Page 77 of Love me Like XO

He chuckled and helped me up to the house where my grandmother held the door open, expecting us.

“My baby.” She smiled hard as hell ushering me over to the couch that she never let anyone sit on when we were children.

Once I was seated comfortably, with a pillow at my back and on my lap, I looked around before my eyes landed on Big Mama then Zero. “This smells like a set up, and I swear if it is one I’m not tal?—”

“Oh hush girl. This ain’t no damn set up. How you feel is valid and ain’t nobody in here undermining that. And I’ll have you know your sister is no longer welcome in my house. Her attitude is one thing, but having a part in what happen to you crossed the line.”

I looked up at Big Mama, confused. She spoke a good game, but I still didn’t trust her old ass. “Then why am I here?”

“Because I wanted to see you and to let you know the next time your narrow ass sends my call to voicemail I’ma send yo’ ass back to that fucking hospital.” Then she thumped my forehead. She walked out of the room, tossing over her shoulder that my siblings would be here soon. I guess this was her making up for the last few Sunday dinners I’d missed on a damn Thursday. As long as there was food she could count me in.

Of course my baby daddy laughed, then took a seat next to me. “I figured you needed the time out of the crib. Some air.”

I held one of my chicken tenders out for him to bite, watching his sexy ass lean forward and bite it keeping his eyes on mine. “I love you something serious, baby boy.” I couldn’t help the honesty that spilled from my tongue while our eyes were locked on one another.

“And that’s how you you’re sitting up here swollen now and baby boy over there is no—” Ree’s voice filled the space.

“Yo, Malik come get shorty. I’on wanna say nun and have problems with lil’ volatile in here,” Zero joked causing Ree to toss a pillow at him.

“Asshole.”

I laughed, watching their exchange. Then it wasn’t long before my brother joined in, but the person who walked in the door behind him was who threw me for a loop. The moment my eyes landed on Zarali a smirk crossed my face. For a nigga who wasn’t looking for a relationship it seemed like one to me. Bringing a female to meet the family was definitely a relationship type of move. I locked eyes with Ree as he ushered her into the back to speak to Big Mama after they greeted us.

“Twenty says he fucks up by December.” Ree looked at me.

“Nah, I have faith in him this time. He knows what it’s like to lose her.” I maneuvered my body enough so I could lean my head and some of my upper half on Zero. Just that fast socializing and eating had drained me.

“You think?” she asked.

I nodded, before laying back.

“Ate and now you got the fucking itis,” Zero spoke in my ear.

“Yeah, I do. But I’ll probably go lay in Big Mama’s bed since you’re about to ditch me,” I spoke only loud enough for him to hear while keeping my eyes on the room.

“How do you know I’m finna leave?”

“I saw you and Malik’s exchange when he and my sister first walked in. I don’t want to spend a night here, Zero. So hurry u?—”

“We ain’t gonna be long. Promise.” His lips were on my face again, and his hand found my belly. Though it wasn’t as big as it would get, it was still very visible.

“Okay.” I sat up and allowed him to stand from behind me. At the same time he was getting up so was Malik, but unlike memy sister was mugging the fuck out of him which I found to be funny. Ree had never been as connected to anybody as she was with Malik. I wouldn’t say it to her just yet, but love was funny that way. It had a way of making you do some crazy ass things.

“You beather up in the back of the shop, Ree?” I asked holding my stomach to stop from laughing while my sister told me and Zarali about her getting arrested.

“Hell yeah, I had to. I had to send a message to every other bitch he messed with before me. That weird wasting my time and pulling up on me shit ain’t safe at all.”

Zarali shook her head. “And she called the police?”

“Yes, bitch said I assaulted her. Then had the nerve to press charges. All I did was deck her a few times and warn her.” Ree shrugged like she hadn’t done much.

“I cannot believe your crazy ass.” I shook my head knowing I was lying. I knew my sister like the back of my hand and one thing for sure this bitch could and would scrap when provoked. As a matter-of-fact Ree didn’t have to be provoked because she was with and for anything.

“See, that’s that shit. Violent ass.” Irish walked in the room with his face turned up.

Ree waved him off. “Not the poi?—”

“So, we’re having a family get together and nobody invited the old man?” my father’s voice filled the space before I saw him. My eyes rolled to the ceiling before I could control them, because he looked directly at me. That is before Zero’s auntie greeted my siblings and made her way to me. She was sweet and had nothing to do with my irritation with my father, so mynot wanting to be botheredattitude didn’t extend to her.

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