Page 77 of Mia

“I like how you are just claiming him as your brother,” I said sarcastically.

“He’s your husband and my husband’s best friend. That makes him even more my brother. Not to mention, he’s Lil’ Stanley’s godfather.”

“I can’t believe you’re naming that baby after Senior,” Kaylynn said. “He’s gonna be part nerd, part young nigga, and part old head. Baby won’t know what he’s supposed to be.”

Jaeda flipped her off. “Not too much on my son.”

Everybody laughed. When it died down, Shar looked at me.

“Can I ask you something, boo?” she said softly.

“Go on.”

“Do you and Titan plan to try again? I’m sorry, you can tell me to mind my business.”

“No, no,” I said, holding up a hand. “We’re all family here. To answer your question, yes. Once we handle what we need to handle overseas, we want to try again.” I fiddled with my wedding ring. “Most of y’all know I’ve never been the most emotional person or shared my feelings like that, but I know this is a safe space. I’m scared. Scared of having another baby and being somebody’s mama. Scared of staying married and getting it right. Scared because I actually want both. Me, of all people.”

Shar smiled. “This isn’t a joking matter, but we all knew that man would wear you down eventually, girl. It’s beautiful that you want to genuinely experience motherhood and being a wife. There’s nothing wrong with that, and there’s nothing wrong with it scaring you because both are unpredictable.”

“Say that again,” Salima said. “I never thought I’d be married to Deuce after that man put a gun to my head the first night I met him.”

“Him fingering you on the pool table totally made up for that,” Shar interjected.

Salima mushed her head. “Shut up.”

“Let’s not forget the table at the gun range,” Renay added. “My man told me about that one.”

“Fuck all you bitches,” Salima said, sipping her drink. “My man isn’t the only one that likes to get frisky in public. . . Sharina.”

Shar waved her hands. “Oh, it ain’t just me, bitch. I’m not a closet freak.” She turned to my sister. “Jaeda and Quaid were fucking in the maze not too long before their wedding.”

Jaeda’s mouth dropped as everyone gasped. “You said you wouldn’t say anything!”

I was doubled over. “Not my innocent Jaeda,” I said.

“So nobody is gonna question how she knew that?” Jaeda asked. “Her and Maceo were in there too. She had leaves all in her damn head. Since we’re telling shit.”

They started going back and forth, and the room grew loud as hell. I’d really missed this. My girls were always a good time. It didn’t matter if we were in the club, out of the country, or sitting in the house. There was sure to be nothing but laughter.

The front door opened, and Neha walked in with my brother behind her. Sis looked like she’d just gotten wrecked, and she was thoroughly satisfied.

“Sorry she’s late,” Steel said with a grin. “We had some business to attend to.”

“Mmm hmm,” went up around the room.

“You look real pleased with yourself, little sister,” Dinah said with a smirk.

Neha grinned. “I am.” She turned and kissed my brother. “You can go now. Don’t forget to pick up the kids from your moms.”

“Nah, they’re staying the night. Don’t plan to be over here too long.”

She blushed, and he slapped her ass and walked out the front door.

“Bitch, you finna be pregnant too,” Kaylynn said.

Neha laughed as she came to join us. “So, what did I miss?”

Since Mia was with the girls, I joined the fellas for drinks and a smoke session at Senior’s. Currently, we were sitting in his man cave in the fucking clouds. I mean, the room was so smokey, you could barely see shit. It was eight of us. Everybody had a blunt, and they were all in rotation. My ass was laid out in the recliner with my feet kicked up, stuck as hell.