Page 35 of Beacon Grove Chronicles 1: Hassan & Sylvia

A grin split my face and that fool shook his head. Cass was two years younger than me at 34 so I knew he didn’t get it yet. Hell, I hadn’t either but then I got introduced to Sylvia again and everything in my brain made sense.

“That’s my baby. I ain’t gone waste time either. Folks gone always have their opinion but in forty years they’ll be sitting here using our love story as the basics for why you don’t have to leave the Grove to find your person. Watch what I say. My mama and hers are trying to set up some kind of joint family meeting at Beacon Grove day like they didn’t grow up together. Her brothers been keeping their distance but I know they’re waiting on me to come and talk to them about her.”

“And your ass about to do it?” The shock in his voice wasn’t a surprise to me. Cass knew how I felt about doing stuff by the book but I wouldn’t disrespect her people by not going to speak with them.

“I can respect that they want to be protective of her. They stepped up where Dave fell short and they don’t want to relinquish that spot to another nigga who ain’t worthy. I’d be the same way if I had siblings other than y’all niggas.”

My mama and daddy were one and done and even back then people didn’t understand why. My dad’s role in the family business meant that he traveled a lot and he didn’t think it was fair to my mother that she had to stick around at home with a house full of kids. I never missed out on anything because I had about thirty first cousins and a bunch of second and third cousins. I always had someone to play with.

“Nah, that makes sense. We gone have to get together and all us talk. Dave been on one talking shit about you and you know that ain’t gone fly.” The look on Cass’s face made it clear that if he saw Dave before I did he was gone fuck him up.

“Let that nigga live. I’m with his ex-wife who has glowed up since they broke up. I’m hanging out with his family and doing shit his stupid ass should be taking care of. It ain’t a competition but I’m happy. The life I’m living and the joy I’m feeling is that nigga’s karma. Let him stay around to suffer it.”

Cass stopped my cut and looking at me like he didn’t recognize me. “Damn. I ain’t being rude but I can tell you getting pussy on a regular. That’s the most zen shit I ever heard your wild ass say.”

“You ran right up to the line but I’m glad your ass wasn’t crazy enough to cross it.”

My phone vibrated in my pocket before Cass could say something smart back and I held up my hand to stop him so he didn’t fuck my shit up when I moved.

“Hassan?”

The inflection in her voice had me sitting up because she sounded aggravated.

“What’s up, baby?”

“I hate to bother you with this—”

“Don’t do that shit. Tell me what you need and you got it. You sound stressed out and I don’t like that.”

Cass tapped me on the arm and when I looked at him this nigga had his shirt lifted showing me his gun like he was on go.

I wanted to shake my head like I wouldn’t need him but if Dave was on some bullshit I would need someone to keep me from killing his ass.

“I need someone to pick up my son from—”

I was confused because I knew the kids’ schedule and he should’ve been—“Ain’t he at football camp with his dad?”

Sylvia sighed like she was stressed out and it only pissed me off more. “Apparently, Dave isn’t heading this way, so he said I still needed to come and get him. I’m tied up—”

“Say no more. Text him and let him know I’m on my way. I’m at Cass’s place right now so it’ll be less than ten minutes.”

“Thank you. I’m just so pissed because my baby sounds so upset—”

Her voice cracked and I was tempted to tell Cass we were about to go pull up on that nigga right now.

“Dry your tears, Sisi. Karma is always gonna get hers so you don’t need to worry. I’ll go get him, make sure he’s good and bring him home. Is he going to your house or one of his uncles’?”

Sylvia cleared her throat but she still sounded upset. “Home. Selene is with one of her friends having a sleepover.”

“Bet. I’ll handle the young bull and see you when you get home.”

She exhaled so hard and I knew it was the stress leaving her body at the situation. She better hope I didn’t see Dave lingering cause I was gonna be on his ass.

“Thank you, ‘San. I’m sorry I—”

“You called the person you could lean on. I’m thankful enough that I’m that person to you. I know you didn’t call your people cause they would be out dragging David down a dirt road but I’m mildly offended you think I won’t.”

She was back laughing again and I was happy her stress had eased. She didn’t realize I wasn’t joking with her ass.