Page 83 of Standing In The Sun

“Boy, shut up,” Noodle said, tossing him a Capri Sun. “You still trying to convince Ahvi to take Kamari on tour like it’s a family RV trip.”

That made everybody pause for half a beat. The energy in the room dipped just enough for Ahvi to feel it in her chest. She looked at Lunar. He raised his brows like -well, she not wrong.

Bu whispered in Noodle’s ear, telling her she was outta line for bringing that up. He’d warned Lunar on telling Aku and Noodle shit when they were building a solid relationship with Ahvi. The three of them had a group chat and checked in frequently between Aku’s stylist clients, and Noodle busy life going from artist of the decade to running Bu’s successful landscaping business in Madison Heights. All of them were busy but still made time for each other by checking in, planning Noodle’s wedding, and just making sure they were always locked in.

Aku sat up, holding her arms out for Kamari who had moved onto the next thing, crawling over to his pile of cars and entertaining himself. Mari shook his head at her. “Big head ass,” she teased, smiling at how active he was now.

“I’m just saying,” Lunar said, voice calmer now. “It don’t gotta be crazy. A short run…couple uh cities. Y’all could fly out, be in and out - hotel room with two beds, Kamari gets his own crib.”

Ahvi looked down at Kamari, who had made it to the coffee table and was now banging on it like it owed him money.

“He just started walking,” she said, not even realizing she said it out loud.

“And I wanna be there to see the rest,” Lunar drawled., “not on FaceTime.”

Noodle made a loud gagging noise. “Can y’all not have a moment right now? We got pain in the room…real pain.” She’d smoked a blunt with Bu on the ride over from the airport so she was loose and goofy.

“I’m in mourning,” Aku mumbled. “He had dimples, y’all.Dimples!”

“Lunar has dimples,” Ahvi blurted, earning her a smirk from him.

“Girl, not now,” Aku waved her off, her messy bob bouncing with her.

Noodle pushed the straw into the capri sun and raised it like a glass. “To the dimples.”

Ahvi rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. This house stayed full of noise, chaos, and a rotating cast of emotionally unstable twenty-somethings. And somehow, it still felt peaceful.

If it wasn’t Pimp, Noodle, Aku, and Bu, then it was her sister, Monday, Jaci, JJ, and Halo. Even Belinay, Qamar’s youngest daughter who lived in Jade City came over a few times. Stephanie also made it her business to stop by unannounced with food and stuff for Kamari. Her baby loved when the house was lively. She knew it was why he was taking steps. He was afraid of missing out.

Kamari got up, made 3 quick steps, stumbled and landed on his butt again with a soft thud, looking up likey’all saw that, right?Lunar picked him up with a proud grin and kissed the top of his head.

Ahvi leaned against the wall, arms still folded, her eyes on both of them. “I’m not saying no,” she said thoughtfully, more to herself than anyone else. “I’m just saying…let me think about it.”

Lunar nodded, like that was enough, like he could wait because he would. He was willing to drag her with him if he had too. He refused to leave them behind.

From the couch, Aku sniffled again. “Can we think about itafterwe get some tequila?”

“Ouuu, let’s go shopping,” Noodle suggested, sitting up.

Aku sucked her teeth. “Why - so you can buy some more red shit?” her mouth fell open as she let out another fake cry. “I was supposed to start wearing red too.”

They all cracked up, laughing at Aku.

“Ummm,” Ahvi chewed on her lip. She was never one to not want to do a little retail therapy but even with the advanced salary from Lunar, she didn’t feel comfortable going shopping with them. They were rich and she knew they were about to go to the mall with all the designer shit and she’d never set foot in there before.

Noodle saw the look on her face, her eyes bucking to Aku wondering what was up with Ahvi.

“Ahvi, hold your hand up like you about to bite a cheeseburger,” Aku said making everyone look at her like she was crazy. Aku rolled her eyes, “Girl, just do it.”

Ahvi played along, holding up her right hand like she was holding a juicy burger.

“Lunar, that’s how much money she needs.”

Everyone laughed again. Aku was crazy but so serious.

Lunar walked up to Ahvi with Kamari in his hands. He pushed himself into her. “What you willing to do for it?” His voice gave her chills.

Snickering, she looked at them. “Give me ten minutes. Let me put some clothes on before y’all drag me into your heartbreak tour.”

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