Page 13

twelve

Ahvi yawned, still groggy but she needed to get up. Not only did she get in the bed late but Kamari wore her out with his squirming and restless sleep. He was having a hard time sleeping without Lunar and let her know it all night with little whimpers in his sleep.

The other guest rooms were occupied so she slept in Lunar’s room while he claimed to be inspired and spent his night in the studio.

Now, she wanted to get up before everyone and make them breakfast. Ahvi wanted it to be a surprise but seeing as she needed to get a few ingredients, she would have to let someone know so she could get a ride to the store.

After she had Kamari fed and dressed, she tipped downstairs trying not to wake anyone which was hard with Kamari talking up a storm.

“Shhh,” she whispered, laughing softly as she adjusted his little snapback Lunar got him. “You gon’ wake everybody up.”

Kamari only stared at her knowing he ran that house and no one would dare challenge him on it.

She loved all the new clothes Lunar got him in her absence. Lunar picked him out things that could match his style and Kamari looked so handsome in them. She even had to give Lunar credit on his attempt at taming her baby’s wild mane. If she was being honest, she had to give credit to Lunar for everything.

“Good morning,” Bu greeted from the island, where he leaned against the marble with a cup in one hand and his phone in the other. “I see you Mari with your hat on like Unc,” Bu smiled and if ever there was a warm yet dangerous smile, Ahvi knew she bared witness to it right then.

Ahvi blinked, caught offguard by his presence. “Good morning.”

Bu nodded and went back to scrolling his phone while she drifted toward the fridge, trying to look casual while mentally building out her grocery list. She was gonna go all out. Chicken and red velvet waffles, shrimp and grits, roasted potatoes, fruit salad, mimosas for the grown folks, and juice for the wannabe grown folks, but they were out of a lot. Truthfully, she didn’t expect them to have those specific items.

Rocking on her feet, she cleared her throat with those big eyes fluttering like she was innocent. Maybe once in her life she was—nah, Ahvi was never innocent. Innocence was a trait for daddy’s girls, when she was more of daddy’s little protégé minus the religion.

Ish taught her to be strong and to stand up for herself while always figuring shit out on her own so no one could ever throw what they did for her in her face.

Asking for stuff wasn’t always easy, especially being the new girl in a house full of deep-rooted relationships. She didn’t wanna make things weird. But her mama always said: closed mouths don’t get fed.

And when it came to situations like her current one, it was probably best to take a lesson from Sheena over Ish.

“Um…” she started, eyes flickering from Kamari back to Bu. She hated to admit it, but the man was fine as hell. Glasses on, beard looking moisturized, calm energy like he always knew what time it was. Everybody in this family had no business being this easy on the eyes.

Bu looked up. “What’s up, Ahvi?”

“I don’t wanna overstep or put you in a weird spot or anything?—”

He cut her off with a smirk. “Just say what you need to say. Ain’t nobody thinking the wrong thing.”

Ahvi bit into her lip. “Can you run me to the store?” Just as the words came, she remembered she was broke as hell. “You know what—never mind. I be way ahead of myself sometimes.”

“You ready now?” Bu asked like she didn’t just backpedal. He was a man’s man. The kind of man you could count on to look after your girl while you did a bid and didn’t have to worry about him poaching on your territory.

She blinked, adjusting Kamari. “Oh…yea, but I forgot I ain’t got no money.”

He kissed his teeth, pushing off the counter. “C’mon girl.”

On his way out, he snatched the keys, since the truck had a car seat.

“Are we in some kind of fairytale, Mari?” Ahvi whispered, hurriedly following behind Bu.

She never got to fully admire the Range that Lunar picked her up in since she was in her head so much. Now, she had time to admire it as she buckled Kamari into his seat.

The backseat was full of his little toys and he immediately went to reach for a toy car. She noticed he liked those and realized that was something else Lunar gave her baby.

“You know he got this truck when he got Kamari - right?” Bu commented, watching her through the rearview.

“Who?” Ahvi asked confused, slamming the back door before getting in the front.

“Lunar.”

