Don't Mess With the Carter Boys

by Desirée

Genres: African American Urban

Synopsis

The Carter Boys are a rap group on the rise, and their name rings loud in Atlanta. With their pretty-boy looks and take-no-prisoners demeanor, all the men want to be like them, and women will fight to be with them. They're back again in this third installment of the wild and crazy, oh-so-addictive Carter Boys series.

Shiloh, Anthony, Jaheim, Talin, Elijah, and Trent have so many things going on outside of the family that there is little time to keep a watchful eye on the princess of the Carter family-baby sister Olivia. All that changes when the secret life she's been hiding comes to the forefront, causing a couple of her siblings to feel some type of way. Whether they're for her or against her, the Carter men try to deal with what Olivia has going on, all while trying to handle their own drama.

Surprise proposals, unexpected pregnancies, sexual tension, more lies, some truths, meeting the in-laws, and a big family dinner that starts and ends with so much chaos that a few brothers literally come to blows are just a few of the things jumping off with this crazy cast of characters. Let the creative mind of Desiree take you on another trip to Atlanta, where the Carter family and all their drama is sure to keep you thoroughly entertained.

Release date: November 27, 2018

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

“Well, I’m glad you’re out now,” Porscha said as we opened the door to my apartment.

I had just got released from fucking jail Monday afternoon after waiting a whole weekend to get processed and to see the judge. Regardless of whether we had bail money or not, they weren’t letting us out until Monday, just because they could. I was angry. I was pissed. I wanted to shower, fix my hair, and eat. Never had I been through anything like that, and I hoped to God I wouldn’t go through it again.

Glancing at my phone as I set my stuff down, I waited for the call from Jahiem. Shit, I couldn’t believe that on top of my parents knowing I was pregnant by this nigga, I got arrested with him too.

“Girl,” Porscha said with a small laugh as she sat down on the couch in the living room, going through her phone. “Y’all two might as well be Bonnie and Clyde,” she joked as I went to my room with a roll of my eyes. “Getting arrested together and shit. It’s cute!”

“Shut up, Porscha!” I laughed as I quickly grabbed my things and went to the bathroom, hopping in the shower and letting that hot water hit my dirt-filled skin. Ugh! This was what I needed! My hair was drenched in shampoo as I washed away the stress of the weekend.

Looking down at the suds hitting my feet, I felt my growing belly and smiled. Jahiem turned me into a ride or die chick without me even realizing it. I was right there by his side, fighting with this nigga. I couldn’t even believe it. I did it all for someone I couldn’t stand in the beginning, a man I could barely hold a conversation with without arguing over something petty. Yet, there was something about his mean, goofy ass that I was falling for. Even his wild-ass family was something I saw myself being a part of. Shit, I don’t know.

I had already missed my classes for the day, so I just decided to say fuck it. Stepping out of the shower, I let out a sigh of relief. Feeling clean, hair pulled into a ponytail, I wrapped a white towel around my body after rubbing shea butter on me.

“Porscha!” I called out and heard no response. She must have left. Grabbing my phone, I saw Jahiem had called me twice. Damn! I quickly dialed his number, keeping the towel tight around me as I sat on the arm of the sofa. Jade was probably out on the yard or with Trent, soaking up that Greek attention. Bitch.

“Aye,” Jahiem answered as I smiled. “You at home?”

“I am—”

“Open the door. I’m in the hallway now,” he rushed, hanging up.

Damn, nigga. I opened the door and stood in the hallway, waiting in anticipation to see him. With the towel still wrapped around me, I watched him cut the corner and start a light jog toward me. Even though we were arrested together, we had been immediately separated once we were processed. In the car ride over there, I hated that I cried, because I wanted to be strong for him, but he kept me calm the entire way, telling me what to say, what not to say, and that he wouldn’t let nothing happen to me. I’d been through more shit with this nigga in months than mothafuckas I’d been with for a year.

“What are you running for?” I called out with a laugh as he came sprinting down, wearing sweats, a long-sleeve white thermal, a skull cap with the cute fuzz ball at the top and ATLANTA going around the rim of the cap. He was so damn cute with his facial hair, gripping the middle of his pants, walking like he was about business.

“When did you get out?” he asked, immediately hugging me tight as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I been up there trying to see when they released you. When did they let you go?” he asked again, holding me close as if this was the last time he would see me.

