“Lord, have mercy. Your ass has been running up in me without carpe diem. Please don’t let me find out that your elevator got stuck before it reached the top.”
“My bad. Blame it on the residue of your pussy juices on my tongue.”
Deshona laughs, and the sound bounces around the interior, instantly brightening the mood. A smile slides into place on my lips as I steer the vehicle down the highway.
“You never answered my question. How many people can I expect?”
“Oh, my bad. My family is huge, and it’ll be sprinkled with both sides. Mom doesn’t believe in separate gatherings. Or his and her side as she likes to tease.”
“Ooh. This just might be a good time.”
You have no idea. Ma is gonna love the fuck out of you.
Deshona has me in love with her, and I know Ma is about to be the same way. She’s also one of three women I’ve brought to meet my entire family. That in and of itself sets the bar for Ma’s reaction to her, especially since it will be confirmation of being over Monika’s bullshit. Deshona is different than Monika. Deshona cares about more than herself. She has a bomb ass smile and an even, warm personality that instantly pulls me in. Not to mention she’s fine as fuck.
Man, your mama ain’t checking for this woman’s looks. Just your simp ass.
I shrug and continue the drive to my parents’ crib. Thankfully, the drive isn’t long, and in no time, I pull onto my parents’ street. Cars line each side as I get closer to their house. Thankfully, there’s room in the driveway, so I don’t have to hunt for a parking spot.
“Wow. There are a lot of people here.” Deshona’s voice isn’t one of fear but awe as I nod wordlessly and exit to assist her out.
I pull the door open and smile when I look at my woman in her pink dress and multicolored wedges that complement it. Her wavy hair hangs down her shoulders, and whatever lip gloss she's wearing has me eager to kiss it off. Unable to stop myself, I lean in and kiss her lips as she giggles in my mouth.
“It’s not a good look for you to walk into the backyard with shiny lips.” Deshona wipes the gloss from my lips with a cocky grin.
“Shid, this won’t be the first or last time I have you on me today. Come on, let me introduce you to my people.” I interlock our hands and head toward the back of my parents’ house, where loud music serves as our guide.
The closer we get, the tighter Deshona grips my hand, and I chuckle lowly because my lady is anxious for nothing. My family is open and welcoming to everyone, no matter how many times they meet someone. Before we reach the gate, I hear Ma’s angry voice, and I shake my head.
“Tiny, if you touch another one of those sausages, I’m cutting you off. Back up so everybody can see how good they are. Goodness gracious.”
“Oh, wow,” Deshona says lowly.
I don’t acknowledge her comment as I open the gate, and my family comes into view.
“What’s good, family?” I announce once Deshona and I enter the backyard.
Various family members shout back as some wave from where they are in the yard. Ma, who was standing at one of the food tables, smiles, showing all her teeth, before she heads toward us.
“Incoming in five, four, three, two,” I whisper to Deshona.
“Oh my, aren’t you a pretty little thing. Hello, sweetie. I’m Gwen, this knucklehead’s mother.” Ma’s voice is as excited as the cheery expression in her eyes as she stands in front of Deshona.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Gwen. I’m Deshona. This knucklehead’s lady.” There’s laughter in her tone, and I chuckle while I shake my head.
“I ain’t about to be too many more knuckleheads,” I say.
Ma waves me off. “Boy, hush. Ain’t nobody worried about you.” Then she returns her focus to Deshona. “Come on, sweetie. I want to introduce you to my husband.”
Without waiting for me to agree, object, or anything, Ma links her arm with Deshona, forcing me to release Deshona’s hand. Deshona smiles as Ma leads her away while she points to people at some of the tables they pass along the way. My heart gallops, and I can’t help my goofy grin when Deshona doesn’t look back at me to see if I’m following behind them. I am, because this is her first time, and I don’t want her overwhelmed, but I’m at a good enough distance to give them a chance to talk or whatever Ma intercepted her for.
“Honey, I want you to meet your son’s lady. Her name is Deshona. Sweetie, this is Alijah’s father, Darren,” Ma says when she and Deshona reach Pops, who’s manning the grill.
Pops turns with a Cheshire grin as his eyes bounce to me before his gaze returns to Ma and Deshona. “It’s great to meet you, Deshona. Help yourself to anything.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Before Pops can say anything else, Aaron and Gianna walk up with matching grins, and I shake my head.
