Page 105 of Just Listen
“He said that you was a cool nigga, too,” Jahrae added.
I smirked. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” JJ, Jaylah’s other brother from another mother spoke up. “We really don’t be in Jaylah’s business like that. Mostly because all our sisters are headstrong and can handle their own. So, we’ll get along, as long as you respect our little sister.”
Listening intently, I nodded. “I feel that.”
And just like that, they changed the subject, and fully embraced me. We smoked and joked, giving me the realization that Jaylah’s bros were cooler than a fan.
By the end of the evening, everybody was feeling good, and I’d nearly forgotten that I was supposed to be hollering at Jaylah’s daddy, but that nigga clearly hadn’t. I was in the kitchen, grabbing a to-go plate, when he approached me.
“Aye, let’s go back by the pool,” he suggested.
Nodding my head, I left my food on the counter, before following him. We ended up copping some seats in front of the pool house, overlooking the illuminated infinity pool.
“You, uh, you from Acres Homes, right?”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Ya daddy is from 3rdWard, though, right?” He probed.
Hearing that, I knew immediately that he’d done his homework, because that was a piece of information that I hadn’t bothered sharing with Jaylah. “Yeah, he is.”
“And you still got a strong foot in the streets,” he told me, versus asking.
I opened my arms, not bothering with a verbal response.
He smirked. “You aint green, neither.”
“Not by a longshot.”
“Yeah. So, you got plans of doing some shit different? Or you trying to be Jordan in this shit?”
“Nah, Ion care about the recognition.” I stroked my goatee. “I just wanna be comfortable. For the rest of my life.”
“Okay. You doing what’s necessary to turn water into wine?”
I slid my tongue across my teeth. “I got some things in place, but I could be doing more.”
He turned to look at me. “Then you aint fully taking advantage of being with my daughter, because she unquestionably knows a whole lot of something. She’s the only child of mine who doesn’t have a exact career, but she really don’t need one. She studies the stock market. Knows about IRAs, bonds, investment properties. Crypto. There’s literally nothingshe don’t know about, money wise. So, she quietly brings in more than damn near everybody. But I know that aint appealing to men who already have money too. In fact, it’s probably a turn-off, because she’s not easily impressed, and you gotta work harder to win her over.”
“I can see that,” I admitted. “But I’m definitely not intimidated by her wealth. I like the fact that she got her own.”
He nodded. “I hear you, but that’s to be seen. Because if time passes, and you still doing what you doing, then I’ll know that you don’t mean that shit.”
“And why is that?” I wanted to know.
“Because.” He stroked his goatee. “If somehow, someway, my wife would’ve gotten to the money first. I mean, like life-changing money. Like millions. Then I would’ve walked away from the game, without looking back. Because I know that if she got it, then I got it. She showed me that early on in life. And if her bringing money to the table wasn’t enough for me, then we know that would’ve been purely about my ego. Cause going outside, and putting your life on the line, when you got somebody willing and ready to change your life is crazy.”
“I mean, when you put it like that…I get it,” I admitted.
“Right, right. Not saying that my baby girl is gonna take care of you, nigga. You unquestionably need your own. Just don’t be blinded by pride, and allow her to help, especially if it can help you fast-track to your end-goal.”
Listening intently, I stroked my goatee.
“And outside of that,” he continued. “Me and you will get along just fine, as long as you don’t put your hands on her. And keep her out of bullshit. Then if something happens that isbeyond your control, then defend her with your life. And if it aint that deep for you, then I advise you to move around now.”
I licked my lips, while nodding. “That’s fair.”
