Chapter 26

26

Ahmad

I didn't like this.

For some reason I felt like my moms was fucking with me when she invited us over for dinner, and I saw two cars in front of the house. It was already bad enough I didn't want to be here for real, so to add extra motherfuckas was doing too much.

I was annoyed at this point.

"Everything okay?" Bunny asked me as we sat in the car for no reason at all.

"Nah… I don't like a lot of people around me and they know that. I think they're doing this shit on purpose to fuck with me."

"Language!" Nala scolded.

"My bad. Come on, let's get this over with."

I opened the door then went around to open theirs. Rabbit latched on to my hand as we trekked up the walkway.

"It's okay, Papa Ahmad. I don't like a lot of people either."

I stopped dead in my tracks and so did Bunny. We both looked down at her as a foreign feeling washed over me.

"Wh-what did you call me?"

"Papa Ahmad. I was going to say Daddy Ahmad, but that doesn't sound right."

My hand went over my mouth as I took a seat on the step. I really didn't know what this feeling was, but if I had to describe it, it was—happiness. This little girl came into my life and made me feel shit I'd never felt before. Bunny did too, but Rabbit's acceptance hit different. She had bulldozed through my heart and took residence in her own little corner.

Her little head lowered as if she was sad. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Absolutely not. You just made my whole day, baby girl."

Her face lit up as she hugged me. Bunny smiled wide as she stood watching us.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Ahmad Pryor himself." I turned to find my cousin Saleem standing on the porch looking down at us.

"Ah shit!"

"Ahmad!" Bunny scolded.

"My bad, bun."

I stood and walked up the steps as I slapped him a five and gave him a hug. Saleem was my cousin on my mom's side. He was my mom's cousin Salena's first-born son that she reconnected with. We officially met about a year ago and we instantly clicked because the nigga had no filter just like me. His wife Pure reminded me so much of Bunny, I knew those two together was going to be hell.

"It's good to see you, cuz," I said as we released.

"Good to see you too, man."

"Saleem Andre St. James! I know you heard me calling you!"

His head lowered as I chuckled. Pure emerged from the house, hand on her hip, belly round, and a mean mug on her face.

"Why you gotta be hollering and shit? Whatcha cranky ass want now?"

Her face transformed to a sad expression as Saleem shook his head.

"You didn't get my ice cream like you promised! You don't care about me."

"Oh goodness. I remember those days," Bunny said, laughing. "Hi, I'm Nala," she introduced.

"My bad. Bunny, this is my cousin Saleem and his wife, Pure. Pure and Saleem, this is my lady, Nala."

"Nice to meet you," Saleem said, shaking her hand.

"Likewise."

"Nice to meet you, Nala. And who is this cutie pie?" Pure queried.

"This is my baby girl, Makari. Makari, say hello."

"Hello. You're so pretty, Ms. Pure. Like Mommy."

"Why thank you, Makari. You're pretty, too."

Kari blushed. "Thank you."

"It's funny that you want ice cream. We happened to bring some because I didn't want to come empty handed," Bunny said, holding up the bag.

"Butter Pecan?"

"The only ice cream I like!"

"Oh my God! Come on in here, best friend!" We laughed as we all headed inside.

"You just saved my life. Welcome to the family," Saleem whispered to Bunny as we walked by.

She laughed. "I'll bill you later."

The day dragged along as we had dinner and caught up with cousin Salena, her fiancé Greg, and Saleem's little brother and sister, Saniya and Salaam. The only reason we stayed so long was because Saleem and Pure didn't want us to leave—well mostly Pure because she didn't want "her girl" to leave just yet.

While my mother, her cousin, Pure, and Bunny gossiped in the kitchen, my pops, Greg, Ashton, Saleem, and I sat in the living room watching the playoffs, and the kids were upstairs playing the video game.

Saleem leaned his head back to peer in the kitchen, then looked at me and shook his head.

"We got a problem, bruh," he said.

"What's that?"

"Ya girl and my wife looking way too cozy. P gon' have us flying to LA every damn week now. I hope you got flyer miles, my nigga."

"I have a jet."

"That's good then…Wait, you agree with this shit?"

I chuckled. "I don't know what I agree with just yet. It's too early to tell, but I don't mind. Bunny's a Georgia peach. All of her family and friends are back home, so I don't mind her getting acquainted with my people."

"We in Michigan though."

I shrugged. "Split the ticket then, homie." We laughed.

"So, son, you've found your one, huh?" Pops asked me as I took a swig from my beer.

I wasn't used to this much dialogue between us, and I for damn sure never talked to him about women. However, I knew I needed to get off my bullshit and open up to them since they were trying. I rubbed my chin and shook my head.

"I wouldn't say all of that, but we are an item."

"He's downplaying the hell out of it, Dad. He gave her a nickname… He's in love with that woman," Ashton chimed in.

"Shut ya corny ass up."

My father chuckled. "Son, it's okay to fall in love. She seems like a wonderful person. Very smart and intellectually mature. I see you all having a healthy relationship together."

Before I could reply, Pure and Bunny came in the living room. Bunny slid on my lap as I lifted my head for a kiss. She pecked my lips and smiled at me while running her fingers through my coils.

"Babe, let's go out on the patio. We want some air," Pure said.

