Chapter 16
T ruce finally stops asking where we are going when I pull into the valet line at The Metropolitan Hotel. The moment I shift my ride into park, she stares out her window then turns to me. I can tell by the way her eyebrows are raised and her head is tilted to the side that she wants to ask but she refrains. Instead, she just unbuckles her seatbelt and waits for me.
“So, you’re not going to ask?” I taunt.
“Nope,” she says with a smirk. “I don’t need to; we are here. There’s a nice ass bar and restaurant inside. I can figure it out. We are obviously having dinner here.”
“Oh really? It’s obvious?” I ask and her eyes dart back and forth like she’s questioning her own assessment now.
“Yes,” she says, less sure though.
“You’ll see.”
The valet approaches my window and hands me my ticket. I exit, grab my duffle from the back seat, then walk over to her. She’s already out, waiting for me. When I walk over to her, she latches her arm onto mine.
“A bag? Are we staying here? You didn’t tell me. I would have p—” she begins but my lips on hers stops her words.
“You’re five minutes from knowing what’s up and I think you are going to like it.”
I lead her inside of the hotel then to the elevators. When I press the R button for the rooftop, she turns and lifts her head. The smile I love spreads across her pretty ass face.
“Don’t tell me,” she gushes. She’s obviously figured out what we are doing tonight.
“I’m not,” I say and she inches up and pecks my lips.
Her gorgeous smile stays on her face until the elevator doors open. When we step off and she sees the two large screens, it gets big as hell. In her excitement, her grip on my arm tightens. Truce is latched to me as I check in with the hostess and she doesn’t let go until we are in our cabana for the night.
“I’ve always wanted to come to this but it’s always sold out, months in advance. How did you get tickets?” she says as soon as we are on the couch.
“They’re showing all three Equalizers and since you watch the damn show all the time, I knew I had to make it happen.”
Once a month, The Metropolitan hosts Films Under the Stars. The rooftop is converted to a luxury movie theatre. They show both new releases and classics and there’s a large staff serving traditional movie snacks, meals from the restaurant downstairs, and drinks from one of the two bars. There’s regular seating, oversized bean bags, and private seating in one of five cabanas. Each cabana has a couch, cooler, and two large, side by side, plush lounge chairs. The cooler has complimentary waters and wine. During the summer months, misting fans are included and during colder months, small heaters. We have two small heaters. The best part is the heavy curtains that surround the cabana; they give us extra privacy.
“Aww. This is perfect,” she gushes. Her hand reaches over to the small black cooler. Before opening it, she asks, “What’s in here?” She doesn’t await my answer. As she removes a bottle of wine and two chilled glasses from the cooler, I open my bag and take out my extra items for tonight. She starts laughing when I place a jar of peanut butter and a box of graham crackers on the small table in front of the couch. “My favorite snack, my favorite movies, and my favorite guy on this rooftop. This is perfect already.” She places the wine on the table then straddles me. When her sexy body is on mine, I wrap my arms around her waist and my hands land on her ass. Her arms rest on my shoulders then she softly kisses my lips. “So perfect. Thank you.”
“Aht aht,” comes from a soft, timid voice. I look over Truce’s shoulder and when she sees our server, she tries to climb off but I hold her in place. “The movie starts in fifteen minutes and I wanted to get your order.”
“Give a minute to look over the menu,” I tell her. Our server steps inside of the cabana and hands me a small menu.
“I’ll be back in five,” she says then walks off.
“It’s double-sided,” I tell her as I flip the menu over. “What you want?”
“I heard they have the full cinema experience and I can’t watch a movie without movie theatre food. I want a tub of popcorn, extra butter, Milk Duds, and nachos-n-cheese with a side of jalapenos,” she rambles off without even looking at the menu.
“You gon’ have room for dinner?”
She shakes her head then runs her hands along the sides of my face. After moving her right hand to my chin, she cups it. “Oh no, I don’t want any real food. Say it with me Rex, ‘when at the movies, we eat movie food,’” she says. “Movie food,” she adds extra slowly.
“Movie food,” I repeat.
