Page 73 of A Hood Wife And A Rich Goon 2

“And I told you to mind that grill before you burn my ribs,” Taci shot back.

“Yes, ma’am.” Summit flipped a slab and kept his mouth shut.

“Eazy, get over here. Essence, you and Midas too.” Taci waved everyone over to the table where the guys played dominoes.

She was so sick of everybody pretending. Essence stayed on the defensive now because she knew everybody already hated her husband, and there was nothing she could do about it. Midas remained controlled and respectful for the simple fact that he didn’t want his wife, Taci, or Summit to see his real face. The one Bull, Eazy, and Jewel were all familiar with. Each of them reflected something different in the moment. Eazy was cold. Jewel was his usual sarcastic self, and Bull… that nigga was almost too relaxed for Midas’ liking.

“Listen here, I don’t have to like everything y’all do. You don’t have to like everything that each other does. But this family has buried enough, lost enough, fought enough, and cried enough. I’m tired,” she said, weariness resting in her eyes as they moved around the table on everyone. “Essence chose that man. None of you have to understand it, but Eazy, that is still your sister. Bull, I know you two share history as well. She is still somebody we love, right?” Taci looked at Midas next. “And you married into something bigger that that ring on your finger. You don’t have to like these men either, but you will respect what they mean to your wife.”

Midas nodded. “I understand.” He said that shit like he was talking to his own mama or grandma, and Bull smiled.

“Do you?” he checked with him.

“Bull,” Taci warned.

Surrendering with both hands up, Bull leaned forward. “I’m eating this fried corn, Ms. Taci. Shit fire.”

“Yeah, mmm hmm. Are we clear on things?” she asked, one hand on her hip.

“Yes, ma’am.” She gained a lot of mutters before narrowing her eyes at all their faces.

“Bunch of stubborn ass muhfuckas,” she muttered, shaking her head and walking away.

“I’m going to take this cake inside,” Essence told Midas after glancing at her brother, then Bull. The minute she started in that direction, Bull hopped up. He didn’t want to make it obvious he was following her, so he picked up his plate like he was about to dump it and trailed her inside.

Essence arranged her pan on an empty space at the counter, and she turned to find Bull behind her.

“Don’t tell me you want to talk.”

“Look, I honestly don’t even know what to say to you, E.” Bull shrugged.

“How about you start with hello, Bull?” She folded her arms across her chest.

“Hello.” He smiled and rocked forward on his heels before his hands went into the pockets of his shorts.

“You’re such an asshole.” Essence tittered.

“See? Now we talking.”

“You here to give me a lecture on my marriage?”

“You think I’m mad you married somebody else? Cause that’s not what this is,” he objected.

“Then what is it?”

“I’m mad because you know us. Your family. Good or bad.” He leaned against the counter, and she frowned. “You know me. You know Jewel. You know your brother. We would all do for you without you even fucking asking, E. And you put a muhfucka you barely know between you and everybody who’s been standing beside you all these years.”

“I know my husband,” she said, sounding more like she was trying to convince herself than anyone else. Bull’s expression barely changed.

“For your sake, I hope you do.” He left her with that last line lingering before grabbing two beers from the fridge and strolling back outside.

For the next few hours, everyone seemed to be making the most of their time together. The kids eventually got dressed, and a game of hide n seek began while Jewel and Rhema also filled ballons with water for them. It was still a hot day, so they wanted to keep them cool because Taci had screamed at them enough about running in and out of her house, letting her air out.

Midas was treated like another member of the family. Taci even offered to make him a plate after Summit suggested he grab some ribs fresh off the grill.

“Uh-uh, Summit. How you offering ribs to everyone but your great grandson first?” Lotus waddled over with her plate ready and Eazy behind her.

“You see how big his daddy is, right?” Summit teased, looking Eazy’s linebacker looking ass up and down.