Page 157 of Are You Going to Love Me

Maximus let a proud smile shine over his face, and Brody playfully hit his uninjured shoulder. “Ay, nigga, watch out.”

“She really gave you paradise. You know what’s next,” Brody stated.

“I do but let this shit die down first.”

“You know like I know shit don’t ever stay calmed down for long. You got a queen, you crown her; don’t drag your feet.”

“Heard you.”

The pair of friends roamed out of the house into the garage where Eden’s SUV was parked. She was nestled in the back seat, legs crossed, scrolling through emails and reviewing the to-do list Staysha sent her in the wee hours of the morning.

Maximus joined her in the back seat, instantly slipping his hand between her knees. “What Staysha got going on today that she got you workin’?”

“Davina has a one-day Public Relations Leadership seminar she’s hosting in Ganton Hills. She extended the invite to Staysha, and I told her she needed to be there. And you know Keon ain’t letting her out of his sight. I can handle your shit for a day,” Eden commented with a smile. “Question is, can you handle that?”

“The idea of you ruling me all day does something to me,” he grumbled against her cheek, punctuated by a kiss. Eden giggled. “Soon as this sling comes off, your ass is mine.”

“I hear you talking,” Eden hummed.

He leaned his head atop hers. “You sure you cool with going down there?”

“Do you know I passed the corner where my dad was murdered every day when I lived in Magnolia? If I avoid it, I’ll never go back. Big Rod’s is as much a part of me as it is the neighborhood. It’s just another reminder.”

“A reminder of what?”

“That I’m supposed to be here. That I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. At least on the right path of what I’msupposed to be doing. That goes for you too,” Eden hummed, relinquishing her phone to lean her head on his shoulder. “I thank you for checking in, though.”

“Don’t thank me for some shit that’s automatic, baby. It’s automatic.”

They rested in the comfort of one another until Brody stopped the luxury SUV in front of Big Rod’s restaurant. Maximus gave Eden’s knee a reassuring squeeze before they got out. Maximus and Brody peeked the scene before opening Eden’s door.

The shots fired through Augustus were heard throughout the hood. It cemented the fact that Trae Way MB wasn’t a man to be fucked with, be it his blood or anyone else. Eden strolled in behind Maximus, in front of Brody. The moment her face came into view, Big Rod’s voice boomed through the space.

“I know this ain’t who I think it is.” Big Rod took in Eden as she skirted past the contractors applying the finishing touches to the inside and outside of his establishment.

Courtesy of Maximus as repayment for how things turned out.

Eden offered him a soft smile as she looked around, the bullet holes gone, the old menu replaced, and new tables and chairs. “It hasn’t been that long.”

“Considering Big Rod’s was at least a once-a-month guilty pleasure, I ain’t seen you since you started running around with this nappy-headed nigga,” Big Rod spoke as Eden stepped into his open arms. “You alright, babygirl?”

Maximus watched on, taking it in. Eden’s father may have been snatched from her at an early age, but Big Rod had, without question, stepped in as a guide. Like he’d done for so many of the kids from the neighborhood.

“I’m okay,” Eden muttered against him.

Big Rod’s hold on her noticeably got tighter, warmer, as if he knew Eden was carrying something precious. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again. You hear me?”

“I do. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“And never in your condition,” Big Rod said, peering down at her with knowing. “And I told your boyfriend I’ll take his head off his damn shoulders if something happens to you.”

Eden chuckled as they retracted from their embrace. “He’s shared that with me.”

“Good, just know it’ll be casket swinging and slow singing. Poppi will not visit me from beyond the grave. Sit down, I got your order coming up. New kitchen equipment put the staff through it this morning,” Big Rod shared, nodding them to their usual spot.

Eden slid into the new booth and looked over at Maximus. “It looks good in here.”

Maximus looked around. “He deserved it. I can’t rehab a business a block over and not look out for him, too. He’s family.”

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