Tonight is all about her so I give in and flip over to the concessions side of the menu and decide on the beef hotdogs, three of them, no ketchup. Our server returns and I place our order. She uncorks the bottle of wine and fills the glasses before she leaves. Truce runs her fingers through the sides of my beard then kisses me again.
“This is everything. You just don’t know how excited I am about this. Look at this!” she exclaims while tilting her head back. While looking up into the sky, she says, “My movies under these stars with you.”
With her neck angled like this, I take full advantage and plant kisses all over it. She giggles at first then purrs lightly. Her low sensual moans cause my dick to brick the fuck up. She has that effect on me. The tiniest thing turns me the hell on.
“Shit. You better stop sounding like that,” I warn. “We won’t be seeing none of these joints.”
“Then you better stop kissing my neck like this,” she moans. “I’m not leaving here without seeing my movie.”
“Okay then you gonna get fucked in this cabana,” I say and she laughs but I’m deadass.
“Rex!” she snaps. “I can’t with you.” She is all smiles and I’m loving it. Her last few days have been tough on her and this smile has been gone. It’s back and knowing I’m the cause of it hits just right. After pecking my lips, she eases off of me then glances down at my duffle. “What else is in that bag?”
“Oh yeah. Exactly what we need.”
I lean over and grab the two blankets from my duffel. Her smile widens as I pull them out. Then, she grabs them, hops off the sofa and spreads the blankets over the lounge chairs. When she walks back over to me, she eases down on my lap.
“Did you bring those to keep me warm or to try and be a little freaky out here?” she asks slyly.
“Both,” I admit before licking her lips.
“Mmm. You’re not playing fair. Keep doing that and I might just give in and become a whole porn star on those lounges under the covers.”
“My porn star,” I clarify.
The small floor lights start to dim then both movie screens light up. The Equalizer is about to start. Excitedly, she slides off my lap and grabs the wine glasses.
“Let’s toast before it starts,” she says as she hands me a glass. With hers raised to mine, she says, “To an amazing night with an amazing man.”
“And to his porn star,” I add before tapping her glass with mine and she laughs.
I down the sweet wine with one gulp and she sips on hers as she walks over to the lounge chairs. I grab her crackers and peanut butter then join her. Once I’m seated, I grab the portable table, lift it, and position it across us. She places her wine glass on it and I place her snacks next to her glass. She opens the crackers and I open the peanut butter for her. Then, she scrapes a graham cracker across the peanut butter and holds it to my mouth.
“You have to taste it,” she insists. “I promise you it’ll be the best thing you have ever tasted.”
I glance down at her lap suggestively, place my hand between her legs, then assure her, “I doubt that.”
“I think you’re my porn star,” she says with a smirk.
“I’m whatever you want me to be,” I admit before opening my mouth.
Her little concoction actually tastes pretty good. I finish a cracker and she prepares herself one. After eating it, she adjusts the comforters, making sure we are covered, then snuggles into me. The previews for upcoming movies begin just as our server, accompanied by another server, walks over with our food.
“I told you that you would like it,” she gushes. After dumping her Milk Duds on top of the popcorn, she tosses the bucket then grabs a handful of her mixed concoction. “Now, I’m about to put you on to a real treat, hot popcorn and melting Milk Duds,” she says before popping some in her mouth. Then she raises the rest to my mouth. I open my mouth and damn, it’s good. “Told you,” she brags. “Look, stick with me and I’ll school you on the best snacks.”
She snuggles into me and I drape my arm around her. “You can school me on whatever you want; I’m already stuck,” I say.
“ I swear I’m never going to leave if you keep interrupting me,” Truce huffs playfully.
“I’m not interrupting. I’m just commenting, beautiful. I love watching you. It’s sexy as hell how you be rubbing your oils on that body. Even the way you put your makeup on is sexy as fuck. It’s like my own personal little movie because I know you do all that extra shit just for me.”
“Just for you,” she says before putting her lipstick on.
I real shit love watching her get dressed before I see her. That shit is a work of art and the best part is that she’s doing it for me. Every drop of oil on her beautiful body is for my nose to inhale. The lipstick she puts on her soft lips is for me to kiss off. Her hair is combed just right so I can run my hands through it and every piece of clothing is put on so I can take it off. I love all of it and so does she. I don’t even have to ask anymore; if she’s getting dressed, she’ll FaceTime me.
