Page 5 of Surrender to Love

“Well, it doesn’t work like that,” she says before sucking her teeth. She turns and steps into the pantry. After pulling out a stack of to-go containers, she places them on the other side of the island. She’s no doubt about to fill them for my other brothers or my nephews. While she unstacks the containers, she gets back to me. “You are my baby,” she begins and I lift my head. “My knee baby and I know you. I swear I know you boys better than you know yourselves.”

“I think that’s what you believe.”

As she moves the pot to the counter, she says, “It’s what I know. Every strand of gray hair in this 'fro indicates my wisdom. I know what I know and you love Kyrah and she loves you.” I nod in total agreement because I love the hell out of Kyrah. “Then stop playing games and saying you are just friends.”

“I’m not playing no games. Kyrah’s it for me. I know what it is with her. The just friends stuff is all her; I’m just going along with it.”

“It’s on you too if you go along with it.” As she fills the second container, she asks, “You know what I did last night?”

“Shit. Paint.”

“Well, yeah I painted, but before that I ate a bowl of cookies and cream ice cream,” she says, then stares at me for something but I don’t have a clue what. As if reading my confusion, she quickly says, “Cookies and cream, not butter pecan.” It clicks. Almost every night, she and Asali would eat a bowl of butter pecan ice cream. I really don’t remember her buying any other ice cream. We all actually like butter pecan. “Well, I like butter pecan but I love cookies and cream. Trust me when I say if you love someone or something, don’t give up on it. Go after it, grab it, and hell, eat it,” she says and my mind goes somewhere it shouldn’t with Shuga in the room. “Shiro,” she says, appalled like she’s reading my thoughts. “Focus, please. I don’t even want to imagine what you’re thinking right now. I swear!”

“Then stop talking about eating cookies and cream,” I counter and she rolls her eyes.

THREE

“And what the hell is this again?” Alex asks with a frown as she examines the can.

“It’s called a Slice H2O,” I explain.

“Oh, I heard about these. There are videos all over Skroll with people getting drunk as hell off just one of these,” Mireya says. She picks up one of the cans then reads it. “Thirteen percent alcohol in this little can. You love a strong ass drink. Y’all have fun.” Mireya shakes her head as she puts the can back on the table.

She’s definitely not going to try one. She’s not drinking at all because she’s pregnant. Last Sunday, she surprised us all with the exciting news. She’s expecting her second child in about seven months. Her first child is her precious daughter, Niya, she gained two years ago when she married her husband Quintus. Mireya instantly fell in love with Niya. We fell hard for the little princess next. How could we not? Niya is the sweetest, funniest little girl I’ve ever encountered. I love everything about her.

Because of Mireya’s new family, our family has extended. We are now invested in the Bako clan. However, I’m a little more invested than Alex or Giselle. I’m intimately invested.

Two years ago, our circle officially met Quintus’ family during his and Mireya’s reception dinner. It’s an understatement when I say Shuga Bako gave birth to five, tall, fine, and handsome sons. The fourth one though, Shiro, caught my eye as soon as his hazel orbs locked with mine. His eyes contrast and complement his midnight skin in the most sensual and sexy way. From just his look, I knew I would be in trouble.

Some men just have that soul stirring, panty wetting allure about them and Shiro Bako possesses it tenfold. Before he asked, I knew I would end the night with my legs around him. I was partially right too because they ended up around him, over his shoulder, and hanging off my damn sofa. We had what was supposed to be a one-time thing but it turned into two years of the best sex of my life. Truthfully, our relationship is perfection: no strings, all fun, and amazing sex. We are friends, no more, and I never have to worry about him breaking my heart like Raquan and my gutter snipe sister, at least that’s what I keep telling myself.

“Oh, I am,” I assure her. “Lord knows I need it.”

“This doesn’t look like canned sake,” Giselle scoffs as she walks back into her theater room. She has deemed herself the permanent host of FNF, so we are at her house and she’s catered and decorated to fit a theme. Tonight is sushi and sake. She ordered from Sushi House. “I said sushi and sake, not sushi, sake, and whatever the hell this is.”

“It’s Slice H2O and it fits. Slice begins with a S too. Plus, I need it. My momma called today,” I admit.

“And?” Mireya asks pensively, reading my face.

“And Kym’s pregnant,” I blurt. Mireya and Alex are out of their seats before I finish speaking.

They rush toward me along with Giselle and wrap their arms around me. Being my true sisters, they hold me as I cry the tears I’ve been holding since my mom’s call. I couldn’t cry in my office; that’s my job. That wasn’t the time or place. This is. Here with them. I’m always safe with my girls who love me unconditionally all the time and who would never hurt me like Kym did.

When I finally stop sobbing, they release me and Mireya places her hand under my chin. “Whatever you need, we got you,” she assures me.

“I know. I know. I just can’t believe this shit,” I say while shaking my head. “And why would my momma think that was some great news to share with me.”

“She wasn’t thinking,” Alex says. “There’s no way she could believe that you would even want to hear that shit. Who would?”

“No wonder you bought these,” Giselle says before popping a can. “It’s sushi, sake, and sliced up water night. Drink up,” she says and I grin.

“Slice H2O,” Mireya corrects her with a titter. “I would join in but…”

“Girl, I know you can’t drink,” I say.

“Definitely not this college looking shit but I have something for you.” Giselle steps to the bar and we hear her open a bottle of wine. All of our heads swivel in her direction.

“And what is that?” Alex asks, all motherly. We are really close in age but Giselle is the oldest. She’s turning the big four-oh this year. I’m three years behind her and Alex and Mireya are a few years behind me. Alex is definitely not the oldest, but in her mind, she is.