“Oh! Hey, babe.”
I could see the nervous look on her face, but she hurried and fixed it by putting on a smile.
I kissed her temple. “What’s good?”
“Nothing. This is Nico, one of my childhood best friends. Nico, this is my boyfriend, Ghana.”
“What up, mane?” he asked, extending his fist to me. I gave him a curt nod, then fixed my eyes back on Nichelle. I could tell he was offended because his eyes squinted and his shoulders squared.
“You ready?” I asked, looking back at Nichelle.
She frowned slightly. “You just got here. At least get you some food before we go.”
“I’m good.”
“Kenzi, Ruger, y’all want something to eat? My aunt Carol is a chef and made the food. It’s bomb!”
“We're good for now, sis,” Ruger replied.
“Okay.” She looked up at me. “Come say hi to my mom at least.”
“Yeah, what’s the rush?” Jeremy asked, walking his tired ass over to the table, slapping hands with Nico, then started making him a plate without washing his hands or using the sanitizer on the table.
“Hey, Cousin,” Kaylani greeted, walking over to Nichelle and giving her a hug. I felt eyes on me, and I looked to see thebest friendstaring at me.
My frown grew deeper, and we got into an intense stare down.
“You got a problem or something, fam?” I asked.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“You ain’t gotta ask me shit. I ain’t the one looking at you, my nigga.”
“Ghana, please, baby?”
I looked down at her and rubbed my beard out of frustration. “Nichelle, go get ya shit, and let’s be out. Last time saying it.”
“Come on, Nichelle. We can barbecue at my house,” Kenzi said, wrapping her arm around hers.
“A’ight, Nich,” the fake-ass best friend said. “I’ll see you around, love.” He put his hand on her stomach, and I slapped his shit so hard and fast that his body turned slightly before he squared his shoulders and walked in my face.
“Fuck yo’ problem, mane?”
“Nico, don’t!” Nich yelled, stepping in between us and drawing attention to us. I could see Ruger push Kenzi back as I grabbed Nichelle, moving her ass out of the way.
“Kenz, take her to her car, and y’all go to the house,” I told my sister.
“No, I’m not—” Nichelle started, but Kenzi cut her off.
“Let’s go, Nichelle. It’s not up for debate.”
“This is my family, Kenzi!”
“Cousin, just go. If anything pop off, you don’t need to be nowhere around here,” Kaylani said to her.
“Ain’t shit happenin’. You stay out of it,” Jeremy told her.
“What’s going on over here?” Nichelle’s moms and aunt approached us.