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“Yeah, right. You have as much hair on your face as your sister has under those wigs, and don’t bother telling her what I said, because my baby knows she looks like Little Bill by the head. It’s all good ‘cause I’ma still give her these deep strokes and rub her fade from the back. I don’t care if that shit don’t ever grow, cause the pussy is A1.”

“Aye, get the fuck out of my face with that bullshit. See, this is the shit I be talking about. You always saying some off-the-wall shit about my sister and her ass just giggles like your ass isn’t crazy. Y’all are stupid as hell.” I chuckled, knowing Messiah and Yaya were both clowns who loved to tease one another.

“On the real, I’m so fuckin’ proud of you, man. I know you’re probably tired of hearing it, but it’s true. I’ve watched you grow into an incredible young man, and you never cease to amaze me. We might not be blood, but you’re my mothafuckin’ brother, and I’m in your corner no matter what.”

Messiah hugged me, but I kept it cool because I wasn’t in the mood to be emotional.

We walked back into the living room where the rest of the men were. Everyone greeted and congratulated me on my wins. After an hour, everyone in the family had arrived, and the food was finished. The house smelled like heaven, and my stomach was growling in anticipation.

Messiah’s uncle, Truth, said a prayer over the family and the food, and we got right to it. I barely said two words as I dug into my food.

Honesty was talking to Triniti, who sat on the other side of her, while she held my hand under the table. I should have been ashamed of how obsessed I was with her. After we made love in the hotel, I set up a romantic date where I officially asked her to be my girl.

It had only been a few days, and I couldn’t get enough of her. We had been inseparable since we got back home, and I hated that I had to go back to work tomorrow. I wanted to bring her everywhere I went, but I also had to respect the fact that she had a life outside of me.

“Why are you over here eating like I don’t feed you at home?” she teased me. I wasn’t going to call out the fact that she called my place home, because I didn’t want her to take it back.

“Aye, you know how to do your thing in the kitchen, but you and I both know Granny Lula is the master.”

Honesty rolled her eyes playfully as I leaned over and pecked her lips.

“Umm, do y’all have something you would like to tell the rest of us?” Messiah interrupted.

I smirked, looked at Honesty, then at him. “Honesty and I are married,” I answered with a straight face.

“Solo, stop playing with me because I will jump across this table and kangaroo-kick you in the chest.” The glare Messiah gave made Honesty giggle, and I knew her ass was about to put an end to my games.

“Relax, brother. We aren’t married…yet. But we did make things official. Solo and I are together for real this time.”

The women at the table ‘ohh’ed’ and ‘ahh’d’ as they congratulated us. I expected nothing less, because her family had always supported us.

“It’s about damn time,” Messiah grumbled.

“Yeah, I’m gonna have to agree with my husband on this one. Y’all have played in our faces for too long. I’m glad you finally decided to stop being delusional because we’ve been talking shit about y’all for years.” Yaya shrugged as she took a bite of the pasta salad on her fork.

“Naw, foreal. Y’all are probably the only two who are surprised by this. We’ve been waiting for you two to stop lying about your feelings. I’m happy for you both.” Freedom added.

“All I want to say is I told you so. I don’t know why you two thought faking a relationship was a good idea when you have been faking this friendship for years. Just wasting our time. Congratulations to you and me, because I won the bet,” Serenity boasted as she held her hand out in front of Jett.

“Man, this is bogus. I should have never bet against you in the first place because you’re never wrong.” Jett groaned as he pulled out a knot of cash and handed it to her.

“Thank ya. Oh, and Messiah, Charity and Justice, you can go ahead and send my money electronically. I accept all forms of payment. Pleasure doing business with you.” Ren did a little happy dance in her seat.

“I can’t believe y’all were having secret bets on us.” Honesty shrieked.

“Girl, please. Y’all have been playing this game for years, and I knew as soon as you agreed to play his girlfriend, things were about to take a turn. I saw an opportunity, and I cashed in on it. Thank you for not letting me down.” Serenity blew her a kiss, and the table erupted with laughter.

The rest of dinner went smoothly. Jett and Serenity announced their pregnancy, and everyone gathered around them. I started to think about what life would look like when it was our turn to become parents. I pictured her with a swollen belly and a big rock on her finger. I used to tell myself I would never bring a child into this cold world, but now I couldn’t get rid of the image of tiny little humans running around our house.

I wondered if they would have my eyes or Honesty’s freckles. My heart warmed as I watched her play with the kids and rub her sister’s belly. I loved how supportive their family was and how they naturally showed love and affection for each other. I sat back and watched everyone laugh, dance, and just enjoy each other’s company. Granny Lula’s words echoed in my head, and I realized that, as much as I tried to keep my distance, I had been given the one thing I’d never had. A family.

SIXTEEN

honesty graham

“Did you hear what I said, Nes?”

I looked up from my phone when I realized my cousins were staring at me as if I had two heads.