Page 4 of Can I?

“Shh. Don’t cry, Lana. This isn’t your fault, baby. It’s messy, just like my shit with that bitch, but them being evil muthafuckas ain’t got shit to do with us. People are fucking crazy. Could we have made better decisions? Hell yeah. Them choosing to hurt someone in our family, though, is on them. Kane and Grandpa were innocent. Neither of them had shit to do with what was going on, especially Kane.”

Grandpa had beat the shit out of Jameka’s grandfather for trying to steal his property. So he was involved in the history of the Henderson/Anderson beef, but I doubted they had any idea about that shit. We only knew because of the family meeting nearly a year ago when everyone was trying to figure out why those people were so hellbent on destroying us.

I hugged Jacob around his waist. “Thank you for coming to check on me. Mama hates me, and I’m sure all my uncles and aunts will now, too, because I’m sure they know now. Fuck! What am I gonna do, Jacob?”

“Quit being overdramatic, for one. No one hates you, girl. They’re upset with you and your actions. No one can blame them, especially right now. It’s gonna blow over eventually. Just give it time. Let me see your cheek.”

I turned my head for him to see, and he smirked. I rolled my eyes after he said, “Damn. She slapped theshitout of your muthafucking ass!”

He shoulder bumped me, and I chuckled a bit. I knew he was trying to make me laugh, but I wasn’t feeling that shit. “How is Ace?” I asked and huffed.

“That nigga okay. He said now that he knows two of them fucked you over, he’s even happier he blew their fucking heads off. You know how we rock for each other. Them niggas really fucked with the wrong family. Now that Grandpa is gone at their hands, the shit finna get crazy. The even crazier part is that I think half of the law enforcement in the area will look the other way.”

“But it seemed like things were about to get quiet until this. Fuck! What if Ace goes to prison? That’ll be four lives I’m responsible for.”

He frowned hard at me. “First, those niggas’ lives are on them. Had they not been fucking with Grandpa, they would still be skating on thin ice instead of burning in hell. I was already prepared to get at Julius. Quit that self-sabotage shit, cuz. Karima helped me get through that shit. I felt like I was responsible for Kane getting shot. The only people responsible are the ones that did that shit.”

I nodded. He was right. “Thanks, Jake. I can tell Karima is so stressed out. I need her to have a healthy baby. I refuse to bother her anymore. I’m already staying in her house. My mama put me out.”

He hugged me tighter. “You know if you need to move around, you’re welcome at my house. I’m more than sure KJ, Rylan, and Christian feel the same way. I can speak for those niggas. I’m pretty sure Uncle Jasper would be okay with you staying with him too. That could be bad for your mental right now though. We are all torn up about Grandpa’s death, but our aunts and uncles even more.”

I nodded again. He kissed my forehead. “I gotta go, cuz. I just wanted to check on you. I know Ashanni and Maui got you covered. If y’all need anything, hit me up.”

“Thanks. You have a pregnant wife to take care of. Kiss Mekayla for me.”

He gave me a slight smile and stood. I stood, too, so I could give him a proper hug for taking the time out to come see about me. I appreciated him more than he could ever know. He kissed my forehead and left. This would be an uphill battle. Ashanni and Maui made their way to me and hugged me simultaneously. I chuckled. As long as I had my girls, I would be just fine.

CHAPTER TWO

FERRIS

Ihadn’t been to a rodeo in years. This shit was lit. I’d been going to trail rides lately. Although I’d never competed, I enjoyed spectating and saying what they could have done better, like I was the professional. I talked big noise about it, too, just like I did when I was watching any other sport, especially basketball, since I played in school. It was all in fun though. My cousin had convinced me that I needed to come out here and watch all the talent Southeast Texas had when it came to rodeoing.

For Easter, I normally kicked it with my parents and siblings and watched my nieces and nephews hunt eggs. However, Asad had other plans. Since his dad was a rodeo professional, they always attended. Couldn’t nobody fuck with Mr. Red back in the day when it came to steer wrestling. His stepmom, Mrs. Shana, was cold with it too. She did steer undecorating and was Mr. Red’s hazer. She still competed from time to time, but Mr. Red had long since retired from that event. Sometimes, he still team roped with Mr. Zayson.

I was kin to Asad on his mother’s side of the family, but I was extremely familiar with his dad and stepmom. Everyone in the rodeo industry knew who they were. They had multiple NFRtitles between the two of them. Plus, Asad’s brother was steer wrestling now and would be showing off his skills today, . . . him and his best friend, Carter, better known as Carter Legend. He hated for people to call him Lil Legend at the big age of twenty-seven. Because the rodeo industry was familiar with both their fathers, they were constantly referred to as Lil Red and Lil Legend.

As we sat in the stands, ready for the show, a tall ass drink of water walked in front of us.Fuck!She was fine as hell. Asad said, “Milana, you not competing today?”

When that sexy ass woman turned to us, she smiled slightly. “No. I didn’t enter this year. I’ve had a rough month.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry about your grandfather.”

“Thanks,” she said as she glanced at me.

“Oh, my bad. Milana, this is my cousin Ferris.”

She frowned slightly but extended her hand to me. I slowly shook it while I licked my lips. Her tall, milk chocolate ass had me sweating already, and it wasn’t even all that hot outside. “Nice to meet you, beautiful.”

She smiled. “Thank you. Nice to meet you also.”

I wanted to hold her hand for the rest of the rodeo, and I was more than sure she could tell, because when she tried to walk away, I was still holding it. She looked back at me, and I said, “My bad. I didn’t wanna let you go.”

She blushed then hurriedly walked away. I watched her until she sat with another woman who was just as beautiful as she was.

“Damn, nigga. You feeling her?”

“Hell yeah. She’s beautiful.”

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