Chapter 3
THREE
MAUI
I was so nervous I could barely stand. My legs were trembling.
Mr. Legend said Seven was coming. I could only hope he was coming to squash things between him and Mythic.
He’d said he was done with me, because I left with Mythic last night.
Their scuffle wasn’t Mythic’s fault. Why was SS even outside when Ashanni’s wedding was going on?
He should have been inside like everyone else.
Something more than me being with Mythic had to be going on, because I didn’t understand why he was behaving this way.
Mrs. Harper opened the door for them, and when I saw my mama and daddy, the tears came from nowhere.
Daddy Mayor rushed to me and pulled me in his arms. We didn’t even get a chance to greet each other last night.
I cried audibly into him and wrapped my arms around him.
He was a foot and a half taller than me, so he was practically leaned over like he was hugging a kid.
“I miss you, Maui,” he said as he pulled away from me.
“I miss you too,” I said softly as I stared at his red face, which probably mirrored mine.
My mama came to me and hugged me tightly as well. Once she released me and I saw Remy and Seven, I went to them and hugged them. Seven hugged me loosely. That made me realize he was forced to be here.
“Hey, knucklehead,” I said to Remington.
He gave me a slight smile, and said, “Hey, small fry.”
I smiled. It had been a while since I’d heard that. I glanced at Seven, and he wouldn’t look at me. Going back to my daddy, I said, “Thank you for coming to see me.”
He glanced over at Mythic, then stood and walked over to him. I knew Daddy wouldn’t do anything stupid, especially not in Mr. Legend’s house. Mythic stood from his seat on the couch as my dad extended his hand to him.
“You taking care of my baby?” he asked him.
Mythic smiled slightly. “Yes, sir. She’s my life.”
Daddy nodded, then turned back toward me as my mama spoke to Mythic. “Come over here, Maui.”
I went to him and noticed Mr. Legend was seated in his recliner.
Daddy grabbed my hand and led me to where Mythic was.
I sat next to him, and he felt comfortable enough to put his arm around me.
Mama and Daddy sat opposite us, then Remy.
Seven was standing behind them. I wasn’t sure why he even came.
Daddy couldn’t make him come. He was grown as hell.
“I wanted us to talk about what is happening,” my dad said as Mrs. Harper sat on Mr. Legend’s lap.
“Legend and I have known one another for a long time. I know you come from good stock, as my mama used to say. My daughter sees something in you that we obviously can’t.
She’s a grown woman, so I have to let go.
I have to accept you into our lives, especially if I want to see her.
You’ve been respectful to her and to us, so I surely can’t say anything about that.
Our biggest concerns are your lifestyle and Maui’s safety. ”
“But we’ve put that in God’s hands, Mythic,” my mama added. “I can see how much you care about her. The tenderness in your eyes when you look at her says everything you aren’t saying. Please, just take care of her. Keep her out of the bullshit.”
Mythic nodded as my dad turned and looked at Seven. I looked at him too. He cleared his throat. “My parents wanted me to apologize, but I feel like it won’t be sincere. Can we just agree to squash shit?”
Mythic nodded again. “Agreed.”
I leaned against him as my mama smiled. I was warring within myself whether I would reveal my pregnancy.
My plans were to wait a little longer, but I wanted to tell them now.
It was hard keeping things from them. The Semiens already knew, and I hated that they knew before my parents.
I sat up and straightened out my shirt. My nerves were back, and I knew Mythic noticed.
He hated when I got nervous or upset in his presence.
“Maui,” he said.
I nodded, then closed my eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. “Mama, Daddy, you are going to be grandparents. I’m pregnant.”
I could tell they didn’t want to be happy. I wasn’t happy initially.
“Congratulations, baby,” my mama said.
“How far along are you?” Daddy asked.
“Eight weeks.”
“Congratulations.”
Things got awkwardly quiet, so Mrs. Harper cleared her throat, and said, “The food is ready. Let’s eat.”
When we got to the dining area, the back door opened, and I saw Carter, Red Squared, and my sisters.
The tears fell down my cheeks when I saw them.
I hated that I cried so much. I felt like a big crybaby, but my sisters were two of my best friends.
If Ashanni was in town, I knew she would be here too.
I hated that our bullshit ruined her wedding.
Maybe it was best if I just stayed away from everybody.
