Chapter 23 Mia
Ididn’t know what to do with myself.
My husband had truly outdone himself. I hated public speaking.
I hated being vulnerable in front of people, yet I easily found the words to express myself to him, and I meant every single one.
The fact that he’d gone out of his way to do this for us touched my heart.
I didn’t give a fuck what Dr. Baxter said.
We’d shared the most intimate parts of ourselves tonight, and that man deserved some ass.
Currently, we were on the dance floor fucking it up for the one time. The DJ he hired was playing “Whiskey, Whiskey” by Moneybagg Yo, and I was grinding my ass on my man. He had a drink in one hand and was gripping my waist with the other as I threw my ass back on him.
“Fuck him up, Mia!” Shar yelled.
“You better do it, girl!” Renay yelled from beside her.
That only hyped me up even more. By the time the song ended, I was tired as a muthafucka. Titan pulled me into his chest and kissed my lips.
“You feeling good as hell,” he jested.
I giggled. “I am. I need a drink. I worked up a sweat.”
He chuckled. “The way you were throwing that ass back.”
“I didn’t see you complaining.”
“Why would I do that?” He cupped my face as he peered down at me. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Do we get a honeymoon out of this?”
He smirked. “I guess you have to wait and see.”
I rolled my eyes as Dr. Baxter approached us with a smile.
“Mia. Titan. When I said plan a date night, I wasn’t thinking a whole wedding ceremony.”
Titan laughed. “I don’t do anything small, Doc.”
“I see that. This was beautiful. The things you said to each other. . . the acknowledgement, accountability, and raw vulnerability. . . that’s exactly what I want you two to continue. It was a beautiful display.”
Titan wrapped his arms around me and kissed my temple.
“Thanks, Doc. We’ve been intentional with each other like you said and we plan to keep it up.”
“That’s what I like to hear. How are you feeling, Mia?”
“Very loved and appreciated.” I playfully jabbed Titan in the stomach. “I didn’t know this nigga had it in him.”
He slapped my ass in return. “You’re gonna have it in you.” He playfully nipped at my ear. “Sorry, Doc.”
Dr. Baxter waved him off. “Please. I’ve heard worse, and it’s great to see you two like this. I can see that my no-sex assignment is out the window. You’ve earned it. Unfortunately, I have to head out. It was an honor to be here. I’ll see you at our next session.”
“See you then,” I said.
She smiled as she walked away. I noticed Titan watching my mama.
“Who is that nigga?” he asked, frowning.
“She did say she had a boyfriend—”
“Aye, who is that nigga?” Booker asked, walking over. “Why is all in my lady’s face like that?”
“Booker be so fucking for real,” I said, mushing him. “My mama doesn’t want you.”
“But I want her.”
“Watch me break my foot off in your ass. I’m sure that’s her boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend! Oh, hell naw. Ms. Maddie!”
He damn near yelled over the music. When my mama looked up, she frowned. Booker waved her over. She rolled her eyes and said something to the man she was with. Linking their fingers, she made her way over to us.
“What?” she asked, placing a hand on her hip.
Booker grabbed her hand and kissed it. “My love—”
Mama snatched her hand back. “Booker, don’t start your shit.”
“So I can’t speak to you?”
“What do you want, fool?”
He nodded at the mystery man. “Who dis?”
My mother smiled as she leaned in and kissed the man.
“This is Bronx Patton, my boyfriend.”
Booker grabbed his chest. “Say it ain’t so. How you gon’ step out on me and have the audacity to bring him here?”
“Boy, if you don’t stop with that shit. I’m old enough to be your mama. Ain’t shit I can or would do with you. Let it go.”
Bronx chuckled. “It’s nice to finally meet you all. Maddie has told me so much about you all. Mia, it’s nice to put a face to the name. You made a lovely bride. What the two of you shared up there was nothing short of beautiful.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Patton.”
“Please, call me Bronx. No need to be formal.”
“Bronx. So. . . what are your intentions with my mama?”
He peered down at my mother with adoration.
“To make sure she’s happy and taken care of. I’ve assured your brothers of the same thing.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course they would give you the third degree.”
“One would think she was their mother.”
“It’s kind of their thing,” Mama said. “They are very protective of the women they care for.”
Bronx chuckled. “I respect that. Listen, I’d love to get to know you two. I’ve been telling Maddie it’s about time we officially meet. Maybe the four of us could have dinner sometime—”
“I like to eat,” Booker said, frowning.
