Chapter 16
Chapter
Sixteen
McKay
“There is my namesake. I thought you forgot about this old man in here.” I pressed my lips together, smirking at Mackie who was on his couch watching the news just as me and Burkeley made it through his door.
Once he gave me the okay to schedule an informal meeting with Mackie, I wasted no time with getting us set up a couple days later. I missed my grandpa.
“Absolutely not. Just been busy with all things baby. I could never forget about you, you know that. I’m even working on something special.
But I have someone I want you to officially meet, and you have to be nice, we want him to stay around for a while,” I said sarcastically, as an inside joke between Burkeley and me.
I was hoping the more I reminded myself that he…
us…all of this was temporary, I wouldn’t keep playing like any of this was real, or could be.
It all happened so fast that I wasn’t even sure of how for that matter. I just knew I liked Burkeley and hated that none of this would be.
Mackie scoffed as he waved me off.
“Mickey, we’re only keeping the good ones.
So if his ass ain’t no good, he gots to go, no matter what Viola said.
Well, let me put my eyes on you first.” Mackie was up and moving toward us, with me smirking as I took my jacket off.
Burkeley immediately stepped in and took over the process.
My pudge was starting to show more, nothing too major yet, but more than he remembered.
“Oh my, there she is. Viola said this angel is going to change everything for y’all. She even put in a request for the middle name.” That had me laughing as I reached out to hug an awaiting Mackie.
“You tell Viola ain’t no gender been determined yet, so stop dropping secrets so early.” I turned to Burkeley who stood quietly but firm.
“Mackie, this is Burkeley Morgan, the baby’s father. Burkeley, this is my Grandpa Mackie. The one I told you I got the name McKay from. Viola is my late grandmother.”
“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” He extended his hand which Mackie stared at for a moment before he shook it.
“You must be the guy my Viola told me was coming to love my namesake. It’s a pleasure to meet you, son.
Well, let’s get comfortable so you can tell me all about you and your plan to make my grandbaby an honest woman.
” I groaned, now following Mackie who was headed to his couch. Burkeley grabbed my hand.
“Mackie, don’t be weird just yet. I hadn’t mentioned Viola’s heavenly visits yet. Had to make sure to lock ’em down first,” I said, making Burkeley chuckle and Mackie wave me off.
“Yes sir, that’s my plan. As long as I can win McKay’s heart, that is.
I brought you something too. Like Mickey said, she’s currently working on something, but I hope this holds you over until it’s ready.
” I wasn’t even aware of Burkeley having anything nor when he’d had time to stop and get it but he produced a brown bag from his pocket.
I instantly smelled it, causing me to look over at him as my mouth hung slightly open in shock.
“Now, it’s not a tincture, but it is easy to take. I recommend you start with half a gummy before you take a full one. The dose is a tad bit stronger than the tinctures Mickey was making.” Mackie looked into the bag before he put his eyes on me, now wearing a sly grin as he nodded in approval.
I was still lost on the when and how of this move from Burkeley. We had never discussed the amount of THC I was using before, then I remembered he’d seen the herbal remedies bottle.
“I stopped and got it this morning before I went to work,” he whispered to me, kissing the back of my neck near my ear. That was a new spot and it had me closing my eyes from the effect that simple act caused.
“Well thank you, young man. I told Mickey not to worry about me, but this is much appreciated. It’s been a rough week since I ran out of the last batch she made me.”
“No worries. Like I told your son-in-law Chris, my goal is to relieve Mickey of any stress I can handle for her. If I could with no pushback from Mickey, I would take over everything for her. She’s been worried about making sure she replaces your herbal remedies and I saw a temporary solution, or a permanent one depending on how things go.
” When Burkeley glanced over at me, I didn’t know why but my gut had me believing that last part was directed at me personally. However, I knew better than that.
Because what kind of man would actually want to raise another man’s baby, McKay?
I hated that was my thought as of late because I had never been an insecure woman. But the way Harlan did me had me questioning a lot of shit.
“Let’s hope for a permanent one though. Once the baby comes, I’m not sure how I’ll feel with Mickey making them with Peanut in the house.”
“I agree with you, Burkeley.”
I playfully rolled my eyes at Burkeley shutting down another thing before it could even become an issue.
I couldn’t lie, this was part of my main reason for confusion when it came to us.
