Epilogue
Six months later…
Okay, now ladies (yeah)
If you know you bad (yeah)
The music blasts around the room, and my body instantly starts moving as Tinker Belle hypes me up.
“Get it, Squeak. Show them what you working with,” Tinker Belle says, throwing her hands in the air while twerking.
Tonight, Baxtown Iron is hosting another cabaret, and the DJ is on fire with the music choices, giving the women in the room reasons to dance.
“That’s right, Squeak. Bend that ass over,” Deacon says huskily, reminding me of his presence behind me.
Looking over my shoulder, I grind my ass on Deacon, smiling when his hands grip my waist, allowing me to feel his hard dick. Dancing provocatively doesn’t alarm me, knowing my man is behind me, catching what I’m throwing.
“Mhm. You better give me this same energy when we get to the crib tonight,” Deacon says, biting his lip.
Warmth spreads through my chest at hearing his words from my new reality. I officially moved in with Deacon, and we’ve been getting acclimated to living together. After coming home a few months ago wearing a cheesy grin, Deacon asked me to live with him. His foreign expression had me sitting up in bed while immediately asking back-to-back questions.
“The only thing you need to know is that you no longer have to fear any nigga. Your torment is over, Squeak. From now on, even our children won’t fear the boogeyman,” Deacon says.
My heart drops to the bottom of my feet, and my heart races while my mouth opens and closes once the revelation of what Deacon hasn’t said hits me.
“Oh God. Yo-yo-you did it?” I ask with my brows hiking.
Wordlessly, Deacon nods before walking toward me while removing his clothes, and his hungry gaze tells me where his mind is now.
“It’s time to celebrate, Squeak. My dick is harder than Chinese arithmetic right now. Show your man what he has to look forward to every time he takes care of business.”
“Damn, Squeak. What are you thinking about causing you to get lazy with these ass throws?” Deacon’s voice snaps me back into the present moment, and I giggle before resuming my dance moves.
At that moment, the DJ fades to a new song, causing me to drop down low with my arms in the air while twerking. Unlike the first party thrown by Baxtown Iron, where Deacon spent a lot of time outside, I’m thoroughly enjoying hearing him hype me up.
“I know that’s fucking right, Squeak. Show these ho’s how to do this shit,” Deacon says.
“It’s good to see you acting our age, Squeak. Your countenance is lighter and less old lady, which is what I knew Deacon could give you,” Tinker Belle says.
We’re sitting at a table replenishing our electrolytes after being on the dance floor for back-to-back songs. I’m having a great time and have even come to like some of the club sisters within the club.
“I’m gonna need you bitches to teach me how to twerk because, thanks to y’all, Boston has challenged me to the task,” Dimples says, taking a seat at one of the empty chairs.
“I don’t know that I’m doing it right, to be honest. I’m just letting the beat flow through me without thinking about how my body is reacting,” I say, shrugging.
“Please don’t lie when your ass was looking like waves on that dance floor. Not only do I need to increase my squats to round out this ass, but I also look like one of those rhythmless Karens pretending to have dance moves. It’s a tragedy, girl,” Dimples says, causing Tinker Belle and I to laugh.
“I’ll teach you, sis. No booty left behind,” Tinker Belle says, smirking.
“That’s what I’m talking about. Thank you,” Dimples says, grinning.
“Ewe. I guess she calls herself showing us up,” I say frowning while looking at one of the women who I saw at the last cabaret.
“Oh. That’s Thumpiana. She’s the latest house mouse floating around the scene. I think she’s trying to get one of the officers in her bed,” Dimples says, rolling her eyes.
“What, officer?” I ask, damn near shouting, causing Tinker Belle to laugh.
“Look at you getting territorial over your man. I’m so proud,” Tinker Belle says, holding her hand over her chest.
“Shut up,” I say.
“All I know is you might want to make it clear that Deacon is off limits because these hos only care about dropping those tired pussies.” Dimples rolls her eyes before standing and leaving the table with her sights on Boston.
