Out of my parent's starting lineup of boys, I was the youngest. Kandon was the oldest followed by Quest, Quincey, Kameron, and then me. Kandon has been working for my mom’s company since he got out of college. Kameron decided to travel and backpack around South America before he went off to college. I’m surprised he’s even here. Last I knew he was in Brazil. Quincey was teaching in Florida. He never moved back to North Carolina after college. I think his reasoning was deeper than he let on, but he did not volunteer information and I haven’t had the chance to talk to my brother in a while.
“Son, do me a favor.” My dad stepped into my line of view, breaking my trance of Jacolby dancing with my aunts and a few uncles. I tried to engage with everyone but it was hard when my attention kept shifting back to the woman in the yellow mermaid bodycon bandage dress. I knew the details as if I designed it myself. Two weeks ago I was out at the mall picking up the new Jordan’s when I saw it in Zara’s display window. I knew the color would make her dark, smooth chocolate skin pop and it did. But the way it curved to her body and the dip in the back…
“Go ask your mama for my secret BBQ rub. I knew I’d need it. Your uncle thinks he can cook but them thangs taste like a pot of boiled nothing. Just nothing.” Hands on his hips and suspenders hooked to his favorite khaki shorts, he shook his head in disappointment.
“Aight, I got you.” Taking one last fill of my baby, I went inside in search of my mother.
Both the kitchen and living room were empty. Knowing my mom, she was upstairs in her office trying to sneak a few minutes to respond to emails. I admired her so much. Her drive and hard work ethic are part of the reason I’m the man that I am today. There aren’t many women in the architecture world let alone black women but she’s amongst a long lineage of them and well known at that. Monarch, her company that has been in the family since before she was born, there wasn’t anyone on the east coast who didn’t know the name. Monarch is responsible for seventy percent of the residential and commercial buildings in Charlotte.
Since a young boy, I wanted to work alongside my mother. Then when Kandon joined the business, my choice became set in stone but then I met Jacolby, and I wanted more. I wanted bigger. I’m sure everyone is expecting me to join the business after I get my master's but that isn’t in the plans for me anymore. Just like my father joined my mom to make sure she fulfilled her purpose at Monarch, I wanted Jacolby and me to join forces and create our own legacy.
“I just wish this phase would’ve simmered out a long time ago.” Slowing my steps as I neared her wide-open office, I leaned against the door to hear who she was talking about. “Yes, she’s smart and beautiful but to…to…hell, I can’t even think of the word to describe her as other than bright as hell and too free-spirited. That’s not who I want my son to marry?”
Who was she talking about?
Last I knew Quest was already engaged. Quincey never spoke about his love life to anyone. Kandon was already married. Kameron damn sure wasn’t dating seriously. Was she…I know she wasn’t talking about Jacolby?
“Now, Annette, let’s not get beside yourself. I highly doubt Paxton is thinking of marriage. He just graduated college and going to grad school. He has so much life to live before making such a life-altering commitment. A commitment that I do hope isn’t to that flighty child who can’t tame her own hair.”
Biting down on my back molars, my fists were squeezed tight against my side. Where was all this coming from? My mom and aunts acted like they loved Jacolby. It’s not like I just started bringing her around. She’s been in my life for four years. How could someone fake for this long?
“I know my son, Trish. I see the way he looks at her and it’s the same way his father looks at me. Yes, he’s in love but something in my gut is telling me he’s about to make the worst decision of his life by asking her to marry him. He thinks her love for standing out and being so confident that she doesn’t care what people think is what makes her so unique. Part of that is true but as you said, she’s too flighty. Meaning when something or someone better comes along, she’s going to fly her behind right out of his life too. I don’t want to see my baby hurt.”
Baffled and dumbfounded I stood there angry and confused. Did my mom see something that I wasn’t? Did she know something that I didn’t? It was all so confusing because hearing her true thoughts surprised the hell out of me. Not once in the four years that I’ve been with Jacolby has she voiced any of these concerns to me. Why would she wait till now? Why not tell me instead of secret gossiping with her sister?
Having heard enough, I shook off my feelings and tried to put on my best poker face stepping into her office. “Mom, Dad asked for you to bring him his special BBQ rub.” My mom and aunt stood there with wide eyes and gaping mouths. Yeah, I bet they didn’t expect me to come up or anyone for that matter. Bringing my attention to my aunt I tried to hold onto the act. “Your husband made a bunch of ribs that taste like a pot of nothing.” I chuckled making them do the same. My mom kept rubbing the back of her neck, refusing to look me in the eye.
