Married life was treating him beyond good, and he wanted to see his nigga bask in it too. Only if he was serious, though.
Najee eyed the room for Renae. The way she’d been putting the pussy on him for two weeks straight, he was sure she was trying to get a ring out of him. Or a baby. Given the current state of his life, he wasn’t against either option.
He no longer had suspicions about what she’d been up to or why she had checked out on him. Najee chalked it up to her being a woman. Every relationship wasn’t peaches and cream, and he had to come to terms with that. As understanding and forgiving as Renae had been, Najee saw it fit to make things official with her.
“Yeah. Maybe in the next six months or so, but I ain’t rushing it,” Najee said. “Niggas get married and want everybody to walk down the aisle.”
Saleem chuckled and shrugged. “Shit, why not? There’s only so many women, situationships, failed relationships, and heartbreaks a man can go through. Why not settle down and experience some real shit?”
“It’s peaceful, huh?” Najee wondered.
His faint smile and relaxed posture were the nonverbal answer. “Yeah... wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
“Not even for some inheritance money?”
Saleem roughly shoved him. “Fuck you,” he spat, laughing.
The memory of Amira trying to leave him over a misunderstanding flashed through his brain and tightened hischest. That day had brought him to his knees, begging and pleading for her to let him clear his name. There wasn’t a price he’d take over her and his baby girl.
“Nah. I feel you, though. One day. Enough of all that sentimental shit. Pour up,” Najee said, grabbing the bottle from the table.
He poured them double shots before toasting and tossing them back.
“Welcome home, family. You walked that time down like a real nigga for a real reason,” Saleem said.
He said a lot without saying too much. His gratefulness for protecting his cousin that night was unwavering.
“Speaking of the reason... where she at? You told her to slide through, right?” Najee asked.
Saleem nodded. “Yeah. Knowing her, she probably chickened out.”
“Yeah, she owes me a song and shit. So probably. It’s all good. I’ma run into her soon.”
“Don’t get caught up.”
“Damn!” Najee exclaimed, lifting his hands in mock surrender. “A nigga can’t have friends?”
“Aye. You can have as many friends as you want. Just remember that Renae can too.”
That statement had made Najee flex his jaw. “Yeah, you right. This liquor got me trippin’.”
“Exactly, nigga.” Saleem laughed. “Walk around and mingle with your people. They missed you.”
They dapped each other up before Najee did just that. People were drinking, laughing, dancing, and greeting him with hugs every time they caught sight of him. Najee was reminded that moments like this could all be gone in the blink of an eye. So, he cherished it before making his way to the upper level, where there wasn’t much of a crowd.
He leaned over the railing, taking it all in before pulling his phone out to snap a few pictures and record his younger cousins dancing and rapping to songs he knew they shouldn’t have known. Going to his messages, he bypassed all the welcome home texts and sent one to his sister.
Tell the DJ to play this.
He attached a screenshot of the song and locked his phone before sliding it into the pocket of his black denim jeans. He watched as Nyesha strutted toward the booth in a dress that was so damn tight, it pissed him off. She was grown, and his niggas knew better, but still. Nyesha couldn’t help that she was thick. Her size eighteen gorgeous body with dips, valleys, and curves made everything look skintight and good as hell.
“Special request from the man of the evening,” the DJ announced, before playing one of Najee’s new favorite songs. “Welcome home, G! Life is treating you great, my guy!”
The melodic bass ofLife’s Greatby Zillionaire Doe floated through the speakers as the DJ held his cup up in Najee’s direction. He mimicked the motion, taking a swig and bobbing his head. The lyrics hit harder when you could relate to them, and Najee felt every word.
The DJ kept the party hype, transitioning to songs that the crowd loved. Feeling a presence coming his way, Najee glanced to his left. Renae walked towards him, hips swaying in a pair of black leather pants that had him in a trance. Her wavy blonde and brown bundles flowed down her back, while her lipswere painted the prettiest shade of red. Najee’s dick twitched, knowing they’d be wrapped around him later.
“What you doin’ up here by yourself?” she asked, slipping her arm around his waist. “Come celebrate, baby.”
