Chapter 21
A n o t h e r h o u r a n d some change had passed with us vibing outside and getting lit. I was ready to lay up with Autumn’s ass. Looking inside, I saw that everybody else was damn near gone.
Big Mama was knocked out in her recliner with one foot halfway in her slipper and a plate of dessert resting on her belly like she was guarding it in her sleep.
Taj’s twins were knocked out on the couch.
Autumn and Taj was posted in the kitchen gossiping.
That post-Thanksgiving crash was starting to settle in.
I stood up slowly, stretching a little, adjusting my collar before patting Ty’s shoulder. His date was snoring with her head on his shoulder. “Aight, cuz. I’m finna get up outta here. Appreciate y’all for havin’ me.”
“Anytime,” he said, eyes already low from the liquor and smoke. “You ain’t gon’ take no plates?”
“C’mon now. You know how I do.”
He laughed. “You right.”
I stepped back inside, giving hugs to those that was left, catching side smiles and little mm-hmm looks from Aunt Sherry who’d been clocking me and Autumn since we walked back downstairs like nothing happened. I made a few plates and poured up another drink for the road.
Out of the corner of my eye, Autumn was moving through the house all polite and shit smiling, and grabbing her pie tin like it was sacred. The way she walked past me like I was a stranger was crazy. The fuck was she on?
I leaned in her direction. “You need a ride somewhere, gorgeous?”
Ty heard me as he walked inside. “Damn, that’s what we callin’ it now?” he said, grinning as he leaned against the wall.
Autumn looked at him with that dry little smirk. “Boy, shut up.”
Taj chimed in. “You ridin’ out for real? You good? You could always slide back to my spot. I was gon’ pour up and run that R&B playlist again.”
Autumn opened her mouth like she might actually answer, but I stepped forward, hand on the small of her back. “She’s gon’ slide wit’ me, cuz.” Silence dropped around the room like it had weight. I gave Ty a look that said, say something slick again.
“Where y’all goin’ anyway?” Aunt Sherry asked, sipping liquor out of a red cup like it was water.
“Minding our business,” Autumn muttered with a little laugh, but she stayed close.
Uncle Boom chuckled, half asleep. “Y’all grown. Just be safe. Ain’t tryna see y’all on no Lookbook post later.”
“Aight. Y’all be easy. Love you,” I said, balancing plates. We made it to the front porch and were halfway down the steps when I heard the screen door creak open again.
“Quamaine.”
I turned to see Ma stepping out into the cool air in her slippers and robe, eyes shifting from me to Autumn and back. She came down a step, arms folded.
I braced myself. “What’s up, Ma?”
She took a breath, glancing at Autumn again. Her voice came out lower this time. “I ain’t mean to come off cold earlier. I’m… protective of my son.”
Autumn stayed quiet, respectful, but alert. I felt her shift slightly next to me.
Ma nodded slowly, like she was checking herself in real time.
Her eyes bounced to mine. “I’m sorry for bringin’ old vibes around.
I see the way you look at Autumn. The way she look at you.
Y’all might got somethin’ there, and who am I to mess that up?
” She looked at Autumn again, this time without the edge.
“You welcome to come back around anytime, Autumn.”
She smiled, surprised but genuine. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Ma smirked, leaning in to kiss my cheek. Then she winked at Autumn. “Y’all be safe gettin’ back. Call me tomorrow, son,” she added, letting the screen door slam lightly behind her.
And with that, we walked to my rental truck. Autumn exhaled, a small laugh under her breath. “I guess this Thanksgiving turned out alright.”
I grinned, a spark of anticipation in my eyes. “We ain’t done yet.”
As I opened the passenger side for her and watched her climb in, pie tin on her lap and thighs all soft under that damn dress, I was picturing how many more times I could make her moan my name before the sun came up.