Chapter 8
Loso
There were a few things I would do differently in my life if given the chance but asking Essen to help me with my parents’ anniversary party wasn’t one of them.
I spent sixteen-thousand dollars on turning my mom’s Pinterest wishes into a reality.
Every detail, every custom piece my mom wanted, Essen provided.
She had a rough night after shit hit the fan and I got into it with Shiloh.
She didn’t doze off until close to three in the morning and hopped out the bed at six on the dot.
She wasn’t the only one stressed over the drama.
I stayed up just as long as her, chain smoking blunts and pacing around the living room.
Off and on all night, I called Shiloh, but I received no answer.
I wasn’t surprised. He had always been bullheaded and family oriented.
I wasn’t going to chase no nigga, but I hoped my brother came around.
Everything good and bad in my life, I went to my best friend with it.
Our connection started after my brother died, and his presence covered the hole in my heart.
From across the room, I leaned against the bar and observed the crowd. The group was diverse. A blend between church folks, my rowdy family, and the bougie group my mom was related to. For the last three hours, they drank, ate, and partied like they truly believed in my parents’ love story.
The need for fresh air guided me to the outside patio.
I pulled a fresh blunt from my blazer and sparked it, hoping no one bothered me about the smell.
Alone with my thoughts, they easily wandered to Essen.
No matter how much I felt myself falling in love with her, I still couldn’t believe it was our reality.
I had watched her go through highs and lows, and I always felt inclined to celebrate her or press a nigga behind her. Now, I knew why. Essen was mine.
“What’s good, youngblood?”
I spun around and pumped my Uncle Jeremy’s fist when he walked up beside me. “What’s good, Unc?”
“Ain’t nothing. I should’ve known you were out here. You’ve never liked big crowds.”
“I still don’t. Not much has changed.”
He fingered the charm on my chain. “I see. You dropped some weight, but you’re still big and flashy. This party had to cost a pretty penny. Put yo’ uncle on. Let me hold something.”
I stared at him, inspecting his oversized suit and off-white teeth. “Uncle J, I appreciate the compliments, but I can’t help you with that.”
“What? That’s how you do me? I know you had to spend a grip on the function, but you can’t help family?”
“Help yourself, nigga.”
I smirked at my pop’s blunt delivery.
“Lawrence, don’t come out here starting shit. I can talk to my nephew.”
“Not if you’re going to beg. Loso goes to work and earns a living to take care of himself. He’s not giving you shit for your weird ass habit. Go back inside and get a drink.”
My uncle brushed him off. “I don’t have no money for the bar. That’s why I brought my own.”
I shook my head. “The liquor is free, Uncle J. Enjoy as much as you would like.”
“See!” He pointed at me. “I told you you got money, Nephew. We’ll talk later. I’ll take the drink for now!”
Even though I smirked at my uncle’s antics, my dad watched him with a screwed-up face.
“Cut him some slack, Pop. He doesn’t mean no harm.”
“Yes, he does. Family or not, some people don’t deserve your kindness. Remember that.”
I nodded and lifted my eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
For a second, we stood quietly. After the conversation we had yesterday, I didn’t know what to say.
“The party turned out nice. The ceiling tall Christmas trees were a nice touch,” he declared. “I keep hearing the ladies say it looks like Kandi’s wedding. I don’t know who that is, but she must have good taste.”
I chuckled at my father’s ignorance. “Yeah. Essen enjoys what she does for a living. It shows in her work.”
“If I haven’t said it, I appreciate you for taking care of the party. I meant it when I told Jeremy you don’t owe nobody nothing.”
“Nah. That doesn’t include you and Mama. Lucas isn’t here to do it, so it’s my job.” I eyed the cigar bar requested by my dad. He didn’t offer input on a lot, so when he made a request, I tried to accommodate.
“You want to grab a cigar?”
“Hell yeah. Yo mama usually has a fit about me smoking. I have to take advantage while she’s tipsy.”
Being a witness to his chill mood was contagious.
Most times I could hardly breathe around him, and now, we were getting cigars.
The interaction was foreign, but it felt good.
I realized we were a lot alike just like my mom said, and he had been watching me from afar for some time.
After we were done with round one, we got ready to throw back another drink and spark up, but my cousin came outside to tell us my mama wanted us around.
We ended our session and joined the party right as the “Wobble” started playing.
“Come on, Law. This is our song!” My mom led my pops to the dance floor.
I walked to the bar and observed the show from there.
Drunk folks and line dancing didn’t mix, but my folks were having the time of their lives.
My pops kissed on my mama, and she giggled like a fresh teenager tickled by his touch.
“Why are you over here instead of on the dancefloor?”
“I was waiting on you,” I fibbed when Essen walked up. “How are you feeling? You’ve been on your feet all evening.”
