Page 100 of River & Crown
"You ever have birthday parties growing up?"
"Where did that come from?" She paused her show, then turned so that she was facing me as I looked down at her.
"Just wondering, for when your birthday comes around, I'll know how you want to celebrate."
"I never put much thought into it. My mom used to throw me parties when I was younger, but as I got older, I just did whatever with whoever I was... um dating."
I wasn't going to mention it, but I caught the discomfort in her face.
"Damn, so you don't do nothing special for your birthday?" I asked just to clarify.
"Chosyn and I usually do a brunch, but other than that, nope. Did you celebrate your birthday growing up?"
"Yeah, my moms did it up crazy for me growing up. After she passed, and I went to live in Gravehart Homes, I didn't celebrate much. A nigga was focused on trying to survive. Then I met Gigi, and she always made sure Honor, Wolfe, and I had a birthday dinner and we picked the menu, and she'll bake a cake. It was nothing fancy, but I appreciated it."
"Sounds nice. I love that y'all still do family dinners."
"Yeah. Family is big for us. You already know how shit happened with Wolfe's family. My shit is similar. Pops was insecure as fuck. I didn't realize it then."
"How could you? You were just a kid, and your mom wanted to protect you from that."
This was a weird ass time for me to smile but Four remembering what I told her about my parents meant something to me.
"Boy, why are you smiling?"
"Cause you don't understand what you do to a nigga."
"What are you talking about, Crown?" She giggled.
"I'm saying you're the one for me, and I don't think you realize how much I need you in my life."
"Crown, you don't need me."
"Nah, I do."
"Crown—"
"I said what I said, Four. Go back to watching your show and chill on me."
She gave me one last look, then turned so that she was facing the TV. I went back to massaging her scalp and closed my eyes. Being at peace with Four in this way scared the fuck out of me. The sins of the father were known to trickle down totheir sons, and the last thing I wanted was to end up hurting Four the same way my pops hurt my mom.
"Okay, so this is what I've been working on since you first got in touch with me," Jax said, spreading out images of the party set up on the conference table for Honor, Wolfe, and me to see.
"Y'all might think it's a little corny, but I'm thinking the theme can be Fast Hearts & Open Roads."
We all stared at Jax blankly, causing her to let out a light chuckle. Jax has been the event planner at Grove Towers since Honor opened it. She stayed on her job and hadn't failed us yet, but this fast heart, open road concept was sounding lame as fuck.
"Jax this the best your ass could come up with? What happened to doing a Fast & The Furious Flip like I asked?" I quizzed.
"What did you want me to name it? Pulse & Pavement?"
"I don't fucking know but Fast Hearts & Open Roads is ass," I told her.
"Well, what youthinkdoesn't matter. I ran the idea by Chosyn, and she loves it."
"How you gon' run some shit by Chosyn when she's not the one paying you?" I frowned.
"She's her best friend." Jax shrugged.