"We're in the middle of the game…"

"It's halftime!" When her voice raised an octave, Saleem stood.

"You gon' stop fucking yelling at me. Get ya pretty ass outside."

She blushed. "Yay. Come on, best friend and cousin Ahmad." We stood as Ashton shook his head.

"See, Pops. Whipped ass nigga." Ashton chuckled as I threw a couch pillow at him and flipped him the bird.

Once we made it out on the patio, we all took a seat on the couches.

"It's so pretty out here," Pure said, glancing around the yard.

"Yes, Ms. Victoria definitely has a green thumb," Bunny agreed.

"Did you make us come out to talk about the yard? Halftime will be up in fifteen minutes."

"See, this is why we bump heads. You never want to do anything that I want to do." Pure pouted.

"I'm not even about to fall into that bullshit you just said. You're just fucking spoiled."

"Anyway. How long have you two been together?" Pure asked.

"Not long… Almost two months," Bunny spoke.

"Aww, y'all look like you've been together for a long time. I thought for sure your daughter was his daughter."

I found myself blurting, "She is mine."

"Not biologically, but he'll be the only father she knows," Bunny said.

I didn't know if I liked her saying that. However, we were still new and trying to learn each other.

"Then she's his," Pure replied, smiling.

"How long have you guys been together?" Nala asked.

"We're still newlyweds. Been together for a year, married for five months. Every day I want to choke slam him, but he's the love of my life. It's hard to believe that we've been together this long because I hated his fucking guts when I met him."

Saleem chuckled. "You loved me when we met and wanted me to bust them guts. Stop the cap."

Pure mushed his head. "Negro, if I loved you, I'd eat a pot of pig's feet right now because that shit is a lie. He stole my father's building and refused to sell it back to me. We warred for months until I put this ass in his face and he's been like putty in my hands ever since."

Pure and Bunny laughed and high fived.

Saleem kissed his teeth. "Fuck y'all little high five."

"You out here eating ass, cuz?" I asked.

Bunny shrugged. "You ate mine." I pinched her ass cheek as she laughed.

Saleem laughed. "I guess I ain't the only one."

"So what marital advice can you two give us for later on down the line?" Nala asked.

I tried not to smile at her question, but a nigga was happy she was thinking that far ahead. I didn't see me letting her go, and clearly, she was right where she wanted to be.

"Just be yourselves. Don't change. The same thing you were doing to get each other, should be the same shit you do to keep each other," Saleem said.

Bunny and I looked at one another and fell into a fit of laughter. I was glad we were able to laugh about the way we met, but the shit wasn't a romantic story to tell.

"What? Did he say something wrong?" Pure asked.

Nala shook her head. "No, no, it's just… the way we met wasn't pleasant either, and I hated him as well. But, as we got to know one another, I found out his weaknesses and was able to play it in my favor. Ahmad isn't the talkative type. I literally have to read his mind half the time, however, when I do initiate the conversation, he does open up to me. I'm learning that his smile and laugh are two of the qualities that I love the most about him. Then on top of that, he's a protector, provider, and my daughter loves him… So even though we just started, I don't see us ending any time soon, either."

I smirked as she kissed the corner of my mouth then slid her arm between mine, leaning her head on my shoulder. I loved this soft side of her. She was weakening me with this shit, and I felt myself about to give her the numbers to my safe. I had never allowed a woman to stay two seconds longer than a day around me, but being in a forced proximity with Bunny, she was able to penetrate my hard shell and take residence in the other part of my heart. I wouldn't call it love, but it was strong like and lust.

Pure smiled. "That's so cute. See, that's why you're my best friend now. I have a best friend back home that you'll have to share me with, but she's really cool and she'll love you too."

"I know you ain't talking about Riley's crazy ass?" Saleem asked.

"Who else would I be talking about? And she is not crazy!"

"Like hell."

Nala waved her hand animatedly. "Well, apparently I like crazy, so I'll fit right in."

We all laughed as I rubbed her thigh. I was ready to drag her in the house and fuck her uterus out her ass, but I refrained. I wouldn't do that here with these nosy ass people. They asses would be looking around for me like they were inspector gadgets. Weird asses.

By the time we went back inside, the game was over and Saleem was mad about it. It was Miami versus LA, and he made a twenty thousand dollar bet against the Lakers and lost. Too bad the person he owed was me. Homie just didn't know that my home team would always reign supreme.

"A'ight. We're going to call it a night. I'm tired and I need a shower bad," I told my family.

"Okay, baby. Nala, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope it won't be your last time," my moms said, hugging her.

"It won't. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality. I enjoyed myself here."

"You're welcome."

Pure handed her a card. "Here's my number. Call me anytime, except for around eight… this baby doesn't allow me to stay up too late."

"What are you having? I want to get you guys a gift."

"It's a surprise."

"Aww, well anything you need, don't hesitate to call me."

"I won't."

Saleem looked over at me. "Told you. Flyer miles."

"Don't worry. With that twenty K, we'll be able to fly once a week."

I laughed when he flipped me off. We all hugged and said our goodbyes as Nala retrieved Makari and we left the house. Even though I didn't want to fuck with my family today, Saleem being there changed the trajectory of my mood. I'd never had the relationship, double date thing.

I had to admit, I liked it… a lot.