“Ezio is the one in that picture, right?” Blayke pointed.
On the mantle, there was a photo from their engagement in front of a horse and carriage. Being a Bridgerton fan, I thought they’d had the best wedding so far, although my sister and Renello’s engagement was the best proposal by default. I couldn’t wait to see how the other weddings panned out. Pia was still planning hers, and I’d heard Discover was starting soon. I felt they should have double weddings since they were marrying twins, but I understood wanting your own day too.
“Yes, you saw him at the hospital when I was having Leader,” Glee answered before shifting on the cushion beside Blayke.
When Glee was released from the hospital after her car accident, she was in so much pain. Today, she looked more like herself, and although she was still using the wheelchair, she was learning to hop around without it. Her face had completely healed, with the exception of her lip, and she didn’t complain as much about her ribs. There was still a dark line on her lip where the stitches were, and it almost looked like it was an upside-down heart, but she was still pretty as hell.
“Girl, I saw ’bout thirty niggas at the hospital, andall of themwas fine! You was in labor with a baby I knew nothing about. I didn’t get a chance to really look in nobody’s face like that. But yeah…” Blayke skimmed the picture again. “They do look alike. Ezio is finer, though, especially with those eyes.
“If I was his wife, I wouldn’t let his ass gonowhere. I’d even go to the bathroom with that nigga ’cause you won’t be texting bitches while on the toilet! That man isfioneeee!” Blayke wiggled her toes as she bounced in her spot on the couch.
“My ears are bleeding!” Bella was beginning to turn red in the face. She looked physically unwell with her dramatic ass.
“They have all become like family, and Lord knows I am afraid of grown men, but Shio? That Shioooooo! He is so fineeeeee!” Mahzeyah snickered, and Bella gagged again.
“Y’all do know these niggas y’all speak of were once dusty and broke, right? That’s the only reason y’all crushing, cuz they rich.”
Mahzeyah smacked her lips. “And they were still fine when they was broke too. I saw the photo album that the twins’ mama keeps around. The men have always looked good.”
Mahzeyah told no lies. Auntie kept the photo book in rotation.
“Since we’re talking fineeee…” Bella folded her laptop and placed it on the seat beside her. “Andsince we’re talking grown-ass men…” She turned so that her body was facing mine. “Matteo.”
“FINE AS HELL!” Mahzeyah screamed.
I groaned and took another sip of my wine cooler. Never in my life did I think I would have a big brother—like, ever. I had Pia and Neltz and was content with that. Patty was so full of surprises with her lineup of baby daddies that my dad had a wife, a son, and a granddaughter, making me an aunt times two—well, two and one pending.
Matteo was my dog. We talked and hung out just as much as Pia and I, if not more. Even being in the mob, Matteo managed his time well, juggling me, his duties, and his household. Most nights, when I didn’t feel like going to Pia’s or my stepdad’s homes, I ended up at Matteo and Scarlett’s place. Hearing the girls gush over my big brother was disgusting, and I started to fake gag like Bella.
“Matteo is the meanest man of the bunch. Why the hell do y’all even see him in that light? He is only nice to like… three people. One is me, with the other two being his wife and child.” I shook my head, but the girls didn’t seem to care.
“Girl, I love a nigga that runs a strict-ass program! He stay with a stank face. Like, yeah, let these bitches know that this ain’tthat. Matteo looks like he don’t hold the door open for another bitch. That’s my type, fasho!” Bella clapped.
“I get so confused on who is related to who, but I know one person we can all relate to that we want to take down to the ground.” Blayke twisted open another wine cooler.
“Who?” we all replied in unison.
“That fuckin’ Essex!”
“Oh, boo!” Bella waved her off.
“Chile, I have my rapper. Ion need another,” Mahzeyah stated matter-of-factly.
“Essex isveryattractive,” Glee added, shocking the hell out of me.
I giggled and then decided to tease Bella. “So, you saying he don’t look good, Bella?” I had to get her ass back from salivating over my brother and taking jabs at my sister.
“Of course, he looks good. But that’s Essex. He like family.”
Blayke half-laughed. “He’slikefamily to you. Heain’tfamily.”
“Girl, no. He’s family. Besides, as Mahzeyah said… That’s a grown-ass man. Even I have my limits. Plus, I love me some Missy.”
“Girl, Missy is down with the get down too. You be seeing the way she be all over Mocha. I know they done did the nasty before and nobody can convince me otherwise!” Mahzeyah pointed out, and although I wouldn’t back her statement, her point was valid.
My sister’s best friend had always been sexually liberated. But I couldn’t see her trying anything with Bella. We were kids in their eyes, even though Bella was nearing twenty.
“Essex is my boss.” Bella drove her back into the cushion.
