Page 20 of Can I?

“Hell yeah. That’s where all the flavor is! Whew! I’m gon’ have to educate you, Ferris. You missing out.”

I slowly shook my head. “Naw, that’s alright. I’ll stick to my citified ways, and y’all can have that country shit.”

They laughed at my disgust, but I didn’t care. Now, I would most definitely watch her wrap her lips around a chicken bone and suck it. My thoughts were already taking me on a journey that would manifest in just a minute if I allowed my mind to run free. I cleared my throat and ordered a drink when the waitress approached.

Once she left, her cousin who was seated next to Asad said, “I’m Maui. Those rowdy ass twins you met at the other rodeo are my older sisters.”

I chuckled. “Nice to meet you. Where y’all left them at?”

“They went back to school. They’re in medical school.”

“That’s what’s up. I hope one gives my cousin a chance. He likes one of them. I just don’t know which one.”

“Noni. She’s stubborn. She said as long as she’s in school, she ain’t got time to be entertaining a nigga.” She chuckled. “She’s stubborn like her father.”

Nearly everyone at the table rolled their eyes, but Milana lowered her head. I was willing to bet he was the tall guy that went outside after her at the diner that day. Maui reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “I’m working on him, boo. I think he’s there. So don’t be surprised if he approaches you when we get back.”

Milana nodded, and I slid my arm around her waist. When she leaned into me, I knew that I needed alone time with her. I didn’t know what was truly plaguing her or what she had done that disgusted everyone so much, but I knew that I wanted to love her through it. Whatever it was. Apparently, it had a positive effect on her. It could have possibly made her grow up, glow up, and rise up. I wanted to believe that it made her a better person, no matter how recent it was.

I was ready to get to know who she was now, not who she was then. We all fucked up sometimes. I leaned over and kissed her head. I couldn’t help myself. She turned and stared into my eyes, then lightly pecked my lips. I wanted to go all the fucking way after that. Her lips were even softer than they looked. I supposed after her giving me just that little bit, I would end up being like Asad. She could use me until she used me the fuck up.

CHAPTER NINE

MILANA

When I walked inside the diner, Aunt Chrissy smiled big. I’d worn my championship belt to show them what I had accomplished this weekend.

“Congratulations, baby!”

She stepped from around the counter and hugged me tightly. Aunt Jen joined us and congratulated me as well. My aunts were always so loving and forgiving. I loved the two of them. They truly represented God’s grace, mercy, and love. While I had witnessed them being angry, it never lasted too long. They were able to find their way out of their feelings and resort to who they were at heart. I loved that about them, and I wanted to be like that too.

I noticed Uncle WJ sitting in a far corner talking to Nesha, Jakari, Rylan, Aunt Chas, and Uncle Philly, so I assumed they were having some kind of business meeting. As Aunt Jen fixed my pasta, Uncle Marcus walked in and went straight to the table with them. I needed to make my way to his house to check on Ace. We had yet to talk about everything that happened. All my free time had gone to hell in a handbasket, because I was missing my mama. Now that that was back on track, I needed to get back on track as well.

I had to check on Karima as well. She was due to deliver her baby next month, along with Cassie and Mekayla. Babies were popping out all over the place. That alone had caused me to make an appointment with my gynecologist to get birth control pills. I wasn’t fucking around like that, and when I did, I was sure to use condoms, but I needed to have extra protection. If a nigga did to me what Rhodes did to Karima, I would probably kill his ass.

After getting my pasta, I made my way to a table on the opposite side of the diner and quietly watched them talk. Whatever they were talking about must have been heavy, because they didn’t even see me. Within minutes, my mama, Uncle Kenny, and Uncle Jasper walked in, and Uncle Storm wasn’t far behind them. He glanced my direction, so I knew he saw me. That nigga didn’t miss a thing.

I continued eating as my phone chimed. Maui and Ashanni were supposed to be meeting me here, but they had yet to arrive. I wasn’t sure what was taking them so long. Even the guys were supposed to be here too. When the bell chimed, I saw a woman walk in. She seemed to be looking for someone. Her eyes landed on mine, and she smiled slightly and headed in my direction.

I frowned somewhat, because I didn’t have a clue who she was, although she looked vaguely familiar. When she got close, the smile fell from her lips, and she grabbed me by the hair, pulling me from my seat. That shit hurt like hell, and it caught me so off guard, I couldn’t recover before she started landing blows to my face. “You stupid bitch! My brothers are gone because of you!”

I was in the fetal position, trying to block her blows until someone pulled her off me. “I don’t know what the fuck you think this is, but I suggest you reevaluate that shit.”

Uncle Storm’s frown was deep, and he had that woman by her neck as my mama helped me from the floor. Once she’d seen I was okay, Uncle Storm said, “Tiff, come get you some.”

My mama two-pieced that woman so hard, she knocked out one of her teeth. “Bring yo’ ass back to Nome again, and you won’t walk out this bitch. I don’t know who you are, and frankly, I don’t give a fuck. You will end up on your fucking back just like the ones that came before you. Get the fuck outta here while you can, bitch.”

I was breathing hard as I watched everything unfold. She was Julius and Malik’s sister. I’d only met her once, so I didn’t recognize her. She walked out of the diner holding her mouth but made sure to take the time to scowl at me. This wasn’t over, and I’d be a fool to go anywhere alone after this.

My mama came to me and bent over, picking up one of my braids from the floor. She ripped that shit clean out of my scalp. I sat at the table and put my face in my hands. I couldn’t believe this was happening. I thought it was funny that I hadn’t at least heard from Ms. Nita, Julius’s mom. Her messy ass started this shit. I wished she would have just told me what was going on or sent a picture or some shit instead of calling me to the house. She’d put her son in danger, because I wanted to kill himthen.

“You okay?”

I nodded. When she was about to sit, Uncle Storm blocked her. She stared up at him as he stared at me. When my mama walked away, my nerves took over. He sat in front of me. “The only person that can fuck you up right now is me or your parents. I ain’t finna let nobody else have that pleasure.”

I took a deep breath and allowed a couple of tears to fall. “I’m so sorry, Uncle Mayor.”

“Look at me.”

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