“You know this is a barbecue,” I say as she pulls the fitted dress down her hips.
“I know but it’s with your parents, your family. Plus, it’s me and Aryel’s first outing together. She told me last night at the restaurant that she was wearing a dress and she asked me to wear one too. So, I am. You don’t like it?”
That’s why she picked out a dress for today, I think with a smile.
My baby girl is crazy about Truce. For her nail appointment today, she insisted that I ask Truce to take her instead of me. I didn’t want to impose, but when I mentioned that Dax and I had to season the meat and get the grill ready for my parents’ anniversary party this evening, Truce volunteered to take Aryel.
“I love this dress on you,” I admit and she simpers.
“Thank you. I’m hanging up so I don’t miss our appointment. You should be leaving too.”
“I am. She’s ready. We’ll meet you at the shop. Don’t let her talk you into long nails.”
“Rex, she’s seven. I wouldn’t dare. Her own nails are cute enough. Trust me, I got this.”
She winks then ends our call. I do trust her. I don’t let anybody I don’t trust around my baby. Nobody but Truce is different. She’s carved out a piece of my heart and I completely trust her with Aryel and with me. Aria kind of fucked me up when she left. Not only did she leave our baby, but she left me, her husband. When I married, I meant every word of my vows. It hurt when I learned that she didn’t. She showed me that trust isn’t something guaranteed and I’ve moved accordingly with women until now, until her.
When I walk downstairs, Aryel is at the kitchen dinette still eating her cereal and fruit. It never takes her this long to eat her breakfast. I walk over to her and see that her bananas are almost gone but there’s plenty of Frosted Flakes left in her cereal bowl.
“What’s wrong, baby? You not hungry today?” I ask.
“I ate my bananas but I don’t want to mess up my dress,” she says.
“You can put something else on and eat if you’re worried about that. I’ll go get something.”
“No, Daddy. Then we’ll be late,” she says and I realize she’s really excited about her nail appointment with Truce.
“Okay, but you have to have more than a banana. How about one of your breakfast dogs? I can pop it in the air fryer and you won’t mess up your dress. Go get your stuff and I’ll heat it.”
“Okay. I’ll eat that.”
She hops out of her chair then reaches for her cereal bowl. When I see how careful she’s being with it, I chuckle then take it from her and place it back down on the table. She heads out the kitchen and I grab three of the pancake and sausage on a stick from the freezer and place them in our air fryer. As they warm up, I clean up her bowl and wipe down the table and kitchen counter.
I text my brother Dax and let him know I’m about to drop Aryel off so he can be ready. We are meeting at the marketplace to pick up the food for tonight. When Aryel walks back into the kitchen, she has one of her little LV purses instead of her book bag and I just smile. My baby is going all out for her little outing with Truce. She really likes her.
“You got some money in there?” I tease as I take the sausage dogs out of the air fryer.
“No. You’re paying for my nails.”
After wrapping her stick with paper towels, I hand it to her, then do the same for my two. “You’re expensive; you know that? You’re gonna have to get a job.”
“Daddy, I can’t work. I’m not old enough,” she says while giggling.
“Well, we’re gonna have to do something,” I say.
“We make money at the furniture store,” she informs me.
“We? That’s your store too?”
“Yes. I’m Aryel Goode,” she says matter of factly and I can’t help but to laugh.
“Well, little miss Aryel Goode, it’s time for you to come and work in your furniture store.”
“When I’m twenty-one I’ll work, Daddy,” she says and I smile before kissing her forehead.
“Let’s go.” The ride to the nail shop is pretty quiet. Aryel carefully eats her sausage dog as I drive. When I pull into the shopping plaza, I spot Truce’s ride and pull right next to it. I get out before she can. “Wait right here,” I tell Aryel as I get out.
I walk over to Truce’s driver’s side and open her door. Her signature scent graces the air and treats my nose. My lips are dying to be on hers so I step to her before she can get out.