“Man, take your thirsty ass on somewhere,” Titan said, ushering him away. “Excuse me.”
I shook my head as he walked him off. “You know we’re about to hear about this forever,” I said to my mother. “With Vinchi too.”
“Wait, Vinchi?”
I laughed. “Apparently you enticed him in Paris.”
She rolled her eyes. “I can’t.”
Bronx chuckled. “Baby, you’re beautiful. Any man would love to have a chance with you.”
“Right, Mama. You’re a total baddie still.”
She smirked. “I’m not disputing that. I’ve known these boys since they were kids. What the hell would I look like entertaining their advances? They better find them somebody closer to their age and stay the hell out of my face.”
We shared a laugh as a dark figure towered over me.
I looked back to see my grandfather. I hadn’t sent him since Eden’s funeral.
He’d called to check in, but the conversations were always brief and very dry.
To say he was upset about everything, he hadn’t made much effort to be at my side, But that was Thaddeus James for you.
He smiled down at me, but I didn’t return the gesture.
“Baby girl,” he said, leaning in to kiss my cheek.
“Grandpa.”
His gaze shifted to my mother. “Maddie.”
“Hey, Daddy.”
He looked at Bronx, then down at their linked fingers. “Who is this?”
“My boyfriend. Bronx Patton.”
“Mmm. Excuse us, Bronx.”
Mr. Bronx raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m gonna grab us some drink, love,” he said to my mother.
“Okay, baby.”
He kissed her cheek and walked away.
“Mia, can I speak with you for a moment?” my grandfather asked.
“That depends,” I said, crossing my arms. “Are you gonna apologize for having my husband jumped?”
“I’d hardly call it him getting jumped. He took on eight of my men and killed one.”
“Grandpa, that’s not the point.”
“I won’t apologize for treating him like everybody else.”
“You didn’t treat him like everybody else. If I wasn’t hurt, would you have done that to me?”
He didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to. I knew he would never sic the women under his thumb on me or my mama. There was a lot this man would do, but he’d never let anybody intentionally beat on us. Not that they would have had a fair fight.
“You tried to get his crew to fight him. What kind of respect would they have for each other if you put them against him? Those are the people who make sure he comes home safe, and you were wrong for that.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You intentionally put my husband in harm's way, and I don’t like that. I love you, Grandpa, but I’m not playing with anybody about my man.
You owe him an apology. Your beef was with me.
I was the one who went against right and went over there.
Titan told me not to, and I hid my pregnancy to go anyway.
The only thing he did wrong was try to handle me on his own. ”
He stared at me, then looked to my mother like she was supposed to say something.
“I’m not in this,” she said. “She’s coming at you in defense of her husband, as she should. Take it up with her.”
She kissed my cheek and walked away. I stared at one of the few men I respected as much as my father. He slipped his hands into his pockets and took a step back.
“We can agree to disagree. You’re my granddaughter. My blood. About you, it’s personal.”
“He’s my husband and now your grandson. It’s personal with me too.”
I didn’t back down. One thing about Papa James, he was stubborn as an old mule and stuck in his ways. So much of me was him. I had to learn, and he would too.
“Fine. I’ll apologize this time. Next time, and there better not be a next time, I’m handling it as I see fit.”
“If there is a next time, you’ll handle us together.”
I looked around Titan. He and the guys were standing with my brothers, laughing and talking. I waved, catching Deuce’s attention. When he noticed me, he motioned for Titan to look at me. I waved him over, and he excused himself. The moment he was at my side, he slid a protective arm around me.
“Mr. James.”
“Titan.”
“My grandfather has something he wants to say to you,” I said.
My grandfather cleared his throat and clasped his hands in front of him.
“I. . . apologize for having you fight and trying to have your team fight you.”
Titan frowned. “Come again?”
“You heard what I said.”
“Yeah, I heard you, but I’m trying to understand where it’s coming from.”
“Ask your wife.”
He looked over at me, then back at my grandfather.
“With all due respect, Mr. James. I don’t want or need your apology because I know you don’t mean that shit.
Let’s not do me any favors. You’re a real nigga and I knew what was coming before you called me.
I handled my shit like a man, and I don’t need you apologizing to appease my wife. Thank you, baby, but no thank you.”
He grabbed my hand and led me away from my grandfather. I was quiet, as he led me through a set of double doors and down the hall to a private room reserved as a dressing room. Inside, he closed and locked the door. For a moment, he was quiet before turning to me.
“Don’t ever have another nigga apologize to me,” he said firmly.
“I was just—”