Page 25 of Weddings on the West: Vol. I Brick & Destiny

Brickly

That fast? Bet! Send me a pic!

That’s bad luck! We need all the luck we can get!

Brickly

Damn, my fault. Can’t wait to see it tho’! & make sure you get everything you need. Call me later.

Thank you! & I will!

I smiled as I put the phone down, hoping that he would like it.

Wait, do I want him to like the dress, or me IN the dress? Get it together, Des. Don’t even start getting in your head like that. It’s not like that with him!

“Oh, wait, this one?” Stasha asked with a scrunched-up face. “I think we should keep looking. Surely we can find you one that’s a bit more covered up.”

“Stash, I love this dress. I’m getting it.” I quickly shut down any argument she raised because I was tired and still had to meet with Brick’s family for dinner immediately after. I rolled my eyes when she pouted. She was always encouraging me to be modest and Godly, but there she sat in a skintight crop top and even tighter jeans. The irony smacked me in my face that she was just as out there as all the other girls that she judged so heavily.

We wrapped it up, making plans to get together again soon to nail down their bridesmaids’ dresses. Since my circle was the size of a coaster, we opted to keep the wedding party small—Eden and Stash on my side, and Brick’s brothers on his. After we left the bridal shop, I hurried to the address that Mrs. West gave me for family dinner. When I arrived at her house, I parked, looked down at my outfit, and sighed, wishing I had time to change out of the peplum top and boyfriend jeans that I had on.

“I really do look like Little Bo Peep,” I huffed to myself. Once my allowance kicked in, I had to go shopping. I could admit to myself that I was tired of dressing like a sixty-year-old woman while simultaneously giving pre-schooler. I only had a moment to dwell on my outfit because Brick pulled up right next to me in a money green sports car, revving the engine and nearly scaring me to death. I saw him laugh at the way I jumped, then climb out, strolling over to me in an all green outfit that matched his car. Brick was never dressed super flashy, but it was apparent that everything he wore was expensive, and he almost always had on his diamond chain that glittered in the sun.

“What’s good, Peep?” he asked loudly as he closed in on me. I just smiled sheepishly, watching the way his tongue rolled over his bottom lip and feeling something flutter beneath my belly button.

Oh NO, Destiny! No ma’am.

“Hey,” I said quietly. His eyes swept over me as he sighed in acceptance.

“What’s wrong? You nervous?” he asked.

“I mean, a little. What if they hate me?”

“Then fuck them niggas,” he said with a laugh. “Listen, no matter what happens, we good. They not gon’ fuck with you… Well Kilo’s dumb ass might, but don’t take it personal. I think somebody put that nigga in the microwave as a baby or something.” That got a giggle out of me, but I quickly went somber again as a clean, black, old school Challenger pulled up followed by a candy red Lamborghini. I rocked on my heels nervously, refusing to even glance back at my 2012 Camry that had seen better days.

A brown skinned man with gold bottoms and locs hopped out of the red car, still rapping whatever was playing when he pulled up, and I knew that was Kilo. I looked for the middle brother, Pistol, but he never came around the car. A shuffling sound came from behind me, and I turned quickly to see that he was silently approaching from the other side of my car. Trying to figure out how he got behind us without making any noise or being seen had me looking at him in confusion. This must have been the normal for him because Brick didn’t look fazed at all. Like Main, he was huge, but he didn’t have that same playful aura. He looked like he was ready to fight, or worse. The family resemblance was undeniable, and the three of them looked like the same person in different fonts.

“Come on,” he said softly. “Let me introduce you.”

He put his hand on my lower back and pulled me forward, and the fluttery feeling returned.

“Peep, these are my lil’ brothers, Pistol and Kilo. Lil’ Niggas, this is Destiny.”

“Hi,” I said with a bashful wave.

“What up,” Pistol said. It was more of a statement than a question, and he immediately went silent again.

“Bout gotdamn time you brought your mail order bride over here to meet us, nigga!” Kilo fussed. “What’s good, Destiny? I’m the youngest and most handsome of the West Brothers,” he said, taking my hand. I extended it for a handshake, but my eyes went wide as he planted a kiss to the back of it.

“Nigga! Move!” Brick huffed as he smacked the back of his neck so hard that it cracked like a gunshot. The two of them immediately went at it, play wrestling each other as I looked on, trying to hold back my laughter, and Pistol looked like he would rather be painting a mansion with a makeup brush.

“Hello?! Gotdammit! Y’all dumb ass niggas better not be out here fuckin’ up my yard!” I had to do a double take when my head shot to the front door as their mother walked out. Instead of her usual sharp business attire, she tipped down the driveway in a royal blue sundress and matching sandals. I could never deny her beauty, but now, seeing her softer side really displayed how naturally gorgeous she was. Her tawny skin glowed, and her long hair flowed over her shoulders in loose waves.

The moment they heard her voice, Brick and Kilo went rigid like two little kids who knew they were on their way to a whoopin’. They immediately released each other and stood up straight.

“Hey, Mama,” the three of them said in sync. From my conversations with Brick, I couldn’t exactly gauge the nature of their relationship with her. I knew they respected her, but I wasn’t sure if they liked her… Being in a similar boat, maybe I wasn’t the best person to judge. My like and respect for my parents was dwindling with each passing day.

“Hey, Destiny,” she said, turning to me. “Girl, come on, We can leave their goofy asses out here.” I turned and quickly did as told, following her into the house. Her home was breathtaking, and I found myself looking around in awe. Although the space was huge, the warm decor gave it a cozy feel, tying everything in beautifully.