Page 62 of I Need It

They were charging her with conspiracy to commit a crime. I was pretty sure she would have a court appointed attorney, and they would probably railroad her ass, especially if she had this judge. I almost wanted to sit in to see what they would do to her, but at the same time, I didn’t want to see her ass. My temper would have me getting arrested at the sight of her. I’d jump hurdles to choke that bitch.

We made our way to SS, and the look of relief on his face made me smile. I shook his hand and hugged him. “Is it over?” I asked.

“It is unless they find anything they need to question me about. I wouldn’t have shot him for nothing. He wasn’t about to stab or kill me though. Fuck that.”

I gave him a one-cheeked smile. Nigga was a Henderson through and through, but he was definitely Storm’s son. “Why were you in the south end?”

“This lil honey dip I know that works at Sonic live over there. I was making a run through.”

I rolled my eyes. “This is my ‘lil honey dip,’ Mya,” I said, mimicking his voice. “Mya, this is Seven, but we all call him SS. He’s a junior, but Unc didn’t wanna call him SJ.”

I slightly rolled my eyes as Mya smiled and shook SS’s hand. “Nice to meet you, and congratulations on beating that charge.”

“Nice to meet you too. Thank you.” He looked back at me and said, “You better be glad you got to her first.”

He scanned Mya’s curves as I frowned and pushed his ass. He laughed then hugged me again. I pulled away from him and put my arm around Mya as Uncle Storm said, “We turning up tonight at the barn, Henderson style. Eight o’clock, y’all come get fucked up… well, except Mya, Nesha, and the pet cougar’s daughter,” he said to fuck with Vida.

Aston and Vida were family friends, and Vida was Syn’s biological mother. Ever since Vida got with Aston, Unc had been calling her his pet cougar. She was nearly twenty years older than her husband, but nobody could tell that shit. Vida was fine as hell. She glared at Uncle Storm then shot him the finger.

He smiled big and winked at her. I slowly shook my head and put my arm back around Mya. She smiled at me and said, “I’m loving my new family.”

“Good. Those muthafuckas crazy, but we ride for each other. That now includes you, baby. Let’s get out of here.”

“Let’s. I’m gon’ turn the fuck up tonight. The doctor said I can have a glass of wine every now and then.”

“Fuck that. Hell naw. Not gon’ happen. Get it out yo’ head.”

“Well, damn.”

“You know damn well if you get a taste, you’re gonna want more than you’re supposed to have. It’s best not to have any. You ain’t finna have my baby all underdeveloped because he or she already an alcoholic in the womb.”

“Shut up!” Mya yelled then laughed.

I laughed, too, and escorted her out of the courthouse to the SUV. We were going to be a family, and I couldn’t wait to make that shit official.

“Christian, you and Mya’s table is over there.”

“With all the balloons?” I asked Aunt Tiffany.

“Yeah.”

“It’s hot out here. If those muthafuckas start popping and shit, I’m coming straight to you.”

“Hell no you ain’t. That shit was your mama idea. Take that attitude straight to her ass. I dare you.”

I chuckled and slid my hand over my waves. “Oh, well, Mama know what she doing.”

“Uh huh, nigga. That’s what the fuck I thought.” She turned to Mya and said, “Hey, sweetie. Sorry for not speaking right away, but yo’ nigga distracted me. Ol’ salty ass.”

She hugged Mya as they laughed then went to the house to help Mama and Aunt Jen with the food. We’d decided to have the gender reveal at my house. Mya was so damn uncomfortable these days. I wanted her to be able to go lie down if she wanted to. Her feet were already swelling, and she was only twenty-two weeks.

It had been a month since she’d been here. We’d gotten everything moved and put where she wanted it. Most of the furniture was donated to different shelters. At first, she wanted to hold on to it, but I had to convince her she didn’t need to plan for if we didn’t work out. If I had to hold her ass hostage until we worked shit out, I would.

Her dad approached us and grabbed her hand, helping her to her seat as I went to the kitchen to check on my mama and aunts. When I walked in, my mama said, “Nope. Get out of here and go be with your baby. We got this in here.”

I chuckled and shook my head then went and kissed my mama’s cheek. She and Aunt Jen worked so hard to keep the family gatherings popping. As I headed outside, I received a text message. When I saw Avery’s name on the screen, I took a deep breath.

Hey, Christian. I just wanted to check in and say hello. I heard congratulations are in order. You’ll make an amazing father. I’m sure of that.

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