Burkeley was setting the tone, telling me what it was going to be and wasn’t, and I loved it so bad that I never said shit about it anymore.
And it only took three fucking weeks, McKay.
I stalked around Johnni and Quincey’s backyard making sure everything was good.
Today was the bonfire, and not only was Burkeley coming to meet my friends, but per Johnni’s suggestion, I extended the invitation to his friends who were coming too.
I guess once Burkeley told them I wouldn’t be in attendance at the haunted house, they’d changed their plans to still include me… us.
“I really wish you would calm down. Damn, Mickey, I promise everything is going to be good.” Johnni grabbed me by the shoulder, stopping my movements from going back over to the snack table. Quincey smirked as he left us standing there, heading back inside the house.
“Not good, perfect. They have to like me.”
“Who?” Hollis asked as she walked up on us with blankets in her hands that were going in the baskets Johnni had around the fire beside the chairs for extra warmth. The temperature had dropped drastically within a day’s time.
“Girl, you already know our baby mama is stressing over her man’s friends.”
“Not stressing but I do want them to like me.”
“The only man I need you to be concerned about is me. Fuck them niggas.” Burkeley’s husky tone came out hella rough from behind me, encasing me in his big arms with his hands landing on my stomach and his face in the crook of my neck.
“And I’m serious about that shit, M&M. Calm down, baby. Shit is going to be cool, focus on me and you tonight, that’s it,” he whispered lowly before he placed a kiss on my spot then bit my ear gently. I nodded to acknowledge his words as I put my mind on us.
I hated the effect he had over my body but even more that he knew what that spot did to me.
Burkeley immediately had me closing my fucking eyes and enjoying this way too gotdamn much.
Gone were the jitters but now my pulse was quickening for another reason that had a throb hitting my clit so muthafucking dangerously sweet.
God, give me and my legs the strength to stay closed and my pussy dry.
“Yo, I wasn’t in the room or anything, but ain’t that how y’all made my niece or nephew?
Like, damn, let her breathe and introduce us first before you hold her ass hostage, BK.
” I couldn’t see who it was since Burkeley was still shielding me from the back and rubbing the baby, doing his best to keep us in our bubble and calming my nerves.
“Nope, and Mama said I don’t have to share.” Burkeley tossed over his shoulder, causing a few snickers to ring out.
“Baby, stop. We have to make our rounds for introductions,” I said through my giggles.
Burkeley let out a low, throaty groan before he huffed and unwrapped us just enough to turn me around to face his people—two couples and one single guy.
I only recognized his brother Art, whose wife had her arm hooked around his.
She wore the biggest smile while the other girl just stood awkwardly next to her man.
“Go first, M&M,” he told me, which had Hollis and Johnni both reacting since he’d used my nickname.
“M&M, hmm… okay, well I see we’re on the personal pet names,” Hollis spoke up, shooting eyes at Johnni who pressed her lips together tightly, fighting her amused smirk.
“Hollis and Johnni, please behave, we have lots of new company. Burkeley, this is Hollis and Johnni, and that is Johnni’s husband Quincey.”
“Oh hush, we’re only teasing. It’s nice to meet you, Burkeley, and welcome to our home.
I know we haven’t gotten that far with names with your crew, but please eat, drink, and have fun, y’all.
I’m sure Quincey showed you guys the bathroom on your way in.
My only request is to avoid that cooler next to the tin, that’s Mickey’s personal one.
” Johnni, who couldn’t help herself ,set the tone early into the night.
Burkeley extended his hand toward Quincey who shook it.
“Long winded heffa. It’s nice to finally meet you, Burkeley. We’ve heard a lot of good things about you and our baby mama.”
Hollis waved while Burkeley chuckled and I glanced at him. I was sure he was wondering what I had told them. I didn’t know why, but I’d never officially let it be known that Hollis and Johnni knew about us. I just assumed it was common knowledge.
“It’s nice to meet y’all too. I’ma do this quick because I’m ready to cuddle with my babies. Y’all this is my lady, McKay, but Mickey to y’all, and for fuck sure not M&M. That’s a BK exclusive.” He pointed to Art when he said that last part.
I waved as he continued, trying to determine who was more embarrassing, my girls or my man.
Mickey, your man?
I ignored my slip while I put my attention back on Burkeley who was still going.