Page 82 of Steel
“Can I have some time with my baby before I have to share her?”
“I guess.” He peered around me at Neha and Dinah. “Which one of them is her mama?”
“You already know what I like, Unc.”
He grinned. “I do. That other one, . . . she single?”
Grams reached out and twisted his nipple. “Take your ass on somewhere. You were just crying about your wife yesterday. That right there is the reason she left you. Go make yourself useful. As a matter of fact, go get me some ice. Maybe that will cool your hot ass off.”
She grabbed his shirt and led him into the house, leaving me in stitches from laughing. I looked back over at my brothers and Pop. They were all standing around Nayelli, counting off money from wads of cash. I shook my head as I walked over to them.
“What are y’all doing?” I asked.
Maceo grinned. “Back pay for all the birthdays, Christmas, and report cards we missed.”
These niggas.
They were just counting off cash like it was nothing. One by one, Nayelli collected the wads of money with a grin on her face.
“Thank you!” she said, straightening it all.
“You’re welcome, baby girl,” Pops said, cupping her chin. “You gotta let us know what kind of party you want.”
“Party?” I asked.
“Nigga, we have to welcome her into the family properly,” Smoke said. “Ain’t that right, lil’ bit?”
“Right.”
Nayelli made her rounds, hugging each of them. I could tell my brothers loved her already.
“Daddy, can you hold this for me?” she asked, handing me the wad of cash.
I smiled. “I got you, baby.”
I folded the money and put it in my pocket.
“Can I go play now?” she asked.
“Knock yourself out.”
She ran off to join her cousins. For the longest time, I watched her, my heart swelling with pride. I didn’t know I was crying until I felt the tear slip down my cheek. Pops pulled me into a hug, cradling the back of my head. My brothers gathered around, patting me on the back.
“You good, man,” Deuce said. “You were late getting to the party, but you’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“Right,” Maceo agreed. “You have a beautiful little girl, and she’s got a gang of unstable niggas behind her.”
“Facts,” Smoke added. “She’s ours now. We got you, and we got her.”
“I guess I’m playing the role of the sane uncle,” Quaid jested.
“Shut the fuck up!” my brothers snapped at him, making us all laugh. I got myself together and wiped my eyes.
“I love y’all, man,” I said. “I know I ain’t been myself, but I appreciate the way y’all always have my back. Y’all my niggas for life. Even you, Quaid.”
“Well thank you for making me feel like an afterthought,” he said, playfully jabbing me. “For real though. We are family. Even if y’all treat me like a redheaded stepchild at times and this one still isn’t calling me by my name.” He threw Pop a look.
“You a’ight with me, lil’ nigga.”
