Page 72 of Real's Love

"I know we had a fight, baby, but you still mad?" I asked, brushing my thumb over her cheek.

The Academy should have my Oscar ready, all this damn acting. She frowned at me. "Real?—"

I leaned closer to her ear.

"Unless you want your grandmother to find out what kinda relationships you really been having, I suggest you shut the fuck up," I whispered before pulling back and giving her another smile, masking my anger.

Her eyes spit fire at me, but her lips stayed shut.

"See? Y'all quit saying stuff like that. Obviously, she was just waiting for the right one, huh, Love? I'm so happy for you!" her grandmother said, beaming.

"He shol' look like the right one," herAunt Cynt murmured.

"Ma, please!" one of the other women groaned.

"What? You and your sister want me to be blind so bad!" Cynt snapped back. "He looking like a tall, cold glass of chocolate milk on this hot ass day."

"What, like he'll spoil on your stomach?" Emory asked dryly.

Shorty was not feeling me at all. But I wasn't here for her.

"We need to talk."

Ev's eyes narrowed on my face after my announcement. She cleared her throat and came up with some kind of fake ass, half-hearted smile.

"I'll walk you to your car so we can?—"

"I'm not leaving right now," I cut her off. "There needs to be some explanation."

She sighed. "I know you came a long way, but I'm about to be really busy?—"

"Love! Don't be rude. And don't be stubborn, either. Let him apologize. Listen to what he has to say," her grandmother encouraged.

"Yeah,Love, that's all I ask," I said, deciding I preferred her middle name like her grandmother obviously did.

It was what I'd called her most, anyway.

"He definitely has things to say," another woman with locs and an assortment of piercings added, her gaze colliding with mine.

"Take him to the room you slept in. I bet not hear you being fast in my house, either," her grandmother instructed.

"Granny!" All of them exclaimed.

"Lead the way, Love," I taunted.

She clenched her jaw but didn't say a word as she turned and headed for the stairs. I looked at Targen, but his attention was stuck elsewhere, surprising the hell out of me.

"Just holler if you need me or my baby, Poppy," her aunt said. "FYI, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Boyfriend, all my girls are named after flowers. Hyacinth, Calanthe, and Poppy. Poppy's my Glock and she and I will definitely pop it off," she warned.

I heard the other women agreeing as Ev...Lovemuttered, "Oh, my God," and kept climbing. Shit was funny to me.

I forgot humor as I focused on the sight in front of me. Her plump ass bounced with her quick steps, barely held in by those little ass shorts. I wanted to burn them bitches even as I appreciated the view of her thick legs. She turned left at the landing, and I followed her into a large, bright room with big windows that let in the sun, filled with solid oak furniture, including an unmade queen bed. I looked at her. Her bed wasalwaysmade. I really didn't know this girl and that pissed me off again.

"Montréal, I'm really not sure why?—"

I didn't want to hear that shit. I closed the door then grabbed her, turning around, and walking her until her back was against the wall. She shrieked in protest, but I didn't care. I circled my hand around her neck and squeezed lightly.

"You working for somebody?" I asked.

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