“Not too long ago,” I said in his chest, feeling him bend down before lifting me off the ground. He closed the door with his foot and took me to my room. “Nigga, what are you doing?” I laughed.

“I gotta be at the airport in an hour,” he breathed, closing the door to my room. “I can’t believe yo’ mean ass held a nigga down at the movie theater.”

“Nigga, you ain’t the only thug.” I laughed, letting him lay me back on the bed before climbing on top of me, peeling my towel away. His eyes immediately went to my stomach with a huge grin, placing the most delicate kiss on it. Looking at me, he came up and kissed me hard on the lips as I wrapped my arms around his neck. We really couldn’t get enough of each other. You know those moments when you about to fuck someone who got that good shit? You excited just thinking you about to get an automatic nut.

“Nobody hurt you? You good? None of them fucking pigs touched you inappropriately, right?” he questioned, eyes searching my body for marks.

“I’m good, Jahiem.” I smiled, taking his hat off. “I’m good, baby. Nobody is going to touch me. They not stupid. I would have fucked them up on sight, nigga,” I stated as he smiled at me while kicking his sweats off. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because,” he said, smoothing my wet hair back as he looked me in the eyes. “I think I just fell in love with yo’ crazy, thugging ass.”

My eyes grew wide, trying to hold back this weak-ass smile as I felt my heart grow, my cheeks flush, and my body tingle in hope. Shit, I couldn’t believe I was about to say this, but it was the only other way to describe it.

“I love you too, Jahiem,” I admitted right before he kissed me again.

“Girl, I don’t know what I’m going to do,” I said to Amira, walking in my house on a late Tuesday evening. I was fresh from my 9 to 5. I was on the phone with one of my sorors from back in California, talking about the craziness of this past weekend. Definitely needed to take my mind off of the chaos, from fucking Olivia’s boyfriend up to Trent and I having sex. I hadn’t spoken to him since Sunday, since everything went down. Olivia hadn’t been home, because she’d been staying with Shiloh and probably would be there for the next week or so, until things blew over. It must have been nice knowing couldn’t nobody really fuck with you without fucking with yo’ brothers.

“You know what you gotta do,” Amira continued as I rolled my eyes, closing the door and popping the lights on in the dark living room. “You fucked Trent, and it’s probably going to happen again.”

“It was just a one-time—”

“Nuh-uh, ho. You’ve been in love with this guy since God knows when. When we met, that’s who you used to always talk about when we talked about boys. Now you moved back to Atlanta, and what do you do? Sleep with him.” She laughed as I dropped my head in shame, slipping my heels off. “Sex was good, right?”

“It was amazing.” I smiled to myself, enjoying that small feeling down below, like he was still inside of me.

“You kissed his ass, too?”

“I did.”

“Mm-hmm, so you know what you have to do now. You gotta act like you don’t want him. Act like he’s replaceable, because in reality, he is. You haven’t spoken to him since, right?”

“Nuh-uh,” I said, thinking about how I’d been tempted the night before to call him. I had to keep telling myself he had a girlfriend.

“Good,” Amira stated, getting into her manipulating mindset. “So, I give it three days before that nigga starts clinging to you, calling you, wanting to know what you’re doing, trying to stick it in again; but you don’t let him do it!” she warned as I nodded, taking mental notes. “Don’t hang out with him. Don’t give him the time of day until he gets rid of the New York bitch,” she stated.

I spotted headlights flashing through my window. As she continued to talk, I looked through the window and saw Trent’s car pulling up. What the fuck?

“Are you listening, Taylor?”

“Girl, he just pulled up to my house,” I said with a laugh, opening the door.

“He what? Girl, let the clinginess begin. That nigga is going to be on you like white on rice.”

“I don’t think so,” I said, watching him get out of the car. He always knew how to dress to impress. “Damn . . .”

“Nuh-uh! Don’t do that! Not on this damn phone. If I can’t see how fine he is, don’t rub that shit in my face over this phone,” Amira snapped, and I laughed.

“Girl, bye. I’ll call you later and tell you what happened,” I said as we hung up, still laughing.

He was on the phone himself as he closed the door, adjusting his tie while talking business. Looking him over, I smiled, seeing he was dressed in his usual black dress slacks, slick shoes, and black dress shirt with a thin black tie. All-black against the light complexion caused his light brown eyes to pop from a distance. With his fraternity’s letterman jacket on, I could see he was bleeding that crimson and cream. Same as me.

