Page 40 of Dali: The Demolisher

“Will y’all stop worrying about me? I’m good.”

“How?” Dynasty asked. “Your best friend got your fiancée pregnant. How are you okay with that?”

Last night, we got the full story out of Vincent after he woke up from the slumber Germany’s fists had put him in. Apparently, Twila seduced him as payback the last time she had proof Germany cheated on her. He fell for the trap, and it was supposed to be a onetime thing, but they continued to fuck off. When Twila found out she was pregnant, she told Vincent it was a possibility the baby was his, but she felt so guilty about cheating on Germany after he seemed so happy about the baby that she made Vincent promise not to say anything. That dinner was the end of Vincent’s rope.

A part of me hoped the baby wasn’t Germany’s so he could wash his hands of them both for good. I expected it to take some time for him to get over what had happened, but he was sitting up here as if he was over it already.

“What y’all want me to do? Cry?” He chuckled. “A playa got played. It’s a part of the game.”

I sucked my teeth as my head shook. “Nah, fuck all’at. Your girl cheating on you and getting pregnant by your best friend ain’t a part of the game. Tell us how you really feel.”

His knife and fork clinked against the plate, and he sat back in his seat. “I was marrying her because of the baby. I don’t care about her cheating, but it did hurt to learn the baby might not be mine. As fucked up as I am, I was looking forward to having a baby. So I’m a little bummed about that.” He shrugged.

“And Vincent?” Ken asked quietly.

“It’s war every time I see him. He broke my heart. I expected better out of him. I’m beating his ass every time I see him. We can be at church and I’m lifting my finger while I walk down the aisle to be off with his head. He’d be better off just moving to a different city to avoid me.”

Silence filled us. I wanted to be the reasonable cousin and tell him not to go after Vincent, but I imagine my reaction would be the same.

“Well, you know we got you,” Journee offered. “I’ll beat Twila up after she gives birth if you want me to.”

Germany smiled. “It’s really not worth it, cuz, but I ’preciate you. She’s dead to me.”

He stood and headed out. To my surprise, Mona was the one that followed behind. Me and Kassadee locked eyes, and she shrugged, seemingly as caught off guard as I was. I wasn’t sure if they’d been seeing each other secretly or if she was just being a good friend. Either way, I was hoping Vincent would lay low and keep his distance. I may have been the only professional boxer in our family, but none of my cousins were to be fucked with. Vincent now had a target on his back, and there was no doubt in my mind that Germany would go after him every time he saw him like he’d said.

23

Kassadee

Two Weeks Later

“Why you so nervous?”Dynasty asked. “Dali is like a big ass kid. He’s going to absolutely love this, Kassy.”

“Are you sure?”

Dynasty chuckled as he wrapped his arm around me. “I’m positive. Is everything ready to go?”

“I think so. I’m going to walk around one last time, but I’m pretty sure this is it.”

“Aight, cool. I’m gonna go ahead and pick him up. We’ll be back in like ten minutes.”

“Okay, perfect. Thanks for everything, big bro.”

“Always, and thank you for loving my brother and doing this for him. It’s been a long time coming.”

We hugged briefly before Dynasty walked away. I wanted everything to be perfect, so I walked every inch of the football field one last time. It was my baby’s thirty-first birthday, and I wanted to do something for him that he’d remember forever.Since he was so playful and active, I had the idea to do an adult field day.

We’d spend the day doing different games and races. There were several food truck vendors. I even had a DJ and a few local artists from Jasper Lane, Rose Valley Hills, and Memphis to perform. I couldn’t wait to see Dali’s reaction to what I’d done for him. Dynasty and Kennessy kept telling me it was a bomb idea, but I wouldn’t be able to rest my mind until he was actually here.

As I said I would, I checked on everything one last time before giving the DJ a thumbs up to get started. I checked on our parents and made sure they were good before finding Mona. I didn’t trust anyone else to be the bartender since I didn’t plan on doing it myself. Just because I didn’t plan on doing it, I knew I’d end up right beside her making drinks as much as I could.

“Wassup with you and Germany?” I asked, pouring myself a shot of vodka, thankful it wasn’t hot even though it was the middle of the afternoon.

“Wow, that was random.”

She chuckled and avoided my eyes as she set her flavored syrups up on the end of the table.

“Maybe, but I’ve been wanting to ask ever since he came to see you at the bar three nights ago. Are y’all dating? Fucking? Has he mentioned anything about Twila and the baby?”

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