Nothing else was said between them for a while. Just the low tone of Lunar rapping on a song. Bu was his biggest fan and played his music all day, every day.

They rode in silence for a while, but it wasn’t awkward, just… chill, like they’d done it before. She liked that.

“Where you tryna go?” he asked, turning down the music a little.

“Publix. I wanna make brunch for everybody.”

“Oh yea? What we eatin’ then?”

“Red velvet waffles, shrimp and grits, potatoes, and fresh fruit. I’m talkin’ bougie brunch,” she laughed, proud of the idea.

“You tryna make folks fall in love with you.” The corner of his lips rose.

She laughed. “Maybe I’m tryna remind folks I got more to me than just being Kamari’s mama,” she giggled. But most of all I wanna show my appreciation for how y’all accepted my baby.”

Bu nodded. “I feel that. You do got something to you, though. Lunar noticed.”

That made her blink. “What you mean?”

Bu smirked like he said too much, but didn’t regret it. “Just sayin’…he’s observant. He ain’t been around a woman in a minute who ain’t expecting something from him. He don’t gotta shrink around you…he can be his true lover boy self with you.”

Ahvi looked out the window, lips pressed tight. That meant more than she wanted it to. Still she wanted to ask about Apple…wanted to know if he saw something in her too.

“But what about you?” Bu asked, cutting into the silence. “What you want? Like… after this? You gon’ stay in the city, go back home, or what?”

She thought about it. “I don’t know. I was just tryna breathe again. It’s startin’ to feel like I want more than just air. I want stability…peace…a family.”

Bu nodded. “That’s real. Trust me - you got time. Just make sure when you choose, you ain’t choosing outta fear.”

They pulled into the lot and headed inside. She grabbed a cart and Kamari sat in the front like he owned the store too. Bu followed her down every aisle, tossing in things she didn’t even know she needed.

“Lemon pepper?” she asked, holding up the bottle.

“Trust me.”

She smiled. “You cook?”

“Nah, but I eat good.”

They were halfway through the frozen section when a voice called from behind.

“Ayo, is that Ahvi?”

She turned around and instantly regretted it. It was Moe, one of Dro’s homeboys. Grimy energy in a white tee two sizes too big.

“Moe,” she said, forcing a smile. “What’s good?”

He looked surprised. “Damn, ain’t seen you in a minute. You good?”

“Tryna be.”

Moe nodded, eyes flicking to Bu then back to her. “You heard about Dro?”

Her brows furrowed. “Hell no. I been looking for his ass though.” She wanted to say more, but like she’d said, Moe wasn’t someone you went telling all your business to.

He leaned in like he had the hottest tea in the state. “Heard he met some chick and moved in with her.”

Ahvi’s heart dropped at the idea of Dro turning his back on Kamari for some random girl. She didn’t care about him finding love but he promised to never be a deadbeat like his own father but she guessed, the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.

Moe kept going like he ain’t just shift her whole reality. “Yea, I thought you knew. They say he might’ve even gotten hemmed up that way. Ain’t no telling, though.”

“I ain’t never seen such a gossiping ass nigga,” Bu stepped forward.

Moe put his arms up. “Ahvi, this you?”

“Nigga, I’m a grown ass man standing in front of you. Ask me!” Bu’s voice was calm yet cold letting Moe know, he was willing to air the whole store out about Ahvi.

She swallowed hard, nodded slowly, then turned away. “Umm, okay...thanks for letting me know. If you see him tell him I’m looking for him.” Her lashes fluttered fast, as she took a step back. Her chest felt heavy. How could Dro do that to them? She’d never had any type of fantasy about the three of them being a happy family. Dro wasn’t the most reliable, but Ahvi never thought he would go missing like he ain’t have a son in the world that needed him.

Nodding menacingly, Moe rubbed his hands together before walking away.

Ahvi gulped in a deep breath before going back to shopping. Her mind was spinning and her ears felt like she’d been in the air—altitude so high they forgot to pop. Her vision blurred but she shook that shit off when she looked at her happy baby boy. She couldn’t get knocked off her game again. If Dro was out here making stupid decisions, it was only right he won stupid prizes.

