YOUNG MONEY
Six Months Into The Relationship
“You good?” Check asked from the driver’s seat. He’d insisted on driving me since he said I looked too shook to be behind the wheel. He wasn’t wrong.
“Yeah.” I adjusted my tie for the third time. I wore a custom Dolce & Gabbana suit, Italian leather shoes, and a diamond watch that cost a grip. I looked legitimate and successful like a businessman, not a drug dealer.
I’d been avoiding this shit for months. Every time she brought it up, I’d change the subject and make excuses.
But the truth was, I wasn’t ready for Solei’s mother to see what she’d gotten herself into.
But a week ago, when we were sitting in my car watching the stars, I looked at her and said, “Set it up. I wanna meet your mom’s. ” And so, there I was.
“She’s gon’ hate me, bro,” I muttered.
“Probably.” Check grinned. “But Solei doesn’t care what her mama thinks. She’s already into you, and I know you feelin’ her. You ain’t even hit it yet.”
A black sedan pulled up, and my heart stopped.
Solei stepped out first, and fuck, she was beautiful.
She wore a dark green dress that hugged every plush curve, and her hair flowed down her back, all straight.
She wore very little makeup and jewelry, and she looked classy as fuck.
She was everything I didn’t deserve, but refused to give up.
Her mother emerged next–an older Solei, with sharp eyes and elegant posture. She wore a navy dress and pearls, and when her gaze landed on me, I felt it like a physical blow. She knew exactly who I was. What I was.
“Montana Madden.” Solei walked up to me, her hand sliding into mine. “This is my mother, Sonya Winters.”
I extended my hand. “Ms. Winters, it’s an honor to meet you.”
She eyed my hand, then shook it. Her grip was firm. “Mr. Madden.”
“Please, call me Money.”
“I’ll call you what I choose,” she said, polite but cold. “Shall we?”
Fuck. My breath caught, heart thudding as the night became real.
I’d reserved the best table in the restaurant–a corner booth, private, with a view of the city.
The owner, Marco, owed me favors, so he’d made sure everything was perfect.
We sat down, and the tension was so thick you could choke on it.
“This is a beautiful restaurant,” Ms. Winters said, her eyes scanning the room. “I'm sure it’s expensive.”
“Money knows the owner,” Solei said quickly.
“I’m sure he does.” Ms. Winters’s gaze settled on me. “My daughter tells me you’re in... mentorship.”
Here we go. “Yes, ma’am. My best friend and I run a mentorin’ program for inner city youth.” She didn’t need to know I moved kilos of the purest cocaine.
“And before that?”
“Mama…” Solei started.
“It’s cool, baby.” I met Ms. Winters’ eyes directly. “Listen, I know I’m not the type of man you’d probably expect your daughter to go for. But I’m a good man. I do what I gotta do to survive. I’m not proud of all of it, but I’m grindin’ towards somethin’ legitimate. A bigger goal.”
“For my daughter’s sake, I hope that’s true.” The waiter appeared, saving me from having to respond. We ordered dinner and Ms. Winters chose the most expensive item on the menu, probably testing me. “How did you two meet?” she asked once the waiter left.
Solei and I exchanged a glance. “Through Mr. Morrison’s firm,” she explained. “Uh… one of Money’s associates needed representation. I went to interview him and Money was there.”
“And you pursued my daughter.”
“Yes, ma’am. The moment I saw her, I knew I had to know her.”
“Even though she’s in law school? Even though she has a future that doesn’t involve your... lifestyle?”
“Because of that,” I said honestly. “Solei is beautiful, brilliant, and driven. I’ve never met anyone like her.”
“And yet you’re willing to risk her career, and her reputation, by associating with her?”
“Mama, that’s not fair.”
“Nah, it’s a fair question.” I leaned forward. “Ms. Winters, I know what I am. I know what people think of me, but I love your daughter. I’d do anything for her. And I’m workin’ every day to become a better man.”
“Love,” Ms. Winters said, a little softer. “You’re very young to say that.”
“I’m twenty-four, ma’am. That’s old enough to know what I want and I want Solei for the rest of my life.” Under the table, Solei’s fingers laced through mine, her hand trembling as she squeezed tight.
Ms. Winters studied me for a long moment. “My daughter is the most important thing in my world. I raised her alone after her father left. I worked two jobs to put her through school. I sacrificed everything so she could have opportunities I never had.”
“I know, ma’am. Solei told me.”
“Then you understand why I’m concerned. Why I’m terrified, actually, that she’s throwing away everything she’s worked for because of... feelings.”
“It’s not just feelings,” Solei said quietly. “Mama, I love him. Really love him.”
Ms. Winters’s eyes glistened. “I can see that, baby. That’s what scares the hell out of me.” The food arrived, giving us all a moment to breathe. We ate in silence for a while, the tension gradually easing. “Tell me about your family,” Ms. Winters said eventually.
I set down my fork. “My mother raised me alone ‘cause father wasn’t in the picture. We grew up in the projects. She worked jobs here and there, but it was never enough. I started workin’ young to help out. Then, my mother passed away when I was nineteen.”
“Truly sorry for your loss,” Ms. Winters nodded. “Now… working. Is that what we’re calling it?”
“Mama!”
“Nah, she’s right.” I met Ms. Winter’s gaze.
“I started hustlin’ when I was thirteen.
It was the only way to help keep feed in the house and to make sure we always had what we needed.
I’m not makin’ excuses. I’ve made choices, but I’d make them again if it meant protectin’ and providin’ for my family. ”
Something shifted in Ms. Winters’s expression, like she finally understood. “Family is important to you.”
“It’s everything.”
“And my daughter? Is she family to you?”
“Yes, ma’am. She’s mine and I’m hers. That’s never changin’.”
Ms. Winters took a sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving my face. “You’re very certain of yourself.”
“I’m certain of her. Of us.”
“What if I asked you to walk away and let her build her career without the weight of your reputation dragging her down?”
My jaw tightened. “With all due respect, Ms. Winters, I can’t do that.”
“Can't or won't?”
“Both.” Solei’s hand squeezed mine harder.
Ms. Winters was quiet for a few moments. Then, surprisingly, she smiled. “At least you’re honest.”
The rest of dinner went more smoothly. Ms. Winters asked about my goals and my plans. I answered truthfully, and slowly, I watched her defenses lower. By dessert, she was almost warm.
“Take care of her,” Mrs. Winters said as we stood to leave. “If you hurt my daughter, there’s nowhere you can hide that I won’t find you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I understand.”
She pulled Solei into a hug, whispering something I couldn’t hear. Solei nodded, tears in her eyes. When they separated, Ms. Winters looked at me one more time. “She loves you. God help her, but she does. Don’t make her regret it.”
“I won’t.” And I meant that shit.