Page 58 of Mia

“I’m glad to see you out,” Smoke said.

“Well, I figured I needed to get my strength back up. I can’t do that laying in the house all day.”

“That’s right,” Maceo agreed. “You look good. . . lighter.”

“I had a little help,” I said, looking over at Steel.

He smiled and winked at me, while my other brothers frowned.

“We don’t need to know that, man,” Deuce said.

“Right,” Smoke agreed. “Your six weeks ain’t up yet.”

“Not that kind of help, dumbass. I meant KD. He put some things into perspective for me.”

“I got you, sis,” Kerrion said. “Always.”

Deuce smirked. “Nigga is becoming his daddy. Old and wise.”

Steel chuckled. “Senior gives great advice on most things. Y’all niggas just gotta listen.”

I cleared my throat. “I um. . . I need to say something to y’all,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “Y’all know I hate apologizing, but I need to apologize to Deuce, Smoke, and Maceo. That day you all came to my house, I was so nasty to you. That was my pain projecting, and I was wrong for speaking to you like that. I’m sorry for the way I treated you.”

Smoke cupped his ear and leaned in to me. “Say that again?”

I playfully shoved him. “I said I’m sorry, nigga. Damn. Y’all are my brothers. I lived without you for fifteen years and since I’ve been here, you’ve never treated me like less than a Dillinger. Right or wrong, you’ve always been in my corner. Always told me the truth, whether I wanted to hear it. I needed that.

“I just. . . losing my daughter. . . Eden. Losing her broke something inside me. I was dealing with hurt, anger, and guilt and I lashed out at the wrong people. I’m working on being better. It’s gonna be a long process, but I’m trying. Just be patient with me, okay?”

“We got you, Mia,” Deuce said. “You know we ride for you, baby. Always.”

“I know.”

They all gathered around me, and we shared an embrace. We didn’t do group hugs often, but when we did, it was never long before it turned comical.

“One of y’all muthafuckas is funky as hell,” Deuce said, breaking out of the embrace with a frown on his face. “You knew you were coming to work out and sweat. Why wouldn’t you put on some goddamn deodorant?”

Maceo smirked. “It’s probably Smoke’s ass. Nigga knows he’s big as hell and needs some extra shit. Funky fat fuck.”

Smoke slapped the back of his head. “Nigga fuck you. It ain’t me. I showered before I came in this bitch and put on plenty of deodorant. My wife makes the shit.”

“That’s probably why you smell like that,” Maceo said. “All that natural shit. You need them chemicals, fat boy.”

They started play fighting and chasing each other around the gym. Deuce shook his head as he went back to lifting weights. Kerrion chuckled as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“I missed this,” I admitted.

“It missed you too.” He kissed my temple. “You ready to get back right?”

“I am. Once I’m cleared, I want to get back to my combat training.”

“You know I got you. I’ma whip you into shape again and I’m not taking it easy on you.”

“Good, cause I’m not taking it easy on JacQues Dupont.”

My brother slapped hands with me as the door to the gym opened. Kaylynn walked in, pulling her curls up into a messy bun. She grinned as she bounced over to where we stood.

“You ready for me to whip your ass, little cousin?” she asked, playfully jabbing me.