Page 48 of This: Blake & Emon

Blake tilted her head at her best friend because now everyone was team Emon and she thought it was comical. Just a few months ago, they weren’t sure. Funny how times changed, but truthfully, she was happy that the uncertainty had ended. Blake was happy, and Emon made her happy. That was all her people needed to focus on.

“I know, I know.” Blake slid into their usual booth, trying not to smile too hard. She didn’t need anyone else making her feel bad. She already did. Even when he said she didn’t need to. Even after he had proved that his concern and priority would always and forever be her. She didn’t deserve it.

“Questioning that man’s character like that?” Paige added, shaking her head. “Girl, I wanted to give you a knuckle sandwich or DDT you because you know better than that shit.”

“Ho, please,” Blake said, waving her off with a laugh at the empty threat.

Paige was right. She did know better. She embarrassed Emon in front of guests and in front of her brother, who may have been waiting for the other shoe to drop. She groaned but quickly tried to move on.

“Especially with all of us fighting for our lives with these niggas. I was mad as fuck at you,” Taylor said, thinking about the last year of her life. Blake had Emon fucked up and her girls were going to hold her accountable.

“Listen—”

“No, you listen,” Taylor cut her off. “That man has been nothing but good to you, and you really thought he was out here doing dirt?”

“Y’all done?” Blake asked, finally letting her left hand rest on the table.

The squeals that followed had other customers turning to stare. The girls giggled and stomped their feet. Blake just laughed because she couldn’t believe their reaction.

“Hold up.” Taylor grabbed her hand. “So this was after you accused him of running street business through the pantry?”

“Yes, he said some things about trust and believing in who he is...” Blake’s voice softened. “Then pulled out this ring and told me he needed a wife who was sure about him.”

“And clearly you said yes.” Paige examined her cousin’s ring. “Emon don’t fuck around about his money or his heart. This had to cost a bag.”

“So, he wasn’t even mad?” Taylor asked, signaling their server. She was still trying to figure it out. Here they were ready to stand on business for him, and he folded like a lawn chair in less than twenty-four hours.

“Not mad, but he was hurt, and rightfully so. My mind can’t wrap itself around what we got going on. I feel like I’m dreaming sometimes.”

“What a man,” Taylor sighed, falling back into the booth. Paige giggled but understood. She was tired of these po’ ass, bum ass, busted and disgusted, want more attention than you ass men herself.

“I know, I know.” Blake sighed, the guilt coming back. “As soon as I saw those kids, I felt like the worst person alive. My man really out here changing lives, and I’m questioning his character.”

“Unprovoked at that,” Paige said. Blake looked at her, letting her know to knock it off.

“Tell us about these kids though,” Taylor leaned forward. “What happened?”

Blake told them about Jacques and his sisters, about how ViceAnne had taken them in, and about how seeing that side of him had made her fall even deeper.

“So, what y’all gonna do about them?” Paige asked.

“We talked about it this morning, actually. We plan to see what our options are. Guardianship, adoption, fostering, we don’t know, but we gotta do something. They need stability, and we got the room, the means...” Blake smiled, twisting her ring. “Plus, Emon’s already got an understanding with Jacques about the situation. He’s going to work at the pantry.”

“Look at you.” Taylor grinned. “From questioning him to planning a whole family with him.”

“Sometimes you gotta be wrong to appreciate being right,” Blake said. “And trust me, I’ve never been happier to be wrong in my life.”

“Are y’all going to just raise them? What about their mom?” Paige questioned.

“According to the cop, this ain’t the first time they met the kids. Mom is on drugs, goes missing, and… basically, she needs her ass beat. The kids need somebody. The lights are off right now, and until Emon can handle that, we kidnapping, I guess.” Blake was tired of mincing words. Whoever the bitch was should’ve been ashamed to have her kids moving and living like that.

“Well, I can’t imagine a better reason to steal some kids. I’m glad it was y’all and not someone else. You talked to Brooks?” Taylor asked.

“No, did he say something?”

“Yeah, surprisingly, he was upset with you about doing that to Emon. Said he on Emon’s side, and he was going to tell you about yourself today.” Taylor giggled.

“When the hell y’all become Team Emon? Just a while ago he wasn’t good for me. He was in the streets, Dr. Cameron, blah blah blah.”

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