Page 67 of Beyond The Stars

Jay gripped Qamar’s shoulders, his touch firm and reassuring. “I know that look. You ready to be all in, ain’t it?” His southern accent rolled off his tongue like honey, sweet and smooth.

“Hell yea.” They both laughed, the sound ringing out like a celebration of the moment. Love had a way of making everything feel lighter, even when the world around them was crumbling.

In that instant, Qamar felt an undeniable truth settle in his heart. His world might’ve been falling apart, but none of that mattered as long as Siasia was by his side. Where some men would’ve placed the blame on their woman, he held on to the notion that finding her would bring him profound knowledge. He’d watched it happen to the men around him, those who had found strength and wisdom in their love. Growing up surrounded by Black men who cherished Black women had given him an edge, a perspective that shaped his understanding of love and resilience. As they stood there, laughter echoing around them, Qamar knew he was ready to embrace whatever came next. As long as it included his mama.

He and Siasia had touched down in Alabama a little over two hours ago.

Qamar was blown away when Jay insisted on taking him to the back where his little sister, Meechie, grew his marijuana. To make things more legal, they started growing out in Colorado as well and seven years later, the business was doing well and thriving better than any of them could have anticipated.

The girls were sitting in the grass blowing trees all lady like. A sight, Qamar could get used to seeing Siasia in. She seemed carefree and living in the moment. He loved that for her.

“Qamar,” Siasia called out, waving him over because she was ready to get back in his skin. Knowing he was close but not close enough left a longing in her.

“Yea, baby ‘boy bout to be a man,” Jay jested.

Qamar cut his eyes at him. “Been a man, nigga.”

“Nah, you got kids and take care of them but when you find a woman—like a real woman—beautifully flawed and somehow perfect because you only see the good in them—then you become a man. Vowing to protect them at all costs. Even the older flawed version of them you couldn’t get to fast enough to save. Yea, baby boy, you’ll be a real man then. Standing on big business and thriving in everything you touch. Watch how your life unfolds just for her to come in and clean house, showing you, you ain’t even know shit.” Jay stood with relaxed posture, shoulders slightly apart, exuding a sense of calm and authority. He laid his hand on Qamar’s shoulder, patting it slightly yet firmly in a loving way.

Qamar could only stare at Siasia, concluding that her brown skin under the sun had to be the best thing he’d ever witnessed. More artistic than the Mona Lisa. Warmth covered her skin and filled her smile when her head fell back from whatever had been said.

“I gotta figure this shit out ‘cause I want to give her the world. If she wants a fuckin’ ranch with horses like this, I want to give it to her without question,” Qamar confessed.

“And you will. Let’s not act like you out here down bad, Qamar. I know the assets your people set up before your balls dropped.”

“Aye, Candi, come get your husband!” Qamar yelled side eyeing Jay with laughter in his voice.

The two men walked over to the girls where they fell into a natural rotation of the blunts being passed around. The feel of the exotic strain of bud entering their system had all of them in love and floating on a damn cloud.

Qamar pulled Siasia into his lap while Jay and Candi looked like they were ready to head in and do nasty things. Their kids were in the house with Jay’s father who said he’d look after them in case Jay and Candi wanted to show Qamar and Siasia a night out in the country.

“So, do y’all want to go out?” Candi asked, chewing on her lip. Any chance she got to hang at the hole in the wall down the road, she was game.

Siasia looked back at Qamar for permission. When he nodded, she squealed. “Yes, boo. Show me what that country life really about.”

“Oh, baby you ain’t even ready. You ever rode on a four-wheeler?” Candi asked, ready to be young for the night with her new youthful friend.

Jay and Candi were in their early thirties but loved on each other like teenagers.

Siasia only wished for that type of love. “They so cute, ain’t they?” she commented with hearts in her eyes.

Qamar pulled her face towards him, swiping his tongue across her bottom lip. “We cute too, mama.”

Siasia felt a rush of warmth creep up her cheeks as Qamar leaned in closer, his playful words wrapping around her like a sweet melody. His smile was infectious, and the way he looked at her made her heart flutter. She could feel her skin heat up, a telltale sign of her shyness as he complimented her laughter, saying it was the best sound he’d ever heard.

Wanting to taste him on her lips, she sucked her lip into her mouth, sucking all his essence off. “How cute are we?” Her tone came out like a growl and very lusty.

“If you suck on your lip like that again, we won’t be in nobody’s juke joint tonight, mama. What you trying to do?” His light brown orbs had a fire in them.

“Can I do both?” Siasia inquired.

“Mama, you can have any and everything when it comes to me. All you gotta do is ask.” He shoved his tongue between her slightly parted lips. An animalistic growl shook stomach and coated her skin with buttons that begged to be pressed by him.

“Oh, no.” Candi yanked Siasia out of his lap. “See, uh un. We going out, so let’s get ready.” She pouted, already knowing the effects of their good weed and serene estate that made everyone want to get high and fuck.

“I’m just gone sample it right quick.” Qamar laughed, chasing behind Siasia, swooping her into his arms once he caught up with her.

Candi and Jay watched them with big smiles on their faces. Candi could see so much of herself in Siasia that she wanted to build something meaningful with her. She could see herself taking her under her wing and just loving on her like she wished she’d been loved on as a young girl. It was why she went tooth and nail up against Black Excellence Magazine when they tried to demand she use their photographer. If Siasia couldn’t do the shoot then it wasn’t happening.

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