Page 70 of The Mob: Shio Cuppacio
My braids still looked good, but I’d had too much content in them already, especially since I’d gotten them done twice, so it was time to switch it up. Plus, the dress I had picked out for the event on tomorrow night wouldn’t go well with it.
Tunan tugged at one of the two braids that were cascading down my face. I had it styled in a high bun with two pieces hanging on each side. These braids had been convenient, and I was definitely going to patronize the salon again for a third time when I was ready for more.I would more than likely take the girls to get their braids done, too, so that would be one less thing we would have to worry about this summer.
“I appreciate you.” The serenity in his words was nearly too much to bear. “Come on.”
This time, he didn’t grab my hand, which I was fine with. We needed to keep our physical contact down to a minimum. If not, I’d find myself spread out on one of these tricycles floating around.
There was a formal dining room next to the living room, and it also followed the same modern traditional scheme as the front of the house. I’d smelled food since the moment we walked through the door, but I was trying to ignore it so my stomach wouldn’t growl. However, as we got closer to the kitchen, my mouth couldn’t help but water. White cabinets, gray granite counters, and an enormous island lined with aluminum trays of food resting on burners greeted me. A curvy lady pulling a cake out of the oven took up residence in the kitchen. I didn’t know what was underneath those pan lids, but if she’d done all this by herself, I knew it had to have taken her all day and probably most of the previous night.
“Tunan, I know you bet not have that hat on in my kitchen,” she fussed.
She hadn’t faced us once before calling out to her son. Her back was turned completely, but she’d known Tunan was the one in the kitchen.
He rubbed his hand down his waves and guffawed. “Mama, I ain’t Tunan.”
I nearly gave him away by laughing at his failed attempt to change his voice. He sounded ridiculous.
Keeping her face forward, she added the cake to a glass dome. It reminded me of one my mama had. Without looking our way still, she replied, “I went through seventeen hours of labor witcha. I know when you enter the room, boy.”
“I swear… ion know how you do that.”
“Yeap. You used to say that back then too.” Grabbing a dish rag, she wiped her hands, and only then did she face us.
Wow.No wonder they all look alike.
Tuscany was the spitting image of her mother, but the slender version. Mama Payne looked damn good and had dangerous curves that would have any woman green with envy.No wonder she had all her kids back to back; she was gorgeous in the face with a body to match.
“Hey! I’m?—”
“Glow! I watch you on YouTube with my grandbabies. Didn’t think you’d be at my birthday dinner, though.” Her head tilted while she fixed her gaze on her son.
Using my elbow, I rammed Tunan’s side as he laughed while blocking my jabs. “Really, Tunan? I could have brought her a gift!” I rolled my eyes at him. Giving Mama Payne my attention again, who was now sporting a smile, I shook mt head. “I’msosorry. He only asked me to pull up. I didn’t mean to intrude, especially empty-handed. My mama taught me better than that.”
Waving her towel, she motioned for me to enter the kitchen. “Girl, please. I was only teasin’. He’d already told me you was comin’ on a last-minute flight.” She held her hands out for a hug, which I accepted.
Hugging her made me miss my own mother, who worked way too much. I was going to have to vlog more frequently so I could try to get my mom to cut her hours back some. I knew she wouldn’t take a retirement proposal, but I needed to try to convince her to free up more time so we could see each other more often.
“It’s so good to meetcha. And you’re just so gorgeous! My grandbaby gonna be maaaad at y’all!” She cut her eyes at Tunan.
He was leaning against the doorframe with his eyes still on me. “Athena know her uncle got her. Might have to hit The Pretty Eater’s manager and book a one-on-one with my baby girl.” He winked, and I melted like butter all over this lady’s kitchen.
“Well.. let me double my price real quick.”
“Ha! I know dat’s right!” Mama Payne laughed.
“You chargin’ me like dat? Shidddd. I’ma have to fuck ’round and start vloggin’ to be able to afford you.”
“You’ll think of something,” I voiced with a shy grin.
“Mamaaaaaa!”
“Un hunh, Tulscan! My grandbabies are sleep! Come in here with all dat hollerin’!”
“That ain’t even him, Mama,” Tunan said and looked behind him with a smirk.
Mama Payne sighed and threw a dish towel his way. “Boy, hush. I know my kids!”
Tulscan, the last brother, appeared. Tunan turned and hugged him, whispering something in his ear. Behind them was another full-figured woman. She was pretty as fuck and stylish as ever. I loved her ripped jorts and button-down top that she had tied underneath her breasts. She finished her look with some Retro Jordans and plenty of jewelry. Her being iced out reminded me of Mocha and Scarlett. Lorenzo and Matteo kept them in nothing but the heaviest, brightest jewelry.
