Page 162 of Vega

Voices and laughter carried through the house as soon as we stepped inside. Music played near the kitchen, people talked over one another, and the smell of bacon, potatoes, syrup, and cinnamon filled the air.

A woman with Vega’s eyes came around the corner before we reached the dining room. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw me. I recognized her as his mother from the pictures Vega had shown me.

She smiled from ear-to-ear. “You must be Sonnet.”

“I hope so. Otherwise, you would have blew up my spot,” Vega muttered.

Renee playfully swatted at Vega while hugging me.

“Nice to meet you,” I told her.

“It’s so good to finally meet you.” She held my arms and looked me over. “Vega didn’t tell me you were this pretty.”

He smiled proudly as Sal came in behind her. I recognized him too, but Vega still made the introduction. “Sonnet, this is my father, Sal.”

Sal pulled me into a hug before I could offer my hand. “Welcome, baby girl. You hungry?”

The endearment caught me off guard. “Yes, sir.”

He playfully clutched his chest and winced as if he were offended. “Don’t call me ‘sir’. You’ll make me feel old.”

I giggled, saying, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t listen to him. He is old,” Renee said as she linked her arm through mine. “Come on.”

The dining room was crowded with familiar faces who were already eating. Wise, Prodigy, and Lux stood as soon as they saw me.

“What’s up, Sonnet?” Wise greeted, pulling me into a quick hug.

Prodigy hugged me next, and Lux came around the table to do the same before they returned to their seats. Denise moved her purse from the chair beside her, making room for me, while Sal set a glass of orange juice and a stacked plate in front of my seat before I could ask for anything.

Renee touched my shoulder, saying, “Vega told us so much about you. You graduated early, then earned your master’s. That’s impressive.”

“Very impressive,” Denise added. “I hope you’re proud of yourself, girl.” Then she sassily snapped her fingers.

Giggling, I replied, “I am. It took a lot of work.”

“I know that’s right,” Renee quipped. “I’m glad Vega chose an educated woman.”

Wise looked across the table at his cousin. “We all surprised.”

Vega frowned. “Why?”

“Because y’all seem like two completely different people,” Lux replied. “She looks like she spends Friday night reading research papers. You look like you spend yours in strip clubs.”

Vega coughed into his fist, disguising the words, “He does,” beneath it. The table laughed.

“He’s a nerd too,” I told the table.

Vega turned toward me. “Oh, you tellin’ business now?”

“Tell them how we can spend all day watching history documentaries” Then I told them, “He loves documentaries. And don’t let House of Dragons come on.”

Wise frowned at Vega. “House of Dragons, nigga?”

Vega waved him off. “Man, whatever. House of Dragons goes hard.”

Lux glanced at his phone when it vibrated, then set it back beside his plate with a smile. “Lowe just texted me and said for somebody to bring him a plate.”