Page 37 of Verse Two
I sat back down and looked toward the patio myself. “Dy ran into her the day before yesterday. She was quick to tell her that we were together.”
My dad covered the last aluminum tin with foil then came to join us on the lawn chairs. He was wearing a scowl, and I was sure it was because of our conversation. He had never been rude to LaShontae, but he made it clear years ago that he didn’t believe she was with me for the right reasons. Needless to say, that turned out to be true.
“Baby girl didn’t believe that, did she?”
I ran a hand over my head. “I fucked up, I ain’t gon’ lie. I kinda implied that I hadn’t been with LaShontae since high school when I ran into Dy.”
“The hell you do that for?” Pops asked.
I gave them a condensed version of our reunion and how I thought telling her about LaShontae would ruin the vibe.
“But it’s all good, though. I’m locked in wit’ my Doll. LaShontae is just noise now.”
They both looked at me for a minute, until a slow smile spread across Marc’s face, and my father let out a whistle.
“I’ve been waiting years to hear you say that, homie. It’s ’bout time.”
“I know that’s right. Dylan is a good girl, and I’m glad you’ve found each other again. I’m proud of ya, son.”
I smirked. “’Preciate that.”
Just then, my woman slid the door open and emerged from the house, carrying plates.
“I saw these on the counter,” she said, holding them up.
“’Preciate that, sweetheart. Lemme make your plate,” my father said, standing, but Dy shook her head and frowned.
“No, sir. You’ve been cooking all afternoon. The least I can do is make your plate.”
She and my father fussed about who was catering to whom for all of thirty seconds, before Dy took the W. She insisted on making plates for each of us, and so, as she headed over to the food, I admired her, feeling more at peace for the first time in a minute.
And Dy was right at the center of it.
Twelve
Dy
Ring. Ring. Ring.
I grabbed my phone off the table and laughed when I realized it was Wilder calling.
I answered the video call, then turned my phone’s screen toward her parents.
“Looks like somebody is jealous that I’m spending time with you guys,” I said with a smirk.
Wilde’s parent and I had just finished our clinch atMelon, and I had thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. Once my best friend and I found each other, we became joined at the hip. That meant at least three sleepovers a week at either of our houses. Her parents became mine and mine hers, so it was only right that I spent time with them anytime I came home.
Mrs. Rhodes laughed. “You know she’s spoiled, chile.”
“Get off my daughter, nie. Hey, baby girl,” Mr. Rhodes said, smiling at my phone screen.
In the innocent tone that she saved just for her father, Wilde said, “Thank you, Daddy. Since your wife and my best friend are being mean, I’ll just talk to you.”
I turned the phone toward me and stuck my tongue out. “Girl, bye. You called too late. We’re on the way out.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
We all stood, and I gave each of her parents hugs and kisses, then allowed my brat of a best friend to talk to them for a minute. I had driven my mother’s car to the restaurant, and I had to use the restroom, so I headed for the back of the building while her parents headed out of the front door.