“Is this what you wear to a barbecue?” she asks with a smirk.
“This is lightwork,” I tell her before leaning in and kissing her soft ass lips. “I’ve been thinking about your lips since I saw you putting your lipstick on.”
“Did you kiss it all off?”
“No. Let me try again.” This time, I kiss her with so much passion that she moans into my mouth as I suck on her bottom then top lip. “It’s off now.”
She reaches her hand up to my face then swipes her thumb around the sides and bottom of my lips. “My lipstick is all over your face,” she says as she does.
“I like when you are all over my face. You remember that later tonight.”
“Oh, I will.” She smiles then reaches over and grabs her bag from the passenger seat and her keys and cell out of the middle console. “I know you told me I didn’t have to bring anything but I am.” Her trunk opens. “There are a few gallons of lemonade in that cooler and when we are done, I’m picking up a lemon pound cake from Seasonal Sweets. I heard you say your mom liked those.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did.” She turns and brings her legs out.
“How much wa?—”
“Rex, I’m telling you,” she says, interrupting me. “It’s all done and paid for. Now, move and get the lemonade. Aryel and I have appointments.”
I’m addicted to all things Truce, especially her lips. So before stepping out of her way, I peck her lips again. After assisting my lady down, I turn and open the door for my little lady. As soon as her feet hit the pavement, she steps over to Truce and hugs her.
“You ready?” Truce asks.
“Yes, ma’am,” she says, beaming.
Truce brushes her hand across the small hairs out of place on Aryel’s sides then looks down at her. “Look at your purse. I love it.”
“Thank you. My daddy got it for Christmas. I like yours too.”
I can stand here all day and watch my heart talk to my future. Their seamless connection is perfection. I couldn’t have dreamed that it would be this good and I love every moment.
“Rex, the cooler,” Truce reminds me.
I walk to the back of her truck, grab the cooler, and place it in my trunk. Then, we walk to the salon, with Truce and Aryel holding hands. As Truce signs them in, I holla at the girl at the counter and hand her one of my business cards. She knows me because Aryel is here at least once a month, more during competition season.
“When they are done, hit me and I’ll pay for whatever they get. Do not accept any payments from her,” I say as I discreetly nod toward Truce.
“I got you, Mr. Goode,” she assures me with a smile.
“Thanks,” I tell her then step to them. They are busy looking at colors for Aryel. “I’m getting ready to head out.”
“Okay. Text me your parents’ address and we’ll see you after we’re done.”
“Daddy, I’m going to get my toes polished, too,” Aryel gushes and Truce looks at me, her eyes asking for permission. I feel that she understands my insistence on Aryel staying a little girl so I trust her judgment.
“That should be real pretty,” I tell her as I lean in and plant a kiss on her forehead. Then I reach up and peck Truce’s lips. “Thanks again.”
I leave my two beauties in the shop and text my brother as I walk to my ride. He’s leaving his place too. We meet at The Marketplace about twenty minutes later and load up for the barbecue, getting enough steak, colossal shrimp, and lobster for the fam. For the veggies we choose potatoes, russet and sweet, and asparagus. The entire meal will be cooked on the grill and smoker.
“This is too much,” my mom complains as she pulls the food from the grocery bags.
Her complaining is accompanied by her beautiful smile so I know she’s just talking shit. She’s excited about tonight. The entire family will be here celebrating her and Pops and she loves that.
“You invited the whole damn family. This might not be enough,” Dax says.
“It’s definitely enough. What do you want me to do? I can clean the shrimp.”
“We want you to sit your pretty little self in the living room and chill. It’s your day and we got this,” I tell her.
“Plus, Chantel’s gonna be here at three with the makeup people. Relax and get ready for that,” Dax adds.
“I guess you’re right.” She walks over to me at the sink. I’m prepping the lobster tails. I can’t cook for shit but I can do a little something on the grill. Dax is the better griller though but I’ll take that fact to the grave. If I tell his ass, he would never let that shit go. After placing her hand on my back, she asks, “So, is Truce coming tonight?”
Aryel snitched! I think as my eyebrows furrow.
