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He peeled his body from the counter and left the kitchen, heading to the living room. After he sat and lifted the remote to turn on the TV, Kirsten filled the spot beside him. She stared at her brother’s profile until he cut his eyes her way.
“What?”
“Nothing, she’s pretty and seems nice.”
“And Merritt was in love with that girl. Cancel whatever you’re thinking.”
“I’m not thinking anything other than what you’re already thinking.”
War’s eyes met hers briefly before he shook his head. “I can’t do that.”
“Why? Because you feel guilty? Didn’t he tell you?—”
“He didn’t mean that shit so it doesn’t matter what he told me.”
“Nah, War. It matters. You and Merritt were close. Closer than you are with me. It used to make me jealous as hell and wish I was a boy when I was younger so I could be tied to you like he was.”
War chuckled at the thought.
“I’m serious, but the point is, Merritt knew he wasn’t shit when it came to the women in his life. That’s cuz and I love him but while he was with her he had a whole other family on the side. Neece just had his baby a few months ago, which is proof. He might have cared about Cali but he knew he didn’t deserve her and he was never gonna really be with her on something solid.”
“That might be true but it doesn’t matter because he had her, which is why I can’t.”
“But you want her. You couldn’t hide the way you looked at the damn girl if you wanted to. Makes me wonder what kinda pussy power she’s holding that has all the men in this family falling in love.”
“Ay,” War warned. He hadn’t crossed that line with Cali and didn’t think he ever would. He also didn’t like hearing his sister talking about her in a disrespectful manner.
“I’m just saying.” She offered a cute smile, sensing that she’d struck a nerve. “The point is, Merritt asked you to look out for her. He even told you that once you did you would fall in love because it wasn’t possible for anyone to be that close and not. Cuz had a death wish. It was scary the way he moved sometimes, like he just knew his time was limited. He trusted you, War. He loved you more than anybody in his life. Maybe he did really care about the girl but not the right way so he wanted you to. It’s weird as shit and I’ll never understand him but you do. You know him better than anyone. You’re not being disloyal if you wanna be with Cali.”
“I know I’m not but what makes you think she would be ok with that? You said yourself the shit is weird. How am I supposed to explain our connection, why I’m really in her life?”
“That I can’t tell you but you’ll figure it out. Just don’t miss something good worrying about the past. What do you think he’s gonna do, come back and haunt you?”
War chuckled, cutting his eyes at his sister. “Shit, he might. Merritt was on some other type of shit.”
“Yeah he was; you’re right.”
“Well it’s nice to see my one and only son.” Grace walked in the living room, opening her arms for a hug after stopping in front of her firstborn. War was on his feet immediately, embracing her small frame, planting a kiss on his mother’s cheek.
“You just saw me two weeks ago, Ma. Why you being so extra?” He loved to push her buttons, knowing she would be totally at peace seeing her only son every single day if he allowed her. Grace sucked her teeth, planting her hands on her hips, delivering a warning before heading toward the kitchen with her children in tow.
“Two weeks too long, War. Got my pressure up worrying about your behind.”
“That’s right, War. Stop stressing my mama out. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Grace whipped her head around after reaching the oven. “Girl, hush. You got my pressure up too. She tell you about this new man she calls herself with? You need to check him out, War. He’s into things. Probably the same shit that has me losing sleep worrying about you.”
“Ma, damn. I told you I would tell him.”
“And I told you, you’re not gonna put me in an early grave from worrying. Neither one of y’all.” She narrowed her gaze at both her son and daughter, but War’s eyes were on his sister.
“Who you fucking with Kirs?”
“Nobody. She just worries too much.”
“Hmph, any man that has to carry a gun is something to worry about.” Grace’s eyes landed on her son but he avoided their accusations. She didn’t approve of his lifestyle and complained often. Regardless of how much he’d slowed down Grace was well aware the weight his choice carried would never completely go away. The streets held a life sentence and War would always be a target.
“A gun. Who you fucking with? He dirty?”
