Page 91 of Surrender to Love

“Yeah, that,” Niya says. “I’m ready too. Imma save my hair for school and not get it wet.”

“You about ready to take a bath and lay it down?” Mireya asks her.

“I’m full. Can I take some legs in my lunch tomorrow, please? In the salad?”

“Yes. I can make crab salad with the leftover meat. You want crackers too?” Mireya asks.

“Mmhm and grapes, please.”

“Okay. I’ll make that and pack it. Tell your uncle and auntie goodnight. You need to get ready for bed. I’ll be up to help in a minute,” Mireya tells Niya.

“No, kyau. I got her,” Quintus insists.

“No, you two stay put and let me. Quintus, you and my fiancé can talk about getting your other brothers in line while I help Niya,” my baby says, then stands.

Hand in hand, Niya and Kyrah leave us outside and head into the house. Mireya follows after Quintus helps her up. She’s having my little niece or nephew at the end of next month and finally looks pregnant pregnant.

“I got to ask you something,” Quintus says seriously when we’re alone.

“What’s up?”

“Has Asali reached out to you? He called my cell twice, Monday and Tuesday.”

“You answered?” I question.

“Fuck no. I don’t have shit to say to him, for real. He cheated on Shuga, preached shit to us that he didn’t live by his damn self, and look how he does Alami. He cut her completely off once Shuga found out about her. I have zero respect for him.”

“Facts. I lost all respect for him. He’s a liar and not a real man. I can’t rock with that. I’m glad he’s not trying to contact me ’cause I can’t promise I won’t fuck him up. But he came by the shop last month and tried to talk to Tre.”

“For what? What did he say?”

“I don’t know. Tre said he left Asali’s ass in the parking lot talking to himself. Shit is weird though. Why try to reach out now? It’s been damn near three years. He needs to stay his bitch ass wherever the fuck he’s been.”

“You think he reached out to Ace or Deuce?” he asks.

“I don’t know. Neither of them has said nothing though. Plus, you know Ace would've told you though if he had. But you think he tried to get at Shuga too?”

“Nah. I don’t think he would. Shuga wouldn’t fuck with him if he did.”

“True,” I agree before finishing my beer. “It’s weird though. You think he needs money?”

“If he does, he won’t get it from me.”

“And for damn sho’ not me either. Man, fuck Asali.”

“Real shit,” he agrees. We chill outside for another hour talking shit then head into the house. Mireya and Kyrah are walking out of the kitchen into the living room when we enter. They both have red and white popcorn containers in their hands. “Baby girl’s asleep?” he asks.

“Knocked out. She tried to fight it at first but she’s out,” Sis says. “Are y’all ready for the movie now? We got the popcorn.”

“Depends on what we watching,” I say before grabbing a handful of popcorn from Kyrah’s bowl.

“You should taste mine,” Mireya says and Kyrah gives me a look that says I don’t want to taste hers. “It’s cinnamon and sugar with a little red pepper flakes. So good, sweet and spicy.”

“Nah, I’m straight,” I say and Kyrah laughs.

“Good choice because it’s not good at all. Shit tastes weird,” Kyrah says.

“It’s okay. More for me and my hubby.” Mireya grabs some of the popcorn and holds it up for Quintus to eat. I just shake my head because the look on his face is crazy. He clearly doesn’t like it but is appeasing her.