Page 41 of It's Love I'm After

Nodding, I rub my moist hands up and down my pants to relieve myself of the nervous energy coursing through my body. My pulse is racing, and my temple vein is thumping wildly, causing my stomach to twist into knots. My eyes roam the backyard in search of Caleb, who’s playing with Turquoise’s kids.

“I know y’all didn’t bring this loose-neck biddy to my house,” Nana says, causing me to turn to see Germayne and Grandma Jolene coming through the front door.

“What the hell did you say, you cotton-mouth floozy?” Grandma Jolene asks with her lip curling.

Germayne quickly jumps between our grandmothers, taking several steps toward each other.

Wait, how the hell do they know each other?

“What slithering rock did your wrinkled ass come from Jolene loose-legs Malone?” Nana questions with a deep grimace.

“Say another word and watch me slide that wig, you baldheaded, chlamydia-lingering pussy having whore,” Grandma Jolene returns.

“What the hell is going on here?” Germayne asks.

“Of all the houses in Ribax, how the hell did you allow me to pull up to this tramp’s house, Germayne?” Grandma Jolene asks, shifting her gaze to Germayne, who’s giving her the same puzzling expression I’m positive is on my face.

“Well, beat your dick grabbers out of here, ho.” Nana interjects before Germayne, I, or anyone else in the room can utter a word.

“Gladly. The next time won’t be so friendly, bitch.” With that, Grandma Jolene turns on her heels and exits, leaving everyone momentarily speechless.

Thank goodness Mom’s miserable ass is outside, or this would be fodder for more of her bullshit.

18

GERMAYNE

“Hold up. You mean to tell me that your sweet grandmother was throwing words at your woman’s grandmother like a WWE fighter throws haymakers?” Jarrod asks.

“What’s worse is I’m not sure she won the sparring match. That shit probably embarrassed me more than anything. Like, come on, Jolene. That’s how you’re representing the Malones?” I express, hanging my head.

“Damn. Maybe I need to trade Chardonnay’s freewill pussy ass in for a Thundercat. That might be the sexiest thing I’ve heard in a minute. I wonder if sis’ granny is looking for someone to warm her honey,” Desi adds dreamily.

My head pops up like a genie out of a bottle, and a grimace slides into place while I stare at Desi with hard eyes.

“What is wrong with you, nigga? Clearly, because who pissed in your Wheaties this morning?” Jarrod interjects before I’m able to respond to the madness coming from Desi.

My fuse is low from not being able to speak to Chaniya over the last week or so, thanks to the unexpected feud between our grandmothers. Somehow, their bullshit spilled over into ourrelationship, and Chaniya has been giving me her ass to kiss lately.

“My bad. I’m just getting fed up with playing second fiddle to Chardonnay,” Desi says.

“Second is reaching, my boy.” Jarrod laughs.

Picking up my Corona, I take a healthy drink to drown out the back and forth between Desi and Jarrod. I have bigger fish to fry than Desi not loving himself enough to leave my cousin alone. Setting my empty bottle on the table, I slide my phone from my pocket and send a message to Chaniya.

Me:I don’t like the idea of letting what our grandmothers have going on interfere with us, Cha-Cha. Let’s squash whatever this is between us. I miss your pretty ass.

“I met someone and am considering giving her a shot,” Jarrod says.

A small smile forms because Jarrod has been single since he found out the woman he was dating was a distant cousin. The situation between Jarrod and ole girl became messy because they were already having sex. They only found out when they were having dinner and ran into one of their older relatives. After that failed relationship, Jarrod swore off dating and women, which I can’t say I blame him. Jarrod’s situation is a prime example of why it’s essential to know your family members.

“For real? Did you check her out?” Desi questions with his right brow lifting.

“Did. I’m ready to see what this little infatuation between us can become,” Jarrod confirms.

“How much digging did you do?” I ask, entering this portion of the conversation.

“I had Moms pass her picture around the entire family and had a background check done. I ain’t got time for any moresurprises and shit. That last situation almost had me cutting my dick off,” Jarrod tells us.

---