“Simp ass nigga,” Bino teased as he pulled me into a brotherly hug.
“Like you one to talk.” I laughed. Nigga had it bad for Mo.
“Scoot.” I extended my hand to him. He accepted it, allowing me to pull him to his feet, then I pulled him into the same hug I’d given Bino seconds ago.
“I love you, man.” He patted my back. “And I’m sorry.”
“Man, aight, he got it, Scoot. Got damn,” Bino jibed. “Acting real fuckin’ unusual.”
“Fuck you, nigga.” We shared a laugh. “I just know I fucked up big time and need him to know I really am sorry.”
“I know. I don’t want you crying and shit every time we see each other, especially when y’all come to the baby shower. I need Kaori carefree and not worrying about shit.”
“Got you.”
After grabbing the shit that I came for, I bounced. I felt a little better after having a conversation with Scoot. Kaori wanted me to get down to why he did the shit and how, but I didn’t need the details. That shit probably would have infuriated and crushed me all over again, so I took my brother’s advice, which was to try to forgive the nigga without the background shit. I agreed with him because that was the only alternative that wouldn’t end in me possibly murdering my best friend.
18
Kaori.
“Wow, Mo, tell me how you really feel,” I pouted as she pulled more and more of the measuring tape meant for the game they were currently playing.
“I am, hoe, you big as hell.” She laughed. “Shit.”
“Seriously, Morgan,” I whined. She knew how insecure I was about my weight gain. It was like in the last month alone, I gained all of my weight. I was carrying so small before, but now I had a booty do.
“Don’t start all that crying and shit,” she fussed. “You are the baddest pregnant bitch I’ve ever seen.”
“Facts, you are,” Solomon said as he circled his arms around my waist. “What I tell you at the crib?”
I poked my bottom lip out. “No crying.”
“Aight then. You look too good for that anyway.”
“You always say I look good.” I smiled, not caring at all that he interrupted the game.
“And have I ever lied to you?”
“Nope.”
“Aight then.” He pressed a kiss into the side of my neck then face. “Stop all that whining and crying and enjoy yourself.”
“Okay, Smoke, move.” My mother shooed him away. “Come on KK, we’re on a strict schedule.”
My mother had been serious as a heart attack about the schedule since we at the venue. She damn near shoved Solomon and me inside and got right to work. She even had poor Solo working hard to pass stuff out to our guests and picking things up.
She hurried around to the other guests participating in the game then had me stand up front while they all prepared to see who the winner was. Before they could start, Solomon bullied his way up front and said he wanted to participate. Everyone groaned and complained that it wasn’t fair because we were together daily but it didn’t matter. My mother let him do it.
Over the course of time that we had been together their bond had grown super strong which was a little shocking considering she had always hated my ex. Ice didn’t even allow me to get the introductions out of the way before letting me know she didn’t like Jamal. I was relieved to know that wasn’t the case with Solomon. They hit it off from the very beginning. She told me it was because he was his authentic self from the very beginning and also because she saw a lot of my father in him. For me that was a true flex, because I always said I wanted a love like Ice and K-Dot shared.
Solomon, of course, won the game, but he allowed the runner up, Morgan, to get the gift. It truly was unfair for them both to play because of everyone in there she knew me the best. We played a few more games, then ate. I really couldn’t decide what kind of food I wanted so I had a little of everything. It wasn’t anything that made sense though. I had ribs and chicken from the Smoke Pit. Redmond’s did most of my sides, mainly the soul food dishes. Teyon and Day both did some of the signaturedishes, while Averi and Destiny Masters tackled my sweets and cake.
I was so happy as I ate and congregated with everyone. My baby shower was literally perfect. I fell in love with the “We Can Bearly Wait” theme, so my mother got with Tae, the event coordinator, and made it happen. I couldn’t have imagined it any other way.
“Okay, because we’re a little pressed for time due to dinner going over a little and the lady of the hour’s feet swelling, they’ve decided to go through their gifts at home.”
“Uh uhn, Auntie, I wanted everyone to see mine now,” Morgan shouted from her seat.
