Chapter 20
W e s l i p p e d o u t of the spare bedroom quietly, easing down the hallway like two kids who just got done doing something grown. I fixed my hair on the way down, dabbing the edges of my gloss with my pinky, heart still beating like it hadn’t come down yet.
Downstairs, the house was full of Thanksgiving.
The TV in the living room was blasting a football game, with uncles yelling at the players as if they could hear them through the screen.
Aunties were sipping liquor and wine, laughing at old stories and gossip.
Taj’s kids ran through with juice mustaches and toys, ducking past knees and coffee tables as if it were an obstacle course.
I spotted Big Mama in her recliner, blanket over her lap, drink in hand, laughing at somebody’s domino loss. That kind of laugh that shook her shoulders and made the gold in her tooth flash. Woods and I didn’t say much as we made our way out to the back patio, where the vibe was mellow but lit.
Ty was out there with his little date tucked up under him. Taj was rolling up, and a Bluetooth speaker on the patio table was pushing out an old Bryson Tiller cut. Smoke floated effortlessly in the air, thick with the scent of weed and hookah. Red cups were lined up on a foldout table.
“Look who finally showed they face again,” Taj said, clocking us with a smirk. “Y’all went missin’ for a good lil’ minute, huh?”
“Mind your business,” Woods said with a half-grin, grabbing a cup from the table.
I eased into the seat next to Taj and fixed my skirt, trying to keep cool. That sneaky sex glow had me feeling a little too seen.
“Mm-hmm,” Taj teased, nudging me. “You glowin’ like you just got blessed.”
“Shut up.” I cut my eyes at her. Woods shot me a low glance, lips curling, and I ignored him. That’s when Yohana popped back into the backyard, and her eyes landed on Quamaine. Then me.
“Damn,” she said with a laugh too loud, too fake. “Still sneaking away for pussy in the spare bedroom?” I looked away, sipping my drink, refusing to give her air.
Ty narrowed his eyes. “Yo, what’s your issue?”
“Oh, I don’t have one,” Yohana said. “Just wild seeing this one has really moved on. Pulling the same moves on a newbie he used to do with me.”
Woods shook his head, taking the blunt from Ty. “Yo, if you can’t handle bein’ around me, my peoples, and my woman… your ass can leave.”
“Qua, please! I know you’re not over me. You think any chick’s gonna wanna fuck with you when you—”
SLAP.
I didn’t even realize I’d stood up, but Yohana’s face snapped sideways so fast. The silence that followed was deadly. She froze, hand to her cheek, mouth parted like she couldn’t believe it.
“Oooh!!!” One of the aunties hollered out from the screen door.
“Been trying me all day,” I said calmly, voice low. “Please take that shit somewhere else.”
Taj jumped up. “Yup! Time to go! Yohana, get your shit and exit stage left.”
Ty’s date grabbed her purse and scooted far left like she wanted no parts. Woods stayed in his seat, cool as hell, just watching me with this look in his eye.
“Autumn, you ain’t have to hit her,” Sherry laughed, damn near coughing up a lung at the same time.
Everybody laughed, except the one auntie who was still pressed. It seemed that the whole family, from inside, appeared outside to catch the drama. I low-key felt embarrassed, but I’d had enough of Yohana’s bullshit.
“Quamaine!” Yohanma scoffed, face red as hell. “You’re just gonna let this shit happen?”
“I just told you what’s up. Go ‘head and go.”
Uncle Tone chimed in. “Now listen here. Don’t let no dick make y’all out here embarrassing yourselves. Handle business like grown women, not like y’all on Love & Ratchet. Y’all better than that.”
“Unc,” Ty said with a laugh, “it wasn’t even Autumn who started it.”
“I seen everything,” Denise added, looking disappointed. “Yohana, I done invited you and it was a mistake, hun. It’s best you leave.”
Yohana stormed back into the house, muttering under her breath, but nobody stopped her. Woods finally stood and came over as the family trickled back inside. “Didn’t think I could want you more than I already did,” he whispered. I smiled, turning to Taj, who was still shaking her head and giggling.
“Girl,” she said. “You done went and slapped the Thanksgivin’ out that girl.”
“I didn’t mean to,” I lied.
“Yes, you did,” she laughed and she wasn’t wrong.