Page 42

Each time Lo entered Maddy’s home, he was guaranteed to smell the aroma of cooked food.

She was always in a mood to cook. When she was mad, she pulled out the cast iron skillet and went to work.

When she was happy, she’d open up her recipe book and whip up something.

Even when she was bored, she loved to stand over the stove while ol’ school tunes poured from her Bluetooth speaker and burn real good.

When Lo walked into the kitchen, she sat at the table cutting bell peppers and onions while The Isley Brother’s crooned through the room.

“What’s up, Auntie?”

She looked up, her eyes instantly glowing. “Hey, baby. What a nice surprise. What are you doing here?”

Lo bent down and kissed her cheek before taking a seat at the table.

“Just wanted to stop by.”

She cocked her head. “What’s wrong?”

Lo was always amazed at Maddy’s ability to know when something was bothering him.

His mind had been set on Bria. Leaving her the other night was painful.

Mainly because he had dumped so much trauma in her lap that he knew she was affected.

He hadn’t spoken to her since and that was four days ago.

The trip was approaching, and he prayed that she would show up.

Lo never prayed for anything but somehow found himself in an intimate conversation with God, praying for his marriage.

“A lot, Auntie.” He sighed the heaviest breath. “… I told Bria what happened to me at the summer camp.”

Her eyes widened as she dropped the knife on the table. “Oh, wow, I wasn’t expecting you to say that. How did it go?”

Shrugging, he replied, “It was hard, but I needed to tell her.”

“Why did you feel the need to tell her about it?”

“Because I’m on the verge of losing her… I probably already did. I don't know yet.”

“She’s still mad, huh?”

Lo rubbed his hands down his fade. He was so frustrated with himself. He had always been stubborn, not willing to compromise and hardheaded. Bria wouldn’t accept him in this condition. She’d tried but he had pushed her too far.

“Yeah, I told her about my past so she can understand why I move the way that I do. She accepted it but… I don't know if she still wants to be with me or not.”

“And what if she doesn’t?”

That reality would take his breath away. He would need a full oxygen tank if Bria decided to leave him.

“I’m probably going to go crazy.”

Maddy chuckled. “That’s impossible. You're always to the max,” she joked.

Smirking, he appreciated her for lifting the mood.

“I’m glad you decided to share that part of your life with Bria. She deserves to know the moment that changed your life. And Lo, baby, you gotta be gentle with your wife. You can’t treat her with the same regard as you do everyone else.”

“I know.”

He hoped he hadn’t learned that lesson too late.

“And if you want your marriage to work, you have to fight to make it happen. Y’all young people get married and think that’s it.

The real work starts once you say I do because the devil is just waiting in the shadows to disrupt your union.

Block the devil out, Lo. Don't let him come between you and your wife.”

He nodded, taking in every word. “Can I ask you something without you being offended?”

“Of course, you can.”

“Why did Ada say you were jealous of her?”

That had plagued Lo’s mind ever since the blow-up between Maddy and Ada. He’d been so isolated from Ada that he never knew she had accusations of Maddy being jealous of her.

She snorted and picked up the knife to resume cutting her vegetables.

“Your mama is a trip. When she got with Dax, she swore up and down that everybody wanted him. She really acted like she had won the jackpot or something. Dax was a ladies’ man.

He had plenty women, and she always acts like it never happened. ”

“So, he was cheating on her?”

“That’s what I heard.” She pursed her lips. “Your daddy looked just like you and Meco back in the day. Look at the women who throw themselves at y’all, now times that by one hundred. That’s how much attention your father got.”

“But did he indulge?”

“I believe so.”

Lo pulled at the hairs on his beard. “So, she think you were jealous because of Dax?”

“Yeah, she made her entire identity about him. He was getting money, and he upgraded her lifestyle. When Ada got with him, she started distancing herself from everybody.”

Lo wasn’t sure if he believed that. Growing up, the family was always at their home whether cooking or partying. From what he could recall, his parents had always been generous with their family.

“I remember everybody being around all the time. How did she distance herself?”

“She moved out the house right away. When they first got together, she was always up his ass. We couldn’t get to her for shit.

She abandoned everyone, including me. We had been best friends.

I never thought anyone could come between us until Dax came along.

Your mama is funny acting and because she wasn’t doing what she was supposed to do as a mother, she wants to make those bogus claims about me being jealous. ”

Maddy’s rant immediately made him think about his relationship with Meco.

