Chapter 7
I was feeling like a literal teenager getting ready for my first date. I made the mistake of telling my girls that Quaid asked me out. Of course, they told my brothers, who told our father and my mother. Now everybody was at my house to see me off.
This shit was so embarrassing. Everybody couldn’t believe that meek, mild mannered Jaeda Dillinger was going on a date. Being that I kept the last date a secret until it was over, this seemed to excite them like I wasn’t a twenty-six-year-old woman.
I knew my father and brothers had a motive. My mother was already gearing up to take pictures so she could send them to my aunties. And my girls . . . well, they were just waiting to see if I finally got some dick.
I stood in the middle of my living room with my arms crossed.
“Fix your face, girl,” Shar said.
“No. This is all your fault for telling these neanderthals,” I said, referring to my brothers. “Y’all don’t have to tell them everything.”
All three of my brothers raised an eyebrow.
“Everybody who’s married or about to be married, raise your hand,” Deuce said.
I rolled my eyes as six hands went in the air.
“You see them rings? We locked in for life, lil sis. Whatchu mean they don’t have to tell us everything? Ain’t no secrets between husband and wife.”
“Deuce, please go to the hottest part of hell. Y’all have to go. All of you.”
Deuce waved me off. “Yeah, okay. We’re staying right here. You got me bent. Any nigga that asks you on a date after you had him kidnapped is suspect as fuck?—”
“Watch your damn mouth, Stanley,” my mama warned him.
“I’m just saying. That doesn’t sit right with me.”
Maceo shrugged. “I don’t know, man. We had a talk when I took him home after that. He seems like a good dude. I think she’ll be okay.”
“I mean, Jae knows how to shoot,” Steel said. “And we are only a phone call away if he gets outta pocket like ol’ boy.”
My mother frowned. “Who? What boy?”
I shot a glare at my brother. I hadn’t told my mother about DeWayne putting his hands on me, and I would have liked to keep it that way.
“Somebody better start talking,” my mother said, her hands on her hips.
Deuce’s snitching ass spoke up. “Ma, your daughter went on a date with this nigga she met on the internet, and he got a lil handsy with her.”
“What!” My mother looked at me. “Really, Jaeda?”
I groaned. “It wasn’t that big a deal, Mama. He retreated when I pulled my gun. I handled it.”
Deuce shook his head. “Yeah, well, he won’t put his hands on anybody else. Nigga taking a permanent dirt nap. The same will happen to your little nerd if I find out he’s on some fuck shit.”
My mama picked up a pillow and threw it at him. “Watch your goddamn mouth, Stanley!” She turned to me. “He’s right though, Jaeda. Mama’s got bullets too.”
My siblings all looked at each other and broke into laughter. I didn’t find anything funny, though.
“Y’all, seriously, please leave. This is embarrassing as hell. I’m grown, and I don’t need my family congregating to send me off on a date! Y’all are doing the most. I love you, I swear I do, but get out!”
I walked over to the door and opened it. They all grumbled as everybody stood to their feet to leave. My brothers and their wives filed out of the house, followed by Steel and Mia.
My father grinned as he came to a stop in front of me. “I don’t know if I like this nigga. He’s making you boss up. Where is my sweet Jaeda?”
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. “Daddy, please.”
“I’m joking, baby girl. I still don’t like you dating, but you’re right. You’re grown. Besides, I already did a background check on him.”
“Daddy!”
“Don’t daddy me. You think I’d let just anybody take you out if I can help it? He checks out. Very straightlaced. Comes from a nice family. The bank account had legal funds, and it’s sitting nice, so I know he ain’t after your money.”
My mouth dropped in disbelief. “Mommy, please talk to your baby daddy.”
My mother walked over and mushed his head. “Senior, get your old ass outta here and leave my child alone.”
My father laughed. “She’s my child too. I’m only a few years older than you, woman. If I’m old, you’re old. You’re about to have a newborn at our age.”
“Well at least this time I’m a wife and not a baby mama. Bye, Stanley.”
“She told all of us to get out. That means you too.”
“Mama can stay,” I said, motioning for him to leave.
He dramatically grabbed his chest. “Now that hurt.”
“You’ll live.”
He shook his head as he pulled me in for a hug. “I can take a hint,” he said, kissing my temple. “I hope you have a good time, baby. I talk a lot of shit, but I want you to be happy. You deserve that. If . . .” He sighed. “If this young man happens to make you happy, I’ll just have to accept that.”
I smirked. “Think of it like this, Daddy. You love being these babies’ papa. I can’t give you any grandchildren if I’m single. I mean, technically, I can?—”
He cut me off. “I wish like hell you would. Don’t play with me like that, Jaeda Janelle.”
I laughed as I embraced him. “I’m totally kidding, Daddy.” I palmed the side of his face and kissed his cheek. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Tavia . . .” He grinned as he looked over at my mother. “If you need a babysitter, I’ve got you. You know the kids love their papa.”
“Having children with you is plenty enough, Senior. Take your ass back to your house.”
“Send me pictures of my girl.”
He winked at me as he walked out the door. I quickly closed and locked it behind him in case anyone doubled back. I let out a sigh as I rested against it. My mother chuckled.
“Mommy, it’s not funny.”
