Page 3 of Mercedees: Forever An Atkins
Giggling, I threw my hands up and backed up. I then headed outside to see ‘bout my heart. Ryan Atkins was my world. He was the only man in my life that was permanent. Without him,I wouldn’t be here, and damned sure wouldn’t be as tough as I was. Royce might’ve asked me to fight for him when bitches got beside themselves, but my father taught me how to throw them.
When I stepped out, he was pulling the blunt from his mouth and flipping the meat. I smiled because he really was my everything. I respected the hell out of my father and dared anybody, including family, to talk to him crazy. My father wasn’t who I played ‘bout in no shape or form.
“You gon’ hit this, Cedees?” he asked without looking back. The wood was held up for me to see.
“How did you know it was me and not Mama?” I questioned taking it from him. I was already high as a kite, but whatever he wanted to do that included me, I was down for it.
“She hates me too much to stay quiet. She only comes around when she wants something,” he said shaking his head.
I hopped on top of the banister and got comfy. I inhaled and took in the scenery. The compound was all I knew. My family made sure we were secluded and living in the best conditions. Pops didn’t even want anything for real but me and Mama taken care of. He was the simple Atkins out the bunch.
“And you gon’ give her whatever she ask for every time.”
“Every fuckin’ time. I think I’m wearing her down though. She coming around more swearing she need me for shit. That’s cool. I’m gon’ do it with a smile on my face,” he stated with confidence.
And that wasn’t a lie told. My Pops really did love the ground my mama walked on. I wasn’t gon’ hold you though. She was starting to come back around more. It used to be whenever I called but lately it had been for him.
“You ain’t got a choice, Pops.”
“You good and high, yet?”
Nodding, I answered with, “I came here high. Why?”
“Waiting on you to tell me what the hell nephew was fussing ‘bout. Who the fuck you done up and married, Cedees? You know me and yo’ mama ain’t going for this shit!” he shouted snatching the blunt from my hand.
I held onto the railing laughing. The men in my family showed the same emotion of vexation. I found it to be comical because shit wasn’t that serious.
“The Oath states I had to be married by thirty-five, I am. I don’t understand what the issue is,” I said shrugging my shoulders.
“Who you get this hoe shit from? It damn sure ain’t in yo’ blood. You a freakin’ lady, Cedees, act like one,” he fussed.
“I’m my daddy’s daughter,” I taunted. He delivered a look that would’ve put me down if looks could kill. He made it too easy. “What you want me to say? I fucked up? I know I fucked up; just let it go.”
“Find the lucky muthafucka Cedees. You got thirty days.” The look in his eyes, the sternness in his voice, the stiffness in his body. He meant every word.
“And if I can’t?” I challenged.
He chuckled and gave his attention back to the food on the grill. He was done with the conversation and had nothing else to say on mymarriage. When it came to repeating himself, he did it for one person and one person only, Castina Hearn. I had thirty good days; I’d better make them count.
Hopping down, I made my way back inside heading straight to my room. I had my own house at the bottom, but I enjoyed being under my father. My cousins protected me, but my father was my father. I felt safest with him.
As soon as I flopped on the bed, Kira entered the room with two cups in tow. Sitting up, I grabbed the one she extended my way. “Ma made us some drinks.”
“She must’ve known I was in need of one,” I said taking a sip.
“What he say?”
Sighing deeply, I rattled off, “I get thirty days to find my husband.”
“Or what?” she inquired with dipped brows.
Shrugging, I said, “Yo’ guess is as good as mine. Come get me when everybody else get here. I’m ‘bout to take a nap. I got a fuckin’ headache.”
Nodding, she left the same way she entered. I threw my phone to the other side of the bed and rolled over. Waking up married, getting fussed at by everybody in my life, and not knowing where to start was not on my bingo card for the year. I was over this Vegas shit. I had no plans on returning.
Chapter 2
Arion Greek