“Relax your suspicious face. It wasn’t my grandbaby who told me either.”
“Then who was it?” I question while eyeing my talking ass brother.
“Not me, my nigga,” Dax scoffs.
“Does it matter?” my mom asks.
“Yes.”
“Well, I’m not revealing my sources. Aht aht! These lips are sealed. Just know that I’m happy. Truce is a good one. She runs her family business and does so much for the community. Every Thanksgiving, she would sponsor the dinner for the kids,” she says referring to the foster home my mother helped run for years. “I was so sorry to hear about her mom though.” She pats my back again. “Alright, let me get out of here. I bet your daddy hasn’t shaved yet. That man waits until the last minute for every damn thing.” She leaves us in the kitchen so she can go harass my pops.
“If he shows up with that jet black hair and beard, I swear I’m going to say something,” Dax says. Our pops isn’t embracing his grays and he keeps dyeing that shit.
“You need to. If yo’ ass has gray hair then he definitely needs to show his.”
“Ain’t shit on me gray.”
“Check that beard,” I tease because he isn’t graying yet.
“Bruh, fuck you.” I laugh then get back to these lobsters. He’s seasoning the steaks with his special seasoning. “Where’s your sister? She’s supposed to be here to help.”
“I don’t know. I texted her last night and this morning and she didn’t respond. She probably worked late last night. She better be here. It’s their anniversary and she can’t miss this.”
“Her ass better be here. The planners should be here soon to set up and she’s handling that shit. She dropped the ball already and my baby had to book the cruise,” he says, whispering the part about our parents’ surprise cruise.
“I got the luggage in my trunk too. And oh shit, the lemonade. Truce made five gallons of their good ass lemonade. It’s in my trunk. I’ll get it and you call your sister.”
“You got access to the top-secret lemonade,” his smug ass says. “That Goode dick strikes again.”
“Bruh, you wild,” I say while laughing. “Call Lyra.”
After washing my hands, I leave the kitchen then walk out of the house to get the lemonade. I’ll leave the luggage inside until we give them the gifts. When I start to walk back inside, a Jeep creeps into the driveway followed by a F150. Three ladies and a man exit the rides. The tall, slender lady approaches me.
“I’m Tae, from Haute Events. We are here to set up. Is Lyra here?”
“I’m Rex, Lyra’s brother. You’re setting up in the back. I’ll show you.” With the cooler in hand, I lead her around the house into the back. My mom wants the solarium turned into a Caribbean escape, which is why we are sending them on a trip to Puerto Plata, San Juan, and St. Croix. We got them on the all-adult ship.
When I walk back inside, Dax has a mug on his face. “What’s up?” I ask.
“Lyra. I don’t know what’s up with her but she claims she’s running late.”
“The event planner is here and setting up. I just took them to the back. She tripping but it’s all good.”
“No hell it ain’t. Her ass is supposed to cook the potatoes and asparagus.”
“They going on the grill too. If she ain’t here soon, I’ll season them and get them ready.”
After putting the lemonade in the fridge, I wash my hands and get back to the lobster and shrimp. By four, we have the grill and smoker going and Chantel, Mere, and Nyrielle, Mere’s little sis, have arrived. She’s in college at CFU but came home for this. My parents practically took over raising Mere and Nyrielle after my aunt got in the streets. She was on that shit bad. Lyra still isn’t here and she’s starting to piss me off. As I text her for the fourth damn time, a message from Truce pops on my screen.
Truce: Pulling in.
Me: Coming out.
We are all in the backyard, including my parents. The event team really turned this solarium into an island party. It resembles Carnival with the colors, tropical centerpieces, and colorful linens. The drinks at the Tiki bar are being served in hollowed out, fresh pineapples and my mom and dad are dressed alike. She’s wearing a long floral dress and my dad is sporting a matching shirt. That shit is hilarious because he has a permanent scowl on his face.
When I make it to the front, Truce and Aryel are out of her ride. Aryel spots me first and rushes to me, anxious to show off her pink nails with rhinestones and matching pink toes. She’s smiling from ear to ear and talking a mile a minute.
