Chapter 1 #2
When it came down to Akira, I could count on her for anything.
She really was my rock. Both of us could get down with the roughest of the niggas, but we hated it to the core.
We were always the realest niggas in the room as well.
Let’s not forget that shit. Me and my girl just wanted to be soft for once.
Still sell drugs, bust our Glocks, and play spades, but be soft at the same time.
We cut up the way we did because we had to.
There was nothing decent ‘bout this generation of men.
Me and my bitch had more money, more assets, and more truths than lies.
We were a rarity but there was absolutely no man out there to match.
Being free and playing the cards we were dealt was all we could do.
Since I drove to Opulent Clouds, I tossed the keys to Kira to drive back. I’d scooped her up right after Royce chewed me out. She was the only one I knew would ground me.
The drive back to the compound consisted of me with my feet out the window and Kira swerving in and out of lanes.
Was I the only bitch in Sage Springs with a G-Wagon?
Not at all, but I was the only bitch that had it decked out the way I did.
Cocaine white, green trimming, and the white rims to match.
It didn’t matter what I purchased, I was gon’ find a way to insert some green somewhere.
Phoenix was bumped all the way there. His latest album was self-titled and had some hits on it fa sho’. Plus, we supported the fam. He was engaged to Heidi’s best friend so anyone that was close to her was close to us. The family attended plenty concerts of his.
My father was the middle child out of his siblings and behaved like one.
Although my aunt Rhema passed before I could meet her, I heard she gravitated more toward my Pops than Uncle Royce.
It could’ve been due to the fact that he was quiet and standoffish.
He only spoke when things didn’t sit right with him, when his family needed him, or when my mama was around.
Other than that, he preferred to be off the grid.
While others lived side by side on the compound, his crib was closer to the gate. He didn’t care for the family nonsense too much. Don’t underestimate him though. He laid plenty folk down behind us.
Kira pulled in the driveway, and I could smell the food on the grill instantly. My stomach started growling instantly. I hopped out the whip and made my way inside. The music was flowing, and I heard my mama singing. I was trying to figure out why them two been on such good terms lately.
As I approached her, the smell of her famous baked beans hit my nose. I could sit and eat on her food all day. Trust me when I say I ate good all the time with my parents around.
“Hey Mama, you look happy,” I said walking over placing a kiss on her cheek.
Castina wasn’t my birth mother, but she was the only woman I’d known my entire life.
She cared for me like I was her daughter, and I never once thought to correct her.
Plus, my father only showed interest in her and her alone.
His one mistake cost them a potential marriage.
He regretted it every day ‘cause one thing my mama did was make him feel it.
“I am. Today is the first day of my vacation. Since I got time off, Ryan was willing to grill some things and get me started right. Also, I missed Bentley and Heidi’s last visit. I didn’t want to miss this one. Where’s Kira?” she inquired.
Anybody that knew me, knew my bitch was always with me. “Right here, Ma. You got it smelling good. Is it done?” Kira came in lifting the foil on the pans.
“Is you high?” my mama countered with a smile.
“Always,” Kira answered forking the mac and cheese. She was popped right on the hand. She knew my mama didn’t play that.
“Get your hands out my food, Kira. I’m not going to say it again. Wait until everybody else come up. I done told you and Cedees to leave that weed alone,” she fussed.
“I know the pot ain’t calling the kettle black. You got it smelling good up in here, but I smell straight Za coming from the patio. I know for a fact you and Pops been blowing it down,” I chimed.
“Stay out of grown folks’ business,” she threw back.
Giggling, I threw my hands up and backed up.
I then headed outside to see ‘bout my heart. Ryan Atkins was my world. He was the only man in my life that was permanent. Without him, I wouldn’t be here, and damned sure wouldn’t be as tough as I was.
Royce might’ve asked me to fight for him when bitches got beside themselves, but my father taught me how to throw them.
When I stepped out, he was pulling the blunt from his mouth and flipping the meat. I smiled because he really was my everything. I respected the hell out of my father and dared anybody, including family, to talk to him crazy. My father wasn’t who I played ‘bout in no shape or form.
“You gon’ hit this, Cedees?” he asked without looking back. The wood was held up for me to see.
“How did you know it was me and not Mama?” I questioned taking it from him. I was already high as a kite, but whatever he wanted to do that included me, I was down for it.
“She hates me too much to stay quiet. She only comes around when she wants something,” he said shaking his head.
I hopped on top of the banister and got comfy. I inhaled and took in the scenery. The compound was all I knew. My family made sure we were secluded and living in the best conditions. Pops didn’t even want anything for real but me and Mama taken care of. He was the simple Atkins out the bunch.
“And you gon’ give her whatever she ask for every time.”
“Every fuckin’ time. I think I’m wearing her down though. She coming around more swearing she need me for shit. That’s cool. I’m gon’ do it with a smile on my face,” he stated with confidence.
And that wasn’t a lie told. My Pops really did love the ground my mama walked on. I wasn’t gon’ hold you though. She was starting to come back around more. It used to be whenever I called but lately it had been for him.
“You ain’t got a choice, Pops.”
“You good and high, yet?”
Nodding, I answered with, “I came here high. Why?”
“Waiting on you to tell me what the hell nephew was fussing ‘bout. Who the fuck you done up and married, Cedees? You know me and yo’ mama ain’t going for this shit!” he shouted snatching the blunt from my hand.
I held onto the railing laughing. The men in my family showed the same emotion of vexation. I found it to be comical because shit wasn’t that serious.
“The Oath states I had to be married by thirty-five, I am. I don’t understand what the issue is,” I said shrugging my shoulders.
“Who you get this hoe shit from? It damn sure ain’t in yo’ blood. You a freakin’ lady, Cedees, act like one,” he fussed.
“I’m my daddy’s daughter,” I taunted. He delivered a look that would’ve put me down if looks could kill. He made it too easy. “What you want me to say? I fucked up? I know I fucked up; just let it go.”
“Find the lucky muthafucka Cedees. You got thirty days.” The look in his eyes, the sternness in his voice, the stiffness in his body. He meant every word.
“And if I can’t?” I challenged.
He chuckled and gave his attention back to the food on the grill. He was done with the conversation and had nothing else to say on my marriage. When it came to repeating himself, he did it for one person and one person only, Castina Hearn. I had thirty good days; I’d better make them count.
Hopping down, I made my way back inside heading straight to my room. I had my own house at the bottom, but I enjoyed being under my father. My cousins protected me, but my father was my father. I felt safest with him.
As soon as I flopped on the bed, Kira entered the room with two cups in tow. Sitting up, I grabbed the one she extended my way. “Ma made us some drinks.”
“She must’ve known I was in need of one,” I said taking a sip.
“What he say?”
Sighing deeply, I rattled off, “I get thirty days to find my husband.”
“Or what?” she inquired with dipped brows.
Shrugging, I said, “Yo’ guess is as good as mine. Come get me when everybody else get here. I’m ‘bout to take a nap. I got a fuckin’ headache.”
Nodding, she left the same way she entered. I threw my phone to the other side of the bed and rolled over. Waking up married, getting fussed at by everybody in my life, and not knowing where to start was not on my bingo card for the year. I was over this Vegas shit. I had no plans on returning.