Bu didn’t say much, just watched her for a moment until he couldn’t take the awkward silence anymore. “You cool?”

She blinked fast. “Yea.”

There was no need in making a big deal out of what she’d just heard when it wouldn’t change anything.

She made it to the register, still in a daze. She only smiled and pretended to play with Kamari when it seemed he needed some of her attention. Other than that, her mind went haywire. How was the world constantly taking from her and making life for her just a little harder? What did she do in a past life that kept coming back like Karma? Just when she felt a small reprieve—a life-saving gust of air so faint she almost missed it, life had to remind her that she owed it something. At least that was what it all felt like.

Bu stepped closer, lowering his voice, jarring her. “You ain’t gotta carry it all by yourself, you know.”

Ahvi looked at him with blank eyes. She needed to snap out of it to give Lunar’s family a meal they’d never forget. That she could do. Ish had taught her how to suck up the hard times because whose business was it anyway.

* * *

In a daze, but always on her shit, Ahvi worked around the kitchen with music playing from the TV since she had yet to get another phone. The thought reminded her of the ten thousand she was supposed to get from Lunar in exchange for the phone. Should she remind him of their deal or forgive the debt since now she was forever indebted to him anyway?

She didn’t know whether to ask or not.

All she knew was that she had waffles to stack, shrimp to clean, and too many feelings stuffed under her hoodie.

Lunar walked in like he’d been looking for her. There was a slight frown on his face, a soft look of confusion he got when something wasn’t where he left it.

“Where you been?” he asked, staring in her eyes like he was expecting her to tell a lie.

“First of all, you ain’t my daddy.” Ahvi glanced over her shoulder, trying to hide her smile. “I went to the store to get food to make brunch.”

“I see that,” he said, walking into the kitchen and grabbing a piece of cooked shrimp. “You ain’t tell me nothin’ though.”

“What you think happened, Lunar?” she blinked.

He laughed, “Don’t worry ‘bout it, it didn’t happen so we good.” Lunar eased over to Kamari who was beating on his highchair like he was begging for food. Leaning against the counter, with his arms folded, he looked at her like she was the drama. “Nah, for real. You supposed to tell your person when you leaving.”

She looked up from the waffle maker, arching a brow. “My person?”

He could stare at her all day. The way her skin seemed to glisten like she had her own personal sun living within her. Even dressed down in a hoodie and biker shorts, Ahvi was stunning.

Lunar smirked. “I’m sayin’…I can’t keep track of you if you don’t check in.”

Her chest fluttered…real subtle…real soft.

“Hmmm,” she said, flipping the waffle. “You always like this or is it just ’cause Bu been hanging around me?”

Lunar squinted, pretending to look offended. “Damn, Bu trying to steal you from me too?”

“Too?” she turned, giving him a look.

“Noodle was supposed to be mine,” he said with a straight face like that revelation didn’t change some of the dynamics of their bond in her mind. “I’m taking a nigga head off ‘bout you though.”

Lunar and Noodle’s chemistry started to make sense. There had been speculation of their affair online because the way they made music together was very Jay and Bey-ish.

“You and Noodle, huh? I might need to rethink being friendly,” Ahvi didn’t mean for her inner thoughts to spill out.

“You like me too, Advil?” Lunar eased closer, his body pressing her against the counter. “My head do be hurting…I need to keep a bottle of Advil at all times.”

“Stop playing with me.” Ahvi didn’t move or make a move to get him out of her space.

It hadn’t been that long since she had a warm body against hers but none of them made her feel the way Lunar did.

“I’m serious.” He stepped closer, voice lower now. “I turn my back for one second, and now he the morning ride, grocery date, and brunch assistant? You gon’ give him Kamari next?”

Ahvi sucked her teeth, cheeks warming at him mentioning giving up Kamari as if he had ownership of him like she did. “Shut up.”

“You shut up. That shrimp tastes good as hell, too. Who taught you how to cook?” Lunar popped another shrimp in his mouth, looking in her eyes like if she asked for a bite, he’d push his piece in her mouth.

