Page 159 of Vega

“For being gay. Most street niggas are uncomfortable around me or don’t want to be around me at all because I’m so feminine and flamboyant.”

“I don’t care how many glizzies you take to the dome,” I joked. “It’s your smart-ass mouth that’s gonna get you fucked up with me.”

Dior slapped the back of my seat. “See, nigga?! That’s why I always be talking shit.”

I laughed. “Nah, for real. My cousins, Lux and Lowe, have a gay brother who grew up around us. He brought his friends around too. So, I’m used to it. He moved out of state a few years back, so he don’t come around much now. But he was damn near a brother growing up. He and his friends were proud, loud, and didn’t shrink for nobody… a lot like you.”

“Yassss,” Dior replied. “I love that.”

“Another man being different don’t make me less of what I am.”

Dior watched me in the mirror. “Period.”

“Don’t make it a moment.”

“It is a moment, though. You’re being in touch with your emotions right now. So Carl Thomas.”

I cut my eyes at him. “You getting on my nerves again.”

“That means you like me.”

“That means Sonnet loves you, so I’m tolerating you.”

He grinned. “Same thing.”

I pulled up in front of Dior’s building and put the car in park.

I leaned over and rubbed her thigh. “Baby.”

She made a small sound and turned her face toward me.

I kissed her cheek. “We’re here. Wake up so you can say bye.”

Dior had his hand on the door, watching us while wearing a goofy grin. “Oop. Look at Mr. Kidnapper being sweet. That was very much husband-coded.”

“Chill,” I warned.

He lifted both hands. “I’m just clocking the tenderness.”

She sat up, still groggy, and looked back at Dior. “I don’t want you to go.” Sonnet smiled sleepily. “Come back soon, okay?”

Dior leaned forward between the seats and kissed her forehead. “Try keeping me away. Now that I know the suite number, I’m damn near a roommate.”

I grunted. “Oh fuck.”

Sonnet laughed with her eyes closed.

Dior got out and pulled his bag over his shoulder. I waited while he walked to the door, unlocked it, and went inside. He turned back once, waved with two fingers, then disappeared into the building.

I stayed there until the lobby door shut behind him.

Sonnet leaned against my shoulder, already halfway sleep again. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome, baby.”

“I love you.”

The words were so soft I almost thought my ears made them up. Before I could reply, she dozed off against me, breathing slow, fingers resting against my arm.