81. Everybody Knows 🤥

I managed to get inside my parents' house undetected. Then, I immediately took a shower while Monica ran errands. For what? I do not know. After getting cleaned and dressed up, I put my hair in a high bun. In my brown fuzzy top, denim skirt, and pink slippers, I went to my old bedroom. I picked up my phone to tell Monica that I was ready to hang out with her. She told me she was at the gas station and would be on her way back.

I lied in my bed thinking about A.B.'s lips. Why did he kiss me? I mean, I was eventually going to let him take a shower. I was just having a little fun. That kiss. I know it wasn't anything spectacular among kisses, but for those few seconds, it felt like the beginning of something else. I won't lie. I wanted another, much longer kiss.

"And when were you going to speak?"

I got out of bed at the sound of my mother's voice. "Hey, mama!" I reached for her.

She embraced me. "Don't hey me. Monica told us you were spending the night at Jace's house."

I took a step back as I look toward the ground.

"Baby, you don't have to hide your relationship with him."

I interjected, "Mama, we are not--"

She cut me off. "When Monica said you were at Jace's house, I thought she was just gossiping. Then, Jace's mother texts me that she saw your shoes by his front door when she went over there last night."

Ms. Priscilla knew, too!

I sat on my bed. "Mama, it's not what it sounds like."

My mom folded her arms. "Don't think I wasn't young once. I don't doubt Jace is a gentleman. I just hope y'all are being careful."

I don't think I'm going to win this argument. This wouldn't even be a conversation if Monica didn't talk so much. "Did Monica tell you that her new boyfriend is my ex?" I don't know why that came out my mouth. I really don't. 😏

My mom dropped her arms to her side. "Monica told us all about him. You should know your cousin by now. I'm surprised she's not here explaining this conversation."

The doorbell rung.

"Monica," we said in unison before leaving my room.

My mom went to the kitchen while I went to open the front door.

Monica walked inside. "You ready to roll, cousin?"

I replied, "Yeah. Let me put my shoes on."

"Let me get some sweet tea to go. I'll meet you in the car." She went to the kitchen.

I sighed as I went back to my bedroom to put on my shoes, get my jacket, purse, and phone. Then, I went outside to Monica's car which was running without her. I hopped in the passengers' seat as the radio played.

"You're all I need, you're all I see..." A man sang.

"You're all I need, you're all I see..." A woman harmonized with him.

After a minute, the song ended.

"That's a crazy record, right there! Sounds like some good ol' R&B love song. If you liked that, that's new music from my boy Deonte Way featuring the beautiful Aja Frost--"

"Seriously?" I turned off the radio. I can't believe my ears, and I had the nerve to like that song.

The driver's door opened and Monica got in. She took a sip of her sweet tea before putting it in the cup holder.

"Where's mine?" I asked her.

"You can have some of mine, greedy." She put on her seatbelt.

I shook my head.

"So, I was thinking we should get nails done. There's this new spa that opened up across the street from that big shopping center."

"Okay." I looked at my nails. I did need manicure.

Monica began to drive. "Have you talked to A.B., yet?" She asked me.

"Monica, can you please stop telling people about my life?"

She glanced at me. "Yeah, but everything's already out. Like, there's no more secrets."

I rolled my eyes. "My mama thinks A.B. and I are..."

Monica chuckled, "Girl, you are a grown woman. To be honest, nobody cares unless you pregnant."

I sighed, "A.B. is so... meticulous. I doubt he ever gave his mom a reason to panic."

"That's what you think," Monica continued, "Everybody has a past."

I looked at my cousin. Time to change the subject. "I just heard Deonte Way's new song with Aja Frost."

Monica smacked her lips. "I heard it. It sounded good until she started singing."

"Exactly. That was supposed to be my part," I said.

"Don't even think about it, Jamie. We about to get our nails done and get some massages. Let's just relax and enjoy this time together," Monica told me.

I agreed as I tried to push aside any thoughts about my singing career.

The massages were the best part along with Monica only talking about her and Zeke. For once, I was glad she was talking, because it wasn't about me. After our mani and massages, she took me back home. We hugged before I got out the car with her empty cup.

"Remember to call or text me when y'all make it to Houston," I told her.

"I will. You just make sure to tell me what happens when A.B. arrives."

"Hush, child. Now, get back to your house before you get left."

"Girl, E would never leave me. Bye!" She drove away.

I lightly laughed as I watched her drive to the end of the street before turning onto the main road.

"You look beautiful."

