Chapter 19
I lifted the gun and aimed it at Arie. She couldn’t see me behind the tall, artificial bush I was hiding behind, so this was the perfect opportunity to end her ass.
As I was about to pull the trigger, she turned, lifted her gun, and fired off, hitting me in the center.
The blue paint splattered across my vest, ending the game.
“You might want to work on your aim game, my G,” she said, giggling while she walked over to me.
I licked my lips as a smirk drew up on my face. “I got perfect aim when I’m in them guts.”
“In her guts? What does that mean, Dad?” Messiah asked, walking from around the wooden crate.
Shit.
I forgot his ass was here.
“Nothing, nosy ass,” I replied.
Arie mushed me out of the way and wrapped her arm around MJ’s shoulder. “Come on, MJ. Your father just has no filter around you.” She giggled. “Let’s get some food. I’m starving.”
“Yes! Their nachos are bomb here!” MJ exclaimed as we walked out of the paintball room.
We were currently at Zap Zone since my son coerced Arie and me to bring him here.
Since our unofficial, impromptu trip to Nice, I had to make up time with him.
I also couldn’t let Arie out of my sight.
Every day since our trip, I made it my business to be in Arie’s presence.
When I was working, I made sure to make time to have lunch with her, although her pussy was what was always on my plate.
I could see her tough exterior fading, like how she was with my son.
I didn’t trust many people around him, including Jalea’s faulty-ass sister and her kids, but I could tell my son had really taken a liking to Arie.
He was just like me, not easily accepting of people.
Somehow, Arie was an exception to that personality trait, just like she was for me when I first met her.
After shedding the gear, we headed to the food court and placed our orders, then found a booth near the back.
“How was Paris, Ms. Arie? My dad told me he took you with him, but didn’t take me,” MJ grumbled.
“It was Nice, baby boy. And I told you it was a business trip.”
“Oh, yeah… I forgot.”
“It was really beautiful, MJ. I had a good time and took lots of pics.”
“Yeah? Can I see?”
“Sure!” Arie pulled out her phone and tapped around on it a bit before handing it over to MJ.
He marveled over her photos while I texted Harvey back.
Me:
You just be ready for your last week of being a sleaze lol.
Harv:
I don’t want the traditional stripper shit, bruh. So I hope you and your clown ass brothers pull out some tricks.
Me:
Oh, you want them AARP strippers? I’m sure I can find you some vintage bitches.
Harv:
LMAO! Fuck you, bum! Just make sure you make my last week my best week.
Me:
Say less.
“Maybe we can plan a trip for you soon. Isn't your birthday coming up?” Arie asked, deep in conversation with MJ, as I tuned back in.
“Yep! August fifteenth!”
“Where would you like to go?”
“Hmm… I always wanted to go to the San Juan Islands in Washington to see real-life orcas.”
“Orcas? You want to see killer whales?” Arie asked, stunned.
“Yeah. I think it’ll be fun.”
“MJ has a fetish with killer whales. The boy even wants to swim with sharks,” I told her.
“It’s not a fetish, I just think they're slept on. I like whales.”
Arie smirked. “Dangerous like your father, I see.”
Nah, I think you’re the dangerous one .
“My dad likes you, you know?”
Arie’s gaze pinned to me as I smirked. “Does he now?”
“Yeah. He talks about you all the time.”
“Does he really?” Arie asked, amused.
Son, not you damn snitching .
“Messiah? You do know you're breaking laws by violating the ‘bro code’?”
“MJ, don’t worry about this ‘bro code’ your dad is speaking of. You’re not even his brother, so feel free to tell me more.”
“Son, don’t do it. I’d rather show her how much I like her than tell her. Keep it G, and between the two of us.”
“Fine, my bad. Sorry, Ms. Arie. Since he doesn’t want me to tell you what he said about you, I’ll tell you that you have my blessing to date my pops. I like you for him.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Before you came around, he never smiled or laughed much. Now, I see more of his teeth than I’d ever seen before, so that makes me happy for him.”
I let out a small chuckle while Arie cackled.
I had to talk to his little ass for spilling my secrets. He was doing too much, but I didn’t mind because she needed to know the effect she had on me. I was falling for her—real bad—and I needed her to see that I’d move heaven and earth just to get her to feel the same way for me.
“Mannn, let me go get the food. It be your own kids.” As I slid out of the booth, Arie and Messiah laughed.
Arie caught my arm before I walked away. “If it makes you feel any better, I really like you too.”
I smiled and leaned down, pressing my lips to hers.
“Ew, Dad!” MJ yelled, covering his eyes.