“Thank you. My daddy taught me,” she beamed with pride.

Lunar pinched her cheek. “You a daddy’s girl, Ahvi?”

Her shoulders jutted up before falling. “Umm, I’m a ‘he was all I had’ girl. Like, I fuck with Sheena but she ain’t my daddy.”

He nodded, reading between the lines.

Ahvi didn’t have a choice on whether to be a daddy’s girl or her mama’s mini me. It was forced on her and she didn’t really feel a way about it. There would always be love for Sheena, but she could never sugarcoat the impact Ish had on her life—the significance that her world would be completely different had she stayed on the East with her mama.

He taught her everything she knew. From how to cook to how to change a tire. Ish made sure he didn’t leave his baby girl out there lost.

Lunar moved behind her, gently brushing her arm as he reached for the seasoning. His presence was loud even when he said nothing. He moved like he belonged next to her, like the kitchen was theirs, like this was normal, like it was supposed to be this way.

Ahvi tried to focus on the food, but his hand brushed hers when they reached for the lemon juice at the same time. She didn’t pull away…neither did he.

They both smiled, getting lost in each other. Ahvi could ogle his dimples forever and that still wouldn’t be enough. Then his aura was full of impulsive responsibility—if that was a thing. Like Lunar seemed to have his shit together but would still crash out when it came to his feelings.

“You look tired?” he asked, quiet now.

“Ugh!” she bucked her eyes. “So you saying I look ugly?”

“Watch out,” he laughed. “No cap, you the prettiest thing I done seen in a long time.”

“Lunar, you too fine to be so extra… I know I look good but don’t do too much or I’ll think you playing me .

“And that’s where you got me fucked up at. I don’t lie…I will never tell you a lie,” he laughed. “Lie for what? Can’t nobody beat my ass.”

Ahvi laughed hard. “Chill, baby daddy.”

His eyes lit up. “Baby daddy?! Yea, you ain’t leaving me.”

He said it so confidently. Like he knew he could hold her heart forever and never get tired. Ahvi sighed, knowing he probably wasn’t used to runaway girls like her. She’d always fuck with him, but Ish taught her to be independent and never depend on anyone especially not a man. It was why Dro got away with so much.

“Now tell me about your night?”

“Kamari had a rough night without you.” Ahvi moved around the kitchen avoiding Lunar’s eyes.

He looked down at Kamari, then back to her. “That’s my baby.” It came out so natural, confident. Again, like he just knew Kamari would always be his.

It was clear Lunar knew something she didn’t.

Before she could ask more or dive a little deeper, the sound of feet rounding the corner drew her attention.

Pimp walked in with a blunt behind his ear and a Red Bull in his hand. “Smells like somebody tryna get chose,” he grinned.

Lunar looked him upside his head. “Where you coming from?”

“Minding my business…just got off the phone with Elle about that thing.” He made his brows jump to put emphasis on his words.

They were talking in code which made Ahvi tune in more. She was naturally nosey but the way Pimp seemed to be holding a secret, she wanted to know too. When they stopped talking, she pretended she wasn’t listening.

She smiled, wiping her hands on a towel. “You want a plate when it’s done?”

“Hell yea.” Pimp rubbed his stomach like he was starving. “Lunar, come chop it up with me, so I can run down what Elle told me.”

“Who is Elle?” Ahvi rested her weight to one side, asking Pimp, but looking at Lunar who had a goofy grin on his face.

Pimp looked between the two of them not knowing if he should tell her or not. It wasn’t top secret, but Lunar told him he needed to be the one to tell Ahvi about his plans for her. Elle was the family attorney that was going to make it all happen. Still, it wasn’t his place.

“You ain’t got nothing to worry about except not burning the food.” Lunar blew her a kiss she desperately wanted to feel against her lips.

“Don’t piss me off, Lunar,” she rolled her eyes going back to the food.

Pimp smirked. “There goes the real Ahvi…you had me scared that thirty days in made you soft. The way you used to be on the phone talking that big girl shit…sheesh.” He ran off when she tried to slap him with a towel.