Page 132 of Just Like Summer

Fredo finished his drink and smiled. “I’d love for you to do that. I’d love for you to keep her happy, safe, and secure. I’d love to watch it.”

“I got you. On my life, I do. And thank you for taking care of them the way you have. “

Fredo’s head swayed. “Don’t ever thank me. Y’all are my family. Before I let you lay down your life, I’ll stand in front of you. Thank you for evolving so you can love her fully.”

“Would do it a million times over.”

Fredo and Cairo exchanged a handshake before retiring to opposite sides of the house. When morning came, Cairo and Nate beat Cherayne in the kitchen, thanks to the pair of cousins’ need for pancakes. When they had their food plated, Cherayne came in and shooed them out.

“How you feeling, blue?” Nate asked, checking Cairo’s temperature.

Cairo pulled in a deep breath. “When you don’t go into the dark place as frequently, it gets harder to come out. I’ve never wanted to put a nigga back together to do it all over again. You know this shit was a set up from the jump? Armon was Tiny’s cousin. Aunt J got a job working at the spot Armon was managing and started running credit cards with him. When that shit caught up to them, they locked in with Tiny and came up with a death plan.”

“I didn’t like that nigga from the rip, but Dania wanted Kamilla to get out there and date,” Nate spoke, earning a cut of the eyes from Cairo.

“You the man of your house; you should have never let that shit fly,” he stated. “The shit is over now. My family is safe, we safe. The streets is done. It’s fine.”

“What else?” Nate asked, knowing his friend. “What’s that twinkle in your eyes, C4?”

“Unofficially, K is pregnant, and officially, Fredo gave me the green light,” Cairo happily shared.

“Ay, boy!” Nate cheered. “You up by a hundred, nigga!”

Cairo laughed. “What can I say, you inspired a nigga. I need you to work some magic for me though. Everyone is in the same place, I’m trying to get that done tonight. You got all those videos?”

“Yeah. I got my laptop too.”

“Can you put together some fire shit?” Cairo asked.

“You know I do what I can,” Nate shared, as Cherayne grabbed their attention. Both men moved into the house and received the plates for their women, a little bit extra for Kamilla.

“Thank you, Ms. Cherayne. You wanna do me a favor?” Cairo asked, smiling down at her.

“You want me to make dinner? I’m already ahead of you, Mila texted me and asked for some oxtail. Fredo is headed to the store. I got you. That ring better be something good.”

“You’ll see.”

Cairo hiked the stairs and eased into the dark room. Kamilla was still knocked out. Placing the tray down in the spot their son took up previously, he kissed her face and rubbed her back.

“Mhmm,” she groaned. “Keep doing that. It’s so stiff. This is why my daddy didn’t want me fighting. I left you something in the bathroom.”

He moved from her to the bathroom, spotting the positive pregnancy test on the counter.

“I figured you didn’t get the moment last time. It’s official, Hendrix baby number two is on the way. You got me first night in the desert because you’re a menace.”

“Your menace. I think I got you our first time too.”

“You did, actually. Right out the gate pregnant. I don’t stand a chance against you,” Kamilla sweetly buzzed. Cairo climbed in bed behind her and held her. “Don’t let me go.”

“I’ll never let you go.”

fifty-five

“Why are you fussing over me?” Kamilla asked, swatting Dania’s hand from her hair.

“Because Nate has that damn camera out and you know he likes to film with everyone looking any kind of way,” Dania huffed, pulling one of Kamilla’s ringlets out and twirling it in around her finger. “This is why I force you to come into the salon once a week, because you just do whatever to all of this hair.”

“Cairo likes it big and wild. I’m home and it’s fine,” Kamilla grumbled, successfully swatting Dania’s hands away. “You didn’t answer my question though, can you fit Kairo in? He only sits still for you.”