He escorted me down to our table, and I sat next to Graham, immediately puckering my lips. “I still can’t believe you’re here! This is amazing!”
“Yep. My whole damn family is here. My parents, aunts and uncles, and cousins.”
“That’s cool! You gon’ introduce me to everybody?”
“Of course. They’ll probably be coming over to introduce themselves as soon as they’re done eating. I’m so proud of you, baby.”
“Thank you, Graham. I feel like this wouldn’t have happened without you.”
He shook his head. “Naw. It would have happened. Maybe not as quickly, but it would have happened. It was predestined.”
I had to be blushing, since my face was so hot. Confirming that very thing, he asked, “What are you blushing for? You know you the shit. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have thought you had a chance signing with Noah. I could see the hope in your eyes when I introduced you to Sharee and Exodus.”
I nodded and kissed him again. He put his arm around me and kissed my cheek. Before the food came out, a lady came to our table. When she got close to me, I realized who she was. I quickly stood to greet Noah’s mother.
“Hello, Missus Raqui! It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Hello, hun. It’s so nice to meet you also. Congratulations! You will do big things with my world. He knows God, and he knows God wants us to win. He’s gonna always make sure he gives you the tools and opportunities to win. The rest will be up to you. I know you will do well. Noah talked about your hustle nonstop the other day. I’m so happy for you, sweetheart.”
I wanted to cry. The way she encouraged me without even knowing me was beautiful. A man with completely white hair stood next to her, and she smiled. “This is my husband and Noah and RJ’s father, Ryan Charles.”
“Hello, sir. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“Hello. It’s nice meeting you also. Congratulations.”
They walked away, and I immediately noticed Sonya practically running toward us. She was so dramatic, and I loved that. She hugged Mrs. Raquel and Mr. Ryan, then continued to us. Graham stood and hugged her, then shook hands with her husband.
“Congratulations! I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait to work with you! Noah said your favorite rapper is Trina and that youhave that sort of vibe. I can do 90’s and early 2000’s style. You just wait! Whew! I’m so excited!”
She slightly hopped up and down until Graham said, “You gon’ mess around and break your ankle in those heels, Auntie.”
“Shut up, Graham,” she said and shoved him playfully as Mr. Shawn congratulated me.
Once they left, our food was served. We ate seafood and baked chicken, vegetables, dinner rolls, and mac and cheese. I didn’t know who made it, but they knew what the fuck they were doing. For dessert, we had a vanilla cake, decorated with the record label emblem, which was a YKMN and a black silhouette image of Noah. The icing had gold flakes in it, and the cake was moist and delicious.
After that, it seemed I was greeting people for the rest of the night. I met Graham’s aunts, Serita, Erica, and Shannon and their husbands, learning that it wasthreesisters married tothreebrothers. I also got to meet Sharee’s twin brother, Shane, and her sister Kyla, along with their spouses and other cousins. Everyone was extremely nice and most of his cousins questioned what I saw in him. I could tell they were an extremely loving family.
Graham had said that it hadn’t always been that way, but I didn’t know what he meant. However, I got an idea when I heard Sharee call his mom’s sister Serita, mama. That threw me for a loop, because I knew Sonya was married to Sharee’s dad. That was wild as hell. They’d somehow moved past it though. Sonya, Erica, Serita, and Shannon were on the dance floor having the best time. I hadn’t seen Mrs. Sidney though.
I frowned slightly and looked around. “Who are you looking for?”
“Your mom. Actually, I don’t think I saw your dad either.”
He licked his lips, then bit his bottom lip. “They left. Umm . . . my mama had somewhat of an emergency.”
I frowned as he avoided my gaze. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it seemed serious. “You wanna go and meet them? Is your dad the only one that left with her?”
“I’m good here with you. He’s the only person she wants to be around right now. She begged her sisters to stay here.”
“Oh . . . umm okay.”
I glanced over at Maj, and she shrugged her shoulders. She looked toward where Noah was, and said, “Jax and JR are here.”
“I know Jax is Noah’s son, but who is JR?”
“JR is RJ’s son. I’m gonna go over and talk to RJ right quick to get a better look and maybe an introduction.”
I slightly rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t blame her. I was no better with the way I threw the pussy at Graham. Glancing over at him, he seemed bothered. I slid my hand to his, and asked, “You wanna dance?”
