“Yeah.” I took a sip. “I’m not ashamed of none of the shit I’ve done to provide for my siblings. Besides, if you looked into me, you already know I’ve done time for assault and drug distribution and shit.”
“That’s right.”
“And what? You don’t think I’m good enough for your son?”
“I think my son is grown and can make his own choices, but if it matters, I don’t think you’re a bad person. I appreciate someone who has a code and your code being family is respectable. I can’t say I would have done things differently if our roles were reversed. I’d do whatever it took to take care of Mika and Kiano. I’m not going to judge you for the shit you did while you were in survival mode.” He tilted his head back and finished the liquor. “The only concern I have is that you’ve never been with a man and I’d prefer for my son to not be some kind of experiment.”
“It’s not even like that,” I tilted my head back and finished my glass. “I just like Kiano and how I feel when I’m around him and Jiselle. They make me want to be a better man. I like it.”
Ronald nodded.
“If you ever decide you don’t want him, just let him know. Don’t lead him on.”
“I hear you.” I set the empty glass on the corner of his desk. “And I respect Kiano enough to have that conversation with him if it comes up. You don’t even have to worry about that.”
“Good.” Ronald set his glass down. “Let’s head back.”
I nodded once and followed Ronald out of his office back to where everyone sat at the picnic table.
Dinner with Mika and Ronald went well, both extremely gracious hosts. When we finished, they walked us back to the car and hugged all three of us one by one.
The meal had been good and the conversation flowed. I hadn’t participated much in the latter since I was so busy trying to read everyone while they spoke but I already knew I wouldn’t be upset about going to family shit if it was like this.
When we got back to Kiano’s, we got ready for bed together. Jiselle and I climbed into the shower together while Kiano headed to his office, claiming he had work that needed to be done. After our nighttime routines were complete, we climbed into his large bed without him.
Jiselle rolled into me and kicked her leg over my body.
“How’d your talk with Ronald go?” she asked after a few moments in silence.
“Good. He doesn’t want me fucking with Kiano’s feelings since I haven’t been with a man before but that shit is valid to me.”
Jiselle nodded.
“I’m sure they love you.” She yawned.
“I’m sure they love you too,” I countered.
She gave me a little lazy grin and we kissed before she let her eyes flutter shut and wrapped an arm around me. I cradled her head to me and breathed her in until she was fast asleep. Then I kissed her forehead and slid out of bed.
I headed to the closet and dug into my bag for a pre-rolled joint then padded down the stairs to the backdoor. I looked at the security system on the wall to make sure it wasn’t activated then headed outside.
I looked around before I took a seat and lit up. I took a long drag of my joint and let my eyes fall shut.
I was happier than I’d been in a long time.
If there was anything my pops had taught me, it was that the people you cared about the most could hurt you the most and that came from romantic and familial relationships.
I had high hopes for us though.
I looked back at the backdoor when it opened.
“What are you doing out here?” Kiano asked.
I held my joint up and he walked out, closed the door behind him, and sat beside me. He plucked the joint from my hand and took a hit, then handed it back.
“I like you,” Kiano said simply.
I grinned. “I like you too, Kiano.”