Ava Gray #3
She pulled me back to the front door where Ethan stood waiting. I don’t know why I was so nervous, but being around him did that to me. Once I rounded the corner and our eyes met, a huge smile spread across his face.
“You alright?”
He stood with open arms waiting for me to step into his warm embrace.
“Yeah, I’m good.” I melted into him.
“Damn, you smell good.”
The tip of his nose and the hairs of his beard tickled the skin on my neck. I allowed a giggle to slip because I realized just off of that feeling, my bottom lip instantly tucked between my teeth.
“Thank you. You’re smelling good yourself.”
He had on that Baccarat and Reef 33 cologne mixed together making him smell heavenly and expensive.
“Good enough to eat.” He winked.
“Don’t play with me, Ethan,” I giggled.
“Who playin’? Little momma not coming?”
“Oh, no, she’s with my parents for the weekend. My mom wanted to take her to church. Aja! I’m out!” I shouted to my sister.
“Alright! Yall have fun! Aye, white boy, show her a good time.” Aja came around the corner with a smirk.
“You already know.” Ethan nodded before opening the door for us to leave.
As soon as we stepped outside, and I could see his car, I noticed it rocking. Like a gentleman, he opened the passenger side door for me to get in.
“Ms. Avaaaa!” Zoie excitedly shrieked.
“Hi, beautiful!” I matched her energy.
“Where’s Vannah?”
“Aww, she’s with her nana and papa. If I had known your daddy was bringing you, I would’ve had her stay home. Maybe we can get together in a few days and y’all can play at the park.”
“Yessss! That sounds fun.” She danced in her seat.
The ride wasn’t that long before we pulled up to a cute house in the suburbs.
I figured this was a pit stop until Ethan turned the car off and hopped out.
Zoie quickly unbuckled her seat belt, eagerly following her daddy’s lead.
Shit, I sat confused because I didn’t know where we were or if I should get out.
Running full speed, Zoie disappeared once she stepped on the porch.
“Are you getting out or you’re gonna sit out here?” Ethan opened my door.
“Oh, yea I guess. I wasn’t sure what we were doing.”
“I told you we were going out to eat. Our family is having a little get together so my grandma is throwing down in the kitchen.” He took hold of my hand.
“Your family?” I sat with wide eyes. “Whyyyy didn’t you tell me?” I whined.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for meeting his family. At the same time I didn’t think it would be so soon. Instantly, I began to feel nervous and he sensed it just as quickly.
“Chill, I promise you’ll fit right in. Plus I already told Big Momma I was bringing you with me.” He kissed my cheek then the back of my hand.
Ethan led the way as I held onto him. My nerves had me feeling timid because I didn’t know what to expect.
Old school music blasted, and I could tell it came from the back yard.
As soon as we stepped inside of the house, the smell of barbeque kissed my nostrils.
The place was spotless and so tidy. Pictures hung on the wall of people I’d never met as well as historical figures such as Barack and Michelle Obama.
“About time you showed up.” Duke dapped Ethan up. “What’s good, Ava?”
“Hi,” I gave a warm smile.
“Come on, everybody is in the back.” Ethan continued walking.
When he told me his entire family was black, I didn’t know if I wanted to believe him.
But shit, once we stepped through the sliding doors leading to the backyard, Ethan was the only white face in sight.
He definitely stood out in the crowd, but everyone embraced him with love and respect.
Everyone in attendance was standing around enjoying the food.
Some were rolling dice and playing spades.
A group was getting down in the middle of the yard, dancing to the music. It was a whole vibe.
“EJ! Boy if you don’t get yo’ ass over here and introduce me to that fine young lady, I’ma go upside your head.”
I followed the voice to a woman who sat in a wooden rocking chair. She put me in the mind of Loretta Divine except she was slightly smaller. Ethan smiled like a little schoolboy as he led the way to his grandmother.
“Ava, this is my Big Momma. Big momma, this is my homegirl, Ava.”
“Homegirl my ass. Do I look blind to y’all? How are you doing, baby?” She smiled while reaching out to hug me.
“I’m doing good. Thank you for having me this evening.”
“Oh, honey, as long as you keep this smile on my grandson's face, you’re welcome here anytime.” She pinched Ethan’s cheeks.
“Ma, chill.” He playfully moved away from her.
“All the food is over there on that table. I baked a few cakes and pies. Help yourself. Matter of fact, EJ gone and make her a plate while you standing there looking all lovestruck and shit. You can’t tell me y’all just friends.
EJ don’t just be bringing females to my house like that. So, I know better.”
“Yooo,” he laughed, wiping his hand down his face.
“Excuse my grandma, running her mouth is her favorite thing to do. Come on, so I can feed you.” He pulled me away.