Chapter 16
If love had a sound, tonight it was laughter skipping across my living room like a vinyl that refused to scratch.
The house smelled like lemon oil on wood, garlic simmering in butter, and somebody’s perfume I couldn’t name but always knew meant home.
Boots stacked at the door, dominoe tables clapping like gavel strikes, trash talk flying in rhythms as old as us.
Out back, the air was thick with ribs grilling, charcoal smoke curling into the sky, and beer foam dripping down brown knuckles.
Jason had Johnnie Taylor rolling from the speaker, and this time, it wasn’t just the aunties in spirit.
Nah, the parents were front and center, moving like the music lived in their blood.
Mr. Jonathan had Mrs. Jeanette tucked against him, their two-step smoother than half the young couples out there.
His hand on her hip was steady, claiming, like decades of love and storms hadn’t cracked their rhythm.
Mrs. Jeanette laughed loudly, the kind of laugh that made you believe in forever.
Elyse, my mama, swayed nearby, clapping her hands on the beat, smiling softly, like she was catching joy off their moves.
Watching them, I felt it heavy—legacy. That was what it looked like.
That was what it sounded like. The kind of bond that bent but didn’t break, that found a way to two-step through heartbreak and keep time anyway.
My chest tightened. That’s what I want with Jonay.
Not just tonight. Not just a phase. Forever.
My crew filled the yard like kings and queens of the block.
Jonell and Jazz perched on the porch steps, Dre mid-chew with a drumstick dangling, Chambers leaning lazily in his chair, smirking like his whole body was a punchline.
And Jason, loud as always, was preaching with a Solo cup in his hand like it was gospel.
But none of them were louder than Jonay.
She was beside me, laughing at something Jazz said, her hand brushing my arm with every lean-in like she didn’t even know she was anchoring me.
That velvet box in my pocket? It burned hotter than the grill.
My thumb worried the edge like a man steadying himself before a cliff jump.
Jason clapped hard enough the dominoes rattled. “Ayo, Dre, lemme holler at you.”
Dre froze, hot sauce shining on his mouth. “What I do?”
“You think I don’t see you looking at my Ruby like she a half-priced appetizer at happy hour?” Jason squinted. “That’s my lil’ sister. You even breathe funny in her direction, I’m on your ass, my G.”
The yard fell out laughing, beer almost spilled. Jonell rolled her eyes, blushing. “Jason, you literally married our best friend. Please hush.”
Jason grinned. “Not too much on my fine ass wife. Dre better come correct or get corrected.”
Chambers cut his eyes at Jazz. “If Dre getting the talk, where’s mine?”
Jazz smirked, crossing her legs. “Boy, you don’t want my talk. You couldn’t handle it.”
Jason jumped back in. “Matter fact, let me save you some pain—Jazz gon’ fold you like a pretzel if you play with her. And not the way you want.”
The laughter was so thick it spilled into the night. The parents were still moving, still clapping, still showing us what history looked like in motion.
And then there was Jonay. Glow soft in the dusk, eyes bright, lips curved just for me. My chest thudded recklessly.
Soon, I told myself. You gon’ stop calling her yours in your head and make it law. You gon’ slide that ring on her finger and build what they got—storms, sunshine, and all. Forever.
Jason’s voice dragged me out. “Elias! You too damn quiet. What’s on your mind?”
The whole crew turned. Jonay’s hand lingered on my arm, steady, warm.
I smirked, voice smooth though my pulse was sprinting. “Just soaking it in, man. Nights like this don’t come twice.”
But my eyes never left her. And hers never left me.
Soon, my love. Real soon.