Chapter 12 Bishop #2
“I’m not trying to scare you or talk you out of doing what you want to do because you’re a grown ass man, but I want you to understand that we marry the way we do not just because of status and money but for the reassurance that the people we welcome into our family know that it isn’t just a blessing to be welcomed into the fold, but a sacrifice.
Xavia walked in knowing what to expect. Casmi and Nova were bred and born for where they are.
Asante is a man you met by chance. Nothing is wrong with that, but this life swallows people up and spits them out and if you’re going to lead our security there’s a certain level of present you need to be. ”
I stared at my father while I thought carefully about my response. I exhaled.
“Are you telling me to step down?”
“No. I would never do that. I want the family business to remain in the family but I also don’t want to watch you get your heart broken because the same way you can be the first Barron to enter a marriage of choice you can be the first Barron to see a divorce and I don’t want that for you. Barron men marry for eternity.”
“Marriage, arranged or not, works out because of two people willing to make shit work even when it’s hard and inconvenient and I’m confident me and Asante have what it takes.
” I exhaled. “With that being said, I’m not stupid.
I know you’re right and I know shit could change with time and children and I’ll prepare for that.
I’ll never leave the family unprotected because of me, but right now I’m good and I’ll start letting Wes and Hawk pick up some more shit in case I ever have to take a step back. ”
“Good.” He exhaled. “And if it makes you feel any better I had a similar conversation with Knight about having two postpartum wives and two newborns but since every Barron by blood is capable of crafting passports, it’s less of a concern.
” He sat up in his seat. “Bishop, you’re my son and I know what you’re capable of so if you tell me you’ve got it, I believe you. ”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. So don’t fucking lie to me or yourself. If you don’t got it, let me know. Let King know. Let somebody know.”
“Alright. I hear you.”
“Good.” He climbed to his feet. “Thanks for hearing me out.”
“Pops,” I called out to him before he could leave. “Are you really not ashamed of me?”
He slowly turned back toward me and sighed.
“For being gay?”
“Bisexual,” I corrected.
“Yeah well either way I don’t give a fuck,” he said plainly.
“I care about the strength of our family and last name, about you and your brothers staying alive, about those upcoming grandbabies and your mother. If you’d asked me this shit five years ago maybe I’d care but I can’t seem to find it in me to give a fuck and honestly even then I wouldn’t have disowned you.
I would have found you some stupid little money chaser to wear on your arm and you would have done what it is you do in privacy.
“You’re a Barron and we don’t turn our back on our own even if we don’t agree with each other and let me make some shit clear, I don’t disagree with you.
” He gripped me by my shoulder and squeezed.
“I’m actually proud that my two youngest stood up to everything they’d ever been taught for happiness.
You and Rook being ready and willing to go to war with the whole world, me included, is what all this shit is about, the family. Never waver on it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good because turning on your brothers is what would make me ashamed of you.”
We both looked back as someone knocked on the door. I saw that it was Hawk on the camera.
“You good?” Pops asked.
“Yeah. I’m good.”
“Good.”
He opened the door to walk out and let Hawk in who just had questions about an upcoming walkthrough.
When I finished up with him, I gathered my things and headed out both emotionally exhausted from all the talking about feelings I’d done while working and emotionally lifted knowing I was genuinely supported in whatever it was I wanted to do.
I went straight to the club even though there were only a few hours until closing and helped Asante with some stuff behind the scenes.
We were the last people out, making sure each of the workers got out the parking lot. Asante hopped in my car and we got some fast food before heading back to the house I shared with Rook.
We took a quick shared shower then hopped in bed together and I was sleeping almost immediately.
When I woke up Asante was still laid in bed beside me, his head on my chest and arm wrapped tightly around me like he feared me sneaking off in the middle of the night. I stared at him for several minutes just watching the way he breathed and how calm and sweet he looked while asleep.
The longer I looked at him the more sure I was that I wanted to spend my life with this man.
All the same, the more I thought about it the more nervous I got and the conversation I had with my father echoed in my head.
Was I being selfish by wanting to spend the rest of my life with Asante knowing what it would mean for him?