I turned around to see A.B. getting out of his car. When did he get here?

"Did you and Monica get some quality cousin-time in?" He asked me.

I held out my hands. "We got our nails done."

"White nails?" He inquired.

"Mmm-hmmm... Hopefully, it will keep people from asking the wrong questions."

A.B. looked confused.

"White polish means I'm single," I stated.

He laughed.

"It does!" I exclaimed.

A.B. walked up the sidewalk to the front door.

I quickly walked ahead of him and used my key to unlock the door. I opened it and walked inside the house.

The smell of the grill immediately hit my nose, triggering my stomach to growl.

A.B. went to the living room.

"Umm... you don't live here."

He continued on to the sliding patio door and opened it. Of course he was going back there. My step-dad was grilling, and they were already like father and son.

"I thought you were with Monica."

I turned around to see my mom cooking in front of the stove. "He showed up when Monica dropped me off."

My mom asked, "Is this your last day home before you go back to California?"

I put the empty cup in the sink before standing next to her. "I leave tomorrow afternoon, but I'm here with you and daddy until then."

"Good. Jace can spend the night if he likes."

Those words made my stomach sing, and not the pleasant kind of singing either. "Mama, we need to talk."

"About?" She stirred the mashed potatoes after adding butte milk.

I thought of how to arrange my words, but there was no way to make it work. "I'm single."

"I've always said that. I am single until there's a ring on my finger." She added seasoning to the food. "Baby, go tell your dad that the food will be ready in 5 minutes."

I hesitated before leaving the kitchen. I slowly walked to the sliding door as I watched my dad and A.B. standing in front of the grill, laughing.

Finally, I opened the sliding door. "Dad-day!"

My step-dad looked over at me. "Princess! Come out here and talk with us."

Princess? Why is he using my middle name? I went outside and closed the sliding door.

A.B. winked at me.

Something is going on, and I think I'm about to find out.

My step-dad wiped his hands on his apron. "Jace was just telling me that you wanted to spend more time with me and your mom after I told him that my vacation starts next week. It got me to thinking that this was the perfect time. On Sunday, me and your mom are flying to L.A."

Every bone in my body leaped for joy. My parents were finally going to visit me in California.

"I just wish my future son-in-law could be there, too, but either way, me and your mom are gonna be there, Princess."

My eyes shot daggers at A.B.

He cleared his throat, "I'll be right back." He turned around and went inside the house.

"Daddy, who told you about me and A.B.?" I inquired.

My step-dad pinched my chin. "Princess, everybody knows. One of the neighbors told your mother that she saw y'all taking engagement photos at the park by the pond. Your mother told me not to tell you that, but don't tell her I told you. Besides, y'all were probably going to surprise the family. Just make the announcement when y'all are ready."

"Aww, daddy." I shook my head. "Not you, too."

"Princess, I'm almost retired. I'll find something to keep my mind busy instead of listening to your mom's neighborhood news talk."

"I'm going back in the house. The food is ready now," I informed him before going inside.

Instead of going to the kitchen, I went down the hall to my bedroom. I jumped at the sight of A.B. I quickly closed the door. "What are you doing in here?"

"Waiting on you." He sat on my bed.

"Did you know about any of this before I heard it?" I asked him.

A.B. admitted, "Your dad congratulated me and said that he wasn't going to make it a big deal until we announced it. I didn't catch on until he said that his Princess is going to make me happy so I better do the same."

"And why didn't you tell him that was not the case?" I questioned him.

"You walked out there before I could."

"Then, you left," I shook my head. "This is bad. Not only did you reject me - multiple times, but now my family thinks we're getting married."

A.B. stood up. "I did not reject you multiple times. Is that why you kissed me this morning?"

My eyes grew wide as I looked at him. "Are you serious? You kissed me!"

A.B. placed his hand over my mouth. "They will hear us." He removed his hand.

I lowered my voice. "I don't care if they hear us, because we're not together. And you did reject me. You said you wouldn't date anybody famous."

He asked, "If you don't care, then why are you whispering?"

I took a deep breath.  "Hush! This is worse than my fake relationship with Zeke. Now, he's dating my cousin."

A.B. placed his hands on my shoulders. "We're not gonna lie to our family or anybody. When we sit down for dinner, we'll tell them the truth."

I should've stuck to my original flight back to Cali. Then, I wouldn't be in this situation. He better tell the truth or... or I'll... I'll find something to do to him. My eyes went to his lips. I quickly left my bedroom.