Page 6 of Memphis

“She knows evil when she sees it,” Lilith’s stupid ass husband, Ray, offered as he stepped into the kitchen with Blaze, their oldest daughter. I couldn’t stand his ass.

The feeling was mutual.

“Then I know shestayhiding from you,” I shot back. “Shiddd, she probably already tryna move out.”

“She’s one, Memphis,” Lilith reminded me.

“Exactly,” I replied. “Anyway, what did you and Beelzebub bring, Lilith?”

Ray scowled at me. So did Blaze, as always. That girl scowled at everyone. You know, apple…tree.

“We brought a lemon blueberry cheesecake and some barbecue meatballs,” Lilith stated.

“Oh, really? You cooked?” Candy chirped. Shit, I’d almost forgotten she was there.

“Girl, no. They got a cook,” I shared. “Wait, where’s Umber?”

The doorbell rang, and Candy said, “I bet that’s her! Let me get the door,” and flew out of the kitchen.

“I like how you just assumed I didn’t cook the food,” Lilith mumbled.

With lifted eyebrows, I asked, “Did I lie, though?”

“Girl, fuck you,” Lilith muttered, making me laugh.

“Um, Umber is here, and so is your friend, Memphis!” Candy trilled.

Frowning, I looked up to see my baby sister entering the spacious kitchen carrying a crockpot, and behind her was the asshole, Bo.

4

Ihave GOT to be hallucinating.

I know this motherfucker is NOT standing in my father’s house, in his kitchen.

I know good and hell well this nigga did not follow me here and have the audacity to seek entry.

I know the-fuck he didn’t have a smirk on his evil-ass face.

Son. Of. A. Fucking. Bitch!

I was so caught up in my thoughts that I initially didn’t notice the silence in the room or that all eyes were on me. Ray’s were narrowed as they volleyed between me and Bo. I knew he’d never actually seen Bo’s face, but he’d been around him; meaning, he was familiar with the goosebumps that usually populated one’s flesh when in this man’s vicinity.

“Uh…what are you doing here?” I addressed Bo, trying to keep my cool and not scream at his crazy ass.

“You didn’t come home. I was worried,” he replied.

I didn’t look at my family but could imagine them gawking in concert.

I cleared my throat, lifting from my seat at the table. “Uh, let’s speak outside,” I said, placing a hand on his arm.

His eyes snapped down to my hand before lifting to lock with mine. “Whatever you want, baby.”

Without bothering to explain anything to my family, I led him back in the direction he’d come from and out into the front yard. The front door had barely clicked shut when I lit into him.

My voice was low but dripping with venom as I spoke. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? That’s my fucking family in there. They are off limits to you, and you know it! This shit isn’t part of the deal!” I was in his face, so close that his cologne was assaulting me.

“You didn’t come home, King,” he bit out. “You haven’t been home in weeks. I haven’t fucking seen you since The Royale!”

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