“Yeah, I can get with John tomorrow and discuss what we can do about his lack of papers. Hopefully, we can come to some sort of deal or arrangement,” he said, sounding proper as he walked slowly up to my door, smiling at me.

Damn, Trent. As if you wasn’t fine as hell in high school, you got to be fine as a grown-ass man and look sexy in a suit. Not a lot of men can pull that shit off. Just imagine Elijah dressed up. I can’t even picture it.

“Yeah, will do,” he said, nodding his head as he checked his nails. “Yeah, okay then. I’ll see you at the office tomorrow. All right.” Hanging up, he smiled at me. “You not gonna let a nigga in?”

“Really, Trent?” I laughed, seeing how he switched it up from uppity to hood in a matter of seconds. I stepped aside so he could come in, catching a whiff of his lovely scent. He always smelled good.

Closing the door, he looked around as if it was his first time being here, before turning to me, smirking with a sneaky grin.

“What, Trent?”

“You trying to fuck again?” he asked, and my mouth dropped. He shook his head, laughing while holding his stomach.

“I’m playing. I’m playing, Tay.” He laughed.

“Oh, I was finna say, nigga, you must have lost yo’ damn mind.” I laughed. “What are you doing here?”

“I need a favor,” he said, looking me over, already making me feel self-conscious. Since I was just getting off work, I had kept it simple with a blouse, slacks, and blazer. Nothing fancy. My hair was pulled back in a tight ball.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“I got a formal event tonight that I gotta go to with my fraternity, and I need a date,” he said, and I quickly shook my head.

“Nigga, I just got off work. I’m tired. And where the fuck is yo’ girlfriend?” I asked, hand on my hip.

“She’s not Greek, and I don’t feel like hearing her complain about being the only girl that’s not Greek. You know?”

“Mm, so tell her to pledge,” I mumbled, walking in the kitchen.

“She’s not that type of girl. Come on, Taylor. Do me this one huge favor. This is an opportunity for me to network a little, get my resume out so I can have something serious when I graduate next month.”

Looking back at him, I sighed. I never turned down an opportunity to network my damn self, since I had just graduated that past spring.

“What type of event? What’s the dress code? Who all is going to be there, and will I be on my feet all night?”

“Charity, most of the top elite people in Atlanta, black and white. Dress code is formal as fuck. Everyone who is anyone will be there, and I will rub your feet when or if you ever get tired,” he pleaded, and I smiled. Shit, that was all I needed to hear. “It’s a charity event my fraternity chapter is hosting, and I’m not trying to be the only nigga without a date.”

“What time does it start?” I sighed as he smiled, coming over to me to hug me hard as I laughed.

“We got to be there in about an hour,” he said, and my mouth dropped.

“Nigga! Why are you just now telling me this?”

“Come on. While you doing all this yacking, you could be getting dressed. Hop in the shower. I’ll pick out what you’re going to wear,” he said, rushing to my room.

Oh my God. I quickly jumped in the shower, washing up, trying to think of what to do with my hair. How was I supposed to introduce myself? “Hi, I’m his friend, Taylor Rowan. I’m his date for the night, Taylor Rowan.”

I shook my head as I wrapped the towel around me, after showering and drying off with some lightly scented lotion. Opening the door, I headed to my room, seeing him go through my closet like a mad man. A red quarter-sleeve dress that went just below my knees with a wrap going across the waist was laid out on my bed. I wore that shit to church. Hell, that was my “I’m feeling like a ho” church outfit because it was so body-hugging. He had jewelry picked out next to the dress, and even picked out a backup dress that was pushed to the side. I smiled, watching him look at my collection of flats and sneakers.

“Why you got so many damn shoes?” he pressed, closing one shoe box only to open another. “Where are your heels at?” He turned to look at me before letting his eyes look me over slowly.

“Nigga, it’s in the box over there,” I said, pointing at the huge box in the corner next to my bed. “I haven’t had a chance to unpack them because it’s so many.”

He stood up, proceeding to go through my dresser, pulling out black seamless boy shorts and a matching strapless bra.

“Here,” he said, tossing it on the bed as I laughed.

This nigga here. I know some women would be disturbed by the fact that he was picking out my outfit, but Trent had always been that way. He liked to look good and liked women around him to look good. Olivia was the same way. She was constantly telling someone what they should or shouldn’t wear.

“Trent, you cannot be serious! I’m not wearing this! It’s too body-hugging!”

