Page 62 of Steel

There was no telling how my mama was gonna act. I needed to talk to her before springing another grandchild on her.

Deuce slapped my shoulder. “Look, if you need backup, take Pops with you. I know this shit is hard for you, man. I can’t even imagine not knowing I had a seed out there.”

“I’m so fucking mad about this shit, bruh. Then I look at my baby and it’s like, for a moment, none of the other shit matters. Then I remember how much time I missed out with her, and I get mad all over again. The other night . . . that incident. I’d never seen any shit like that. All I could see was my daughter when I looked at that little girl. I lost it. If somebody hurt her or KJ like that, I’d have to be committed because I’m burning this fucking city down.”

“Facts,” they all spoke in unison.”

“Sooo . . .” Smoke said, dragging out the word, “what’s in the cards for you and baby mama?”

Deuce kissed his teeth. “Bet not be a muthafucking thing. Don’t be no sucker ass nigga and fall for her ass again.”

Maceo kissed his teeth. “Man, this nigga will be in love again by next week if she gives him a chance. The ho in him ain’t as strong as the lover boy.”

“Fuck you,” I spat.

Deuce grinned. “He ain’t lying. You’ll be a simping ass nigga before we can blink twice.”

“Leave my boy alone, now,” Quaid defended. “All of y’all simp hard as hell, especially your ass.” He pointed at Maceo. “Shar says jump, and you ask how high.”

Smoke smirked. “A simp and a big ass trick. I still can’t believe you bought that damn girl a jet.”

Maceo laughed. “Don’t y’all get the benefits of that too? She loves your wives so much she doesn’t even charge y’all to rent her shit.”

Deuce waved him off. “I’ll take that muthafucka if I need it.”

“And she will shoot you when you touch back down.”

“Ain’t the first time I been shot. Only a pussy is scared of a bullet. Anyway! Back to the topic at hand. Don’t fall for that girl’s shit, Steel. I’d hate to sic Mia on her ass.”

“Ain’t no need for that,” I said, sitting back. “I gave up hope on Neha a long time ago. We’re just existing in the same city and raising a kid. I guess I need to talk to her and get to the bottom of this shit once and for all.”

“You do. I wouldn’t be surprised if lil’ mama starts plotting on getting y’all back together.”

Maceo smirked. “Youdefinitely used them girls to get closer to Romi.”

“My wife didn’t need convincing. She fucked with me from the jump.”

“Who fucked with you from the jump?”

We looked up to see Romi’s short ass in the doorway with her hands on her hips. Smoke grinned as he motioned her over.

“You know you loved me, woman,” he said, pulling her onto his lap.

“Sir, you kinda forced your friendship on me.”

“You were a willing participant. Look where you at now. Here with me, four kids deep.”

Romi rolled her eyes. “I guess, Devin.”

“Give me some suga.”

She giggled as she leaned in and kissed his lips. This nigga had no couth. He was tonguing her down like we weren’t in the damn room.

“That’s how y’all got the last two,” Maceo commented. “Fertile asses.”

“Shut up,” they both said in unison.

“Speaking of the last two,” Smoke said, “where them babies?”