“It is. Your daddy gets on my nerves at times, but I love the way he loves you all. You’re his kryptonite. He won’t stand for anybody hurting his babies, no matter how big you all get.” She kissed my cheek. “Come on. Let’s get you ready. My baby has a date!”
She did an excited shimmy, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I guess I could allow her to bask in this moment since it didn’t happen too often.
An hour and a half later, I was looking over myself in my full-length mirror. My mama did her big one in helping me get ready. She did my hair, makeup, and she picked out my outfit. When I would have gone for something on the conservative side, she picked something sleek and sexy.
The black formfitting, spaghetti strapped dress clung to my curves. The neckline tastefully accentuated my cleavage, and the split up the front exposed a good amount of thigh. On my feet were a pair of sleek Red Bottoms.
My mother curled and pinned my hair into a curly bun with two tendrils hanging in the front. The finishing touch was a light beat of makeup that looked extremely natural.
My mother dramatically fanned her face. “You look so beautiful,” she said with a whimper.
“Mama, please don’t start crying.”
“I can’t help it! It’s the hormones! I cry about everything these days. This is what I get for getting pregnant at my age.”
I laughed. “You didn’t think about pregnancy when you let Hershel shoot the club up?”
“Shut up, girl.” My mother wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “Seriously . . . you look beautiful, baby. Come on here and take this picture so I can send it to your aggravating ass daddy.”
I posed for several pictures, feeling better with every click of the camera. No sooner than she was done did the doorbell ring. I froze as my heart leaped from my chest to my ass. This was it. My mother rushed us out front and went to answer the door. When she opened it, there stood Quaid.
He was dressed in black from head to toe, his tattoos peeking out from beneath his short-sleeved button up. His line up was fresh and crisp, and his jewelry was simple.
A smile spread across his face as he extended a hand to my mother. “Good evening, ma’am. I’m Quaid Michaels. It’s nice to meet you.”
My mother returned the smile. “Tavia Jenkins, Jaeda’s mother.”
His eyes widened. “Mother? No way.”
Mom blushed and giggled. “I was there. It’s nice to meet you. “Come on in.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Quaid said, stepping inside. He jerked his head over his shoulder. “The guard dogs are on the lawn.”
My mother stepped outside as I went over to the window. Sure enough, my brothers were waiting next to their golf carts on the side of the road. They passed a blunt between each other as they watched the house.
“Oh my God,” I mumbled.
“If y’all don’t take your asses home!” my mama yelled, slamming the front door behind her.
I palmed my face, thoroughly embarrassed. Approaching footsteps caused me to look up and into Quaid’s handsome face.
“I’m so sorry about them.”
He shrugged. “It’s nothing. I’m not worried about them.”
He grabbed my hands and leaned in to kiss my cheek. I stifled a whimper as his scent was intoxicating. What the hell was it? It smelled like something that would have my panties coming off . . . I mean, . . . if I were looking for that.
His eyes shamelessly perused my frame from head to toe and back up again. I felt myself heating up under his gaze.
“You look amazing,” he said sincerely. “Damn.”
I blushed. “Thank you. You look very handsome yourself.”
“Thank you. I hope you’re hungry. We have dinner reservations.”
“I’m starving. Full transparency, I’ve been too nervous to eat all day.”
“I’m right there with you. If you’re ready, we can head out.”
“I’m ready.”
I gathered my things and finally left the house. My mother was still fussing with my brothers as we descended the front steps. They all stood from their golf carts as we made our way to the car.
I gave a wave as Quaid opened the door to his Genesis G70.
“Have her back at a decent hour!” Deuce yelled.
“Keep your location on!” Smoke added.
Then there was Maceo. “And your hands to yourself!”
“Ain’t no fucking tonight!” Steel added, causing my mother to smack him.
“Go to hell!” I yelled back, climbing into the car.
Quaid laughed at that. Settled in the front seat, I took a deep breath.
I was nervous as hell, but I didn’t want it to show.
After conversing with this man and our impromptu bookstore and coffee date, I knew I liked him.
At one point, my nerves got the best of me, and I almost backed out, but my sister got me together.
“You deserve a good man, Jaeda. Titan talks about this man like he’s a saint.
I know y’all don’t care for him, but he’s never been a liar, and he doesn’t fuck with just anybody.
If he says Quaid is a good guy, he’s a good guy.
Go out with him. Have a good time. Shit, that might just be your husband, boo. ”
Mia had her flaws. We might butt heads and go back and forth, but she was my sister and my best friend.
When I told her I was a little scared, she didn’t hesitate to gather me.
I told her I was nervous, and she even offered to put aside her differences with Titan and double date with us tonight, to make sure I was comfortable.
While I declined that, because I wasn’t in the mood to have them sour our night with their fighting, I did allow her to help me prepare. She’d been the one to go shopping with me and picked several dresses and shoes for me to choose from.
My style was mostly relaxed fits that comprised graphic tees, joggers, and leggings. I might switch it up with skinny jeans and a cute top with heels or something if I were going out, but this dress . . . I felt so sexy. It was crazy because I knew I was attractive, but I’d never felt sexy.
Quaid climbed into the car and cranked up. Grabbing my hand, he pulled it to his lips and kissed it. I could already tell that I was going to spend this whole night blushing.