He too felt Lo had abandoned him. He’d distanced himself making his twin feel as though he didn’t want him in his life.

Again, that hadn’t been the case, but Lo could see why Meco felt that way.

He was so severely misunderstood but didn’t know how to express himself in a healthy way.

Lo heard the front door shut and seconds later, Durand entered the room. He smiled as soon as he spotted Lo, approaching him with his hand out.

“Nigga, where you been?” They slapped fives. “I been trying to show you my new shop. It’s right off Landron Road.”

Maddy smiled. “He finally got his auto body shop like he’s been wanting. I’m proud of you, son.”

Lo noticed the beaming smile on Durand’s face. He’d finally done something that he had been talking about. Although Maddy had to help him finance it, he hoped he didn’t drop the ball and move onto his next get-rich-quick scheme.

“That’s love, bro. I’ma have to stop by soon.”

“Hell yeah.” Durand gloated. “It’s laid out and everything. I got this one bit—I mean one girl to do my social media marketing. So, a nigga ‘bout to be out here getting money for real.” He took a seat at the table. “What was y’all talking about?”

Maddy wiped her hand with a towel. “Talking about how Ada came by and told all those damn lies that day. I still want to whoop her ass for bringing a gun to my house.”

Durand snorted before motioning his hand dismissively. “Her bitter old ass. I swear I wish I was there ‘cause I would’ve laid her ass out.”

Maddy gave him a knowing look. “Normally, I would kick your ass for cursing, but I’ll let it slide because she came at you crazy that day too.”

“Yeah, talking ‘bout I’m weak. No, that bitch is weak. Her and that fucking vegetable husband of hers.”

“Watch your fucking mouth,” Lo warned.

Rage had surfaced without a head’s up as Lo glowered at Durand.

When he was younger, Maddy would talk shit about his parents, and he couldn’t interfere.

One because he was considered a child and two because she had taken him in.

Therefore, he felt he shouldn’t bite the hand that fed him.

Now, as a grown man, Lo refused to allow her and Durand to speak ill of his parents.

“I’m not watching shit when she came over here threatening to kill my mama. Nigga, you better remember whose side you on.”

The sinister side of Lo had step to the front, ready to show his ass.

“Oh, yeah? Why don't you remind me, my nigga.” He snorted.

“Okay, now.” Maddy interrupted the pissing contest. “We’re not about to get into it about this. Now, Lo, you have to be fair. Ada came over talking about me and my child like a dog. You can’t be mad because he feels the way he feels.”

“Exactly,” Durand instigated. “She talked all types of shit about me and now when I drag that dead-beat bitch, you wanna get sensitive.”

Lo wasn’t a talker. He didn’t argue and if he did, it was guaranteed to end in bloodshed. Whether it was from his instruments or his fist, blood was certain to be drawn. In a quick gesture, Lo grabbed Durand by the collar of his shirt and pulled him across the table.

“Lo, stop!” Maddy shouted as everything on the surface crashed against the floor.

Pinning Durand to the ground, he pressed his forearm into his neck.

“You talking shit to me like I won’t end your soft ass!”

“Lo, get off of him right got damn now!” Maddy screamed, pulling at his arm.

Her strength was no match for Lo. He was Goliath strong. A force when fury possessed him.

“Get your bitch-ass off me!” Durand struggled to say since Lo constricted his breathing.

“Make me get off you!”

“Kylo, I’m not gon’ tell you again. Let him go!”

Lo pressed harder, prompting veins to swell in his forehead.

He could’ve ended Durand. He could’ve beat him to mush and disfigured his face.

Fortunately, Lo had love for him. He wouldn’t treat him with the same regard as he did his enemies.

Choking him out was only beginner level of his insanity.

He could graduate to another height if Durand continued provoking him.

As soon as his eyes bulged, Lo released his arm from his neck.

Right away, Durand coughed violently as Lo stood to his feet.

“Oh, my God. Durand, baby. Are you okay?” Maddy coddled him.

“Now watch your mouth like I said.”

Maddy’s eyes seared into him. “You know I don't allow no damn fighting in my house. Have you lost your mind?”

“Kick his ass out, Mama,” Durand instigated with a strained tone. “Let that crazy-ass nigga go be with his folks since he’s taking up for them.”

“Apologize right now, Lo!”

He snorted a chuckle. “I ain't apologizing to shit. He needs to apologize for talking shit when he know he can’t fight.”