Page 12 of The Prodigy 2: Rise of a Queen

Which was quite tasty.

DamnI hated that I loved this woman’s food.

I had a fleeting thought while I was tearing up my plate of ribs. You almost had to feel a little sorry for Gab. You give a man four beautiful children, make him a peaceful home to rest in every day, and cook for his ass like it’s 1945, and his ungrateful assstillfelt the need to fuck other women.

Not even an evil bitch like Gab deserved that.

“Gab. This food,” Joe said with his mouth full. “I don’t know how you do it. It’s gotta be crack in here.”

We laughed at that. Well, Jakari didn’t. He was the main one saying he needed to be here, but he was aggy and quiet now. We coulda stayed home and did all that.

“I do the best I can,” she said with false modesty. “The ribs could have smoked a little longer, but—”

“No! No, they’re perfect.” It sounded like a choir with everybody singing her praises.

I looked up from my plate and caught her scanning the room. I knew that look. I hated that look.

She was picking her target.

I looked down quickly and chewed slowly, trying to stay still to keep myself safe like the bitch was the T-rex fromJurassic Park.

“Why didn’t y’all bring my grandbaby?” she asked Nay and Aubrey. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

“My mom has him,” Aubrey said. “I can bring him over tomorrow if you want.”

Gab shook her head. “I’m busy tomorrow. Jaz is taking me to lunch.”

Jaz looked at her mother and froze like a deer in headlights.

“What?” Gab said. “Did you change your mind?”

Jaz set her fork on her plate. “Why you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Make stuff up. I never made no plans with you and you know it.”

Gab pretended to be confused. “Hmm…maybe I got the days mixed up.”

“Ain’t no mix up. I never planned lunch with you.”

“Well, maybe you should.” Gab smiled. “I’m free tomorrow.”

Eris shook his head. Nay stuffed his face. Aubrey stared back and forth like she was watching a tennis match. Milo put his arm around Jaz. Kari stared at Gab, his jaw clenching slightly.

The tension was thick.

“Ahem, we have some good news,” Milo announced, and everybody’s attention turned to him.

“Tell them, Jaz.”

Despite what just happened, she smiled proudly. “Terio might be getting out soon.”

“I thought he ain’t get a bond,” Gab said with her eyebrows raised. “Judge changed her mind?”

“Not yet,” Milo answered. “Dallas—that’s his attorney—he's making some motions next week that might be able to get his charges reduced and get him a bond. It looks promising.”

“That’s what’s up,” Nay said.

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