“What’s good bro?”
“You approved this shit Pay got going on?”
Chuckling, I responded with, “Yeah. She wants to pick Yani’s brain and try to bond with her. There’ll be liquor so you’ll be perfectly fine.”
“So, you bringing the infamous Yani Hart? I can’t wait to see how this goes.”
“Keep your distance, Jo. I’d hate to have to fuck you up.”
“Nigga get off my line. Don’t nobody want Yani.”
“Don’t be late Jo. You’ll never hear the end of it. I’ll see you later.”
The call ended, and I was hopping in my ride heading for the crib. Because I lived a way out, it would take me over an hour to get home and traffic wasn’t going to give me a break either. I knew I wasn’t going to make it in time.
The radio was blasting playing R&B that was soothing my soul. I was a sucker for a song that explained how I felt about my lady. Shit, I was a sucker for love period. There was so much I had to give but I was reserved with who got a piece of it. Heartbreak wasn’t easy to get over.
I hadn’t really had that talk with my mother about Yani but I planned to do so before her birthday so I wouldn’t blind side her. Hen was a sweetheart, but she was a mother that didn’t play about her kids. No matter the relationship y’all formed, when one of us was involved, all that went out the window. Her only concern was her kid’s happiness.
By the time I made it to the crib, it seemed as if I was the last one to show. Cars were lined up and I knew them all. All I needed was twenty to thirty minutes to freshen up and I could join the festivities.
Entering the house, I was able to slip pass everyone undetected and handle my business. I quickly undressed once in my bedroom and headed straight for the shower. If I knew my sister, she was offering shots already. She was big on everyone being comfortable and relaxed while trying to have a suitable time.
When I surfaced again, I was dressed down in a pair of joggers, a graphic T, and some slides. We were playing games and I had plenty of them in the family room. I was eager to see how everyone took to Yani.
Walking in, she was the first person I spotted. She was engaged in conversation with Pay dressed in a pair of tights and an oversized sweater. She looked good and it was clear that I missed her presence. She smiled and I was mesmerized all over again.
“Pax! Finally.” Patience noticed me causing everyone to look in my direction.
Yani looked and I could tell something was bothering her. She didn’t have that light surrounding her the way it normally did. I was curious to know what was happening with her internally.
“What’s good y’all. My bad for the tardiness. Traffic was a fool. How y’all feeling?”
Yani made her way over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck giving me a hug that stated something was wrong. It was one of those hugs that let someone know that that was what they were in dire need of. Even her energy was different now that she was next to me.
“Hey baby.”
“What’s wrong beautiful?” I whispered in her ear. She was still locked around my neck.
“I missed you that’s all.”
“You want to step away for a minute?” I inquired. I was more concerned about her than anything.
“No baby. Is it alright if I spend the night? I just need to be under you tonight.”
“You’re more than welcome baby. Make yourself at home.” She nodded and finally released me. However, she intertwined our hands maintaining that connection.
I maneuvered through the room greeting and dapping up everyone individually. Quik was Patience’s boyfriend and had been around for quite some time. He didn’t let her do anything without him. He wasn’t overprotective but he was very much in love with her ass. I was happy for her because I didn’t want her to feel like she couldn’t have a life just because she lived with me.
Dawn and Josiaha looked good together. They came in matching colors, and I had to admit that he looked pleased as well as content with her. I didn’t miss the looks that Dawn and Yani threw toward each other. However, I kept my mouth closed and stayed out of women’s business.
“Are we playing games or not? I mean, we can get these spades going and start the shit talk right now as a warm up.” Pay got everyone’s attention.
“Shit, me and my bestie can get it popping right now,” Dawn said, as she looked to Yani gesturing for a high-five.
“They not ready for this ass whupping best friend. They’ll be so mad we might not get none tonight.” She slapped hands and gave a genuine laugh.
“I know y’all confident and all baby but don’t get ahead of yourself. Me and Jo ain’t never lost a game.”