“They washed my feet, Daddy, and the chair played music and massaged my back. I got some juice in a glass like Miss Truce and they put my feet in these bags to make them soft. You like it?”
“I love it. They look so pretty; you look so pretty.”
“I want to get my toes like this again. Please, Daddy!”
“Alright. Calm down. We’ll see.”
“You don’t have to take me if you don’t want to. Miss Truce can; we had fun and I like her,” she says and her words are music to my ears.
“We have to check with her schedule. Okay?”
“I already asked her. She said yes. Daddy, pleeeaasseee.”
“Okay. Let me talk to her about that. Go on in the house. Everyone is out back. Your Yaya is going to love your nails.”
“And toes,” she yells while running to the back.
Truce steps to me then grabs my shirt lightly. She pulls me down to her lips. “Today was supposed to be my treat,” she scolds before kissing me passionately. “But thanks anyway,” she says, smiling.
“You taking Aryel and spending all day with those ladies benefits me. You getting your nails and toes done also benefits me. It’s a win-win for me, which makes it my treat, every time.”
“They definitely love you at that shop. If one more woman would have asked Aryel where’s her daddy, I was going to act the hell up. Like damn! Mr. Goode isn’t here today. Get over it, bitches,” she huffs and I can’t stop my laughter.
“You staking your claim?”
“Already staked,” she says and damn. My fucking dick gets thick on my thigh at her words.
“Shit!” I groan then step forward, backing her up on her ride. “Words like that will have you in that back seat with my face between your legs.”
“Is that a promise?” she asks and I run my tongue across her lips.
“Damn, cuz. Let her breathe; shit,” Mere’s loud ass voice calls out from behind. “Auntie sent me out here to get you. She’s ready to eat.”
“Alright,” I tell him without taking my eyes or attention from her.
“We better go. I’m not trying to make your mom mad at me on her big day.” Reluctantly, I calm down and step back. “The cake is in the back seat,” she says.
After I get the cake, we head to the back to join everyone. In true Arlene style, Marvin Gaye is playing on the sound system. She loves all things Marvin Gaye and “After the Dance” is her favorite song. It’s playing right now. Lyra still isn’t here though and when I look at Dax, he just shrugs. I place the cake on the table then turn to my family.
“Everyone, this is Truce. Truce, this is my family,” I announce, bullshitting, and she shoves me lightly.
“I know you know better than that. Rex, introduce her the right way,” my mom scolds and I smile. One by one, I formally introduce my family to Truce, starting with my mom. I swear she hugs Truce for several minutes before she releases her. “You are beautiful,” my mom gushes.
“I agree.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Goode,” Truce says.
“Arlene, sweetheart. Just call me Arlene and come with me to this bar,” she says before coaxing Truce away from me.
Aryel is with Nyrielle. She loves her cousin. So I walk over to Dax. He’s taking the food off the grill.
“Momma’s ready to eat and Lyra still ain’t here. I called, Ny called, and even Chantel hit her but she didn’t answer. Ion know what’s up but she needs to get here,” he says.
“What’s Momma saying?” I ask.
“She’s pissed but she ain’t going to show it.”
“I think she’s worried for real because this ain’t like Lyra.”
“We can’t wait no more. I’m not fucking up my steaks.”
“Well let’s eat. Momma’s ready to eat anyway.”
After washing my hands at the small kitchen area, I join him and we get all the food into the trays then place the trays on the serving table. Truce walks over to help with a pineapple in her hand but I decline. This isn’t Redmond’s and she’s my guest tonight. I’m serving her.
My pops stands, then turns down the music. “Before we eat, let us bless this food,” he says. We all walk to the tables then join hands. He says grace then turns to my mom after saying Amen. “To another thirty-seven years with my sweet brown sugar. Happy Anniversary, baby,” he says before kissing her.
“Auntie, I’ll fix y’all plates,” Nyrielle says. “A little of everything?”
“A lot of everything,” my pops says and we all laugh a little. My mom doesn’t play and she rarely lets him eat red meat. So, these steaks are a treat and it’s their day.
“I’ll help, Papa,” Aryel says before following Nyrielle to the table.
“I got your plate,” I tell Truce.
