Page 96 of Jaeda

“That’s nasty, Papa Devin,” Korri said, frowning. “Their throw up stinks as bad as the poopy diapers.” She turned to me. “Auntie Jaeda? Is Mr. Quaid gonna be our new uncle?”

Quaid grinned. “Eventually, baby girl.”

“We gon’ see about that,” Smoke said, rocking Serena.

“Bite me, Devin,” I shot back. “Mr. Quaid likes Legos too, Korri.”

Her eyes widened. She grabbed his hand and insisted he let her show him her collection before we left the house. It was adorable watching him interact with her and Juri. When I introduced him to Darlyn, she had the same instant reaction as Juri. So much so that she opted to ride with us to the house instead of her parents.

She talked his head off the whole ride, pointing out every aspect of her outfit. Juri didn’t like to share the attention, so she tried to pop Darlyn in the head. Quaid was gentle in correcting her, and she apologized by giving Darlyn a kiss on the cheek.

My ovaries were screaming.

When we entered through the back gate, my father was in the middle of the dance floor, beer in one hand, blunt in the other, rapping along to “Quiet Storm Remix” by Mobb Deep and Lil’ Kim.

“That’s my shit,” Maceo declared, bouncing his shoulders. “Jae, hold Marino right quick.”

He thrust my nephew into my arms and grabbed Shar’s arm and headed out to the dance floor with our father. Daddy passed him the blunt after giving him and Shar a hug. The three of them were lit all by themselves. Marino giggled in my arms.

“You see your silly ass parents, nephew?” Deuce said, pinching his chubby cheeks.

When Shar hit that Lil’ Kim dance, we all lost it. Once the grandmas came to collect the kids, we all ventured out onto the dance floor with my father. The DJ dropped the beat to “What You Want” by Mase and Total, and Maddie joined my father for a dance.

I’d gained so much confidence since being with Quaid. He made me feel good about myself and own my sexiness, no matter the time or space. Where I was once too shy to dance, I was out here right now, shaking my hips and grinding my ass on him to the beat of the song.

We kept it slightly tasteful in front of my brothers and father, because I could feel their eyes on us. That didn’t go for Mia and Titan. They thought they were at Freaknik. She’d come back to town to celebrate and brought him along with her.

Sis was dressed in a tank top, cut off shorts with the word “HOOCHIE” painted on the back, tube socks, and sneakers. Her hair was wrapped and held in place with a bunch of clips. A plethora of gold jewelry including chains, rings, bracelets, and the signature bamboo earrings accessorized her outfit, along with long curved nails, a gold tooth, and a fanny pack.

When the DJ dropped “Down For My Niggas” by C-Murder, my uncles and their sons hopped on the dance floor, drinks and blunts in the air, rapping along. Quaid and Titan were right in the mix, laughing, slapping hands, and doing this handshake I’d seen them do a few times.

“Not your man fitting in with the ratchets,” Shar said, laughing as she watched them.

Mia giggled. “You would think he was out there banging with them. This is not the man I pictured when Titan told me about him.”

I blushed. “There are layers to that man. I just . . . I think I love him.”

They all stopped dancing and looked at me with their lips poked out. A round of “awwwws” poured from them as they hugged me.

“I’m so happy for you,” Shar said, kissing my cheek. “I can tell by the way that man looks at you that he loves you too.”

“You think so?” I asked.

The girls looked at each other, then at me. “Um, yes!” they said in unison.

“Girl, you must be blind,” Salima said. “I’d bet money he’s gonna tell you soon.”

I didn’t want to wager on my feelings. I’d never been in love. I’d never had a man profess his love for me. If Quaid uttered those words, I would surely cry. My gaze drifted over to him, and a smile found its way to my face. Did I love him?

He was my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night. I loved sleeping next to him. I loved the peace I felt in his presence. After a long day of working, he was my reward. I spent less time at my house these days, because I loved being with him. My confidence was soaring. I was more comfortable in my skin.

It wasn’t to say that I needed a man for that. My family reminded me of who I was. They showered me with love, but that was what they were supposed to do. This man wasn’t required to give of himself so freely to me. He could have been like any other man that just wanted to fuck me, but he wasn’t. He’d made the effort to get to know me, and, for that, I appreciated him more than he would ever know.

The DJ dropped “U Know What’s Up” by Donell Jones and Left Eye, and my man made his way over to me.

“Excuse me, ladies,” he said, pulling me from my sisters. “I need my girl.”

They all grinned and ushered me into his arms.

---