Page 62 of Dr. Bell

He chuckled. “I’on know. I thought you heard me.”

I shook my head. “And don’t you dare tell him a thing.”

Smirking, he replied, “I won’t this time. Rest assured, though, that I don’t wanna see you cry either.”

My face softened. “Thank you for having my back at the game. It was tacky, and I’m sorry.”

He made a face and waved me off. “Nah, she definitely asked for it. Besides, you my mama. I’ll protect you just like I would Pops. No questions asked.”

Emotional again, I fanned my eyes to keep the tears where they were. He clicked his teeth and grumbled, causing me to laugh.

“Come on, bruh. If every time I get sentimental wit’ you, you do that, I’ma be forced to keep my feelings to myself.”

Laughing harder, I approached a much larger than me Humble and hugged him. The more I got to know him, it was absolutely scary how much he mirrored Adir’s personality.

“I promise not to cryeverytime we talk.”

“It’s appreciated,” was his quick retort.

Just then, the front door opened signaling Adir was back. He walked into the kitchen with Alli in tow carrying several large brown bags bearing the nameTonya’s Multicultural Kitchen. My man looked so delicious in his denim and white tee that I wanted him and not the food. Still, my stomach growled.

“Why you look like you’ve been cryin’?” he asked while placing the bags on the island.

Humble burst out laughing while I smacked my teeth. Next thing I knew, the kitchen was full of men, grilling me about my damn tears. Alli wasn’t exempt. He stood off to the side with his arms folded over his chest and grilling me.

Shaking my head, I looked at every single one of them like they were crazy.

They love you.

The random thought caused my eyes to well up so badly that I couldn’t stop the tears.

“See!”

“Aw, hell!”

“Who did it?”

“What’s wrong, Mama Pretty?”

“She want us to kill somebody!”

All five of the boys spoke at the same time. Through my tears, I threw my head back and laughed so hard, they all stared at me with varying mugs on their faces. They were so crazy.

Oneweeklater,itwas another Friday night and another game. All was going well until I saw Quilo run off the field. He briefly said something to his coach, then jogged off toward the tunnel. Adir chucked his head at Zel, who went to investigate.Moments later, Quilo came back out of the tunnel as if nothing was wrong. Zel came back out too and gave the signal that everything was okay. I breathed a sigh of relief and continued to enjoy watching Quilo and Saar whoop the other team’s ass.

By Tuesday, I was all smiles as I sat at my desk talking to Haven.

“I’m so glad things are going well, friend. Jabari and I plan on coming up there for homecoming.”

I squealed with delight. “Please, do. Quilo would love that. And I miss y’all.”

“If you’re not careful, we’re going to move there. For weeks, Jabari has been talking about how much he loved the area. Chile, we looked up some prices for homes there, and he ain’t mentioned anything since.”

I fell out laughing. “Tell my brother-in-law if he ever decides to pick the two of you up and relocate here, my husband is going to make it happen.”

“Aww,” she replied. “Listen at how sweet you sound while mentioning your man.”

Giggling, I said, “I’m so spoiled, Haven. I never knew a life like this was possible.”

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