Page 41 of That Fire

“Okay. Bye.”

She walked off, seemingly happy. I was surprised Christian wasn’t here with her until I heard Uncle Mayor come in. “Tell your husband he did a piss poor job. The house is hot as fuck.”

“I’m sorry, Uncle Mayor. Christian had said you needed a new unit, but you don’t want to spend the money to get one.”

“Uh huh. I think he tryna take my money. Wait ’til I see his ass.”

She giggled and said, “See you later, Mayor. I’ll tell him.”

When Mr. Storm came further inside, I saw he was holding to-go containers from the diner. The twins must’ve been busytoday and couldn’t leave for lunch. Once he saw us, he came over, and Royal stood.

“What’s up, Unc?”

“Shit. Y’all ought to be ready in a week or so, huh? How you doing, Aaliyah?”

“I’m good, Mister Mayor. How about you?”

He smiled. I knew when family called him mayor, it stroked his ego just right. I’d witnessed it at family gatherings. Typically, they called him Uncle Mayor, but I hadn’t been instructed to do that yet. I didn’t want to overstep.

“I’m good, tryna get these niggas in line. My babies didn’t get to eat today, and Red and Carter are on their way to Missouri for a rodeo. Bali ain’t in the mood for that shit right now. That lil nigga she having is giving her hell.”

I chuckled as did Royal. “Uh huh. I told her to quit talking about our son or she was gon’ get the same. Calling my son a whiny lil boy.”

Mr. Storm pointed at Royal, and said, “You better watch yourself. I don’t know who you think you talking to, but I ain’t finna kee kee wit’chu about my daughter.”

Royal rolled his eyes and waved him off. Mr. Storm turned back to me and smiled. “See you later, niece. Call me Uncle Mayor.”

I smiled big. He’d given me permission. His smile dropped immediately when he looked at Royal, then shot him the finger. I couldn’t help but chuckle, because now I saw where Seven got that shit from. That nigga was always shooting the damn finger.

Once he went to the back, I saw the smile break free on Royal’s face. “That nigga crazy.”

“I dare you to tell him that.”

He turned to me with a frown on his face. “You tryna get me killed so you can collect my social security?”

I almost choked. Royal was a fool, just like his father. His mama was funny too. She was excited to be welcoming grandbabies into the world. We were supposed to be having dinner with them tonight, depending on what Bali told me today. I had a feeling she was gonna put me on bedrest until the shower. I wasn’t sure why my mama waited so long to have it. Kambel had said something about it a couple of months ago.

She may have been busy. She still rodeoed from time to time, and she was also Red Squared’s hazer. She’d gone to the rodeo in Missouri with them. She rode out with Dad and Uncle Legend this morning.

“Aaliyah, come on back,” one of the nurses said.

Royal helped me to my feet, and we went to the back to a room, since they’d already done the preliminary stuff. Once he helped me to the table, the nurse asked, “Have you been having any issues?”

“Just a lot of pressure. It’s getting close.”

“Yes, ma’am! You’re thirty-five weeks. She’s probably gonna put you on bedrest.”

“I kind of expect her to, because she wants me to try to make it to thirty-seven weeks.”

“Mm-hmm. Well, she will be with y’all in a little bit. Go ahead and take off everything and put on that gown.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Once she left out, Royal stood and helped me off the table. We should have done that before I got up there. He took off my clothes sensually and licked his lips. I swore this man was insatiable. Thankfully, I’d worn a dress, so it wasn’t as hard to get off. Lately, that was all I’d been wearing because of the ease of putting it on and taking it off. I was wearing muumuus around the house.

When he helped me out of my underwear, this man kissed my mound. Everything in me wanted to lay on this table andspread eagle for him. I missed his tongue so much. “Royal, don’t make me cum on this floor. I’m so on edge already.”

He stood and smiled at me. “I know. I am too.”