“And let him,” Chantel says. “Baby, fix mine too. I just want steak and shrimp though, no lobster,” she tells Dax.
Then, she grabs Truce’s hand and they step to the bar. I start to walk over to the food but my mom’s hand on mine stops me. She tugs at it and I step to the side with her. When we are away from my pops, she stares into my eyes with a concern-filled gaze.
“Lyra isn’t answering me and she would not miss this day for me and your dad for the world. I’m really worried that something might've happened to her,” she utters, anxiety lacing her words.
As convincing as I can be, I say, “Don’t be worried. She probably got busy at the salon and can’t get to her phone. You know how it is there. Stop stressing and go enjoy your food. You look too pretty to not be smiling.”
Slowly, she nods, then says, “Alright. You’re right. She’ll be here soon.”
After squeezing my hand, she walks back to the table with my pops. Their plates are on the table and Nyrielle and Aryel are back at the food table with Mere. Dax and Chantel are seated and eating. I step to Truce and lean close to her ear; she’s sipping on her pineapple.
“Do you want everything?”
“I can fix my plate, Rex.”
“But you’re not. What do you want?”
“No asparagus, sweet potato, and all the meat. But a small piece of steak.”
“Got it.”
When I make it to the food table, Aryel’s trying to fork a big ass T-bone. I help her and fork one of the petite steaks instead. She already has a few shrimp and a potato with butter, cheese, and sour cream on her plate. I carry it over to the table for her then fix Truce’s plate and mine.
“You can tell when niggas grubbing. Nobody says shit,” Mere says, speaking facts.
We all laugh because he’s right. The only noise in the solarium is Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell singing a love song. The food is good, even the potatoes and asparagus that I ended up seasoning and grilling.
“Everything is really good. You boys outdid yourselves. Smokey’s would not have been this good,” my mom says.
“It would have been easier,” I add.
“But not better. What’s the seasoning on this steak?” Truce asks.
“My secret blend. You give me this lemonade recipe and I’ll give you my blend,” Dax says while holding up his glass.
“I guess I’ll never know,” Truce replies with a smirk.
“That lemonade slap. I can’t lie. Y’all need to bottle and sell that shit,” Mere says and Nyrielle sucks her teeth.
“Boy, that’s what they do. They sell it at the restaurant. Nigga, duh,” she says.
“I know that, big head. I’m talking about in a grocery store or some shit,” he snaps back.
“We know what you meant,” my mom says. “I put the lemonade and a splash of my Absolut in my pineapple. I think I have a new drink.”
“And keep drinking it,” Pops says then he leans in and whispers the rest to my mom and she giggles like a teenager.
“They are too cute,” Truce utters. We continue to eat and talk and I can’t stop glancing at my phone on the table. I’m hoping Lyra will at least call or text. It’s damn near seven and her ass still isn’t here. She’s really fucking up right now. Truce senses my tension and places her hand on my leg under the table. “She’ll be here,” she assures but at this point, I can’t call it.
“Mere, what happened to you bringing yo’ girl?” Dax asks.
“Moved on,” he says, nonchalantly.
“Ol’ girl from the shop with our two cases of cookies?” I questioned because he insisted that I get cases for her and I had.
“Yeah but I’m sure she’ll sell ’em.”
“My cookies?” Aryel asks, all concerned.
“Yeah, lil bit, but you good. I ain’t worried about that. I got you either way. Don’t I always look out?” he says and Aryel nods.
The sound of Dax’s fist landing hard on the table freaks the shit of out of everybody and causes us to look up. The fuck! Before my brain can fully process what my eyes are unbelievably seeing, Dax leaps out of his seat. His chair crashes to the floor and Dax’s hands are firmly gripping the shirt of the nigga who caused him to lose three years of his life.
Romelo is here.
… with Lyra.
What the fuck!
Chantel is yelling for me to intervene. Lyra is pleading for Dax to put Romelo’s bitch ass down and my momma is crying. Then I hear my baby Aryel yell out in a panic, “Uncle Dax!”
