Page 140 of Love's Most Wanted

“Baby, sit down,” Mama said, wearing a worried look.

“I’m good.” Cemone bent down to kiss her cheek, slapped hands with us, then Prime, before leaving.

It got quiet due to how awkward this shit was, but Shakur soon rose to his feet as well.

“Yeah, I’m out too. Wasn’t too long ago you felt what you did was cool, so I ain’t going for this shit right here.” Shakur left the den as Cemone had done.

“Well, aight.” Khari stood, then so did Lequay and Bashar, kissing our mama, slapping hands with me, and heading for the mouth of the den to exit.

“And that’s why even though Khari was the only one who voiced his disdain for me, I didn’t even try with the rest of you. You guys have always let him brainwash you,” Devante threw out, clearly irritated that nobody was going for his shit.

“Nah, nigga, only person brainwashed is the woman sitting next to you.” Looking to Sharon and softening his features, Bashar said, “No offense, love, but you gotta see through the bullshit.”

“Figures you don’t know shit about us, which is crazy ’cause you was in a nigga’s life daily for fifteen years.” Lequay shook his head. “But how shithasbeen, we gon’ keep it that way.”

Nobody had a rebuttal as my brothers left the room. Now it was only me, my mama, Prime, then Devante and Sharon.

My paternal grandparents, Devante’s parents, opted not to come since when they tried to contact him recently, he’d made it clear he wasn’t fucking with them still.

After letting the silence linger for a bit, everybody clearly speechless, I said, “It’s not about being brainwashed, my nigga. It’s about everybody recognizing when a person is on bullshit. If us all agreeing that you only trying to be cool to convince ya wife that you a good nigga so you can keep ya preaching career is following, then so be it.” Looking to Sharon, I said, “I hope this shit works out for you, love, I do. But he selfish. Any man that would put you and my mother then hisninechildren in this situation don’t give a fuck about nobody.”

I kissed my mother, hugged Prime, and then stepped out of the den. Hearing my mama’s voice made me stay nearby though.

“I get you want forgiveness, Dev—Kyle, but it’s going to take more than you showing up almost two decades later asking. If you want a relationship with them, truly, you’re going to have to put in the work. You’re also going to have to take whatever they decide to give you.”

“Exactly. And ya sons are close as fuck, which I’m sure you can remember. It may seem like some follow the leader shit, but it’s not. Just when it come to certain shit, they have similar morals and thoughts. No point in repeating the same shit their brother has already said. Khari felt like this was pointless and wanted to leave. So did Lequay and Bashar. It’s simple. Getting mad, though, ain’t gon’ help. And they not little boys no more; them is grown ass men, so I would chill out on the disrespect.”

Shit, Khari had beat that nigga’s ass before he was a grown man.

Devante folded like he always did for Prime, and I just walked off, not interested in hearing his explanations and excuses.

About two hours later, everyone was gone except me, so I went to find my mama in her woman equivalent of a man cave.

“I didn’t know you were still here.” She smiled softly as she watched me come sit beside her.

“I am.”

“How are you? I know that was a lot.”

“It was.” I nodded. “You believe him?”

She looked off for a moment, then said, “I don’t know. He doesn’t have the greatest track record, and I think he only wants to mend the fences becauseshewants him to.”

“Same.” I sighed. “Something else I want to tell you though.”

“Kabrina is pregnant?” She grinned.

“Nah, not yet. At least I don’t think so. I’m hoping to have a real wedding, honeymoon, and all that shit before she gets pregnant. But I wouldn’t be mad.”

“That’s sweet.” She kissed my face. “All of you are sweet. I’m proud of you guys and the fact that I don’t have any fuck boy sons.”

“Was worried about Khari for a bit though, huh?” I half joked, and she snickered.

“Surprisingly… no. I always knew he would pull it together; I just wanted him to do it before someone killed him or he went to prison. But Khari was my first baby. We spent a lot of time together and kind of grew up together, so I know who he is at the core, and he was always sweet, loving, and protective like the big brother he is.”

“That’s true.” I affirmed. “But nah, you remember the show runner Tamira?”

“Not really.”