Page 131 of Steel

We all laughed as he stormed toward his mother. When he made it over to her, he pulled her to her feet and off to the side, fussing about what our father had just said. Mama Steph’s eyes widened, and her head snapped in Senior’s direction. We watched as she went to a bush and pulled off a switch.

“I’m gonna kill you, Stanley!” she threatened, storming in our direction.

Pops broke into laughter as he sprang to his feet and ran away from the area with her right behind him. I shook my head. That man was a whole fucking mess. He loved getting a rise out of our mothers, especially her. I guess since he couldn’t have her the way he wanted, he would take her however he could get it.

“Oooo! You look cute!”

I looked up to see my sister standing in the doorway of my room, watching me as I looked my outfit over. Tonight, Kerrion and I were having our first official date. We’d gone out plenty times with the kids but had yet to have time to ourselves, and I was looking forward to it.

I smiled. “Thank you. You sure this dress isn’t too much?”

I was sporting a dark green slip dress that hugged my curves, with a split right up my thigh, and a pair of gold strappy heels. I added gold jewelry and a gold clutch to accessorize. My makeup was natural, and I threw on my favorite forty-inch wig before feather curling it to perfection.

“Bitch, that dress is gonna have you bent over somewhere by the end of the night! You said y’all were going dancing, right?”

“Yes.”

“Let me find out y’all are out here on some Usher and Beyoncé vibes, making love in the club.”

I rolled my eyes. “Dinah, please!”

She laughed. “Seriously. You look great.” She smiled. “You’ve been so happy lately, boo.”

I blushed. “I really have. Things have been good between me and Kerrion. I feel like I have my best friend back, you know?”

“I love that for you. And my niece gets her family, so it’s a win-win.”

I giggled. “She was plotting on that so hard.”

“And was! She knew what she wanted. I see the way she looks at you and her daddy together. She’s so in love with both of you, and I’ve never seen her so happy.”

“She really has been happier. I hate myself for keeping her from having this. I mean, even if Kerrion and I hadn’t stayed together, she deserved the relationship she has with him. That man loves her so much, Dinah. He looks at her like she and KJ are his entire world.”

“Because they are. He looks at you the same way. You two deserve to be happy, bullshit aside. I’m glad you could move forward.”

“Me too.”

Light footsteps approached us, and Nayelli appeared in the doorway. A smile spread across her face as her eyes settled on me.

“You look so beautiful, Mom,” she said. “Twirl for me, girl!”

I giggled as I obliged her as she snapped pictures. No doubt she picked that up from her auntie Shar.

“Daddy is going to be speechless when he sees you.”

“You think so?”

“Duh! Look at you, Mom!”

I blushed. “Thank you, baby.”

Just then, the doorbell rang. Nayelli went off to answer it. For some unknown reason, nervousness settled in my stomach. It was crazy that I had butterflies right now like I wasn’t used to this man. Grabbing my clutch, I followed my sister out of my bedroom and down the stairs to the first floor.

Kerrion stood in the entryway talking to Nayelli, who was busy tickling her brother. My breath hitched as I came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. My man, my man, my muthafucking man! He was looking too damn good in his black button-up, black slacks, and black loafers. Gold adorned his neck and wrists. He had a fresh lineup, and from where I stood, he smelled delectable.

“Damn,” he said, breaking me out of my trance-like state.

He licked his lips, and I couldn’t help but blush as his eyes perused my frame. Dinah smirked as she walked over and took KJ from him. We met in the middle of the floor, and he reached for my hands. Pulling them to his lips, he kissed my knuckles.