“I’m the one who constantly needs to tell you that. You’re doing so well in life, Mahari. You followed your dreams and made them come true. I’m the proud one.”
“Listen to the pot calling the kettle black. Who do you think I was inspired by? You’ve been on your grind as an author since I was a teenager and never gave up until you reached your goals. Don’t for one second think you didn’t play a huge part in who I am and what I do.”
Hearing sniffles come from the other side of the phone tugged at Mahari’s heart. He loved his sister more than words could express. Being that she was the oldest, she always felt the need to protect him, but Mahari made it known he was her protector. Since Mahari was born, they’d had a close relationship. He absolutely adored Mahaley. They never let a day pass without them talking, even when Mahaley went off to college. Their bond remained solid.
“It’s too damn late for you to be having me cry, May May.”
Mahari kissed his teeth. “Aye, man. Go on somewhere with that shit.”
Mahaley’s boisterous laugh filled the speakers, gaining a half smile from Mahari.
“You know you love when I call you that.”
“And you know that’s a damn lie.”
“Whatever.” Mahaley giggled and changed the subject. “What artist did you work with tonight?”
“Our damn cousin.”
“Oh, goodness. What type of mood was he in tonight?”
“One that almost had him and Justin going toe-to-toe. You know Justin got his ass straight, and Lance ended up killing the track.”
“I’m telling you. All our little siblings need are us to keep them on track.”
Mahari snapped his head back. “What are you trying to say?”
“Now, Mahari. You know good and damn well you haven’t always been on the straight and narrow. I don’t know what the hell went through your mind my first semester of college, but you did a one-eighty when I came home. Don’t act like I wasn’t the one to get you together. If you missed me, that was all you had to say.”
Thinking back to the crazy shit he did, all Mahari could do was laugh. He was thirteen at the time, heading into eighth grade. Even though he and Justin were closer, he and Lance were the same age, so they hung around one another when Justin was off doing his thing.
Lance had the bright idea of them stealing and selling their product at school. Mahari was hesitant but tried it anyway. They didn’t even get away with their first job before getting caught. It was around Christmas time, so security was on top of everything, everywhere. Mahari had never gotten into so muchtrouble in his life. That was the first and last time he tried anything like that while Lance lived to press his luck.
“Mane, you ain’t even have to bring that up.” Mahari laughed. “But yeah, I did miss you.”
“I know it.” Mahaley released a yawn just as the gates to Mahari’s house opened.
“Go ahead and go to bed, Hay. I just made it home.”
“Okay, good. I’m about to knock out. I love you, May May.”
“I love you too.”
Ending the call, Mahari pulled into his garage, killed the engine, and got out.
Mahari had worked hard to have everything he did in life, but there was something he was missing.
A woman. A family to call his own.
At the age of thirty, he’d had his fair share of dating, and so far, only two women had been able to capture his heart. He wanted to date with the intention to marry, but there was one thing stopping him. One woman stopping him, and he wasn’t quite sure he’d ever be able to move on from her.
“Are you fuckin’kidding me, Lance? Theoneappointment I need you at, you really can’t say forget work and come?”
“I’m sorry, baby. For real, but you know how it is. This is an opportunity I can’t turn down. I swear, I’ll make it up to you.”
Aspen paced in her bathroom with tears cascading down her cheeks. Today was the day she and Lance would find out the genders for the twins, and once again, he was bailing on her for work. No matter how important an event was in Aspen’s life, Lance would always choose work over her. While she understood he was the breadwinner and was grinding, he could slow down for her occasionally.
Sniffling, Aspen fussed. “I don’t want to hear that shit, Lance. I’m tired of you always having to make things up to me. Why can’t you simply prioritize me for once?”
