Page 56 of When I Thug You Like That

I’d been reading, Thug Me The Right Way by my favorite new author, Nai. That damn girl knew she could write an urban romance. I’d go from crying laughing to really crying within ten pages. This series was really taking me through it.

“And that’s exactly why I put it down. ‘Cause when Kaia showed up to that prison and homegirl was on the visit, I was too through. Because who done told Nai my business?”

I chuckled. “Pissed you right off. But pick it back up. I have faith in Maine. I know he’s going to redeem himself.”

“Alright,” she replied, skeptical. “Oh, wait. I meant to ask, do you know of any other barber I can take Chuston to?”

“What happened to Kelvin?”

“Girl, after waiting an hour for that last cut, I said to hell with Kelvin. I need someone just as good or better.”

The only person that came to mind was Morgan. And even though I didn’t fuck with her, I couldn’t deny the girl’s talent. She was nice with a pair of clippers and had built up a clientele of both adults and children as proof of her skills.

“I hate to say it, but Morgan would be the one.”

“Absolutely the fuck not.”

I laughed, shrugging. “That’s all I got, friend.”

“I’ma look around some more. Maybe search Instagram or something. Ooou, maybe you can ask Jay for me. His line up was on point at the…”

“Goodnight, Taina.”

I ended the call before she could say anything else. My phone chimed immediately with a text from her.

BestieBoop: You one rude ass ho, you know that? But if you want yo’ godson to walk around looking peasy, so be it. Night, heffa. Love you!

I chuckled, reacting to her message with a heart emoji and sending my love back her way. She wanted to be a matchmaker so bad, but I meant what I said. I wasn’t crossing the parent/teacher line. Even if his fine, cocky ass was making standing on my side a little bit of a challenge.

CHAPTER 9

Change Of Plans

JAMISON

Inever thought there would be a day where Enzo just invited us over to his crib on a Sunday, let alone to watch a football game. This nigga even had food set up, drinks and all. I knew for sure that Thyri was responsible for that part.

We were a close-knit family, and me, Enzo, Aura, Pryce, and Tay had grown up more like brothers than cousins. But we were all different. Enzo was never the, “come chill at my crib” type. He fucked with us. He just fucked with us better when we weren’t in his habitat. Unless it was a family gathering or there was a reason for somebody to be there, his crib was his sanctuary. The less traffic, the better for him.

We not only understood it, but we respected it… sometimes. Shit, our whole family was a lot, but when it was just the guys, it was even worse. Oh, and don’t let us add Key in the mix. Then it was just a bunch of different personalities, opinions nobody asked for, and jokes flying across the room. Whether you were in the mood, we didn’t give a fuck. That was why he practically kept us banned from his shit.

Shit had changed over the last year though. His party of two had become a party of four that now featured Thyri and KJ. They fell in love and combined families. And while Enzo didn’t change who Enzo was, he became open to allowing people more into his world. Now, not just anybody. Us. The distinction mattered because I could never see this nigga go from having a few people in his crib to hosting a Super Bowl party. He’d never be that open.

Still, I admired the change. That love thing would have a nigga doing some strange shit, but in a good way, if that made sense. Shit, he wasn’t the only proof of that. Aura’s stalking had paid off, and he was now married to the love of his life. Like shorty actually said yes to the nigga that was willing to repo her car on the strength of love. I mean, as a Sullivan, his actions weren’t far-fetched, but still, shit was wild.

Then there was Pryce. I looked over at his grumpy ass stretched across the other end of Enzo’s sectional and chuckled. His face was screwed up, likely because his team was losing but mainly because it was his permanent look. Adai hadn’t changed who he was when she came back, but anybody who knew Pryce could see the difference her presence made. The nigga still had a short fuse, but Adai had somehow managed to add a timer to it.

Tay was the only Sullivan in the room who hadn’t been bitten by the love bug. I didn’t even think he entertained one woman long enough to. Then again, neither did I. Only difference was, he got bored easily. As for me, shit, I didn’t know what my excuse was. I mean, once upon a time, I was in love with both Kyesha and India, so much so that I thought we could get that poly shit poppin’. That shit turned sour, and I just figured I wasn’t meant to be with either of them.

Still, I had love for them. Kyesha and I got along like we’d never had an issue the whole time we were together. Me and India couldn’t stand to be in the same room at times, yet somehow, my dick found its way into one of her holes at least twice a week.

My love life, or lack thereof, wasn’t conventional by any means, but it worked for me. At least I managed like it did.

“They need to get this bum ass nigga off the field!”

Pryce’s outburst pulled my attention back to the game.

“You gotta chill ‘fore you pop a blood vessel, bruh,” Tay said before taking a bite of his honey chipotle wing.