Page 141 of Deuce

He looked at me with a frown. Maceo stepped off to the side, not wanting to get involved. I stood firm in my stance. I meant that shit. I loved my father, but behind Stephanie Larkins, I would go toe to toe with any nigga.

“What’s up?” I asked. “You hearing me?”

He chuckled. “I hear you, son.”

“Good. She’s coming today and I don’t want any shit, especially not out of Maddie. I’m not jumping in if my mama has to beat her ass.”

“Maddie won’t be a problem. Her beef is with me. She knows her place.”

I shook my head. The front door opened and in walked my baby, our mothers, and Shar. My mama walked over to hug me and Maceo. She glanced at my father who was staring at the ring on her finger.

“Senior.”

“Steph.”

He stood off to the side awkwardly as the rest of the ladies approached us. I greeted Mrs. Navarro and Shar before my eyes scanned my baby from head to toe. She was wore this pink, off shoulder dress that hugged her curves and matching pink heels. The legs I loved drape across my shoulders were glistening with the oil she used faithfully. She’d taken her braids down and was rocking a fresh blow out. Damns she looked good.

She smiled as she made her way into my arms and tilted her head for a kiss.

“Hey, baby,” she said softly.

“Hey, love.”

“I love how you two act like you didn’t leave the same house this morning,” Shar said, giggling.

“Whatever. How are you, Ms. Karen?”

She sighed softly as she looked around. “I’m okay. It’s just a little weird being back here. Iman used to bring me to Sunday dinner back in the day. I never thought I’d step foot back in here without him.”

“Well, Grams said you’re always welcomed.”

She smiled. “I always loved your grandmother. How are you, Stanley? It’s been a long time.”

My father nodded. “It has. I’m good. Seeing you makes me realize how crazy it is that our children ended up together. You and Iman did a beautiful job raising Salima.”

Salima blushed and so did her mother.

“Thank you.”

My father clasped his hands together. “Well, I guess we should go grab a seat in the dining hall.”

He motioned for us to follow him. While everyone took his lead, I held Salima back for a moment.

“How are you feeling about our reveal?” I asked.

“I’m nervous, but excited. I just want us all to be a big happy family.”

“We ain’t on no Brady Bunch shit, but we’ll be fine. You think your mom’s gonna be okay?”

“She will. On the way over, she told me all about the times she used to come here with my father. For a second, I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to bring her. I didn’t want to stir up too many memories of my father. She insisted she would be okay, though.”

“I mean, from the way Grams talked about the two of them, she was here quite alot. The family knows her and she knows them. It’s just a matter of getting reacquainted.”

“True. I’m starving.”

“I fed you breakfast, woman.”

“You also fed me dick afterward. I worked all of that off.”

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