Page 58 of Maceo

Next to me, Kilow chuckled. “Thirsty much?”

I elbowed him. “Shut up.”

Maceo made his way over to us. He dapped Kilow, then leaned in to kiss my lips.

“Hey, my love.”

“Hey, baby.” I seductively stroked his beard. Leaning in, I whispered in his ear. “Please don’t make me have to come up to that school and show my ass tonight.”

He grinned as he pulled away from me. “I hear you.”

Alec dapped Maceo and Smoke. “Don’t my boys look dapper? You’re already spoken for, Maceo, but Devin, don’t you be out here breaking hearts tonight.”

Smoke smirked. “Nah, more like break a back.”

“Smoke!” I said, punching him in the arm. I motioned to Kilow, who was grinning up a storm.

“My bad, lil’ nigga. Don’t get any ideas. We cool and all, but that’s my sister you’re taking out. Ain’t no sneaking off tonight. I’ll embarrass both of y’all.”

Kilow waved him off. “We’re just there to have fun. Nothing more, nothing less. I would never pressure Deja into anything. I got too much respect for her, man.”

Smoke nodded. “I respect that.”

Maceo chuckled. “He’s gonna stutter too much to pressure her at all.”

Kilow kissed his teeth. “Whatever, man.”

We all shared a laugh as we heard the door upstairs close. The room grew quiet as Ms. Allison came down first, followed by Deja. I smiled as she came into view, looking as beautiful as ever. While the rest of us stood to sing her praises, Kilow remained seated. When I looked down at him, he was staring at her with his mouth open.

“Get up, boy,” I said, grabbing his arm.

He rushed to his feet, and I gave him a little shove forward. For a moment, he stood there staring at her while she looked at him with a nervous smile.

“You look really handsome, Kilow,” she said softly.

“I do… I mean, so do you. I mean, you aren’t handsome ’cause you’re not a boy. I think you’re beautiful… I mean, you look beautiful.” He slapped his forehead and covered his face with his hand. “This is for you,” he said, holding out the corsage.

I bit back a laugh. His rambling was adorable. Deja had him flustered, and all she did was walk in and said five words.

“Thank you. Can you put it on me?”

He nodded. With trembling hands, he opened the flowered container and pulled it out. Nervously, he placed it on her wrist. Ms. Allison handed her the boutonniere that matched her dress, and she pinned it on him. They grinned at each other, seemingly forgetting that we were in the room.

“They are definitely getting married,” I whispered to Maceo.

“Slow your roll there, pimp. It’s just a dance. This is puppy love.”

I giggled. “Puppy love is real to a puppy.”

Ms. Allison clapped her hands. “How about some pictures!”

After going through the same spiel we did with my mother, the kids were finally ready to go. We headed outside to Smoke’stricked-out 1970’s Impala. The kids were excited to get inside. As Mr. Alec and Ms. Allison stood back watching, I walked them to the car. Once they were settled, I leaned into my man.

“Have fun,” I said, cupping his chin. “Don’t embarrass these kids too much.”

“How about not at all,” Deja quipped.

“I can start right now,” Maceo threatened, making Smoke laugh.

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