Page 18 of Surrender to Love

“Nah. My baby mommas know what’s up,” Deuce says.

“Keep telling yourself that, my nigga,” I say.

“At least I don’t have to worry about hiring someone I fucked by mistake,” Deuce counters. “Unlike you, I haven’t been generous with my dick in the city.”

“It wasn’t that many, nigga,” I counter. “Plus, I’m only giving my dick to one woman right now and that’s my baby.”

“Bruh, it was enough that you can’t remember them all,” Tre says with a chuckle.

“Nigga, you just mad no one wants to fuck with yo’ mean ass,” I tell Tre.

“Nah, bruh, I’m not mean. I’m just choosy 'bout my shit. Unlike you niggas, I’m not trying to be lovesick and shit behind no female.”

“If you’re talking about me, I’ll be that. Lovesick and happy as hell,” Quintus says.

“This nigga,” Tre scoffs and Deuce laughs.

“Be happy, lil bruh. Fuck Tre’s mean ass. He ain’t been right since Solene,” Deuce adds, bringing up Tre’s kryptonite. Solene was his homegirl when we were kids but we all knew he was lowkey in love with her. They never crossed that friendship line, and when she dipped out of Diamond Falls, he got with TJ’s mom Ashanti. When Tre’s face tightens, Deuce changes the subject. “We on Shiro anyway. He’s the one hiring his jump offs and shit.”

“Man, I deaded that with her already. I talked to her the day Tre hired her and she’s been cool since. Plus, I told her it wasn’t nothing and can’t be nothing and she ain’t brought it back up. It’s not a problem.”

“Yet,” Deuce says. “I don’t fuck with nobody at the club and I don’t hire anybody I done fucked with because problems will come. Trust. She applied for that job at your shop looking for you, and if she says she didn’t, it’s cap. You forgot her, right? That means you probably didn’t call her ass either,” he says, shaking his head and I don’t respond. “See… Yeah… Problem, nigga. Fire her ass tomorrow.”

“Firing her is your call, but definitely tell Kyrah,” Quintus says.

“Are we playing Spades or are y’all niggas gone keep bumping your damn gums for the rest of the night? Matika ain’t a problem and my baby don’t need to know about every female I fucked before her,” I grit then grab another blunt. “Y’all blowing my damn high.”

“It’s all fun until it’s you and your lady, then you get all salty and shit,” Quintus says.

“Can’t say two words about Kyrah and him. Nigga be bout to cry,” Tre says, adding his usual bullshit.

“Y’all just blowing my damn high about telling her shit that don’t matter.”

“It matters. Trust me. Tell her,” Quintus urges. “If she’s your one, you better.”

“She is,” I insist.

“Damn, you didn’t have to scream that shit,” Deuce says, then stands.

“Man, fuck you,” I scoff.

It’s the first Sunday in September, which means it’s Sunday dinner. It’s not even seven and almost everyone’s here because Shuga made our favorite, her version of the traditional Hausa stew, Zongo, with oxtail meat. It’s served with rice, boiled eggs, and fried plantains. Because my six nephews can eat a whole damn pot by themselves, she cooked two big ass pots.

“Reya and Quintus are pulling up now. I wonder where Sade is. Ace and the twins are here,” Kyrah says. She came over yesterday when I got off work and stayed.

“Ace says she’s coming, just late,” I say and Shuga sucks her teeth.

“We’re not waiting on her to eat though. Everyone knows what time Sunday dinner starts,” Shuga says before walking back into the house. As usual, we are all out in the solarium for dinner.

“What’s up with Shuga and Sade? Last Sunday dinner I swore I saw her roll her eyes at Sade but thought I was tripping. Shuga likes everybody and always smiles, but with Sade, it’s a little different. I know you heard Shuga suck her teeth.”

“I did, but baby, I don’t think it meant nothing. Shuga just don’t play about being late to Sunday dinner.”

“I’ll ask Reya. You don’t pay attention but I bet she knows what I’m talking about.”

“Watch. It ain’t shit,” I say, then kiss her lips. She’s looking pretty as shit in some jeans and one of my Sharks jerseys. I love when she wears my stuff. I don’t even care that she has the side of my jersey all jacked up in a knot.

The door leading into the house opens and my pretty little niece comes rushing out. She practically runs into me and Kyrah.