Page 38 of Jaeda
They started going back and forth as Jaeda walked away. I watched as she left the room and moved to someplace quiet.
“Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine. No offense, but I’ve quickly learned that your brother has no couth.”
“None at all. You at a party or something?”
“It’s my mom’s birthday, so the whole family is here.”
“Sounds like a good time.”
“It’s a good time until her and her sisters have too many wine coolers.”
She laughed. “Still, I hope you have a good day.”
“Thank you, baby.” She blushed at that. “I was, uh, . . . just thinking about you and wanted to see your pretty face.”
“So you missed me?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, I missed you. You and those lips. I think you owe me a do-over kiss since your brothers ruined the moment.”
She rolled her eyes. “They make me sick sometimes. Again, I’m sorry about that.”
“You don’t need to apologize, love. I rather like getting under their skin. I get the feeling they aren’t used to people not being afraid of them. Sometimes you gotta tame a nigga’s ego. They’ll get over it ’cause I’m not going anywhere any time soon.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“I’m glad you do. I’m gonna let you go love on that baby. Call me later?”
“I can do that. Tell your mom happy birthday for me.”
“I will. Talk to you soon.”
“Talk to you soon.”
She left me with a smile as she disconnected the call. No sooner than I hung up was my mama at my side.
“Was that her?” she asked, peering into the phone.
“Yes, nosy.”
“Why didn’t you let me say hey!”
“Because I didn’t call for her to talk to you, woman. We didn’t talk long ’cause she’s at the hospital celebrating the birth of her nephew. She said happy birthday, though.”
“Who are her people again?”
I swallowed hard. I intentionally didn’t bring up Jaeda’s last name because I knew how she felt about what Titan did. She understood his cause but didn’t feel he had the right to play God.
“Quaid?” she said, breaking my thoughts.
“Uh, . . . the Dillingers. Her dad is Stanley Dillinger.”
It was like all the color drained from her face.
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
