Merci
Icouldn’t have been happier. What was supposed to be a live music date night with my man turned into a sibling night out with my people and Cujo.
My heart was light as I watched my brothers, Hammer, and Cujo interact like they hadn’t been beefing months ago.
It didn’t matter how much I told them I wanted to have a lowkey celebration for my birthday; they insisted on doing something for me.
Tonight, it was the concert, and in January, Alia was throwing me a party.
Hammer and I were leaving for my birthday trip on my actual birthday in two days, and I couldn’t wait to get some uninterrupted time with him.
As happy as I was, and as good as things were going with us, I was still a little bummed about our baby.
So much so that I’d made an appointment with my gynecologist to get on birth control.
Hammer insisted that wasn’t necessary, and he promised me he’d pull out, but I didn’t want to risk getting pregnant any time soon and not carrying my baby full term.
Dr. Robinson told me there was no medical reason for the chemical pregnancy and that I shouldn’t be too worried about it happening again, but still.
That was a trauma I wasn’t trying to experience again.
I knew I was tipsy when I said, “Take me to my mama house. I wanna bake some cookies.”
Hammer laughed as he wrapped his arm around me.
“Yeah, Sis drunk as hell,” Neptune said with a smile. “Them cookies ’bout to be fye, though.”
They all laughed because they knew like a man could get drunk and fry the best chicken, I made the best cookies and cakes when I was a little tipsy.
“I’m finna call Pops and see if they woke,” Marz said, while Ariel said…
“Ooh, Jojo, let’s stop by the store and get some meat for the grill. I was just going to make some noodles when I got home, but y’all might as well cook.”
Heir laughed and shook her head while Hammer asked, “Is this a regular thing? Y’all just randomly go to y’all parents’ house well after midnight to cook?”
“Yep,” I replied. “That’s why we still have rooms there. Most times, we just crash. Marz is usually the only one who never wants to spend the night.”
“A nigga be wanting to be in his own bed,” Marz said before asking Daddy what they were doing. Daddy must have said they were in bed because Marz laughed and said, “We about to be over there in a few. Get from under my mama so you can grill and entertain us.”
He put the call on speakerphone just as Daddy said, “Boy, ain’t nobody finna entertain y’all. Bring me a plate of whatever y’all fix upstairs, and clean up my kitchen when you get done.”
I laughed right along with them because I knew he was just talking shit.
Him and Ma would be up by the time we got there.
They loved spending time with us. My smile faded when I noticed Emmy and David hugged up by the exit.
Unable to stop myself, I dropped my purse and rushed Emmy when they kissed.
It was clear she wanted my life, but going after my ex was the final straw.
I didn’t want to fight her over David, but it was the principle of the situation.
I’d already spared her time and time again, and instead of her appreciating that grace, she went after a man that she knew I’d been with.
“Ah! What the fuck! Merci, stop!” she yelled, but that meant nothing to me.
By the time my people realized what was happening, I’d already gotten six hits in on her dumb ass.
David made the mistake of trying to get me off her, and he paid for that severely when my brothers, Cujo, and Hammer jumped on his ass.
It took Ariel literally shielding David with her body for them to stop.
Sirens rang out, and Hammer tossed me over his shoulder, then jogged toward the Sprinter he’d rented for the night.
For the first minute or two of the drive, everyone was silent, but we all busted out laughing when Cujo asked, “We still finna eat or what?”
“Ain’t gon’ be no fucking in my house,” Daddy grumbled as he and Ma went back upstairs.
“Hush, Mercury. They know the rules,” Ma replied as I shook my head.
I hardly ever went home if I drank at my parents’ house, and even with me being with Hammer, tonight was no different.
Marz and Heir had left, and that was no surprise to me.
He said he’d be back for breakfast before he went to the academy and to get more of my chocolate chip cookie bars.
Little did he know, there probably wouldn’t be any more left.
Daddy and Cujo had been smoking and gotten the munchies all over again.
Cujo crashed in the guest room before we said good night, and a part of me was hoping Ariel would sneak out of her bed and into his.
I knew she probably wouldn’t, though. Even with her being in the process of divorce, she was still loyal to her cheating-ass husband.
He’d put her through a guilt trip after Cujo broke his jaw, but thankfully, she didn’t fall for it and agree to give him another chance.
That did convince him to sign the divorce papers, though, and she was waiting to get on the judge’s docket.
I couldn’t wait for my girl to be free of him.
When Hammer and I made it to my room, we took turns showering to avoid getting tempted. As soon as he climbed into bed, I turned and made my way into his arms.
“I’m so happy,” I whispered against his neck, tossing my leg over him. “You and my family are getting along so well. I knew that would be the case if y’all gave each other a chance.”
“Yeah, your people are cool. I’m still adjusting to feeling like I’m a part of a bigger family, but I’m honored to have been welcomed in. And your people accepting my brother as well means more to me than y’all will ever know.”
Hammer tilted my head and gave me a tender, slow kiss. “Don’t start something you know we can’t finish,” I said, feeling his dick grow against me.
With a smile, he asked, “How you feeling about your girl? That’s the one that was talking shit about you online, right?”
That definitely cooled my blood and dried up my pussy.
“Yeah, that was her. I was hurt and mad in that moment, but I felt better after I beat her ass. Plus, I’m honestly too happy with my life to waste time being upset with her delusional ass.
She’s truly crazy and determined to have an artificial copy of my life. Best wishes to her on that pursuit.”
Hammer laughed as he wrapped his arm around me. “I like that you’re not giving it too much thought, but she’s creepy to me. I don’t want her to be a problem for you.”
“I don’t think she will be. As long as she doesn’t try to come after you.”
“She could never. No woman could. They wouldn’t even have a chance. All I want and need is you. I’ma still look into her, though. She seems a little obsessed with you. It’ll give me peace of mind to know she won’t pop out on no Snapped shit, tryna kidnap you and insert herself into your life.”
I knew he was serious by his tone and expression, but I still laughed. “At this point, I wouldn’t put anything past her crazy ass. If looking into her will make you feel better, go for it, bae.”
I yawned as his grip around me loosened. He fell asleep so quickly, I knew he’d be out soon.
“Ms. Merci.”
“Hmm?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Mr. Freeman.”
“Thank you for sharing your family with me. I promise I’ma take care of you for the rest of my life.”
“Aww, bae. You’re welc—” I chuckled and kissed his neck when I heard his breathing grow heavy. Soft snores escaped him, and as was my new normal now, I allowed them to put me to sleep as my lullaby.