Page 45 of Are You Going to Love Me

“So, you was out there wildin’?” Maximus asked, amused.

“No, wildin’ out has never been my thing. She had eyes and ears everywhere. She was on my ass. Determined that me and Staysha were going to be better, softer women,” Eden shared, popping the top to her soda and placing a straw in.

“Seems like she did what she set out to do.”

Eden found herself getting sad. Taking a breath to reset, she buzzed. “Anyway, while you’re in my business, what’s your plan? Back home, record deal, anything else on the plate?”

Maximus looked around. “You gon’ laugh?”

Eden shook her head no. “I don’t laugh at people's dreams.”

“I want to put myself into position to show these niggas a better way. I'm not saying I know the way. I just know I’m going to find a way to know and give game. Like job opportunities and something other than running packs.”

“What kind of job opportunities? You’re going to open a shop or...”

“I thought about a corner store like Dub used to have. That one stop shop. He used to look out for my thieving ass,” Maximus said with a chuckle. “Used to load up on my tees, minutes for my phone and noodles and shit.”

“Dub’s was the spot,” Eden said in agreement.

“Poppi used to let you out the house to go to Dub’s?” Maximus asked, shocked.

“Only when all y’all were away doing whatever she told you to,” Eden joked. “Now, back to you, ever thought about focusing on one thing. Your brand is about to skyrocket, what about some branded tees? Trae Way tees to be exact,” Eden shared.

“You’re trying to be on my team with all these good ideas?”

“Uh uh no,” Eden quipped. “I’m trying to get my own shit together so that’s all the help I got for you.”

Big Rod roamed over with their food, placing it on the table with extra sauce and napkins. “Let me know if I need to pack some up for your peoples.”

Maximus and Eden shared a snicker, knowing that whatever Keon and Staysha were doing, food wasn’t a thought.

“Nah, I think they good,” Maximus stated. When Big Rod roamed away, Maximus continued. “I’m getting back in your business. What’s on your plate? Outside of this actin’ shit you good at?”

“Don’t hype me up,” Eden warned as she cleansed her hands.

Maximus took a bite of his Big Rod's sauce-covered fries, earning him a pop. “Ow girl!”

“Please, that didn’t hurt. You’re not going to bless your food?” Eden questioned.

Maximus yielded. “You right. I know better.”

Eden’s ears perked as he muttered a blessing, “Much better.”

“Pop me like that again, you gon’-” He stopped himself as Eden cocked her head to the side and squinted her eyes.

“I'm gon’ what?" she challenged.

“Do it again and see,” he muttered back, mouth full.

Rolling her eyes, she huffed. “You get on my nerves.”

“I’ve heard you say that about twenty times already and you’re still kicking it and grinning and shit.”

Eden offered him a deadpan expression that only lasted for a few seconds.

“Uh uh,” he chuckled. “Can’t help yourself. Are you going to answer the question, or am I going to have to keep hijacking you?”

“Thievery and kidnapping, anything else I’m missing off your list of crimes?”

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