“Nah, but on some real shit… me and Crown go way back. Like… skipping class in middle school and getting suspendedtogether for knocking niggas out type back. This nigga been my brother ever since then. We’ve survived things most people in this room couldn’t imagine.
And through all them years, all the disputes, all the chaos… our love for one another never changed. We never switched up. I love this nigga with everything in me. Give a kidney for him if I had to. And when you love someone like that, all you want is to see them happy and the best for them. And that best is you, Nivéa.”
The room softened instantly, especially Nivéa.
Smoky looked over at her seriously then. “I ain’t never seen bro love nothin’ like the way he loves you. You brought somethin’ into my dawg’s life that a lot of us thought would never be. Peace, happiness, hope even. And for that, I love you like family already. I don’t give a fuck how fast y’all moved.”
Nivéa smiled, feeling the emotions wash over her, while Crown stayed quiet beside her, his jaw tight as he fought back his own emotions.
Smoky lifted his glass. “To my brother finally finding his person…and to forever with her.”
Tears filled most of the room, the men trying to keep it together, but their eyes were stinging from holding back. Danger stood next, giving Smoky a pat on the back.
“Aight, aight. Let me say somethin’ real quick before this emotional ass nigga starts crying up here.”
“Nigga, fuck you,” Smoky shot back.
That got another round of laughter, including from Crown. Danger glanced at his brother for a moment before shifting to a more serious tone.
“I ain’t great with speeches or all this emotional shit, so I’ll keep it real simple.” He cleared his throat.
“That’s my big brother right there. My role model. My protector. The one who stepped up and carried a lot on his backafter pops passed, and even before then. When pops was in them streets, it was him who took care of me. Taught me how to be a man. How to cut a yard, change a tire, and get under the hood of a car and bring that muthafucka back to life.
He taught me the kind of shit that goes far beyond this life we live. A lot of who I am comes from watching him. And the parts of me that ain’t like him? Shit, I’m watching closely to improve like him. Nigga might think I’m not listening when he’s preaching, but trust, I’m soaking up everything.”
The room quieted, everyone sensing the weight of the moment.
“Like him and Smoky, we’ve been through a lot together. Seen a lot. Lost a lot. So, seeing him genuinely happy means everything to me.”
Danger turned toward Nivéa.
“With that being said… Nivéa thank you for being the one to bring that happiness into his life. I don’t think you realize how much that matters, butwedo.” He gestured around at the Knights. “We appreciate you more than words can say, ma. Real talk.”
Nivéa’s eyes watered even more, and she thanked God for waterproof makeup as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. Danger lifted his glass slightly.
“To family. To love. And to y’all making this official. We ‘bout to turn the fuck up.”
At that point, there wasn’t a dry face in the room. Danger had talked shit about Smoky’s speech, but truth be told, his hit home a tad more for Crown. He was deep in his feelings, realizing just how important he was to his people, and how much they loved and looked up to him. He had been a hell of a man in all of their lives, standing ten toes down.
Danger’s speech was so powerful that Kerri grew too emotional to even stand and give the one she had planned. Hedidn’t just move Crown; he moved the entire room. His words sat heavy on everyone’s chest, making people reflect on loyalty, family, grief, and love all at once.
Caresha stood next, and the moment she grabbed the mic, she looked over at Nivéa and laughed nervously.
“Ooo, I hate stuff like this.”
The room laughed softly with her. She had a way of being soft, goofy, and ghetto all wrapped in one.
“Seriously. I’m not built for speeches, so don’t judge me.” She pointed toward Smoky and Danger. “Especially you two, because y’all done turned this into a BET Awards tribute tonight.
Laughter erupted once again. Caresha looked back at Nivéa, her smile softening.
“But on a serious note… that’s my best friend. My sister. We been through everything together. Like… everything. Heartache. Losing our parents. The grief. Raising Nyla together them first couple weeks. Sitting up with a screaming baby all night then still dragging ourselves to work the next morning. Just life. Real life. Broke days. Lights off. Sharing meals. Repos. Evictions. Crying and laughing in the middle of the bullshit because what else were we gon’ do?”
“Now, ma…hold up. Why would you go sayin’ all that shit?” Danger couldn’t help but ask what everyone else was thinking.
He shook his head at the last few things she mentioned, reaching over to wrap his hand around her waist. He figured she was just nervous and needed comfort while speaking in front of everyone. Her anxiety had her ass babbling.
The entire room broke out into laughter at him. They laughed so hard that their stomachs hurt.
