Page 73 of Meraux Mafia: No Ordinary Love

“Very. I can’t believe this is real,” I admitted taking a seat across from him. “It’s so much happening so fast, and Gianni doesn’t seem bothered at all.”

“We grew up in it, so it’s not a big deal to him.”

“I’m expected to give up my entire life, and for what?”

“Family.”

“I don’t come from a close-knit family, so that doesn’t seem like a good enough reason. I don’t think Gi understands. At least it feels like he doesn’t.”

“He doesn’t, and he won’t, so you might want to save yourself the stress of expecting him too. It’s not because he doesn’t care. He’s been preparing for this his whole life- maybe not with a stranger.”

“He’s not the only one,” I bounced my eyebrows in sarcasm.

“Gi ain’t all bad. You have to get to know him,” Mack advised, but I took that with a grain of salt. He would ride for his cousin the same way Niyomi and Denim would do me.

“You’re his cousin. I expect you to say that, especially how y’all are about family.”

“True, but Gi knows I’ll check him when he’s slipping like I did the other night at the club,” Mack revealed, and I turned, giving him my undivided attention. “We’ve been groomed for this. You haven’t, so I can see how shit can be stressful. Just because you have to marry him doesn’t mean you can’t make it the marriage you want. Tell that nigga what you need, and don’t bend on it.” Mack advised.

“How did you become so wise?”

“My family would say because I’m adopted,” he chuckled, and I joined in. I didn’t know much about Mack, but something about his personality was calming.

“Word of advice, though,” Mack pushed the smoke toward the sky before his eyes settled on me. “It might feel like it, but you’re not the only one giving up shit. Gi had a life before he ran into you. He won’t say anything because he doesn’t waste time complaining about shit he can’t change. Gi will always do what needs to be done, like taking care of you and that little girl. Gi is solid. It’s far worse nigga’s you could be stuck with. Y’all gone be aite.”

“How can you be so sure,” I asked out of curiosity because his tone held so much conviction that it felt like he knew something I didn’t.

“Some shit you can’t fake. For Gi, feelings are one of them. He’s trying, so meet him halfway.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

The doors opened, garnering our attention, and Gi walked outside. “I thought your ass tried to run away again.”

“I thought about it,” I poked.

“I’ll leave y’all two love birds alone,” Mack took another pull of the blunt and excused himself.

“Don’t leave now. I know y’all was out here talking about me.”

“Everything ain’t about you, Gianni,” Mack joked, and I could tell by the way he said his name that Mack didn’t refer to him as Gianni often.

“You let that nigga talk shit about me?” Gi joked.

“He wasn’t. We had a nice conversation.”

“Oh yeah, tell me about this nice conversation,” Gi insisted, lowering into the seat.

“No,” I giggled because he genuinely looked worried about whatever Mack said, so I decided to take advantage. “He gave me some advice on how to deal with you.”

“It’s no telling what he said out of his mouth.”

“A lot of insightful stuff,” A mischievous grin formed as Gianni shook his head.

“Damn, I thought we were supposed to be partners in crime?”

“We are, but you can relax. He didn’t say anything crazy,” Gi nodded, and for some reason, I felt the need to explain. Regardless, he is my child’s father, which means something to me. “If somebody were talking shit about you, I’d be the first to speak up.” Marcel often called me a Pitbull, but I protected the people I cared about.

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