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“What? Are a few prospects about to be jumped in?” I sassed as we pulled up to Scotland Park.

It had been six months, and things between me and Truth were more than I could ever imagine.

Teenie giggled while Joreen’s eyes lit up as she pushed her lips against Germ’s. We were in Teenie’s truck, something Biscuit purchased for her. He, like Germ, preferred riding his souped-up motorcycle.

“They don’t get jumped in, crazy girl. And relax. Bitches are about to be jelly because we all know that Biscuit is going to kill it today.”

“Oh, so you’re claiming him again?” I asked, and Joreen giggled. After Biscuit lost that last race, everyone clowned him from all that bragging he’d done before Breeze showed his ass that he needed to take his time to catch up with him.

“Nope. It will be my Germaine. Right, baby?” Joreen tooted out her lips, and he pecked them.

I loved that for them, and it was proof that we’d come a long way. I didn’t necessarily call her a friend, but she’d calmed down quite a bit, and she made Germ work for her love. She even started doing nails at a shop in the same plaza where he stalked her.

“Merci, can you try to have a good time today? Loosen up. Everything will be fine.”

Teenie slid out the driver’s seat and stick out her tongue before she spun around and slapped her ass.

“I’ll try,” I mumbled when I saw Drake walking toward us.

“Y’all made it.” He took my hand and held it. “Hey, pretty baby.” He smirked before he lifted both hands. “Hey, can’t blame a nigga for trying though. I know you’re Truth’s.”

“Glad you know,” Teenie chimed in, being the instigator she was.

He then slapped hands with Germ.

“Your shit is nice. Eriqua did her thing with that paint job. She just parked it.”

Her shop wasn’t too far from the park, which was filled with people and vendors that were selling everything from t-shirts and jewelry to skin care products. Today, we were celebrating Truth’s passing the torch to Brick. He wanted to focus more on his young boys program, Truth’s Riderz.

“Bitch, I’m hungry.”

Of course, Teenie was hungry.

“Let’s eat.”

Before I walked off with her, Germ called my name. We’d been through a lot, and even though I gave him a hard time, I was glad he pushed back. He was a Saint Rider now, and he had applied to a nearby art school and was accepted.

“You know no one can replace you?” he whispered, pulling me into his chest. “We are family.” He looked around, kissing my temple. “But the Saints are our family, too.”

I was already close to unraveling. My eyes burned as tears formed. I hated I was messing up my makeup. Teenie had me soften my look, which included flat ironing my hair. I didn’t know why because Truth was going to mess it up. I wore my vest and jeans that were low riders. On my hip was a tattoo, the Saint Rider lion with the initials. Yes, your girl had fallen in love with the ink gun. On my shoulder was Truth.

I felt the warmth from Germ’s body and the beating of his heart against my cheek. I won’t lie. It felt good to know we had a huge family now. The Saints would never replace Chelly, but they were a close second. I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

Germ pulled back and smiled. “The hell you crying for?”

I shrugged and looked away. Joreen pushed out her bottom lip and mouthed, “smile.” I had smiled more now than I had in my entire life thanks to Truth.

“I guess there are some advantages to getting kidnapped,” I muttered at the sight of Truth.

“Girl, I heard you went willingly,”Joreen teased.

My mouth fell open before I laughed.

“I did not.”

I playfully nudged him as Rowdy Red made his way over to the brothers. The race would be starting soon. Today, there was no betting. Just clean fun in the name of brotherhood.

“The hell y’all over there for?” Rowdy Red asked.

I smiled, feeling my cheeks hike with my new family around. There was never a dull moment, especially when Rowdy Red would see Genny coming. After the ass beating he received from Breeze, he didn’t want those problems. Genny had apologized, but Rowdy Red still played it safe.

“What’s up, Rowdy, my friend?” Teenie smiled when Biscuit eased up and snaked his arm around her neck.

“Stop smiling.” Immediately, the corners of her lips collapsed as she pushed out a pout. “I’m just playing.”

Rowdy Red smirked then slapped hands with Germ, Biscuit, and of course Drake. He’d walked up with some rumbler but had yet to introduce her to us as she stood to the side. I couldn’t keep up with them, but I guess he and his girl, Tyricka, had broken up. Too bad. I really liked her.

“Say, Merch?” Drake knew I didn’t like that name, but today, I’d give him a pass. “Truth said for you to meet him over there by the cotton candy machine.”

I smiled and licked my lips. Cotton candy was sticky and good, especially when licked off his lips. He didn’t even give me a chance to make it to him when he eased up behind me.

