Page 44 of Hood Legacy

“Without a shadow of a doubt,” she answered with a shrug.

“Then there’s still a chance for you?” I asked, and she shook her head. “Why not?”

“That wasn’t in our cards; we were meant to create Hood so he could love you the way we never got to love each other.” She patted my leg and smiled. “And that’s okay because you and my son’s love story is one for the books. I know that just like I know my name.”

“Uncle Hood!”Faylin excitedly yelled into the phone. I picked it up to give her my full attention and sighed. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s not up to me,” I said as I adjusted my seat. “Yo auntie gotta approve of it.” I swiped the screen to look at the pictures Faylin had sent me. No lie, they were dope as fuck, but I wasn’t sure how Legacy was going to react to us being public. I didn’t give a fuck, but I respected her privacy.

“Where is she?” Faylin questioned, and I laughed.

“Outside enjoying the water before it rains,” I answered. “Why?”

“Put her on the phone so I can ask her if I can post it,” she requested, and I shook my head. Faylin was bossy as shit, but little mama made sure that she respected everyone’s boundaries when it came to social media. I pushed up from the couch and headed to where Legacy was. I observed her sitting on the other side of the bungalow at the bottom of the steps with her feet in the water. The red-knit two-piece swimming suit looked good as fuck. I took a quick picture and brought Faylin back on the screen. “Point Guard?”

She looked over her shoulder at me and lifted her brow in question. “Yes?”

“Yo niece wants to talk to you,” I said, holding the phone to show her Faylin. “You feel like being bothered?”

“Bothered?” Faylin yelled, and I laughed. “Uncle Hood, be serious! I’m doing y’all press release over here.”

“Press release?” I turned the phone back to me and smirked. “How is that?”

“As y’all unofficial social media manager, it's my job to make sure that all your posts go viral and for all the right reasons. You better ask my parents; I’m good at this.”

“Yeah, alright,” I laughed. I looked up to see Legacy standing next to me, and I smiled down at her. I kissed her forehead and then handed her the phone. “Talk to your unofficial social media manager.”

“Oh no, she’s my official social media manager,” Legacy laughed. “I pay her monthly to handle all that for me, so I don’t have to.”

“Legit?” I questioned her, and she nodded. “She good?”

“Damn good,” Legacy laughed as she passed me. She turned her attention to the phone and smiled. “What’s up, baby girl?”

“I want to roll out a few pictures of you and Uncle Hood, but I wanted to get the green light first,” Faylin said. “Nothing too crazy, just a couple of candid shots and one that Sunday sent me the other day from the dinner.”

“Send them to me,” she said, sitting on the couch. Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up, swiped the screen, and bit into her bottom lip. “Which one are you thinking?”

“The one of you dancing for sure,” Faylin answered. “I’m thinking of putting a few candid pictures out in the next few days and then switching it to practice and home life.”

I sat on the couch and watched Faylin and Legacy talk. My mouth twitched as I fought not to smile. Legacy was coming out of her shell, and that shit was sexy.

“When we get back in the gym, we can go live a few times, too,” Legacy said, and I nodded. “You good with that?”

“Yep,” Faylin answered. “Now, what about the pictures of you and Uncle Hood? Are you happy with that?”

“Yeah, you good with that?” I laughed from my spot. Legacy looked up at me and lifted her brow. “Ay, I’m just asking cuz I've been good with it, Point Guard.”

“I’m good with it,” she said, nodding.

“Bet,” I licked my lips and gave her a single nod. “Niece, put that shit out there.”

“Already on it, Uncle Hood,” Faylin replied. “I even have the perfect caption for y’all.”

“Nothing too crazy, Faylin,” Legacy said with a serious expression.

“Never,” she said. “I’ll see y’all in a few days for Prom, right?”

“Yes,” Legacy answered. “We get in that morning but are coming straight to your house.”

---