An undetermined time later…
My adrenaline has begun waning, and fatigue settles within my extremities as a yawn escapes my lips. I search around the room for Deacon or Tinker Belle, as both of them have somehow gone missing. Turning behind me, I study the pockets of people gathering in small groups, trying to determine if Deacon or Tinker Belle is amongst them.
*tap, tap*
“Aye, can I have everyone’s attention,” I hear, causing me to turn back toward the front.
My mouth falls open and my hands instantly cover my chest at seeing Deacon kneeling on one knee.
“Before I pass this nigga the mic, me and the officers of Baxtown Iron want to know if you’ll join the club and officially become secretary,” Gunz says, standing beside Deacon.
“Right. We’ve given your stubborn ass enough time to come to your senses,” Diesel says when he and the other officers join Deacon on the stage.
Shadow winks at me when Gunz passes the microphone, and my eyes shift to Deacon and the open ring box he’s holding. My stomach flutters with butterflies, and my heart palpatates when Deacon speaks.
“These niggas ain’t got no home training ambushing my damn proposal and shit,” Deacon says, causing laughter to sound around the room.
I’m too unsettled to join in or receive Deacon’s attempt at humor because my nerves are spiraling the more my eyes watch Deacon’s unyielding position.
“Meeting you was destiny. Becoming your man was fate. Yet falling in love with you was beyond my control. I haven’t done a single thing right in my life until I gave my heart to you. I wish I could turn back the clock to find you sooner. Nevertheless, I plan to spend the rest of my days loving you longer. I’m complex, determined, and can be slightly touched?—”
“Slightly… bro, stop capping,” Shadow interjects, causing Deacon to shoot daggers in his direction. “My bad, continue with your lying ass.”
“Anyway… I can be slightly touched, but I’m hoping that none of those qualities have given you a reason to ignore how much I love you. Will you give a heathen a reason to believe God didn’t make a mistake extending grace to me? Will you marry me, Squeak?” Deacon asks.
Heat surges throughout my body, and my dry mouth prevents me from speaking because my mind instantly swirls with thoughts.
Is loving Deacon gonna be enough to ignore the fact that Mom has reservations about him? What if I say yes and Mom objects when it's time for us to get married? Or if she tells me she doesn’t support our nuptials? Oh God! Am I gonna lose Mom if I say ? —
“Squeak,” someone calls my name, causing me to open my eyes, not realizing I had closed them until that moment.
Tinker Belle walks to the other side of Deacon, and someone grabs my hands, nearly causing me to jump out of my skin. Pulling my eyes from the stage, I look to my right to see Mom, and she leans over, whispering in my ear.
“Any man who not only stays after being unjustly ridiculed by his woman’s mother but also sets out to change said mother’s perception deserves to be a part of our family. It’s okay to say yes… you have my blessing,” Mom says, and tears rapidly fall from my eyes.
“I’m waiting for your answer, Squeak,” Deacon says in an uncertain tone.
Mom nods, taking my right hand, and I feel someone else grabbing my left hand, causing me to shift, noticing Dad smiling.
“Let’s not make the man wait any longer, baby girl,” Dad says.
With the assistance of Mom and Dad, I walk to the stage wordlessly. A pin drop can be heard in the room from how quiet it is. Climbing the steps, I ignore the pain in my head from how fast my blood pressure is elevating with every step the three of us take. When an inch of space separates us, Mom and Dad release my hands and step behind me, allowing me to speak. Deacon’s eyes shine with love, adoration, and confidence, giving me the energy I need to answer.
“Saying yes was always my intention but knowing that my parents agree makes this moment even more special. Yes, I’ll marry you, Deacon. I also look forward to becoming a part of the Baxtown Iron family.”
Loud and thunderous applause echoes around the room when Deacon slips the ring on my finger before pulling me into a passionate kiss that has my heart skipping beats.
“You’re the answer to the prayer I didn’t have sense enough to utter. It’s you and me for life, Squeak. I love you,” Deacon whispers after ending our lip lock.
I never knew that returning home would ultimately free me of the traumatic incident I’d been forced to live through, especially when I was running from the man determined to not only steal my peace but take my life as well. It goes to show what can happen when you let a Deacon have possession of your heart.
The End