Page 72 of A Hood Wife And A Rich Goon 2

“They gon’ sleep good tonight, that’s for damn sure.”

He lowered himself to the porch step. She joined him, balancing her plate with one hand and digging into it with her plastic fork. She’d swept her hair into a high ponytail and rocked a floral print halter style maxi dress with big, gold, bamboo earrings. Jewel licked his lips watching her eat. Rhema felt his eyes all over her. Hiking a brow, her lip curled, and she side eyed him.

“What?”

“I love you.” Jewel stole a quick kiss, tasting the flavor from her baked beans on her lips.

“What you do?” Rhema asked, dropping her fork to her plate and swallowing her latest bite.

“What you mean?”

“Jasiel Bailey, I swear to God, don’t fuck this up. We are in a good place. The best⁠—”

“Girl, you crazy as hell.” He wrapped his arm around her. “You think I’m about to fuck this up after everything it took to get us here?” He pressed his forehead against hers.

“I love you too.”

“Jewel! Bring yo’ ass over here so you can get schooled!” Javon called from the table as Eazy got up to look for Lotus.

He’d been on her ass for days about relaxing and not doing too much. She and Toni were currently seated under a tree full of shade in a tent to keep the bugs out. Toni indulged in Cutwater too, but Lotus sipped her ginger, cucumber, and lemon water and chewed on the Bratwurst she’d just conned Summit into giving her as she waited for the ribs to come off. The whole block smelled like charcoal, and she loved every bit of it.

Breeze and Bijou splashed around in the kiddie pool, with the other kids. Toni enjoyed watching them have fun. Bull was on his third plate but swore up and down he’d only had one. Jewel slid into Eazy’s spot at the table as Rhema wandered over to join Toni and Lotus.

“You good?” Eazy reached down to palm Lotus’s belly and look into her eyes.

“I’m fine, Eazy. Stop worrying.” Her brows crowded above her big brown eyes.

“Aight, gimme a bite.” Eazy knelt, and Lotus held her brat up for him to indulge in. “I’m going to get me another beer. You want something?”

“Tell Ma to make me a plate. I want everything. Chicken, beans, potato salad, and deviled eggs.”

“I know how to make a plate, Lo.”

“I know. I just want her to do it,” Lotus told him.

“Spoiled ass.” Shaking his head, he prepared to walk away, but something stopped him mid-stride.

Essence walked through the back gate, holding a big pan with her famous caramel cake and Midas at her side. Taci stepped out with a few of the other women when she spotted them and scanned the yard to gauge reactions. Bull paused from chewing his chicken while the domino Jewel prepared to drop remained suspended between two fingers.

“Don’t start,” Taci warned.

All three grown ass men looked at her.

“Ain’t nobody did nothing,” Jewel muttered.

“And I’m telling y’all not to. That’s my granddaughter, that’s her husband, and this is my damn house.”

Bull slowly resumed chewing.

“Food good, Ms. Taci.”

“Boy, shut the hell up,” she quipped, making a few people chuckle.

Summit didn’t even bother turning from the grill to address anybody.

“I told you she invited that man.”

And he had filled every one of them in when they arrived since Taci made no plans to. He couldn’t have them reaching for their pistols when the nigga walked through the back door.