday afternoon hits her like a freight truck.
I don’t want to leave him and I definitely don’t want to go back to that apartment.
Her mood changes instantly and her body deflates, including her smile. He notices; that look again. The one that makes him think she’s holding back.
“What’s that about?” he asks after lightly grabbing her chin.
While shaking her head, she begins, “It’s no?—”
The opening of the back door halts her words. Quise gets in talking. “I don’t know what’s up with Momma. She still in the car,” he says right before closing the door.
“It’s been a long but good day. She’s proud of you and probably just needs a minute. She’s fine,” Akeem assures him and his words are enough for Quise. He merely nods and places his Beats on. “What were you going to say, bae?” he asks Sunjiya.
“Oh. Nothing. I’m good. Just getting tired,” she lies. It’s more than just being tired. There’s a war brewing in her mind and heart between her increasing and undeniable feelings for him and her obligation. She still has to deal with the person who texted her and that six-month deadline is approaching. The first two passed quickly when she was on the run. The next with him flew by even faster.What the hell am I going to do?
“We’ll be at the house soon,” he says before backing out of the driveway.
They arrive at the beach house not even twenty minutes later. When Akeem pulls into the garage, he turns back to Quise. He taps his ear and Quise takes off his headphones. “Your room is upstairs. As soon as you get up, it’s on the right. Don’t make too much noise in case your meemee and pawpaw are sleep.”
“I won’t,” Quise says while nodding quickly. He’s dying to get inside and see the bomb ass house. Without waiting for them, he hops out, grabs his stuff from the trunk ,and enters the house.
After turning the SUV off, Akeem turns to Sunjiya. Sincerely, he asks, “Are you sure you’re okay with him staying?”
“Yes! Of course. I’m cool with Quise; I really like him. How can I not? He’s a little charmer like his dad,” she says with a wry smile. “It really has been a long day and I’m tired. Plus, I ate way too much lunch and dinner. Your mom can cook, by the way. I just want to get in here, shower, and fall asleep on you.”
“If that’s all it is, we can do that. I’ll even wash your back in the shower.”
“Mm. I’ll definitely take that,” she says before leaning over the console. After kissing his lips, she says, “Let’s go in before they start looking for us.”
“The only one up is probably Axton. He never fucking sleeps.”
She pecks his lips again, hoping to draw the strength she needs to stop the war in her mind from him.I swear, shit is never easy for me,she sighs to herself before saying, “I’m ready.”
