Page 52 of Jaeda

“But you did something.”

I sat up. “Mom, this is awkward.”

“Sugar, you’re grown. We can talk about sex, especially since you’re a virgin . . . well, half a virgin now.”

I covered my face and groaned, causing her to laugh.

“Don’t be ashamed now! I’m sure you weren’t ashamed last night, and neither was that young man. You didn’t feel pressured, did you?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Good. He seems like a nice, respectable young man. You should invite him for dinner on Sunday.”

“I’d much rather have him for dinner here than at Dad’s. Mommy, they are so embarrassing! If Quaid was a punk, they would have run than man off.”

She giggled. “I’m glad he’s no pushover. Your brothers can be a bit much, my son included. They love you, though.”

“I love them too, Ma, but damn. What if I acted the way they do with Salima, Shar, or Romi? They would have my head.”

“It’s not in you to be mean, baby. Now Mia, . . . that’s a different story.”

I shook my head, remembering how Mia and Salima got into it when we first met her. I was a big fan of communication whilemy sister went off her feelings, and most times, that could be dangerous.

The front door opened, and we heard heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. No doubt it was my stepfather. He popped into the bedroom with a smile on his face and a corner store bag in his hand.

“Hey, baby,” he said, coming to hug and kiss my mother.

“Hey, my love.” My mom smiled as she rolled over and took the bag from his hands. “Thank you, baby.”

“You’re welcome.”

He dropped to his knees on the floor and started rubbing and kissing her stomach. I loved the way he always loved on her, especially when she was pregnant.

“How is daddy’s baby?” he asked, resting his head on her stomach.

“She’s good. That nap was lovely before your daughter here tried to sneak in.”

Hershel chuckled. “You know your mama has those bionic ears, Jae.”

“Oh, I know. Remember all those times my brothers tried to sneak in and out when we were growing up? She always caught them.”

“And they never learned,” my mother added.

“They still haven’t learned.” I flung myself back in the bed. “Ugh. I just know they’re at my house.”

My mother touched my arm. “You gotta face them sometime, baby.”

“The time isn’t now. I feel like I have six fathers instead of two. Hershel, thank you for being the only sane one.”

He chuckled. “I’m sane, but if push comes to shove, I’ll get active about my wife and kids.”

I always heard it was the quiet ones you had to look out for, mostly because I was the quiet one. Hershel barely had to raise his voice, but I suspected he would go apeshit if he had to.

I stayed with my mom and stepdad long enough to finish helping Jaiden with his project, before I left and made my way back to the compound. It was too damn quiet when I pulled through the gates. I mean, I wasn’t expecting a riot or anything. I just got this feeling. The feeling was confirmed when I pulled into my driveway and the fucking calvary was sitting there waiting on me.

My brothers, father, and a few of my cousins were congregating around my front porch. I sighed as I shut off the car and got out. I was going to nip this shit in the ass right now.

As soon as Deuce opened his mouth to speak, I held up a hand.

---