Page 66 of Weddings on the West: Vol. I Brick & Destiny

“Shit… I got you.” And he did.

The same man who I wanted to punch in the face the day we met.

The same man who said he only kept women around for the physical perks.

The same man who said out of his own mouth that he didn’t know if he could ever love anyone, or how to show love.

That was the same man who gently and attentively bathed me, held me while giving me sweet kisses, then fell fast asleep with his head nestled on my chest.

* * *

A few hours later, the sound of my phone ringing woke me out of a deep sleep. I grabbed it quickly so I wouldn’t wake my husband.

“Hey, Eden,” I said softly.

“Bitch! Did you hear about EP?” She yapped loudly, voice full of excitement. I looked down at Brick who was still sleeping like he’d just worked a full shift. The peace on his face warmed my heart, and I gently rubbed his cheek as I spoke to Eden.

“Yeah… I saw it.”

“You okay? You sound hoarse? Are you getting sick?”

“I’m fine. I was sleeping.”

“It’s not even five o’clock. Why were you sleeping?”

“I’m just… tired,” I answered, unable to hide the smile in my voice.

“Destiny…Girl! You been fuckin? About time!” she shrieked excitedly.

“Eden, please! Girl, shut up! You ain’t gotta announce it to the whole city.”

“Okay, okay! But, oh my God! How was it?” she asked.

“It was… everything,” I said with a sigh, still on cloud nine.

“Yasss! I love that for you. Listen, I’ma let you go, since you over there being grown and shit. But we gotta talk about this… and the church! Call me tomorrow!”

I hung up the phone and felt Brick shift his body weight.

“I’m sorry. Did I wake you?” I asked, continuing to rub his face.

“You good,” he mumbled, then fell silent. “Peep?”

“Yeah, babe?”

“It was everything for me, too. Thank you for trusting me, again,” Brick murmured, pressing his face further into my chest. I couldn’t do anything but smile hard as I drifted back to sleep

Seventeen

Streets Lost a Real One

BRICK

54 MISSED CALLS

Kilo

I just called you twice. Hit me back, nigga!