Page 36 of Dali: The Demolisher

“I think it means you’re finally about to make Kas my daughter in law and love.”

As Mama clapped, I held back my laughter. “Because we went out of town together?” was what I said, though she was absolutely right. I still wanted to make her sweat.

“Oh, please.” Her eyes rolled as she dismissively waved her hand. “If you went out of town, it was a date. And if y’all are dating, y’all are getting married.”

Before I could ask her to explain her logic, Pops was setting his spoon down and asking me, “What are your intentions now that you’ve finally gotten my daughter?”

“Uh, I think you got it backwards, Pops,” Dynasty said. “Kassy ain’t your daughter yet; Dali is your son.”

Pops looked over at him. “She might as well be.” He returned his attention to me, pointing his spoon in my direction as he said, “Don’t you fuck her up. She’s a good girl. If you realize you can’t handle what it means to be a man,herman, you give her back to me and Lincoln.”

There was no point in me telling him he didn’t have to worry, so all I did was nod and agree. “Yes, sir.”

“Ooh this is so exciting! I can’t wait to get with Carolyn so we can start planning the wedding.” She hopped up from her seat. “And grandbabies! I’m finally about to get me some grandbabies!”

Pops laughed and shook his head as I stood to go after her.

“You dan done it now,” he said before he and Dynasty laughed even harder.

I found Mama in her bedroom, and I quickly yet gently took the phone from her hand.

“You can’t call Carolyn. She doesn’t know about us yet.”

“Ugh.” Palming her forehead, she groaned. “How long do I have to hold this in? Because I can’t promise you more than a day.”

“A day? Ma, you will have called Mama C by the time I leave this house unless Pops tells you not to.”

Her pout was cute and didn’t faze me at all as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I can keep a secret.”

“No you can’t, but I really need you to, Ma. We agreed to wait a little while before telling anyone. Please… let her tell her parents like I was able to tell you.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anything.”

“Aight.” I kissed her temple and headed out, pulling my phone out to text Kas and tell her she had a smooth twenty-four hours to tell her parents about us before my mother did it for her.

21

Kassadee

The Next Day

Mama calledand asked me to stop by on my way to work, so I did. I already had an idea of what she wanted since Dali told me how family dinner went with his people last night. It tickled me to think that Mama Pam had already told the secret, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case. We knew she couldn’t hold water for shit. She tried, but her mouth was like a tire with a leak. It could only hold so much air before it completely spilled.

I stopped bySteepedto get them some pastries and to grab the latest thrillers and fantasy romances that had stocked the shelves of Swayde’s bookstore. After ringing the doorbell, I let myself inside. My parents were old school and didn’t bother locking their doors until night fell. Jasper Lane was super safe for the most part. We only had trouble with drifters floating through. Other than that, if crimes were committed, it was usually crimes of passion against people who knew each other, unfortunately.

“Where y’all at?” I yelled, and Mama answered letting me know she was in the den.

I made my way down the long hall through the living room and into the den. It’s octagon shape made intentional conversation the priority. They had a sofa and two chairs that were turned facing each other in a circular shape.

“Hey, Ma,” I spoke as she stood to give me a hug.

“I got a very interesting phone call last night.”

Chuckling, I set the box of pastries on the coffee table. “Oh yeah? From who?”

“Are you and my baby boy together, or y’all still circling each other, princess?” Daddy asked, making his way inside.

With a smile, I watched as he casually opened the box and grabbed a bear claw. “We’re… together.”

---