Page 68 of Maceo

I watched as Maceo paced back and forth. I could tell he was in his head and his feelings about this shit. I was certain worry filled him, not knowing the fate of his family.

“This is all my fault,” he said. “If I’d just… fuck, man!”

Jaeda stood and went to hug him. She whispered softly in his ear in a language I couldn’t understand. He simply nodded as he pulled away.

“If anything happens to me—” he started, but she cut him off.

“Don’t start that shit, Maceo.”

“Nah, Jae. Real shit. If anything happens to me, you gotta know I love you, sis. I know I fuck with you and tease you, but I just be bullshitting. I admire the fuck outta you, Jaeda. You’re the smartest person I know. You’re kind, and you’re just good people. I need you to see your worth and stop that insecure shit. You’re beautiful, and any man would be lucky to have you. Even if I’m not here to see it, I know you’re gonna find a nigga that’s worthy of you.”

“Let me stop you right there. When I find a man, or a man finds me, you’re gonna be here, along with the rest of my annoying ass brothers, to harass and threaten him. When I declare war on the rest of them niggas, you’re gonna feel my wrath too. Don’t even get it in your head that you won’t be around. I don’t accept that. We’ll get through this like we get through everything. Together.”

She hugged him once more before ushering us out of her office. She promised she would get back to us, as soon as she could, with more information. There was nothing else we could do at this point but wait.

Back at our house, we sat downstairs in silence. Maceo was spread out on the couch while I lay on top of him with my armswrapped around his body. My head rested on his chest, and I could hear the rapid beating of his heart.

“Baby,” I said softly.

“Hmm?”

“Are you scared?”

“Not for myself. I knew what this life was and the dangers a long time ago. I just never thought I’d be the one to bring it to my family. I’m afraid for you. Shar… if anything ever happened to you… I couldn’t live with myself.”

I lifted my head and peered down at him. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”

“Not if I can help it.”

He cupped my face and kissed me softly. For a moment, he stared at me like he was trying to commit my face to memory. He smiled faintly.

“You remember the first time we said I love you?”

I giggled. “I do.”

We’d been officially dating for a couple of months. It was my birthday, and I always celebrated with my family first before going out that night. I told my father instead of gifts, I wanted a huge block party, and, of course, he made it happen. He and Maceo got together and threw the best birthday bash I’d ever had. There was a total of five grills going, with my father, Mr. Dillinger, Maceo, his uncle Blake, and Mr. Aaron throwing down.

There was a DJ. Granny Dillinger, my mama, Aunt Karen, and Ms. Maddie made a shit load of sweets. Smoke and Steele came through with the liquor and drinks by the caseloads. The whole party was a vibe. The streets were flooded with people I’d known my entire life, just showing me love on my special day. We’d been at it for hours, and just as the sun was starting to set, Maceo grabbed the mic from the DJ booth.

“Aye! Y’all quiet down!” he yelled. The crowd hushed to a low whisper. “Today is my lady’s birthday. Y’all give it up for Sharina, over there looking fine as a muthaf?—”

“Maceo!” his mother and Ms. Stephanie yelled.

He chuckled. “As you can see, even at my big age, I still get yelled at by my mamas. I guess I’ll keep it clean. Come on over here, baby.”

I wore the brightest smile as I made my way over to him. As soon as I reached him, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me, garnering whistles and cheers from the crowd.

“I know you said you didn’t want anything but a big ass party, but I couldn’t let the day go by with you not getting at least one gift from your man.”

He motioned for the crowd to move, and when the sea of people parted, in came Deuce driving a brand-new 2024 black-on-black Lincoln Nautilus with a big ass red bow on the hood. I screamed and jumped up and down. I’d been in love with this car for so long, but I’d never said anything to him about it. It was literally the car from my Pinterest mood board… which I hadn’t shown him either.

“I can’t believe you!” I screamed, jumping on him.

He chuckled. “Happy Birthday, baby. Go take a look.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice. I grabbed his hand and ran over to the car, damn near yanking Deuce’s ass out. As soon as my ass hit the seat, I was in tears. This was a beautiful car. Fully loaded with my name stitched in the driver’s headrest. When I looked in the back, there was nothing but designer bags and boxes from the back seat to the trunk.

“Maceo…” I whined, looking around. “This is too much.”

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