Royce laughed low. “Man said ‘I know where your mama stay, your job, your gas station…’ like that was romantic.”
I let my head fall back, starin’ at the ceiling. “Y’all niggas dramatic.”
“Or honest,” Trend said. “You asked.”
They weren’t wrong.
I just ain’t like how it sounded when they said it back to me.
“Anyway,” Truce said, switchin’ the subject like he ain’t just snatch my wig, “since we talkin’ ‘bout women… I’m pretty sure Charlee pregnant.”
All our heads snapped his way.
“What?” I asked.
Royce choked on his drink. “Nigga, for real?”
Trend’s eyes widened. “She told you?”
He smirked. “Nah. She think I don’t know.”
I frowned. “So how you know?”
He leaned back, hand rubbin’ his beard like he was proud. “‘Cause I know my wife.”
Royce shook his head. “Explain.”
“She cranky,” Truce said, holdin’ up one finger. “More than usual. Cryin’ at commercials and shit. Number two, she greedy as fuck. Wakin’ me up talkin’ ‘bout she want hot wings, ice cream, and pickles at the same time. And number three…” He paused, smirk turnin’ stupid. “That pussy real gushy.”
“Aw, hell,” I said, laughin’ and shakin’ my head.
Trend threw a napkin at him. “Bro, don’t nobody wanna hear about your wife juices.”
“I’m just sayin’,” Truce said, still smilin’. “Her body actin’ like it did last time she almost got pregnant. I pay attention.”
Royce wiped his face. “So what you gon’ do about it?”
“Nothin’ yet,” Truce said. “I’ma wait. See how long it take her to tell me. I don’t wanna spook her. She think she not ready. Talkin’ ‘bout she don’t wanna be nobody mama yet. But she already is. It’s written all over her, she just the last one to know.”
We all went quiet for a second.
He wasn’t jokin’ no more.
“You scared?” I asked.
“Hell yeah,” he said. “But I’m also excited. I always wanted a little me runnin’ around. I know once she get past the fear, she gon’ be the best mama. I’m just lettin’ her come to it on her own clock instead of me forcin’ it.”
My mind flicked back to what he’d just said.
Let her come to it on her own clock instead of me forcin’ it.
Another shot aimed lowkey at me, and I took it.
Trend sighed, sittin’ back. “Y’all lucky, man. At least your women excited about what’s comin’.”
Royce looked over. “Fee not?”
“She excited,” Trend said. “She love these babies already. That’s not the problem. The problem is… she scared as fuck and I don’t know how to fix that without feelin’ like I’m failin’ no matter what I do.”