“Nah, you wanted to snitch on me, now you get to see how much I like her.” I mushed his head, and then headed to get the food.
I loved that she wanted to bond with my son. It showed me how much she was willing to accept me and whatever belonged to me. Feeling proud and happy that she was voicing her affection for me, I walked to the counter with a smile on my damn face.
Mission accomplished .
The Wedding
July 2022
“Move in a little closer for me. Thaaat’s it. One more pose. Got it!” the photographer exclaimed as he snapped photo after photo.
We were currently in Harvey’s suite at The Garden House, posing for the optics. The wedding was set to start in twenty minutes as I looked over at Harvey, who was smiling hard as hell.
“Can I get a few photos with the fathers, and then we’re all set?”
My father and Mr. Lou stepped up while my brothers and I stepped aside.
“Aye, not gon’ lie, this is kind of making a nigga wanna settle down, ya dig?” Moses declared, rubbing his chin.
“Oh, you and Amy Fisher?” Mike jested, smirking at him.
“Fuck you, Mikey, for real. I’ll never wife that crazy-ass broad!”
“But you’ll put a baby in her, though. How that work?” I questioned.
“That shit was a false alarm, and I’m glad about it.”
“Good. I hope you learned your lesson,” I told him.
“I don’t think I did. I’m about to try to get Mayani and her sister pregnant. Now those two can have whatever they want from me,” he said, rubbing his hands together.
“I’ll beat yo’ ass, bum! Leave Megan the fuck alone,” Mike countered.
“I can’t tell which one is which, so if I get her pregnant, that ain’t on me.”
Mike swung at him as Mo dodged him and laughed.
“Would y’all heathens cool out?” Harvey asked, walking over to us. “Y’all look real good, though, man,” he complimented, smiling at us.
The white tuxedos paired with celadon bow ties, celadon suspenders, and expensive loafers looked good. He rocked the same colors, only his tux was the solid color that matched the ladies’ celadon dresses.
When I saw Arie’s ass a little earlier, my heart fluttered. My baby looked damned good, and it was my first time seeing her in a fancy dress, so I was completely blown away.
“You don’t look too bad, my G. You ready to commit your life to one woman?” I asked.
“You already know, my guy.” We dapped our fists twice and smiled.
“Nigga look like he ready to be a sucka for the rest of his life,” Mo jested.
“And you look casket sharp.”
“Alright now, gentlemen. Cut it out. It’s time to head out. You ready, son?” Mr. Lou asked, brushing his son’s shoulders off.
“I’m ready.”
“Okay. Let’s get it then.”
We all filed out of the room and headed down the hall. My pops and Mr. Lou headed inside to take their seats as the ladies joined us at the door. As soon as Arie approached me, she fell into my arms.
“You look so good in this tux. You want to slide off for a quick second?” she asked, whispering.
I chuckled. “I promise I got you right after this nigga say I do.”
“Boooo, you’re no fun.”
I gripped her ass. “Let’s see if you say that after.”
“Thirsty!” Mayani word-coughed, and she and Megan laughed.
“She got the juice to quench it,” I told them while winking at Arie.
For the first time, she blushed without attempting to hide it. That shit made me even more infatuated with her. She was embracing being admired, wanted, and catered to, and I was loving being the one to give her the softness she craved.
“Okay, places everyone! Remember, all smiles and no tears!” the wedding coordinator quietly yelled to us as the doors opened.
The music started, and the dynamic duo began to serenade the crowd with “Am I Dreamin’” by Xscape. I held out my arm to my lady. She accepted it, and we made our trek up the aisle.
When we all finally took our positions, Paige emerged, and my guy dropped a thug tear watching her walk up the aisle.
Everything I did for them led up to this moment.
I was waiting on my guy to show an inkling that he didn’t want to do this, but the nigga was beaming with pride, watching her walk down the aisle.
In no way was I praying on my homie’s downfall, I just wanted to be sure he was sure about this and ain’t waste my damn money.
My eyes went to my girl while hers were glued to someone in the crowd with a stoic expression on her face. When I followed her line of sight, they were on Papi.
I frowned slightly, confused by why she was staring at him.
Does she know? Did her uncle tell her about my father? Did he hire her to take him out?
My stomach sank, hoping she was only looking at him because I was the spitting image of him. She hadn’t met my parents yet because I’d planned to let them meet here. I was going to introduce them at the reception, but now I’m thinking it wouldn’t be a good idea.
Her eyes came back to me, and she smiled. It seemed genuine as she made a silly face at me. That eased my nerves somewhat as Paige finally made her way to Harvey.
I didn’t want my feelings for Arieana to become jaded.
This thing between us felt too good.