Page 27 of Dr. Bell

All smiles, the boys left the dressing room. A second later, the door opened. DJ walked in wearing an all-white designer tuxedo. Out of all my cousins, DJ and I looked the most alike. We could be brothers.

“I can’t believe you’re going through with this, bruh.” Although he chuckled, he was serious. “This is a big ass step. Especially for someone in yo’ position. You know how many niggas gon’ be gunnin’ for her just to get at you? Why do you think none of us have taken a woman seriously? Shit is too dangerous. Let’s not mention, Hakeem is kind of the wrong nigga to have beef with.”

“The wrong nigga to beef wit’ is standing in this room… And it ain’t you.” I pointedly peered at DJ all but daring him to say something sideways.

He laughed it off. “You always gotta assert the fact that you lead this family. Honestly, I don’t understand it. You do realize we’re one in the same…”

To that, I smirked. “You think so?”

Without hesitation, he nodded. “You know we are.”

Inwardly, I chuckled. “Aight.”

For a minute, DJ eyed me as if he waited for me to lash out. Not today. Today was my wedding day, and I wasn’t going to let anyone get me out of character before watching Pretty walk down the aisle. I wasn’t going to miss that visual for anything or anyone.

The door opened again, and in walked my brother. Surprised that he actually made it, I happily dapped him up.

“I’m the best man. You know damn well I wasn’t gon’ miss this. I got a glimpse of wifey, and damn, bruh. I’m jealous as the fuck.”

I shook my head and laughed. “Don’t be. Mrs. Adrian Bell is out there somewhere.”

“Shiiit… Her ass better come the fuck on. I’m bout sick of these grimy hoes. A nigga gon’ be celibate forever.”

“Both of y’all sound crazy as hell,” DJ interjected, looking back and forth between me and my literal twin. Adrian was five years younger than me, but he was wise as fuck. Then again, he learned from the best.

“You hear somebody talkin’?” Adrian asked. His ass wouldn’t even give DJ a second’s glance. Their relationship had been this way forever.

DJ chuckled and rubbed at his jaw. And here he was trying to compare himself to me. I shook my head.

“How long you in town?” I asked my brother instead.

“A few days.”

“Good. You can stay with the boys while I’m gone.”

His face scrunched up. “You gon’ just jack my time like that?”

“Yeah, baby. The twins miss you. Plus, it’ll give you some time to get to know Quilo.”

“Ah…” He grinned. “Son number five. I’m sure he was the kid grillin’ the fuck outta me before I came in here.”

“Knowing you, you laughed in his face.”

“I tried to blind that lil’ nigga wit’ every diamond in my mouth.”

“Chill, mane.” I cracked up at my brother. “Gotta take it easy on my jit.”

“Yeah, aight. Look, I’m proud of you. I leave yo’ side for a minute and all hell breaks loose.” He straightened my tie a little, then added, “Let’s get you married.”

Half an hour later, my tongue nearly fell out of my mouth as Pretty emerged from behind the large white partitions blocking off the view of the house.

She was stunning.

On the back lawn of One Bell Place, several rows of white chairs were filled with those who were blessed enough to witness this intimate occasion. My brother, Alli, and DJ stood beside me as I fought to keep my emotions at bay. The visceral reaction my heart had to a woman I’d met mere days ago was nothing that I could locate in any science book I’d ever owned. This was spiritual.

As Pretty sauntered toward me, I resisted the urge to stop everything—the music, Pastor James’s prayer—just to rush to her, snatch her up, and haul her out of here and straight to the nearest bed.

I needed to pull my eyes away to gather myself. However, I couldn’t. She commanded everything inside of Adir Bell to focus only on her. So, I did. Her glorious shoulders were bare. The bodice of the floor length, white designer gown she wore held her breasts perfectly in place. Beads and crystals sparkled with every movement she made. No one would believe that, just a few days ago, we didn’t even know each other. However, today… Today we were stapling our love…

---