17. Solomon
It never failed.
I strongly believed my moms had some sort of vendetta against me because I never did what she required or suggested I do. Her inviting Shareece into my space after I’d made it blatantly clear that Shareece was old news was on a level of disrespect that I wouldn’t accept.
She knew about me bringing Temple and invited that woman over to bring a cake?
A damn cake?
Yeah, Urina had crossed so many lines since I was a little boy, that it would take some heavy prayer for me to forgive her for the way she acted tonight.
My pops had called to apologize to us for my mother’s behavior, but I was over the madness. I loved my mother, but there was something wrong with her mentally, and he refused to acknowledge it.
“Are you going to be okay, babe?” Temple asked me. I had been brooding for the last ten minutes. The music on the radio had become white noise as my thoughts took a front seat in my mind.
I hadn’t said anything since my father called, so I knew why she asked me that question.
I put a smile on my face and took her hand. “I am. I should have just followed my first instinct and waited to introduce you to them. I don’t know why I thought she’d changed.”
“It’s the God in you. I’m sure you expected her to be different, but some people can't change overnight. I honestly expected her to give me the cold shoulder, but I was prepared to warm her up to me.
“The fact that she wants you to be with a girl you hadn’t been with since high school is crazy. What’s so special about her that she was able to woo her?”
“Nothing. Her parents are good friends with mine. We used to talk about how we would get married and have kids after college. I guess Urina got it in her head that it would or could still happen even after we broke up and Shareece moved away.”
“FTB,” she said, rolling her eyes hard.
“What? What does that mean?”
“Since I have to stop cussing around you, you’ll just have to figure it out.”
I thought for a moment before a grin broke out on my face. “I’ll allow it.”
“You better because if I see her sniffing around you again, I’m going to unleash a plethora of curse words with the hands to follow.”
I chuckled. “I’m sure she gets the picture now.”
“Which side of the family are we about to visit now?”
“My mom’s, but trust me. My cousin is nothing like that.”
“He better not be.”
“He’s the one I used to protect on the streets. So, it’ll be a different contrast from where we’d just come from.”
“Good.” She rubbed my knuckles with her thumb. “I’m glad I could make you smile after that chaotic dinner. I really wanted to finish my food. She may be backward as hell, but your mom sure can cook.”
I laughed. “You make me smile every time I see your face. I love you real bad.”
“I love you real bad too.”
I kissed her hand just as we pulled up to Gabriel’s home. Luxury cars of all kinds were parked along the wooded area leading up to the huge home. When I made it to the circular driveway, a man in valet attire hurried over to my truck, and I stepped out.
“Good evening, and welcome to the Taylor estate. I’ll take this off your hands for you,” he said, and I handed over my keys. He gave me a ticket while another valet attendant opened the door for Temple.
“Thank you. If you’ll follow this path here, the party is inside the tent.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. Enjoy the party.”
I stepped around the truck, took the gift bag from Temple’s hand, replacing it with mine, and followed the valet’s instructions.
The yard was lit up with lamps and fairy lights as we made our way inside the insanely large tent. Yellow, white, and gold balloons surrounded the area with strobe lights, a huge birthday banner, and cutout photos of Lessyn.
There was a live deejay, people serving food and drinks, and a makeshift wooden dance floor in the center.
I could already tell this was not the place I should be. I would give it an hour at most before we would have to leave.
There was way too much temptation in here.
“It’s a baddie party; you cannot get in! Don Julio, I’on drink Gin!” The host yelled over the microphone.
“Oh wow. It’s lit in here,” Temple said, smiling.
“Don’t you get any ideas,” I jested.
Temple bumped me with her hip and laughed. “I won’t. I’m trying to remain your wife, so I’ll behave.”
“You ain’t going nowhere no matter what you do. As you said, people don’t change overnight, but I thank you for thinking of me and trying.” I leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Always.” She lifted her head, puckered her lips, and I dropped a kiss on them.
“I know this Holy rolling nigga ain’t at my wife’s party.” A huge smile lifted on my face as I turned to see Gabriel standing behind me. “It must be an apocalypse.”
I chuckled. “You a fool, man.” I pulled him in for a hug. “It’s good to see you, G.”
“Good to be seen, my baby. How you been?”
“Eh. I can’t complain. This is my lady, Temple. Temple, this is Gabriel. The woman of the house husband, and my cousin’s best friend.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Gabriel,” Temple said, holding out her hand to shake his.
“Pleasure’s all mine, Ms. Temple.” Gabriel kissed the back of her hand just as Lessyn and Sky entered the circle.
“Solomon. It’s so good to see you!” Lessyn exclaimed, pulling me into her arms. She was dressed in a gold romper that favored a majorette outfit. Her hair was in loose curls with a crown on her head.
