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“You gone be paying for that pussy the rest of your life.”
“Naw, everybody pays tax. Don’t forget.”
“Shid, except your wife.” I laughed while fixing my cuff links.
“Especially my wife. She just got a different payment plan.” I checked my watch. I didn’t have time to keep going back and forth with him. “Everything in place?”
“Yeah, it’s done. Ain’t nothing left for nobody to question.” I nodded and left it alone. If he said it was good, I already knew it was. We headed toward the sanctuary. Bubbles, Taffy, and Juanita were waiting inside. We made our way down the aisle when Key started up again. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into coming into this church.”
“You been saying that for two weeks. You could have stayed home.” He looked at me offended.
“And let you pick some other nigga? Hell naw!”
“That’s what I thought.” We walked toward the front where the others were standing, and I couldn’t help but smile. My baby girl looked so beautiful. She was dressed in a blush pink custom Christian Dior gown with lace around the sleeves and pearls woven into the pattern. That dress cost me a grip, but it was worth it. She had a matching bonnet set on her head, and I must say, she looked perfect. Bubbles was holding her, with a fitted blush pink dress on, crying already and the pastor hadn’t even walked in yet.
“Really, Bubbles.” I reached up and wiped her tears.
“Leave me alone, she looks so beautiful.”
“So do you,” I said, leaning down and kissing her. The doors to the sanctuary on the side opened, and I turned Bubbles that way. She gasped and looked back at me.
“Anton, how?” I just smiled. She ran toward her daddy and hugged him tight.
“Hey, baby girl.”
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see my girls.” Earl locked eyes with Juanita, and she was still in shock. He approached her slowly. “Hey, woman.” He reached out, and she rolled her eyes.
“What you want, Earl? I ain’t got no money.” We all laughed. Juanita was never going to change.
“Don’t start.” He grabbed her, and once she was in his arms, she broke down crying. We were all watching them when Bubbles leaned in.
“Anton, how did you do this?”
“I had Key hack the jail systems and change his time, so it looked like he served his sentence,” I whispered.
“HE HACKED THE JAIL?” This girl yelled just as the pastor walked in. Key looked to the ceiling and blew out a deep breath.
“I don’t know how she survived this long. She is the worst criminal ever!” I agreed with Key. Bubbles looked embarrassed, and I refused to respond to her outburst.
“Thank you, Key.” His ass was still annoyed.
“You welcome. Let’s just hope I don’t have to hack myself out of jail.” She giggled, and I swear I was in disbelief. Bubbles really thought she was a great criminal. The pastor stood before us ready, so we all took our positions. Key ass was wearing a custom tux, standing there like it was his ceremony, but talked shit the entire time. The pastor opened his Bible.
“We are gathered here today to bless this precious member of the Hodges family.” Bubbles squeezed my hand as he went on about people who would protect her. He looked toward Key. “You, as her godfather, do you accept the responsibility of loving, protecting, and helping care for her throughout her life?”
“Apparently, I don’t have a choice.” The pastor looked shocked.
“Key.”
“Alright, I accept.” Bubbles went to pass her to Key and went off. “Naw, that’s where I draw the line. I’m not standing in no mufucking church holding no damn dog!”
“Key, watch your mouth. Do you know where you at, nigga?”
“Stop asking me stupid shit then.” Taffy and Bubbles were laughing hard as hell. Key wouldn’t budge until Lovii damn near fell trying to get to him. He grabbed her and immediately softened. “Look at the pretty baby. You showing out today, huh?” This nigga.
“Why I gotta stand next to him? He might get mad and add ten years of debt to my name,” Taffy tried to whisper to Bubbles.
