Chapter 28 - Meet the Momma

Zay ain't the type to bring people home. Not to his momma. That ain't never been a thing.

She was cool-real cool. But she could peep bullshit from a mile away, and she ain't hold her tongue for nobody. Zay had barely even realized what he was doing until he was already unlocking the door, Trey standing right behind him.

"You sure yo' momma cool with me slidin'?" Trey asked, voice low, casual.

Zay glanced over his shoulder, grinning. "Nigga, you already here. Too late to back out now."

Trey just shook his head, unbothered as usual.

The second they stepped inside, the smell of fried chicken hit them first, then his momma's voice from the kitchen.

"That you, Zay?"

"Yeah, Ma," Zay called back, kicking off his kicks by the door. He glanced at Trey, nodding for him to do the same.

She popped her head around the corner, brows raised when she saw Trey standing there. "Oh, you brought somebody wit'chu?"

Zay smirked, walking further in. "Yeah, this Trey."

Trey dipped his head respectfully. "How you doin', ma'am?"

She wiped her hands on a towel, giving him a once-over before nodding approvingly. "I'm doin' good, baby. Ain't know Zay had friends he actually brought home."

"Damn, Ma, why you tryna play me?" Zay laughed, stepping up to give her a quick hug.

She just chuckled, then motioned toward Trey. "Come on in, baby, don't just stand at the door lookin' all stiff."

Trey stepped forward, calm as ever, but Zay could tell he was peeping everything-how his momma moved, how she talked, the vibe of the house. He stayed observant like that.

"You eat?" she asked, heading back into the kitchen.

Trey shook his head. "Nah, but I'm good."

Zay scoffed. "Nigga, don't lie. If she offerin' food, take it."

Trey just gave him a look, then nodded at his momma. "If you cookin', I'll take a plate."

She smiled. "That's better."

Zay hopped onto the counter while Trey pulled out a chair at the small dining table. His momma fixed up two plates before sliding one over to Trey.

"So, Trey," she started, sitting across from him. "Where you from?"

Trey wiped his hands on a napkin before answering. "Born and raised here. Grew up on the west side, but we moved around a lot."

She nodded. "You got family out here still?"

Trey's jaw tensed for a split second, but he kept his tone steady. "Just my lil' sister. Rest of 'em... either gone or out the picture."

Zay glanced at him, already knowing there was more to that story, but he ain't press. His momma, though? She watched Trey like she was reading him.

"You take care of her?"

Trey gave a slow nod. "Yeah."

That seemed to be enough for her. She took a bite of her food, nodding slightly. "That's good. Ain't nothin' more important than family."

Zay huffed. "Trey don't even like talkin' 'bout himself like that, Ma. You interrogatin' the man."

Trey smirked slightly. "It's cool."

His momma side-eyed Zay before turning back to Trey. "What you do for work?"

"Security," Trey answered. "Overnight shifts, mostly."

"Mmm." She looked impressed. "That's a grown man job. Hard work."

Trey just nodded, taking another bite.

Then she turned the tables. "Zay ain't been givin' you trouble, has he?"

Trey exhaled a quiet chuckle. "He talk too much, but nah."

Zay gasped dramatically. "Wow, that's crazy. So this what we doin'?"

Trey shot him a look, unimpressed. "You want me to lie?"

Zay sucked his teeth, but he was smirking.

His momma laughed, shaking her head. "Mm-mm. I like you, Trey. You ain't with the bullshit."

Trey dipped his head slightly. "Appreciate it."

Zay's momma leaned back in her chair, watching the two of them. "You seem solid. Zay don't bring just anybody home, so that say a lot."

Zay shifted slightly, clearing his throat. "Aight, aight, y'all tryna turn this into an Oprah special or some shit?"

His momma laughed. "Fine, I'll leave y'all alone." She pushed back from the table, grabbing her plate. "I'ma let y'all talk. Y'all good?"

Trey nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you for the food."

She smiled. "You welcome, baby. Y'all stay outta trouble."

When she left the room, Zay turned to Trey, smirking. "She like you."

Trey wiped his mouth with a napkin. "She cool."

"Nigga, don't downplay it. That's a big deal."

Trey just shook his head, finishing his food.

Zay watched him for a second before leaning back against the counter. "So, you really don't got no other family out here?"

Trey set his fork down, resting his forearms on the table. "Not the kind that matter."

Zay nodded slowly. "I get that."

Silence stretched between them, but it wasn't awkward. It was understanding.

Then Zay nudged him with his foot under the table. "You really out here bein' my momma's favorite already. You plottin' on somethin'?"

Trey gave him a dry look. "Nigga, shut up."

Zay just grinned, watching him. "You doin' that thing again."

"What thing?"

Zay tilted his head. "Where you don't say shit but I can feel it."

Trey just held his gaze, then leaned forward slightly, voice lower. "Then why you need me to say it?"

Zay felt his whole chest tighten up, but he covered it quick with a smirk. "Aight, Mr. Mysterious. Keep actin' like you ain't soft as hell for me."

Trey just shook his head, but he ain't deny it. And Zay? He caught that.