“That’s all right. That’s part of my job. Your job is to massage my sore spots.”
I pulled her to me by her waist. “You know my work ethic is impeccable, baby.”
“Oh, really? In that case, I have a job for you right now.”
I leaned down to kiss Essen, yet the sound of Casey’s voice caused me to search the room.
“Look who made it to the function.” I hugged Casey then pounded fists with Juice.
“We’ve been here for a minute. You were the one missing,” Casey replied peering at Essen. “I’m sorry. We just came over to speak. I’m Casey, Loso’s cousin.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Essen, Loso’s girlfriend.”
The phrase rolled off her tongue so naturally, I wanted to hear her replace it with wife.
“Girlfriend?” Juice repeated.
“You heard her, nigga. Essen is also the one who put the party together.”
“Damn. This shit is fly.” Juice looked at the hanging ornaments above our heads. “I may need you to plan my birthday party.”
Casey snickered. “Boy, please. She probably doesn’t accept clients with a budget under ten bands.”
I bounced my head from side to side. “Hm. Something like that.”
“Oh, hell no. That's crazy.” Juice’s attention rained on me. “So now I see why you're dating her. Discount is fat, huh?
Essen palmed her chest as if trying to hold in her amusement. “Oh, love, I don't do discounts. When you get your money right, have your people call me.”
“You’re talking about a discount, but I knew something was going on when we got gifts and a bonus.” Casey hugged Essen. “Thank you, girl!”
We all laughed at Casey’s comment before they walked off to grab food.
“Baby! Let's go take pictures in the photobooth,” Essen requested.
I didn't have the chance to decide since the bossy lady was already on the move.
We had to wait in line for around ten minutes before we got our turn, but once inside, Essen sat on my lap.
She hollered out different expressions to make as the camera flashed, but when I slipped my hands up her silky red dress, she stopped.
“You did such a good job today. Do you know that?” She nodded. “Say it. Say it, mama.”
The camera continued to go off every few seconds, capturing her sexy sex faces. The booth was too small to do any real damage, but I planned to get her off.
“Loso, we cannot do anything in here. People are waiting in line.”
“So what? They can wait.” My lips christened her neck. “Come on. Open.”
She giggled. “All right. We can do a little—”
“Loso! Essen! Bring y'all asses out here and dance with me!”
My mom’s slurring voice reached the booth, instantly turning me off.
“You heard her.” Essen smacked my cheek. “Let's go dance.”
From the moment we stepped out the booth, we were in motion.
One second, we were dancing, and the next, we were cutting a cake and sending everyone on their way.
I was surprised to see my parents still hyper when we walked them to the black truck I arranged at one in morning, yet it was a sight I would never forget.
Even though the weather was getting worst by the hour, we still decided to spend the night together at my place. The whole way home, Essen yawned up a storm, but she refused to lie down once we got out the shower.
“Baby, your eyes are heavy. I know you aren’t waiting for Santa.”
“Ha. Ha. No.” She pulled her night gown over her knees. “I've had to share you all day. I want some time alone before I doze off. I want to watch a movie or something.”
I spread out on the bed beside her. “All right, but I get to pick.”
“No, you don't. I don't want to watch a Marvel movie. That's what you're going to play!”
“No I'm not, crybaby. I know some good Christmas movies.”
She scoffed. “Like what?”
“What about Crooklyn?”
“Nope. Try again.”
“Tales from the Crypt. Those ugly ass dolls look like the Christmas figurines you have on your table.”
Her body went stiff. “Wow, you're a fucking hater. This is your last chance. Pick a black Christmas movie. Make it good.”
I stroked my beard and focused on the TV. “The Best Man Holiday. You can’t tell me that shit ain’t playa.”
A twinkle in her eyes carried one side of my lips toward the ceiling. “Okay. That’ll work. Can you do me one favor before you get comfortable?”
“Anything.”
Her shoulders crowded around her ears. “Eggnog, please.”
“You have got to be fucking kidding me.”
“Don't be like that. I bought it home from the party. I have a bottle of Hennessy too.”
I rose from the bed. “Don’t try to butter me up. If you start pooting because of that eggnog, I'ma lock your ass in the guest room.”
“Oh my God. Hurry up, so we can start the movie.”
“All right.” I stared her down. “You want to smoke with me?”
She blushed as if I asked if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with me. “I’m down.”
Eager to be next to her, I rushed through the house, hustling to grab everything we needed. I thought I would come back to the room and find Essen putting the movie on, but instead, she was settled in the middle of the bed with mistletoe above her pussy.
“I know I said the eggnog was all I needed, but I lied.”
My tongue jetted over my lips. “There you go again. Being a naughty girl. I got something for that.”
“I was hoping you would say that.”