Page 167 of The Love of Priest

Priest never tried to involve himself in his sister's business much. She was young, but for the most part, he let her do her own thing. He never spoke to her much about men, simply because Jazzy was cut differently and had been around him and J'Ru long enough to understand how men truly operated. She was keen on all the manipulation and the smooth talk, and she knew how to navigate the risky waters just fine.

"I see you met Angie." Jazzy smiled lightly as she thanked Angie for the spiked lemonade that had become her usual.

Angie smirked at the agreement she and Jazzy had that Angie would serve her alcoholic beverages despite Jazzy being nineteen and Jazzy would hook her up with some custom pieces here and there. "This must be your younger brother."

Priest laughed at Angie considering him younger than Jazzy. "That's what she told you? I'm younger?"

Angie nodded her head while Jazzy laughed. "Fine. Older brother," she corrected Angie with a light groan.

Angie smiled. "What food can I get you guys today?" She handed both of them a menu.

Priest, who trusted Jazzy's judgement, allowed her to order for him. Angie took their orders before taking the menus away. "Looks to me like you're having more fun than working," Priest teased his little sister.

Jazzy smacked her lips. "If you want, I can take you backstage where I have five girls standing around ass naked for fitting." She shrugged her shoulders.

Priest shook his head with a laugh. "Nah, I'm good."

"What's been going on with you?" Jazzy asked him.

Priest let out a slightly drained sigh. "Getting all this shit sorted out for Jamari's funeral."

"Can't believe he's really gone."Jazzy leaned her head onto Priest's shoulder as she let out a sigh of her own. "He was such a great kid. I hate the fact that I didn't get the chance to see him once I came back from school. That was my little jailbait." She and Priest shared a laugh.

They both knew how much of a flirtatious little boy Jamari was. He liked to smile to showcase his braces whenever he spoke to women to swoon them. He really had a thing for women who were far out of his league and age group. He thought anything was possible, no matter how far-fetched it may have seemed.

"Tried to snatch up my shorty right in my face." Priest laughed as he recalled his last moments with Jamari.

"Yeah," Jazzy nodded her head. "He was bold like that. You did a good job with him."

"‘Preciate it," he thanked her.

"Have some kids already. You're a father figure to so many. You don't think you should be at least prepping for your own?" Priest had never really been pressured about children like everyone else because he never really had a parent who craved grandchildren. Priest was great with kids, but he just never saw himself having any.

Priest shook his head. "Nah, man. I can't bring innocence into this world just to be corrupted," Priest said to his sister just as their food was placed before them. They both thanked Angie before sharing a prayer so they could eat.

"Yeah, you didn't bring me into the world, but you did a great job taking care of me," Jazzy resumed the conversation. "Priest, your legacy can't just end at you."

Priest was still unconvinced. The world was just too cold for him to bring in such an innocent soul. Priest knew if he had a kid, his immediate instinct would be to shelter them for the rest of their life until he passed, and that wasn't healthy. Not to mention, Priest's thoughts of the future all included Britain. He didn't think he was selfless enough to allow her to love someone else unconditionally or even more than she loved him. Right now, Britain was all his, and he wasn't sure when he would get over that point.

"Not everyone is meant to have children. I love kids, but I don't think having my own would be good for me."

Jazzy sighed in defeat. "Well, at least you have me."

Priest chuckled as he put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Yeah, I got you, kid. But no children before marriage. We're traditional around here," he warned her sternly.

Jazzy okayed him with a laugh. Spending time with her brother felt good. Priest just wanted her to feel secure in his life. She was his little sister, and no one could replace her. After a great conversation and good food, Priest left Jazzy to get back to work. Once he got into his car, he drove in the direction of Britain's apartment. The day was beginning to decline, and he knew he would have to get ready for dinner with Britain soon.

When he arrived at her apartment, he parked his car right next to hers before getting out. He used his key, entering the apartment. Music snaked through his ears as he stepped out of his shoes. Britain stood in the middle of her living room with her TV remote in hand as she used it as a faux microphone.

A smile formed on Priest's face as Britain eyed him, swaying side to side to the soulful sound of India Arie's song, “The Truth.”

"‘Cause he is the truth. Said he is so real. And I love the way that he makes me feel. And if I am a reflection of him, then I must be fly," she sang along smoothly as she flagged him over with her hand.

Priest chuckled while shaking his head. He shuffled his feet over to her, wrapping his long and built arms around her small frame. He craned down, kissing her lips softly. She urged Priest to rock side to side with her as she serenaded him in his arms. "I remember the very first day that I saw him. I found myself immediately intrigued by him. It's almost like I knew this man from another life. Like back then maybe I was his husband, maybe he was my wife," she continued to sing to him, evoking some laughter out of him as she caressed his face.

"C'mon sing with me, P." She held the remote up to his lips, hoping that he too would use it as a microphone and join her singing.

Priest shook his head with a laugh. "You don’t need no back up."

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