Page 43

Tae spotted them and immediately started grinning.

“Oh, shit. Nephew, that’s you?” He called out.

AJ looked over and smiled.

“Wassup, Pops? What’s good, Unc?”

Before I could make it over to AJ and the little girl sitting beside him, Leah came running toward me.

“Daddy!” she hollered, throwing herself into my arms.

“Wassup, princess?” I greeted, scooping her up and kissing her cheek.

“Daddy, AJ got a girlfriend!” She announced, pointing toward the porch.

I laughed and glanced at my son, who was already shaking his head.

“Word?” I asked.

Leah nodded before leaning close to my ear.

“And he kissed her too,” she whispered loud enough for everybody to hear.

“Man, Leah,” AJ fussed, making Tae bust out laughing.

“What?” She questioned innocently, looking at her brother.

“Baby girl, go find your mama and quit telling all that boy’s business,” I told her, setting her down.

She ran inside while I made my way over to AJ and his little friend.

“Wassup, Pops?” AJ greeted, already looking embarrassed.

“What’s good, son?” I replied before turning toward the young lady. “How you doing, baby girl? What’s your name?” I asked.

“I’m good, Mr. Brooks. My name’s Kayla,” she answered politely.

“Kayla what?” I asked.

“Kayla Henderson.”

“Henderson?” I repeated. “Who your people?”

“Kaylo Henderson is my daddy,” she responded.

I nodded, recognizing the name immediately. Kaylo was a solid nigga from what I knew of him. He handled his business, stayed out of unnecessary bullshit, and wasn’t somebody I had any problems with.

“Yeah, I know your pops. He’s good people. He knows you’re over here?”

“My mama dropped me off,” she assured me.

“Aight, that’s wassup,” I replied before looking at AJ. “Just make sure you get her home when she supposed to be there.”

“I got you, Pops,” he answered.

I nodded before turning back to Kayla.

“Tell your daddy Khaotic said wassup.”