Page 34 of Gotta Jones For Ya
“That’s rare as hell,” Antt added. “Most these women out here want somethin’. Money, name, perks. She actually seemed like she see you.”
“I don’t like that soft-ass tone you usin’,” I joked.
“Nah, for real,” he continued. “You always been the cold one. Heart like a vault. Even when you was doin’ dirt heavy. Now you over there tryna feed shorty off your fork like a simp.”
I chuckled. “That ain’t what happened.”
“That’s exactly what happened, bro,” Milt laughed.
“Y’all wild.”
“Nah, what’s wild is you not even denyin’ it,” Uncle Buck said. “That’s love, nigga.”
“I don’t even know what to call it yet,” I admitted. “But it feel good. Calm.”
They nodded.
“I fuck wit’ that,” Wayne said. “We need more of that. Whole hood always stressin’, watchin’ they backs, duckin’ karma. You get somethin’ real, you hold it.”
Antt passed me the blunt again. “Aye, you ever think about kids wit’ her?”
I exhaled slowly. “Yeah. Shit cross my mind more than a lil’ bit.”
“That’s growth, my boy,” Milt said.
“Y’all sound like a fuckin’ podcast,” I smirked.
“Nah,” Uncle Buck said, clappin’ my shoulder. “We sound like grown-ass men who seen too much and wanna see better.”
I nodded again, real slow this time. “I feel that.”
Then, we all got quiet. Not uncomfortable silence. Just that type of quiet where you know you surrounded by muthafuckas who seen your worst, know your dirt and happy as fuck for you. Family. Wasn’t shit like it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
We walked out of his grandma’s house with to-go plates in hand, the sun setting low behind us and casting a warm orange hue over the block. His hand slid to the small of my back like he couldn’t help it—possessive, steady, making sure I knew I was walking next to him and nobody else.
“Your family is funny as hell,” I said, smirking as we strolled toward the truck.
Knuck chuckled, unlocking the doors. “Nah, they wild, but they solid. Granny rock wit’ you, though.”
“She had me in that kitchen like I was already part of the family.”
He leaned in close, lips brushing my ear, voice all deep and slick. “You are.”
I froze for a half second before sliding into the passenger seat like he didn’t just say that, heart pounding. His delusion was starting to rub off on me because it actually sounded good to me.
We rode in silence for a little while, his hand draped low on my thigh, thumb rubbing slow circles. My lashes fluttered when he looked over at me during a red light, that damn gold chain gleaming under the streetlights, his profile so fine I had to look away.
“What’s on your mind, Ny?” he asked.
“Nothing.”
“That’s a lie,” he said, lips curving. “You get real quiet when you thinkin’ ‘bout shit.”
I chewed my lip. I didn’t answer. Just nodded a little, biting back a smile as we pulled into the garage. Inside, I kicked off my shoes, and it felt a little too natural. He came in behind me, placing the to-go plates on the counter.
“I’m finna hop in the shower. Come wit’ me.”
