Page 70 of Steel

“It is. She’s your niece. Y’all might be the same age, but just like your aunts and uncles protect me, you protect her.”

He grinned. “I’m an uncle.”

Kalia rolled her eyes. “You were already an uncle, doofus.”

“Yeah, but KJ is a baby.”

“When did you find out about this child, Kerrion?” my mother asked.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Over a month ago . . . closer to two.”

“Two months!”

She tried to get up again, but Hershel held her back.

“I know, Ma. I should have been said something, but I just . . . I needed to keep her to myself for a little bit. I lost so much time with her. I know y’all lost time too, but it’s different for me. That’s my seed. I needed my time with her first.”

“It’s okay, son,” Hershel said.

My mother glared at him. “No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is. You gotta understand where he’s coming from, love. That’s his firstborn, and he missed the first part of her life. I can understand him wanting to be selfish with her.”

My mother huffed. “I need you to start from the beginning.”

“I can do that.”

I told them everything from the very beginning, ending with showing them pictures of Nayelli. Even though my mama was already in love with her newfound granddaughter, she wanted Neha’s head.

“So why did she keep her a secret?” she asked. “You know what? It doesn’t even matter. Bring her over here. I’ll ask her myself.”

Kalia giggled. “Mommy! I’ve never seen you this buck before.”

Pops snorted. “Your mama used to get down with the ratchets.”

Mom glared at him. “Shut up, Stanley. I’m legit upset right now. Nobody messes with my baby, even if he is pushing thirty. That’s my son, and I don’t play about any of my kids.”

“All five of them,” Pops added with a grin.

This was the reason I brought him. Pops could make light of most any situation and had the nerve to wonder where Maceo got that shit from. My mother was trying hard not to laugh.

“I’m about to put you out,” she threatened him. “Keep talking.” She turned to me. “Bring me my granddaughter and her mama.”

“We could have a playdate!” Jaiden suggested.

I chuckled. “Jaiden, when did you become a schemer?”

He grinned. “I don’t know how long I can keep this a secret, KD. I wanna tell her so bad!”

“That’s why I didn’t tell you before. I’ve told her about all of you, but I intentionally didn’t show her pictures.”

Kalia crossed her arms. “Well, I don’t think it’s fair that Jaeda got to meet her first.”

Jaeda mushed her head. “Don’t be salty. Besides . . .” She stood and came around to stand in front of everyone before lifting her shirt, showing off her small baby bump. “You’ll soon have two new additions to love on.”

Everybody yelled and jumped to their feet to crowd her and shower her with love.

I was happy to have the heat off me for a little bit. The hard part in telling everyone was mostly over. Now for the introductions.