“Just try it on for me,” he begged, going through the shoes.

I sighed, waiting until he had his back turned before slipping on my panties and bra. I still wasn’t comfortable standing completely naked in front of him, but as I put the dress on, he turned around, eyeing the fit.

“See! My ass looks like a fucking monster back here,” I said, turning to give him a view. “I can’t scare none of those old niggas there.”

“Yeah, you right.” He laughed, going through the closet again. “Take that off. We can find another one.”

After about three dresses, a lot of turning in circles, walking toward him and standing in the mirror together to see if we looked good, we settled on a dark navy-colored dress with long sleeves, just barely above the knee. It was still body-hugging, but it left me some room to breathe. With my hair in a high bun and makeup done to perfection to make my small eyes pop, we were soon on our way.

As we headed to the event, I thought about his girlfriend and the real reason he didn’t want her to come.

“If it’s all of Atlanta, technically this isn’t some Greek event,” I pressed, watching him drive with ease.

“You right.”

“So, your girlfriend could have came, nigga.” I laughed, watching him smirk as he licked his lips at me.

“She wouldn’t know how to act around people like that. Shit, you don’t either probably, but at least you can turn it on and off.”

“I do know how to act,” I said, smoothing my dress out, looking at the silver bracelet that decorated my wrist. “Have you spoken to Olivia ever since the whole incident happened?”

“Maaaan,” he let out, shaking his head as he dragged a slow hand over his low haircut. “I don’t think I will ever get over the sight of seeing my brother aim a gun at some kids. That shit is wild to me. I try not to think about it,” he said, looking back before switching lanes.

“Well, Olivia told me Shiloh spared his life because of some girl?” I questioned, wanting to know more.

“Yeah, whoever the chick was, he knew her. That’s all I know about it. I honestly don’t even like talking about that shit. I hate that I was even there in the first place.”

“Defending your sister’s honor,” I reminded him, but he shook his head.

“Not like that though, Taylor.” He sighed. “I’m far from a killer, and you know I’ll only fight if I have to defend me and mine, but that shit? Fucking with the grandma and the kids? Trell wanting to fuck with the girl? I mean, that ain’t my life. Never was, and never will be.”

“Amen,” I agreed with a small smile, looking at Trent.

He grew quiet as we drove in peace through the lit streets of Buckhead, seeing the tall buildings, people walking on the sidewalk, restaurants live with chatter and noise on a Tuesday night. It was definitely one of the posher areas of Atlanta. For those reading this who have no idea about Atlanta, just think Lenox Square Mall. Everyone knows about that place at least. If not . . . shit, look it up.

When we arrived at our destination, he had a valet park his car. I watched him quickly change from the letterman’s jacket to a matching black blazer, buttoning it closed as he checked himself. He was nervous for some reason. I couldn’t figure out why, though. I walked over to him, grabbing his hands to keep him from fussing over himself.

“You good, pretty boy?” I teased, adjusting his tie as he looked down at me, smiling.

“Nothing on my face, right?” he asked, trying to touch his face.

I smacked his hand away as I looked him over. “You’re fine, Trenton Michael. Let me see your teeth,” I said, and he smiled. I nodded, letting him check mine before laughing to ourselves. We were too much for each other, clearly.

“You ready? I’m not going to embarrass you. I’ll make you look good if you do the same for me,” I told him as we walked toward the door.

“I got you, Big Tay,” he said, and I playfully punched him in the shoulders before entering the huge building.

The moment we stepped inside the ballroom where a live orchestra was playing, we saw everyone standing in their finest attire, dressed to impress. He was greeted by some of his professors from school.

“Trent, can’t wait to hear this speech of yours,” an older man said as they shook hands.

“You won’t be disappointed, sir. I can promise you that.” His hand slipped to my lower back with ease.

A speech? Really?

“Let me introduce you to my date for the night, Taylor Rowan,” he said, and I smiled, shaking the man’s hand as he looked me over.

“Oh, well, you look lovely as all get out. How did you manage to get caught up with this kid here?” he teased.

“To be honest, sir? I have no idea,” I said, and we all laughed, playing our part.

That night was almost too perfect to count. The food was amazing, but I barely ate because I had a thing about eating in front of people. Trent’s speech about this charity in front of hundreds of people was brilliant, almost to the point where I knew he didn’t write that shit. I, of course, collected business cards and handed out some. I was definitely ready to put my business degree to use in any field—as long as I was making money.

