Page 70 of Deuce

A smile broke out on her face. “I can’t wait to meet her! Bring her over early for breakfast.”

“Mama, you doing the most.”

“You heard what I said. Now come on and let’s find us a seat. I want to know all about this mysterious woman.”

She grabbed my hand and drug me around until we found a spot which happened to be next to my father, Maddie, my siblings, and my Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Blake. I groaned internally as she rounded the table to hug and kiss my brothers and sisters. I knew these muthafuckas were gonna be on my ass if she started asking questions about Salima in front of them. Maceo was itching to tell some shit.

“Hey, Steph,” my father spoke as she seated herself.

My mother was dry in her response. “Hey, Senior.”

“You look good.”

Was this nigga flirting?

My mother smirked. “I know. Hey, Maddie.”

Maddie put on a fake smile. “Stephanie. How nice of you to join us.”

“You say that like I’m not here every Sunday.”

“I was referring to our table. You never sit here.”

My mama cocked her head to the side. “Is there a problem with me sitting here, Maddie?”

“Ain’t no problem at all,” my father spoke, looking at Maddie. “Is there?”

She rolled her eyes and folded her arms. I shook my head. Pops definitely still wanted my mama, and he couldn’t hide that shit. As hard as he was, women were his weakness. Jaeda, Kerrion, Maceo, and Devin’s mothers only showed up for holiday dinners or special events. My mama came whenever she felt like it. The rest of the family loved her and treated her like blood.

Jaeda cleared her throat and tried to break the tension.

“You are wearing that dress, Ma,” she complimented.

“Thank you, baby. I have a coffee date when I leave here.”

“With who!”

That was the sound of me and my brothers wanting to know who we needed to fuck up cause who did she think she was going on a date with? My mother looked around at the four of us.

“None of y’alls business. I am grown.”

I frowned. “Jaeda, go pull up her phone records and see who she’s been talking to.”

“I will not!” my sister exclaimed. “Y’all don’t need to know everybody’s moves. Mama Steph, I hope you have fun on your date.”

“Bullshit,” I spat. “How are you going on a date with a nigga I haven’t met, Ma?”

“The same way you’re about to have me spending tomorrow with some girl I only heard about five minutes ago, Stanley.”

Maceo smirked. “Oh, you told he about Salima? Did he tell you how he’s been acting over her?”

“You run your mouth too damn much,” I shot at him.

My mother giggled. “I take it you like this girl more than you’re letting on.”

My siblings all looked at me with smirks on their faces. They were eating this shit up.

“Tell her how much you like her, Deuce,” Maceo encouraged. “I mean, weallsaw it.”

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