Page 52 of This: Blake & Emon

Jacques rolled his eyes, cutting him a sideways glance. “Aight, sir.”

“Man, quit with all that ‘sir’ shit,” Emon groaned out.

Jacques’s lips twitched. “Nah, you a sir, though. I see them grey hairs creeping in.”

Emon sucked his teeth. “Boy, don’t get your ass left on the side of the road.”

Jacques laughed, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah. I hear you, old man.”

Emon reached for his phone and dialed his mom. Vicey picked up on the second ring, her voice warm and familiar. “Hey, baby. What’s goin’ on?”

Emon rubbed his temple, his frustration bleeding into his tone. “Mama, you were right about her. She don’t give a damn. Just told Jacques she’s done with them.”

Vicey clicked her tongue. “That’s alright. Bring that baby home. All these babies are welcome here. I’ll raise ‘em.”

“Mama, are you sure?” Emon asked, his voice softening. “That’s a lot, and you’ve already done so much.”

“Boy, hush,” Vicey said firmly. “Ain’t no way I’m lettin’ them go back to that mess. I know how to handle the Pilars of the world. You bring them here, and I’ll get an understanding with her.”

“You sure you tryna do all that?” Emon asked.

Vicey chuckled. “I’ll get them papers, and I’ll make sure she knows she don’t need to be callin’ or comin’ ‘round. When I’m done, she won’t even think about those kids anymore. She don’t want ‘em? Good. I do.”

Emon smiled. “Thank you, Mama.”

“You ain’t gotta thank me,” Vicey said. Her tone softened. “And you make sure that boy knows this ain’t his fault. You hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Emon said.

Vicey paused, her voice gentle. “And tell Blake I said to simmer down. She don’t need to go catchin’ a charge over this woman. I got it.”

Emon laughed lightly, but he wasn’t sure his woman felt that way. She was ready to throw her career away for a little bit of straightening, but Emon was now on her side. “I’ll let her know.”

When they pulled into the driveway, Vicey was already on the porch, her hands on her hips and a look of determination on her face. Jacques hesitated as he stepped out of the car, but Vicey’s expression softened as she held out her arms.

“C’mere, baby,” she said.

Jacques walked slowly toward her, and as soon as he reached her, she pulled him into a tight hug. “Ain’t no need to worry ‘bout her no more,” Vicey murmured. “You home now, and we gon’ keep you safe.”

Jacques nodded.

Emon leaned against the car, watching the scene with a small smile. His mom had always been a force of nature, and seeing her take Jacques and his sisters in like they were her own reminded him just how lucky he was to have her.

“You got this, Mama?” Emon asked as she pulled away from Jacques and ushered him inside.

Vicey turned to him, her eyes sharp. “You know I do. Tomorrow, I’m going to find that Pilar and make sure she signs over everything. And if she got somethin’ slick to say, I’ll handle that too.”

Emon smirked. “I don’t doubt it.”

Vicey waved him off, her voice carrying into the house as she guided Jacques inside. “Go on now. Tell Blake she can cool off. I got this handled.”

As the door closed behind them, Emon pulled out his phone to call Blake.

“How’d it go?” she asked immediately.

“Mama’s taking them in. She said she knows how to handle it,” Emon said.

Blake exhaled, her tone softening. “Good. They’re better off without her, anyway, and you let Vicey know I’m down to ride if she needs backup.”

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