He’d never truly have a private life away from my family or the drama that came through it.
I debated myself while we went through our morning routines side by side and just sharing a mirror with him had me unable to put my contacts in with how my hands started to shake because of all of my varying thoughts.
I opted for my glasses for the day and when Asante and I parted ways I drove straight to the house Rook and I shared.
I’d barely made it inside before I was calling him.
He answered, sounding like he was still knocked out and wasting his morning away.
“Yeah?”
“I need to make a pick up. You available?” I skipped a greeting.
“Yeah. I’ll meet you in the kitchen in a few minutes.”
“Alright. Thanks.”
“Yeah.” Rook yawned and I hung up and walked further into the kitchen.
I blinked a few times then I yanked my glasses off, grabbed a nearby towel and started to wipe them.
I was still wiping at them when Rook entered the kitchen. He walked straight over to me and snatched the rag from my hand. He wiped my glasses then offered them back.
“They’re clean,” he deadpanned. I cleared my throat but nodded without a word. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m nervous,” I confessed and forced a laugh.
“Why you nervous?”
“Nigga this is a big deal.” I scoffed. “I’m the only nigga in generations of our family to propose outright without a middle man.
I’d be the first one married to a man at all.
Asante could say no for all we know. If he says yes, this life is a lot too.
It could chew him up and spit him out. Going this public before our birthday is a quick transition.
I mean, I wasn’t in the closet or no shit like that, but going from a lowkey marriage to one that’s not only out in the world but a marriage where everybody wants to be consuming every detail of it is a lot for anybody.
” I closed my eyes, took a deep breath to center myself, and looked at Rook again.
“A part of me feels like it would be easier to stay in the dark, marry a woman and just keep Asante around for as long as possible.”
“Yeah, well that would make you a coward and a bitch.”
“You can say shit like that because you’re straight and you fuck on beautiful women and get pats on the fucking back for it.”
“I get shit for it from a lot of people and you know it.”
“You get snide remarks about using protection and shit from women mad they can’t fuck you anymore. You don’t get called slurs or threatened. If this shit fucks with business—”
“I’ll smack fire from any nigga that plays with you or Asante and you know this.”
“Yeah, well I don’t need you to fight my battles.” I put my glasses back on. “You’re not doing me any favors by making it seem like I need you to fight for me.”
“Then stand up and fight them.”
“Not everybody has your temper or wants to be known for beating people up.”
“Has not knocking out mothafuckas gotten you the desired results?” Rook asked seriously and a small snicker forced its way out of me.
“If you want people to respect you, you need to let them know what comes if they don’t.
Every action has a reaction. Let a nigga know if he plays with you, it’s up and I bet after you knock him on his ass, he gon’ understand to watch his mouth. ”
“That’s you. That’s not me.”
“You in love with Asante?”
I looked at Rook seriously. “You know I love him.”
“Then, stand on it. If you can’t beat a nigga up, fine.
Cool. I’ll accept that you not built like me but the least you can do is stand on your choice.
If you get yo’ stupid ass on one knee in front of this nigga, you better do that shit ready to take on whatever comes next. If you not, don’t fucking do it.”
“I know.”
“Good. If you love Asante for real, be ready to love him out loud and stand beside him when shit hits the fan or love him enough to leave him alone.”
“Since when did you become a love guru?”
“I’m whatever you need whenever you need it and you know this.” Rook hit me on the back. “Let’s get this shit done.”
I nodded. “Let’s do it.”
“You’re driving.”
“Alright.”
Rook grabbed my keys and we headed out.
The pickup I’d asked him to come through for hadn’t been one work related but was instead meant to be for the ring I wanted to put on Asante’s finger.
I went with the family jeweler and unlike Knight and Rook who had been given detailed mood boards of the rings their wives would want, all I had was my knowledge of Asante and my twin.
In the end the ring that I chose was a simple one. It was all black on the outside and pure gold on the inside with a series of small diamonds inlaid.
Rook and I got a late breakfast together even though I’d had something with Asante. I set the ring on the table beside my coffee and stared at it.
“You good?” Rook asked as he shoved some pancakes in his mouth.
“Yeah.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”