The live orchestra had a soloist that was featured, and the moment I saw who it was, I nearly screamed. Elijah’s girlfriend stood in front of everyone, playing the fuck out of that violin. Even Trent didn’t know about it, but she was dubbed one of the top violinists in the country. Who would have thought? Standing there in her long red gown, she stood out against the orchestra members, who were dressed in black. She was playing straight from memory with no sheet music.

By the end of the night, I had met Trent’s frat brothers, who were teasing him about not bringing this Jade girl because she wouldn’t fit in. I met new sorority sisters of my own, and I even got a chance to stop by and chat with Jordyn, who looked shocked to see me.

“Why didn’t you tell Elijah to come?” I asked as we walked to the table to grab a drink.

All eyes were on her because she was literally stunning in her dress, hair pulled back in a high ponytail that swung when she walked, and her gray eyes shining. She was gorgeous. Whoever did her makeup needed to be awarded, because she looked like a pure model. Unlike Olivia, she didn’t carry herself like she was beautiful. She barely recognized it, but the eyes on her were definite.

“He wouldn’t come to something like this.” She shrugged. “I’m constantly asked to play for events and weddings, but Elijah coming? I don’t know if he would know how to act.”

“I think he would love to see you play,” I said, watching Trent walk over, smiling at me before looking at Jordyn.

“Aye, I wish my brother could have seen you play,” he said as she gave him a short, brief smile before walking off suddenly. He dropped his head with a small laugh.

“What did you do to her, Trent?” I pressed with a laugh.

“Told her about herself one day, and she hasn’t messed with me since. I told Elijah to tell her I apologize, but she—” He stopped, shrugging. “I don’t know, but you got my whole frat asking about you.”

“I bet!” I laughed, looking at his brothers, seeing they were all grouped together, taking pictures.

“Oh!” he let out, looking around quickly before waving someone over. “My mama came too. She wanted to see you.”

“Oh, where is Ms. Ava at?” I asked excitedly, seeing a short, dark-skinned woman walk over in a long, black dress. She had those signature low-lid eyes, few wrinkles, and a smile that was identical to all of her kids. Elijah, Olivia, and Shiloh pretty much could never be denied by her, but Trent looked like his daddy with those hazel eyes. She made sure she kept youthful. Ms. Ava barely looked like she was over fifty.

Meeting her halfway, I immediately wrapped my arms around my second mama. She had practically raised me alongside my own.

“How are you doing, baby girl?” she asked, patting my edges down. Of course she would.

“I’ve been doing good, hanging with your character of a son,” I teased, and she smiled sneakily at Trent.

“I see.” She smiled before playfully cupping his chin in a motherly fashion. “I’m so proud of my baby.”

“Mama, come on now,” he said, moving her hand as I laughed.

“He gets embarrassed, but he has to know I’m proud of him. Stayed out of prison, stuck with his studies, and now is going to graduate and go off to be a lawyer. I can’t believe I’m getting a lawyer in the family,” she cooed, eyes watering up. He dropped his head in utter embarrassment before pulling her close for a hug. “You make me so proud, Trenton. You know that?”

“I know, Mama,” he cooed, kissing her cheek. “But you can’t be crying like this, now. I got people watching me.”

“Boy, shut up,” she quipped, playfully pushing him back. “I’m glad one of the boys actually made something of themselves. Elijah was too busy running behind Shiloh’s ass that he got caught up in the same foolishness. Should have been following you,” she continued, expressing her favoritism toward Trent. I knew Shiloh hadn’t spoken to her in years for some unknown reason, and Elijah definitely had a love/hate relationship with her, but Trent would always be her favorite, while Olivia was a daddy’s girl.

“I don’t know why Olivia wasn’t here for this. I know Elijah is busy with his music thing with the boys, but Olivia could have made it.”

As we all spoke, remembering the old days when we were kids, Jordyn walked over with her violin case in hand and coat on, like she was ready to go.

“Hey, I just wanted to stop and say bye,” she said quickly, and we hugged.

“You’re leaving so soon?” I asked, peeping Trent whisper something in his mom’s ear. Ohhh, shit, here we go.

Let me tell y’all something about Ms. Ava. She did not play when it came to her kids. Trent was her obvious favorite, of course, but let her find out about a girlfriend of one of the boys. She was quick to slice through them with ease and not think twice about it. She was very protective over them.

