“Yes, ma’am.”
I looked at the spoon Drake had given me and set it down to get an actual potato masher.
I got to work while Jiselle hummed to the light music playing from her phone. I had to admit, the more time I spent with her and Kiano, the better I could see our lives together. Iappreciated that they didn’t give me a hard time about my place, especially considering I’d seen how nice theirs were. I liked that they were here when I wasn’t, and not only had my siblings felt comfortable letting them in, but they’d integrated for the most part. That meant a lot to me.
I leaned over and kissed Jiselle again.
“What was that for?” She cut her eyes at me.
“Nothing. I just appreciate y’all.”
She beamed at the praise and I went back to work, mashing for her.
Jiselle had me do a series of miniscule tasks while she cooked, and when she finished, everything smelled amazing.
Xy and Joss took their food up to their shared bedroom so they could no doubt play the game while they ate. It wasn’t something I usually let go on, but with Jiselle and Kiano over, we didn’t exactly have enough chairs at the table to accommodate. So I let them get away with it while me, Jiselle, Kiano, Drake, and Morocco collapsed at the table.
Drake nodded after the first bite.
“Fire.” He took another bite.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He shoved mashed potatoes into his mouth. “You can come over and cook whenever you want.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I took a bite of my own and nodded in agreement. The food was immaculate and because of that we didn’t do a lot of talking during dinner.
Morocco and I cleaned our plates and leaned back, letting our food digest when Drake sat up and looked from me to Jiselle to Kiano and back.
“So, what’s up? You dating Stone?” he asked.
“Uhm, no. I’m the prize, Drake. Stone is dating me,” Jiselle said matter-of-factly.
Morocco, Drake, and Kiano all laughed. I nodded without a moment of hesitation.
“That’s right, baby. Let him know.”
“I feel you.” Drake looked from me to Kiano and back. “So, what’s up with y’all?”
Kiano kept his mouth shut and looked at me. I shrugged.
“Everybody is dating everybody.” I plucked up my beer and took a slow drink.
Morocco opened his mouth then closed it.
“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about!” Drake reached over the table and dapped me. “That player shit is the bloodline, nigga. I swear.” He shook his head. “You’re dating two people and got them in the crib at the same time having family dinner and shit?” He laughed. “Nah. You that one for real.”
“Shut yo’ stupid ass up.” Morocco reached over and hit him in the back of his head, making both me and Jiselle laugh.
Kiano hid his smirk behind his beer bottle.
Drake ignored him. “Teach me your ways.”
“I didn’t do anything.” I shrugged. “Shit just lined up like this.”
“This nigga is the luckiest mothafucka.” He shook his head.