Picking up the conversation from before, I said, “Are you sure they’re actually coming? Dad was hangin’ tough last night.” My father had practically closed down the reception. Even after Mom left with Maya, he’d stayed until the last song, talking with old friends and networking with new people.
Duke kissed Paityn’s temple and went back to the stove. “You know how Dad is. He loves family shit.”
“Especially breakfast,” Paityn agreed.
My parents ate their meals together every day, even when they were traveling. Breakfast was their favorite, because it gave them an opportunity to check in with each other, and with us. As teenagers, we were required to show up in the morning, unless we were sick, at practice, or out of town. It served multiple purposes. The meal allowed us to check in with each other. Most importantly, it provided a safe space where we could get our minds right to tackle the day. As an adult, I appreciated that lesson. While none of us lived with our parents, we all agreed that it was a necessary part of the day.
Paityn hugged me for the third time since I’d picked her up this morning. “I really miss you.” My oldest sister lived in Cali with her husband, so getting a physical hug from her was a hot commodity, especially since she was the nurturer of my siblings. When she moved, we all had struggled with the transition. “Bishop is amazing, but there’s nothing like home. Nothing like breakfast with my sisters and brothers.” She glanced at me again. “I worry about you the most. Are you happy, Dex?”
The chatter in the room immediately ceased and all eyes were on me. “I’m good.”
Duke flipped the French Toast, observing me silently for a moment. I’d never really felt comfortable being so open about every little detail in my life. Duke was the only person I could share certain parts of me with. There wasn’t much he didn’t know about me, but the physical distance between us had affected our relationship in unexpected ways. “Sure about that?” he asked.
Growing up in a huge family, being surrounded by so many distinct personalities, I’d struggled to figure out my place in the group. Or even how to relate to my brothers and sisters. My parents had done a phenomenal job ensuring that all of us had an outlet to discuss whatever was bothering us. I’d taken advantage of that for the most part. Yet, I had a difficult time finding my voice. Duke had a natural charisma. He could talk to anybody, so he became my mouthpiece until I became comfortable in my own skin. Paityn also helped a lot in that aspect. She’d always offered an ear to us when we needed non-parental advice.
“I’m alright,” I insisted. “You know I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
“We know,” Paityn said. “But we also know that you spend a lot of time helping the people you love, and you rarely ask for help.”
“And you also don’t actually say what you mean out loud a lot of the time,” Blake added with a shrug.
The downside of being the kid of therapists and having several siblings who were therapists, was dealing with them constantly trying to “shrink” me. And since I was also a therapist, I recognized the attempts in small actions, various gestures, and other ways that they would try to get me to talk about shit I didn’t want to talk about. Normally, it didn’t bother me. I’d even done it myself many times. But today… I didn’t want to hear it.
Paityn must have sensed my mood, so she rubbed my back. “Just checking in, baby brother.”
I smiled at her. “I told you I’m fine.”
Duke shrugged. “I keep telling you to move down here.” Duke had been on me about my business, my ex, my life. My fault, because I’d let it slip that I’d been offered another book deal and a radio show. Since I’d recently published my debut book,It’s not the Hookup, It’s the Chase,people had been coming out of the woodwork to woo me with potential opportunities. And since I’d been in Atlanta, he’d been trying to convince me to move down south, to expand my brand, to build more wealth.
Dallas chimed in, “No. He can’t move.”
“X told me you met with him last week,” Duke said, ignoring Dallas. “You still haven’t told me what happened.”
Xavier Starks was the current president of the Pure Talent Agency, which had been founded by my godfather, Jax Starks. My father and Uncle Jax had maintained a strong brotherhood since they’d grown up together and our families were tight as well. X was like a brother to me, but he was especially close to Duke. They talked often, so I wasn’t surprised that my visit to the Pure Talent offices had been brought up in conversation.
“Because despite what you think, I don’t have to tell you shit,” I said.
Bliss raised her hand. “I would like to know.”
Of course, she does. And because I could never tell her no, I explained, “I signed a two-book contract the other day. The radio show?” I shrugged. “Jury is still out, but I didn’t completely close the door on it.” I glanced at Duke. “And neither of those things would require me to move down here. Now, let’s change the subject. Are we all going to the Starks’ tonight?”
Thankfully, that was enough to switch the topic of the conversation. As my sisters talked about their dresses, I sipped on my coffee and checked my emails. I spent a few minutes, drafting a response to a current client when a text came through. From Charlye.
Charlye:Thanks for being my first.
After last night, I expected my next communication with Charlye to go one of two ways. Either she would avoid me, or she would act like nothing had happened. The fact that she’d done neither confirmed I’d done the right thing. I smiled and typed out a quick response:Always here to help.
Charlye:Good to know.Enjoy your breakfast.
Dallas peered over my shoulder. “Who are you texting?”
I turned my phone over. “Why are you so damn nosy?”
“And bossy?” Duke said. When Dallas’ mouth fell open, he added, “Close your mouth. Yep, it’s your turn now.”
My parents arrived several minutes later, interrupting the argument between Dallas and Asa about his inability to follow directions for Secret Santa. It wasn’t long before breakfast was ready, and we were all seated around the table. Although Duke had vowed to never move a woman into his crib, he’d paid attention to his décor. And he’d ensured there was a dining room table complete with enough place settings to seat his entire family, even Tristan. Although, my oldest brother had never visited Duke.
As we ate, conversation flowed easily between us. We segued from sports to politics, from work to personal issues. Asa announced that he was considering opening a new boutique gym and Bliss shared the details for my niece, Naija’s first birthday party in January. Everyone had their turn, and it felt good to be together.Until…