Her plea snaps me out of my minute stupor and I get up. I rush to Dax and pull him off of Romelo. Then, before I let my mind exercise any reason, I stall Romelo out with an uppercut and his body falls back and slams into the glass door of the solarium. The heavy duty glass doesn’t shatter but the impact is heard loud and clear.
“Rex!” Lyra screams angrily as she tries to rush me. With one hand, I hold her ass in place. She flails her hands, trying to break my hold or hit me; at this point, I don’t know what the hell she’s trying to do but I do know she’s lost her fucking mind, bringing that nigga here.
Nyrielle rushes over and pulls Lyra back. My mom is distraught and crying. Aryel is bawling her eyes out while Truce comforts her. Chantel is pacing in circles with Dax, trying to calm him down. Mere is standing, positioned to do whatever is necessary. This shit is crazy as hell and I’m just trying to calm down my damn self. My chest is heaving, my palms are itching to box, and I’m mad at myself for hitting a man in front of my baby girl.
“Let me go, Nyrielle! He’s hurt,” Lyra has the nerve to say.
“Fuck that nigga!” Mere and I spit at the same damn time.
He’s beside me now and Romelo is starting to move. When he does, my dumb ass sister has the nerve to break from Nyrielle and run to him.
“If you put one hand on him, I swear to God, I’ll kill him,” I say ominously.
She immediately picks up on my tone and sincerity and pauses timidly, taking steps back. Real shit, if she touches him, I will end his pathetic life without a second thought.
Tears are streaming down her face and I don’t give a fuck. She brought this nigga to our parents’ anniversary. This nigga. The one who beat her into a coma. The one who took everything she had and the one who landed Dax in jail for three fucking years. She can’t be serious.
“Dax! Baby! No!” Chantel yells and I glance over my shoulder.
Dax is storming toward Romelo. Chantel’s running behind him, trying to keep up with his long strides. I turn around and step directly in front of my brother. I’m not letting him go back to prison for this muthafucka.
“I got this. You are not going back for him,” I say sternly.
“That’s right, son. Let your brother handle this,” my pops says. He’s consoling my mother with his arms wrapped around her as he speaks.
“I got this,” I repeat.
“Then get him out of here,” Dax warns, then glares at Lyra. He opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out; he just shakes his head. He’s angry and hurt and he has every fucking right to be.
Hell, I am too.
Chantel looks at Lyra and I can see the anger and utter disgust on her face. She rolls her eyes hard as hell then says through gritted teeth, “You are wrong as hell for this shit. Dead ass wrong.” She turns to Dax then wraps her arms around him. He latches onto her and they walk out of the back of the solarium.
“My nigga you got to bounce. Right now too. They are sparing your bitch ass but not me. Sorry, Auntie,” Mere says. “In ten seconds, I’m going to forget where the fuck I am and your peoples won’t know where you are. You feel me?” Romelo tries to stand again but fails. “Get up nigga!” Mere yells.
“He can’t; he needs help,” Lyra cries.
“He don’t need shit but to get up. He had all the strength he needed when he put his fucking hands on you or did you forget that shit? He can move and he better before I drag his bitch ass out of here.”
“I’m leaving,” he utters.
He gets on all fours like a damn dog. Then, he uses his hands to push off of the floor. Again, Lyra makes an attempt to step to him but I shake my head and she stills. When he’s standing, I crowd his space and get all up in his face.
“Your best bet is to go the fuck back from where you came. The threats on your life are real and this is our city. Leave before you are shipped out in a body bag and don’t even look at my sister when you leave,” I warn.
He nods then turns to his right to avoid Lyra. When he opens the glass door, she actually begs him not to leave.
“Lyra! Enough! Just enough. I have had enough. You might as well leave with him,” my mom says, utterly heartbroken.
“Momma!” Lyra cries.
“Momma nothing. She ain’t going with him. He’s going the fuck first then she can leave,” Mere grits before roughly shoving Romelo in his back. He practically stumbles into the family room but he somehow manages to stop his fall. “Stupid ass,” he utters.
As soon as they are out of sight, I step to my sister. I’m filled with too many heartbroken and disappointing emotions to really tell her how I fucking feel, so I simply say, “You fucked up.”