Eyes rolled to the ceiling, my aunt Trish was the first to stand. “I told that man that no one boils ribs anymore.”
Expecting my mom to follow her out, I noticed she was still sitting at her desk biting her bottom lip. Never have I seen Annette Reid nervous. Not the same woman who gets a boner for controlling a conference room full of men that were her subordinates. “Ma, you good?”
Watching her swallow that nervous ball of nerves made my eye twitch. She knew I caught her and wasn’t sure how to move with me. “Yes, I just have one last email to respond to and then I’ll bring your dad his rub.” We stared for another gruesome long minute before I couldn’t stomach looking at her and walked away making my way back outside.
“Hey, I was looking for you.” Speechless and captivated by her glow, I hooked my arm around Jacolby’s narrow waist and brought her into her favorite place to rest, my chest. Feeling her arms around my neck and fingers massage the back of my head, I closed my eyes and focused on her. Focused on her energy and vibrations. The anger I felt slowly evaporated but it wasn’t enough.
I needed more.
The greed in me was hungry for more of her.
Keeping one arm around her waist and using my other hand to entangle my fingers in her coils, I pulled her head backward until her neck was arched perfectly, giving me the access I needed to her glossed plump bow tie shaped lips. Priming her lips with my tongue, I dove right in. Our kisses were never regular kisses or pecks. Every time my lips touched hers was in a mating dance of forever. A song called ‘like I’ll never see you again.
I wasn’t this skilled of a kisser when she and I shared our first kiss at the state fair four years ago. Back then I was too timid and scared that I’d bite her, clink our teeth, or do something stupid. Now, I was a beast when it came to making love to my woman with my mouth. Not just kissing her upper lips either.
“Aight, nephew. I see you.”
I don’t know which uncle thought it was cool to ruin my fix, but I hoped he got the shits from my granny’s potato salad. Jacolby smiled against my lips, and I felt her giggles from the vibrations from her chest to mine, but I wasn’t ready to release from my well of life just yet. I need more of her flavor to take away the ache simmering on a low boil in my chest. I needed her moans to drown the doubt I cursed trying to form in the back of my mind.
I just needed her.
“Hey, are you okay?” Those auburn hazel eyes with tiny green flakes were searching for my discomfort. I had no words. No words that I wanted to give. My mood being shifted was enough. Kissing her shoulder, I pulled her into my chest and hugged her afraid to let her go. Pulling back, I made the mistake of looking over her head and into the eyes of my mother. Her annoyance and uncertainty made my stomach feel heavy.
“Yeah, I’m good.” Clearing the angst I felt rising again, I pecked her lips. “I missed you, Triple J.”
I loved seeing the magic God shined down on her when her chocolate cheeks took on a rosy hue. Her lashes kissing her cheek from blushing, I never got tired of seeing how shy I could make her feel. “I have a surprise for you.” Taking my hand in hers we walked around the house until we got to the front.
Seeing her headed towards all the parked cars my mind went straight to the gutter and I got excited, probably too excited. “I didn’t drive my car, Triple J, but I can borrow Quincey’s car and I can fold you up in the back of his…”
“Glad I know not to ever let you borrow my car.” That deep, gravelly voice only belonged to one person and the last time I checked he was still overseas.
My steps halting and eyes shutting up, it felt like all the wind had leaped from my lungs as I stared at my brother. Even through my blurry stinging vision, I could make out his bulk size anywhere. “Quest.”
Dropping his bag, he removed his glasses so I could fully make out his face. “Congratulations, baby bro. You didn’t think…damn, Paxton.” He grunted laughing. I didn’t care at all if Jacolby might think my actions were childish by leaping all of my weight onto him. Being able to finally hug him and hear his voice in person after all these years…the weight of how much I missed him bulldozed through my chest.
“I missed you so much.” Voice crackling under all of the emotions, I squeezed him tighter. This wasn’t a dream or a hologram. Quest was here.
“I miss you too, kid.”
It wasn’t long before my mother’s screams pierced my ears, and the rest of my brothers were shoving me out of the way. While they got their time with him, I pulled the one who made this possible into my chest and exhaled in relief. Last I knew Quest couldn’t get time off to come home. We all were saddened by the news. I don’t know what strings he pulled or what favors he’d owe. I don’t know how he and Jacolby coordinated this. None of that mattered. She gave me the best gift.
Resting my forehead against hers, I spoke my appreciation. “I love you.” If Jacolby’s heart was this big, how could she not be the one for me? How could my mother not see that she loved me unconditionally?