Page 63 of Until Forever

“Listen. You’re family, all three of you, and around here, we look out for ours. We’ll take care of each other.” Cobi squeezes my shoulder, and I let out a sigh. “Now let’s eat and get into this game. There’s nothing we can do about it today.”

“Go ahead. I’ll catch up.”

Cobi takes off, making a plate for himself and joining the others in front of the projection screen. I stand in place for a moment, letting the events of the day settle into my brain. I heard everything Cobi said, but I hope he heard me. I’ll always protect my family, even if that means doing something that could get me killed.

For the rest of the day, I try to allow myself to enjoy this time, though my mind drifts every so often. The game is over, and everyone has started to head out with the exception of Harlen, Harmony, Wes, and July. They stick around for a beat, helping us clean up before we finally walk them to the door.

Latoya reaches for baby Ava, planting a kiss to her cheek. Ava giggles then holds Latoya’s face so that she can return the favor. We laugh, each finding the moment precious. My heart swells as I picture what Latoya looked like holding JJ when he was that age. And then my mind travels down a lane we’ve never talked about, and suddenly the desire to give her more babies hits me. I missed it the last time, but I’d give anything to see her holding any of my kids this way.

“All right, lovebirds.” Harmony takes Ava from Toya. “We’re going to go ahead and get out of here, and get this little bugger to bed.”

“Thanks for coming.” I smile and step forward with a hand on the small of Latoya’s back.

“And Jasper,” Harmony throws back at me. “Welcome home, but don’t think I won’t kick your ass if you fuck up again.”

I laugh louder than I mean to. “I don’t doubt it.”

“Catch you later, man,” Harlen says, then follows his wife out the door.

We say goodbye to July and Wes then wait for everyone to pull off before closing the door and locking it.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

JASPER

I wrapan arm around Latoya’s waist, pulling her to me, having to lean in for a kiss when she tips her head back.

“This was fun,” she says and wipes something from my chin instead.

All I can do is smile and stare at her, my eyes moving from hers down to her lips and back. There’s something about the way she looked a second ago holding baby Ava, or maybe it’s the three beers I’ve had tonight. Either way, she’s beautiful, and I can’t wait for JJ to fall asleep.

Latoya finally accepts my efforts, moaning when I slip my tongue past her lips. My hands go to her ass, and I knead her through her skirt. Stopping myself before I can get carried away, I pull back, give her one more quick peck, then step around her. From the corner of my eye, I notice her watching me. So I glance back and wink at her, drawing a smile onto her gorgeous face.

I enter the kitchen on my way outside to put away the projector screen. JJ is still bouncing around despite the sun having set, and all of his friends being long gone, probably in their beds by now.

“All right, bud. Time to wrap it up. Why don’t you head in and shower for bed? Your mom and I will straighten up and I’ll be in to tuck you in, in a bit.”

“Okay.” He jumps out of the bounce house, then takes off past me.

There’s a crashing sound that I can hear even from outside. Then Latoya’s voice.

“See. Now you’re going to have a bruise. Slow down before you really hurt yourself.”

“It didn’t hurt,” JJ adds, his voice a pitch higher than usual. He’s putting on a front, but I’d know a strangled cry any day.

I step closer so I can see for myself.

“Oh yeah, tell that to your face,” Latoya chuckles, then tickles his neck.

I laugh to myself and return to what I came out here for. My conversation with Cobi resurfaces, and every emotion I had in that grocery store bubbles up inside me. I want to throw something, hit something, anything to let out this anger I’m feeling. Such cowards, approaching me in front of my son, threatening me. I could kill them. And if they try me, there’s no doubt I will.

Not wanting to ruin the rest of my night, I push it all away, and focus on gathering the folding chairs and putting them away in the shed. A moment later, the screen door creaks, and I look to see that Latoya has joined me. She cleans the table, carrying all the food inside, leaving the tables for me to store away as well.

After dropping the trash into the cans, I gather the projector equipment and carry it inside. Latoya is washing dishes while JJ devours one of those miniature water bottles. He hugs her when he finishes, then skips over to me.

Kneeling in front of him, I playfully poke his shoulder. “Did you have a good time today?”

“The best time.” He grins. “Can we have the bounce house again for my birthday in a few months?”

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