“Really?” she said, eyes wide as she looked Jordyn up and down. “So, you’re dating Elijah? My son?” she started.

Here we go.

Jordyn’s eyes lit up as she looked at the woman, mouth slightly open. “I wouldn’t say dating—”

“Sleeping with my son? Sound better for you?” she asked, and I nearly choked on my spit, watching Trent smirk from behind his mama. “My question to you is, why? You seem like a nice young girl that’s too good for him.”

Jordyn cocked her head back.

Oh, shit.

“What exactly does that mean?” Jordyn asked, setting her violin case down. “I never understand when someone says you’re too good for another person.”

“Oh, okay, since we want to get smart with ya elders, I’ll bring myself down to your level then,” Ms. Ava said with her neck rolling.

Biiitch! She’s about to go the fuck in!

“Why are you fucking around with my no-good son? Clearly you—and take this as a compliment if you want—but you have something going for yourself. It’s only a matter of time before he gets arrested and gets locked up for good, knowing his stupid behind. So, with all this money he’s making with his music, clearly you must be in it for something other than attraction.”

Jordyn smiled politely as she picked up her violin case. “I’m going to tell you like I told Trent. Your son is the only person that likes me for me. Take away the makeup, take away the fancy name brand clothes and looks, and nobody paid any attention to me. No one looked twice at me. I’m so used to being called ugly, lame, annoying, and a nerd that I almost started to believe that, until I met your son,” she said as my mouth dropped. “So, me being too good for your son, who you obviously have no faith in as a mother, is false. Regardless of how you feel about your own child, I would like to say you did a fantastic job raising him, yet I can’t say the same about this one standing behind you, who blatantly disrespected me by telling me had he known I was pretty all along, he would have tried to talk to me,” she let out.

I gasped. Shit, that sounded like something Trent would say. Why the fuck was I gasping?

“And with all due respect, I’m not dating your son. I told him I was in love with him, and unfortunately, he didn’t feel the same way, so . . .” She shrugged. “Have a fantastic night,” she said, flipping that ponytail off her shoulders as she walked off.

Clap back like hell! I looked at Ms. Ava, who stared at her, watching her, before turning to look at Trent.

“What did I do?” He laughed with his hands up.

She just turned her attention back to Jordyn, who was shaking hands and hugging people as she made her way out.

“You good, Ms. Ava?” I asked, wondering what was going through her mind. She just smiled at me, low eyes, looking freakishly like Elijah with that complexion and those features.

“I like her. Bring her by the house this weekend so I can talk to her privately,” was all she said before looking at Trent. “You too. Bring this Jade girl by the house so I can meet her.”

“How you know about—”

“Men gossip worse than women, boo boo.” With a wave of her hand, she walked off to mingle in the crowd, thinking she was cute.

I looked at Trent’s face, laughing my ass off. That’s what he gets.

When we got in the car, it was all laughs all the way back to my place. Jordyn had slick went the fuck off on his mama without two thoughts about it, like it was nothing. So, you know we had to call Elijah, putting his ass on speaker.

“Hello?” he answered in a groggy voice, sounding like he was asleep.

“Bruh! Jordyn met yo’ mama,” Trent said as I laughed. “And that shit did not go well at all.”

“I heard. She called me and told me what happened.” He sighed, coughing. “What did Mama say?”

“She likes her,” I chimed in, hearing Elijah laugh.

“Jordyn be snapping, though. Don’t let that nerdy-ass look fool you, nigga. She’s protective as fuck over me,” he let out. “I know Mama be bashing me when she get in front of her golden boy.”

“Nigga, shut up,” Trent, aka Golden Boy, retorted.

“But she play nice when she got her hand out for some money, though. I ain’t tripping, though.” He sighed.

“How can you not love her back? Jordyn told her that she was in love with you but you didn’t feel the same way!” I shrieked.

“I don’t.”

“Nigga, you lying!” I laughed. “That shit is going to catch up with you, Elijah, if you don’t tell her how you feel. All it takes is one dude to sweep her off her feet.”

“It ain’t happening.”

“Mama wants to meet Jade too. Wants both of them to come over this weekend so she can talk to them.”

“Man, what the fuck?” Elijah snapped. “Why she give a fuck who I’m dealing with all of a sudden? I’m not bringing Jordyn over there, especially if you bringing yo’ bit. . .