I kissed her cheek. “It’s good to see you too, beautiful. How are the kids?”
“They’re good. Boss Baby Giselle just turned two going on twenty-two, and Ava thinks she’s grown now since her daddy caved and got her a car against my wishes.” She playfully rolled her eyes.
“She deserved it, baby.”
“Hush. She was on punishment, and I said no.” I chuckled. “Anyway! Who do we have here?” she asked, her eyes going to Temple.
“This is my lady, Temple.”
“Hiii, happy birthday!” Temple handed her the gift bag. “Just a little something from us both.”
“Awww. Thank yoouu! I know expensive when I see it.” Lessyn laughed.
“Oh my goodness! You’re Lessyn Taylor. The owner of Miamor’s Dance Company,” Temple noted in shock.
“It is I! You’re so pretty! Solomon, you did good.” Lessyn made a funny face at me, and I tried not to smile too hard.
“I think I did amazing if you ask me.”
“Caking-ass nigga,” Karon said, stepping over to us.
We laughed. I gave him a hug and turned to Temple.
“Baby, this is my cousin Karon, and his wife, Skylyn.”
“Nice to meet you both.”
“You as well. I have to say, I’m happy to see my cousin in something stable. I can see you got this man looking real different.” Karon grabbed my shoulder and shook me while laughing.
“I hope that’s a good thing.”
“It’s a beautiful thing.”
Skylyn leaned into Temple. “Are you saved too?”
Temple chuckled. “I’m getting there.”
“You ain't there yet, so come on. Have a birthday drink with me!” Lessyn pulled Temple away as Sky followed.
“Aye, don’t try to corrupt my girl.” They laughed as I turned to the fellas. “Where’s Dom?”
“Somewhere around here following Payton around. You good though?” Karon asked.
“I’m better, man. Ya auntie really ticked me off tonight. She invited Temp and me over for dinner and threw shade at her for the thirty minutes we were there. Then she had the nerve to invite Shareece over.” I shook my head.
“You lying, bruh.”
I chuckled. “You know I don’t lie no more.”
“That’s crazy. What did Temple do?”
“She held herself together, for the most part. She already said she won’t be kicking it with moms no more. I don’t know what’s wrong with that woman. I truly don’t get it.”
“Man, you know she’s always been overprotective and nosy as hell. Does she know about . . . you know?”
I eyed him, hating that he brought that up.
“What? Don’t leave me in the dark. What y’all talking about?” Gabe asked, looking between us.
I straightened my shoulders and looked at him. “Temple used to dance at Club Lucid. I didn’t know when I first met her, but I saw her in there when I did a job for Knowledge and his wife. By then I was already locked in. She hadn’t been there since I took her to Italy.”
Gabe smirked while Karon chuckled.
“One thing we know how to do is apply pressure. Her past is nothing if you’re changing her future,” Gabe schooled.
“Facts.” Ron agreed. “Who told Auntie though?”
I shook my head. “Shareece.”
“Should’ve known she was gon’ tell it all.
Don’t let what ya moms do stop you from having your happy ending.
If anybody deserves it, it’s you. Almost lost your life there, champ, but you made it out alive.
I’m not into all the religion, but I know the Big Homie set it up for you to have exactly what you need out of this life.
I can’t wait to put on that tux and witness you walk into your forever. ”
That made me feel good. “Appreciate you, Cuz. While we’re on the subject, clear y’all schedules this week. Y’all need to go get fitted and help me find the perfect honeymoon spot.”
“You about to pop the question?” Ron asked.
I shook my head. “I already locked her down in Italy. Now we’re planning the big one for the family.”
“I knew ya ass wasn’t gon’ be able to hold out!” Ron exclaimed.
“You see what I see. It was pure torture for both of us for real, but I couldn’t break. She understood and agreed to be my wife.”
Gabe whistled. “If Urina finds out about that—”
“She knows that too. I let it slip. Intentionally though.” I shrugged.
“I just know she fainted after hearing that shit,” Ron said.
We laughed again.
“You know we got you, my G. Anything you need,” Gabe said, slapping me a five.
“’Preciate you, fam.”
“Ronnie!” Sky called to him, then rushed over. “Come dance with me.”
He took her hand and ushered her to the dance floor. Shortly after, Lessyn came and pulled Gabe away as my eyes found Temple.
She wrapped up a conversation with the MC then headed back over to me. She smiled and walked into my arms.
“Joy” by Blackstreet serenaded the space as I looked down at my wife in admiration. I couldn’t believe she was all mine.
“Don’t tell me you can’t dance to slow jams with your wife.”