Page 37 of Jaeda

Pops turned back to me. “Well?”

“You’re acting like your wife.”

He chuckled. “Listen, I had to hear your mama all morning talking about wanting to meet this girl. After you told her about her, she’s convinced you found the one.”

I rolled my eyes. After our coffee date, I told my parents about her. My mom, being a hopeless romantic, said she could see the twinkle in my eyes as I spoke about her. She claimed she’d never seen it with any of my old girlfriends.

“Can I make things official before y’all marry us off?” I asked.

“I’m just saying. You know how your mama gets when she senses something. She’s like a dog with a bone about it.”

“Remind me not to tell y’all nothing else.”

Dad waved us off. “Y’all go eat before that food gets cold.”

We dapped him again before going to find a place to sit down. For a while, we enjoyed the festivities while we ate. My mom and aunts were cutting up on the dance floor. The kids were running amuck. My uncles were throwing back shots and playing a loud ass game of spades. It was only a matter of time before they started arguing and somebody flipped the table.

When he was done eating, Titan went to join them, leaving me by myself. I sat back, enjoying a beer and people watching. Jaeda crossed my mind, and I pulled out my phone to call her on FaceTime. She picked up on the third ring with a big smile on her face.

“Hey, you,” she said cheerfully.

“Hey, beautiful. What’s got you all smiles?”

“My nephew made his grand entrance today.”

She angled the camera so I could see the handsome little guy. Even though I couldn’t stand his demon of a daddy, the little guy was adorable.

“Isn’t he cute!” She cooed, nuzzling him.

“You know he ain’t had a bath yet, right?” I heard her brother say in the background. “All you smelling is my wife’s?—”

“Shut up, Stanley!” came from another woman.

“I’m just saying, Ma.”

Jaeda rolled her eyes. “You see he can’t act right anywhere.”

I chuckled. “I’m not surprised.”

“Jaeda, tell your lil boyfriend to watch his mouth,” Deuce said.

“Boyfriend!” his mother exclaimed. “Let me see him!”

She came into view, and I had to admit she was a fine ass older woman.

“Oooo. Now who is this cutie?”

I smiled, and she did too.

“Auntie, this is Quaid. Quaid, this is my Aunt Stephanie, Deuce’s mom.”

“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,” I said.

“Oh! He has manners. Maybe you can teach my son a thing or two.”

“He can’t teach me shit,” Deuce mumbled loud enough for me to hear.

“Watch your mouth around my grandson, Stanley.”

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