If my life was disrupting theirs so much, that would be what was best.
They both had frowns on their faces, but they still came to me and hugged me. “Looks like we right on time,” Red Squared said.
Mrs. Harper shook her head. “I can always count on you to be ready to eat. Just like your greedy ass father.”
He chuckled as he glanced in the pot. Mythic pulled out my chair.
I noticed my dad and Mr. Legend had gone outside.
Bali and Noni went and sat closer to Seven, Remy, and Mama but at the opposite end of the table as us.
They hated Mythic, but none of them had taken the time to actually get to know him.
The dinner table was quiet. I could see Carter Legend and Red Squared communicating silently. This visit was so damn uncomfortable. Treasure and Epic walked in, and she said, “Hey, everybody!”
She was here earlier but had left to run errands.
Epic slapped hands with his brothers, then gave Seven a head nod.
They both spoke to my mama and sat across from us.
The quietness returned. I couldn’t take it.
My stomach was in knots. I quickly stood from the table and ran to the bathroom.
I barely made it to the toilet. The nausea came out of nowhere.
When I felt a hand on my back, rubbing it gently, I knew it was my mama.
When I looked up at her, she said, “You okay, baby?”
I nodded, then stood to rinse out my mouth. Once I cleaned my face, she pulled me in her arms. I closed my eyes, hoping my tears would stay in place. If they didn’t, I would be throwing up again. I pulled away from her.
“Mythic was about to come see about you, but I asked him to let me. I wanted to say to you that you are still my pride and joy, baby. We miss you so much. Your daddy can barely function these days. What matters, though, is that you’re happy, that Mythic treats you with love and respect, that you have everything you need, and you’re safe.
I don’t doubt the first three things, so I have to trust that Mythic will make sure you’re safe.
He seems really good for you, despite what we’ve heard about him or may think of him. ”
“Thank you, Mama. He does his best to make sure I’m safe . . . barely lets me out of his sight. He hates that I’m in this. I’m happy with him. I just miss y’all. I guess I should probably get used to that, huh? No one is talking and everyone is uptight.”
“Just give it time, baby. It’s our first gathering since the two of you have been together. It will all be okay.”
I nodded, and we left the bathroom. When we got back to the dining area, Mama went to the kitchen to help Mrs. Harper and Treasure. Bali got up from the table to join them, so I was about to go to the kitchen also. Mythic grabbed my hand and kissed it, halting my forward progress. “You okay, baby?”
I could see a slight smirk on Noni’s face as she stood to go to the kitchen as well. “Yes. Thank you, Mythic.”
He stood from his seat and asked, “You sure? Do you need anything? Sprite? Tylenol?”
I smiled and puckered my lips. He smiled back and lowered his face to mine and kissed me softly.
When I was about to deepen the kiss, he pulled away.
I looked up at him to see he had that razor in his mouth.
He pulled it out and gave me what I wanted.
Once we separated, I stared into his eyes, but I could see Seven’s scowl in my peripheral.
He stood from the table and went outside.
I frowned. I refused to give him the attention he was seeking.
He’d just said they would squash everything, but here he was acting childish.
I brought my hand to Mythic’s cheek as he slid that blade back in mouth, his eyes trained in the direction Seven went.
His gaze returned to me, and he said, “I’m doing my best, baby. ”
“I know.”
I pulled away and went to the kitchen. When I walked in, Noni and Bali went in immediately. “Who’s your doctor? So you aren’t going to let us handle your care?” Bali asked.
I lowered my head for a moment. “I didn’t think you would want to. I went to a doctor in Beaumont.”
“Who?” Noni asked.
“His name is Doctor Charles.”
“Hell naw,” Bali said as my mama nudged her.
I swore they got on my nerves at times. They barely spoke to me, but they wanted to be my obstetricians.
They didn’t mind voicing their opinions about my business.
Why would I want them to be my doctors? I didn’t respond to them.
I went to the stove and grabbed a bowl and plate from the counter next to it to fix Mythic’s food.
When I felt arms wrap around me from behind, I leaned back into him. He always knew what I needed. “Let me fix your food, baby. Get off your feet, okay?”
I loved that he was showing them just how tender he was with me. It was like he was trying to prove to them that we were meant to be together . . . that he was good for me.
“I’m okay, Mythic.”
“Look at me.”