“Yeah, take you down,” I sang the lyrics as he laughed again.
“Yeah, it’s time to go.” He lifted me in his arms, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.
“Yes, daddy, take me home.”
His phone rang in his pocket, and he reached to grab it. I slid my tongue across his neck and sucked.
“Yo?” he answered. “For real? Yeah, we're there. What time? Cool, we about to leave the dispensary now. A’ight, peace.” He hung up. “Dinny, you gotta chill, mama,” he said, squeezing my ass cheeks.
“If you’re not trying to take me somewhere to have sex, then I’m not going anywhere else.”
He chuckled. “That was your sister. They're barbecuing at your people’s crib and told me we need to come right now.”
“I don’t wannaaaa,” I sang, imitating the late Aaliyah.
“Okay, I see what the effect of that weed does to you. No more smoking unless we’re at home, with your freaky ass.” He slid his tongue in my mouth, and he stood, holding me while I kissed him deeply.
“I missed you holding me like this,” I confessed.
“You don’t have to miss it no more, baby. I’m gonna hold you for life.” He attempted to sing his own rendition of the Jodeci record as I laughed.
“I love you so much, Ziggy Zi,” I jested, calling him by the rap name he made up in eighth grade.
“Oh, hell nah! It’s really time to go.”
I laughed out loud as he placed me on my feet. “What was that rap you made up again?”
“I’ll never repeat that shit. Grab ya bag, and let’s go.”
I laughed and picked up my purse. He took me by the hand, leading me out of the back room. Zion spoke with Finesse and a few other employees, then escorted me out of the building to his truck.
The weed had me feeling nice—too nice. I surely didn’t want to go around my parents like this. But I knew if we didn’t go, my mom would blow the screen off my phone. I didn’t know why today was so important, but when I spoke to her earlier, she said she had something to tell us. I hoped it wasn’t anything serious, because now that the weed was settling in, I could feel myself getting a little paranoid.
“Baby, I shouldn’t have smoked that weed. What if something’s wrong with my mama and daddy?” I asked once he got in the driver’s seat.
Zion looked at me, amused. “Calm down, babe. Nothing is wrong with your people; trust me. Here, drink this.” He handed me a water bottle, and I gulped it down like a fish.
I could feel Zion’s eyes on me, and I looked over to see concern in his stare.
“I’m fine. I promise,” I told him. “Just so you know, that strain will have you hot and ready, then paranoid. The paranoia is probably just me, but it definitely makes me want to freak on you.” I giggled.
“I wouldn’t know if it makes me horny. Every time I look at you, I be ready.”
I laughed. “I’m not above some backseat action.” I ran my hand over his bulge.
“You want me to call ya moms and tell her we ain’t gon’ make it?”
“Okay, okay! Let’s get this over with before I take advantage of you.”
He chuckled and pulled out of the parking lot, heading to my parents' house.
We arrived at my parents' home in Oak Park around four-thirty. I could smell the barbecue in the air as we pulled into the driveway. Jessie and Junie’s cars were in the driveway as well, and even my grandparents were in attendance.
Zion got out, came around to my side, and opened the door for me. I stepped out, and he took my hand, leading me to the back of the house. The backyard was decorated in light-blue and white, with tables set up with cute flower centerpieces and white silk tablecloths with light-blue chair covers.
There was a deejay over in the corner, playing soft R&B classics, giving off an intimate vibe.
The first people I spotted were my best friends, Aniya and Lauren. They hurried over to us and hugged me tightly like we hadn’t talked in months.