I could smell his scent. That citrus and forest scent made my panties moist and my mouth water. He eased around me and slid his hands around my waist. I still blushed in disbelief that he was actually mine when I looked over my shoulder. When he licked his lips, I felt a churn in my stomach. I blushed underneath his gaze. It didn’t help that my man was fine.

He wore black jeans, a fitted, yellow tank that failed to hide his defined pecs and abs with white, black, and yellow designer sneakers. I had no clue the name of them. I couldn’t keep up. He shopped more than me. His freshly tapered hair revealed a sea of waves, and when he slid his shades off, his eyes, those soft, chocolate orbs greeted me.

“Glad you could make it.”

“Did I have a choice?”

At first, he frowned before a faint grin appeared. I was told I made him smile. That was the effect we had on each other.

“We have choices in life or naw?”

“Ummm?” I pushed my pointer finger to my chin, and my head angled to the side. “I don’t quite remember having a choice when we first met, but thank you for saving me and loving me. I couldn’t ask for a better dictator.”

He cupped his ear, leaning in my direction. “Say what? Did I hear you say dick?”

“Ugh! Stop it. There are children around.”

“I like this look on Truth. Right, Genny?” Teenie sang.

I spun around and there was my other bestie. It was like a scene in The Color Purple when she took off and ran toward me. Well, waddled. She was due any day now. I was surprised she was here.

“Slow the hell down, Gee. Damn, this girl is hard headed.”

“More hard headed than me? That’s crazy, yo.” Brick joined us with Eriqua on his arm. “I’m just playing, baby.”

Eriqua was glowing and she didn’t miss a beat. She and her entire female staff of mechanics wore matching jumpsuits that were black, yellow, and white–Saint Riderz colors. I heard Brick wasn’t dealing with the rumblers anymore but only time would tell.

“Oh, I know. These hands can fix and break shit.”

We all howled when Cookie stood on a nearby stage, asking for our attention. Alix was behind her, rubbing his hands.

“Alix, my boy! You dipped out on the race?” Germ hollered.

“Count me in on that next one.”

He slid up behind Cookie and whispered in her ear. He’d taken Brick’s place. Even though he didn’t go the college route like Truth wanted, he took his gaming seriously. He was even in the works of creating his own game. I was proud of him, but Truth was even more proud. Our little techy was making a name for himself outside of the Saint Riderz.

“Okay, y’all. Thank y’all for coming out to celebrate with the Saint Riderz. Truth, today is all about you.” My baby looked down at me and smiled with tucked lips. He hated the spotlight.

“Oh, and your girl, Merch baby! Y’all make sure you check out her work. She eats on that pottery. Will have every room in your house, office, or whatever all the way put together!”

The crowd clapped, and it was my turn to feel the pressure of having an audience, hiding my face.

“Baby, your work is good. Hella good.”

“Thanks, baby.”

I’d retired from putting out fires, but the fire between my legs, like the one I had in this moment, I never wanted extinguished.

I then looked over at the benches and waved at my parents. Yes, my parents. They loved Truth. I was still working on ways to build that bridge with them, but at least I was trying after years of not speaking once I moved away. It wasn’t their fault Chelly died. At some point, I had to forgive them and myself. Oh, and I was also in joumou soup heaven. My mother taught Auntie Myanne and I had it at least once a month.

As for Beast, Truth stepping down wasn’t about him not wanting to be like his father or being compared to him. He just wanted to be his son and I loved that for them. They talked more, but Truth still struggled with how his mother passed away and all the years he’d blamed his father. Therapy wasn’t his thing, but I knew with time, the wounds of misunderstanding and anger would heal as they worked on their relationship.

“Y’all ready?” Truth hollered, his hands cupping his mouth.

The Saints answered when they lifted their helmets in the air.

“And it doesn’t matter who wins because the winner is me!” he belted, staring at me. Damn, I was so in love with this man. “Been winning since my baby decided to tame me, make me see there was more to life, and chose my ass back.”

“Alright, alright. That was cute, but the people came to see a race. Not watch you two make out. I can tell it’s coming, ” Cookie teased.

“And is!” I playfully sassed. I motioned for him to come closer with my lips pushed out. “Give me a kiss, baby. For good luck.”

“I don’t need luck, Mercilyn.” He winked. “I just need you.”

He looked around and yelled, “Family first! Fuck the rest as long as we do what?”

“Live to see another day!” the Saints shouted back.

“Fuck yeah.”

As they walked around fist bumping and hugging each other, he lifted me and spun me around. Aww, my baby was sweet on me. All those Hallmark and Lifetime movies I forced him to watch had softened him. He told me once that being tough made him heartless, soulless, but also lonely. I was all those things and more. When he gently took my mouth and kissed me, he literally took my breath away.

I guess that’s the way love goes.

The End