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“Okay,” I said softly, a smile breaking through.
The rest of the ride passed in a blur as happiness, cautious but intoxicating, spilled through me. Real and I climbed out of the seat of the Ferris Wheel. I didn't even fuss as he held my hand, leading me down the few steps to the short grass of Freedom's Field and toward the bright lights of a concession stand. The words he'd just spoken to me made me feel light... happy. He could definitely keep me and I wanted to keep him.
"C'mon and get this funnel cake. I guess you deserve it," he teased.
I popped my lips. "You guess? After that big ol' bear I won you? Give me some credit."
"Lucky shot," he scoffed.
I elbowed him in the side, smirking as he bent over and huffed out a breath.
"All twelve-plus-one of 'em? Such a hater, Montréal."
I pranced in front of him, but swung around when I heard another "oof!" escape him. Real cupped the back of his head as he glared at Targen, who had just walked up with Theory. From the way Targen was holding Real's bear, I knew he'd hit Real with it.
"Fuck wrong with you, nigga?" Real barked.
"Got me out here walking with this big ass, orange sherbet bear while yo' ass over here holding hands and probably stealing words from love songs, weak ass nigga," Targen groused.
"Gimme my bear," I snapped, yanking it out of his grip. "Come on, Sherbet. They don't appreciate what I went through."
“Sorry, Targen,” I said, as I grinned.
Theory kissed her teeth. "Cousin, Targen fronting. That Creamsicle bear with the rainbows on its paws had all the girlies checking him out. You know the attention went to his head," she teased.
Targen scowled down at her.
"Ay, yo, shorty, don't even play with me like that. Make me show you something."
I waited for her to shrink back. She bit her lip and then, in a move that made me so happy for her, she said, "What you gon' show me?"
"Ayyyy!" I crowed, hyping her up as Targen pulled her close and spoke in a low voice.
"I'ma show my appreciation for this ugl'ass bear tonight, too," Real murmured, his warm breath against my ear making me shiver.
"Bout time," I shot back.
"Time for what?" PawPaw's voice boomed from behind us.
I'd been so caught up in my reaction to Real that I hadn't seen my grandparents walk up. I felt my face flame as I tried to hide it behind the bear.
"Get out of her business, Lee Earnest." Granny saved me, swatting at PawPaw as she fussed. "Stay over here and talk to these children while Love and I ride the Tilt-A-Whirl. I come back and see Jeanette anywhere around you, I'm whooping her ass and yours."
Our mouths dropped open, and PawPaw hemmed and hawed as Granny linked her arm through mine.
"Annette, don't nobody want no Jeanette!" he grumbled.
"Granny!" I finally got out.
She pursed her lips, looking unapologetic.
"Got off the carousel with Hy and Lanthe, and she standing by him, tryna drape them sagging titties over his arm and running her mouth. I told her off politely that time. Next time, I'm snatching that crunchy ass wig off her head!" she exclaimed.
"Granny!"
Theory and I both gasped this time, while Real chuckled in the background, Granny kissed her teeth.
"What you young girls say? She tried it! She better not again!"