Affinity

Chapter 38: A Comforting Hue

" I'm really not tryna pop this little one out on ya graduation day sis." Jaz rubbed her belly expectantly as she shifted in the bed for the millionth time, it was abundantly clear that pregnancy was now in its most uncomfortable stage for her.

" Then don't. Get that lil girl in check, I need at least another week from her." It was finally May and graduation was slated for next Friday, I could not fucking wait.

" See you keep talking bout my daughter like she ya slave or something, but let my princess be, she can come whenever the fuck she want." Trey lounged in the doorway tearing up some chili I'd made earlier, a smug smile playing on his features.

" She ain't even here yet and she already spoiled. That's a problem." I held up yet another dress against my frame as I asked the couple to weigh in as to which would be best for graduation, and which would work for the grand opening of my store tomorrow night.

" That's a little too Barbie pink for me Ab, ima say that's a no on all fronts." Jaz steered the conversation back to the task at hand as she shot down the hot pink a-line dress I'd held up moments ago.

" Lemme see that blue one sis, hold it up." I picked up the two piece ensemble that would show a sliver of stomach once on my frame.

" Hold up, that shit is a two piece? Never mind, put it back down. Next!"

" Shut up Trey Damn, I actually like that one." Jaz hushed her boyfriend with a wave of the hand and he sucked his teeth as he pouted, " Now if I call ya nephew in here he's gonna throw a whole tantrum until you wear whatever one he likes, so ya'll better start paying attention to my input."

" Call him. Matter fact....JAMES!"

" Damn girl, hush! You know he's happily watching paw patrol, you tryna interrupt my peace." Trey crossed the threshold and brought his hand up in interjection of further phrases tumbling from my mouth.

" Boy you bout dramatic as hell, you know good and well once paw patrol is on he don't hear nothing." Jaz shifted in the bed once more as she eased up and adjusted the pillows behind her back and head.

" Ya'll really love ganging up on people. I see what Jay be talking bout now." Trey threw a knowing sarcastic glance to the both of us as he retreated from our places in the room.

" Say it louder and I'm cutting up ya Lebron jersey and next is ya Eagles championship shit. Say something else." Jaz was deadass as she threatened some of his most cherished possessions.

" Before you start threatening bodily harm I'm gonna go in the damn kitchen. Sis, lemme borrow ya ear for a moment."

I laid the blue ensemble down as Jaz waved me on, purporting that she would have two dresses appropriate for each occasion picked out by the time I returned.

" Wassup." I walked into the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the counter to munch on as I waited for Trey to lead the conversation. Angling my elbows on the countertop as I pulled a stool from the breakfast nook I threw my hair over my left shoulder as the ends of the spirals tickled my collarbone.

" What's ' A Balanced Tone Inc'?"

" Hmm?" I purposefully swiveled my head to view my nephew as he mindlessly watched the television while shoving fistfuls of the baby snacks his father had left on the table into his tiny mouth. He was simultaneously lowly giggling at the animals' antics while chewing loudly, his chubby cheeks puffing out with the emission of each burst of laughter.

" Little girl don't play me the fool. A company by that name mysteriously sold all it's shares to my firm for pennies on the dollar, flag number one. Then, once I re-up, the stock climbs.... quickly, strike number two. That allowed me to cash out on my investment while the company quietly dissolved itself, allowing myself to become a mildly rich man overnight, strike fucking three. Your not subtle sis, you bigfoot with ya shit." Trey had a silly grin on his face as he waited for my innocent exterior to fade.

" Ard bro you caught me, how'd I do?" I was genuine in my questioning as I turned on the stool to face him freely. The caper he'd spoken of had been my first stab at the stock market in general and having to make the company public was a huge learning curve in and of itself.

Blue had held my hand throughout the whole process, but making a company public and a hot commodity that didn't have a product 'persay' took more than a little greasing of palms and creative imagining. Which is why once Trey was able to cash out on the high yield of his return we had to hurry up and dissolve the company before anyone could realize the dud of a stock they'd been trading on. Trey's cash was pocketed, my name was removed from a dud company, and the world at large was none the wiser of the ruse I'd pulled.

" Shit had me shook Ab. You really taking to this business shit like a monster b, can't even front on you for that." Trey leaned over the counter and gave me a full dap before pounding his fist onto his chest twice in recognition of my talents.

" Did you tell my sister?" Trey about faced and hit me with the incredulous look, " would we be sitting in here peacefully chatting if that was the case? No. She would've cut my shit off and set ya hair on fire by now." The implication was wild, but knowing Jaz it wasn't too far fetched.

" One of these days she's gonna stop penalizing me for accepting something that was forced upon me. I just hope we don't have to wait until James is pushing us around in wheelchairs for that to happen." A raised eyebrow from my bro in law as I again swiveled in the chair to face my nephew brought a smile to my face. I couldn't decide who was more stubborn, Jaz or I?

" I can't keep the secret forever, you know that." Trey beckoned my attention back to him and I sighed heavily in response, feeling the humidity in the air with each lung fluctuation I incited.

" Give me til after graduation." A compromise that bought me time I still wasn't sure what I was going to do with.

" You have my word on that. Not a day later sis, don't test my waters." I rolled my eyes knowing no harm would come my way if I was a day late, but I would go along with his little ploy of intimidation anyway.

I left father and son engrossed in the throws of paw patrol as I made my way back to Jaz's room.

" Right on time I got both ya outfits, bring ya ass." Jaz waved me over excitedly as her curls shook in agreeance; my sister was gorgeous in the throws of pregnancy and all, lucky ass. I circled to her side of the bed and waited for the reveal, the pit of guilt lodged in my stomach by hiding the transaction between Trey and I, nibbling away at me slowly.

" Ok the blue two piece is for the grand opening, give motherfuckers something to gawk at while still being professional." She laid the ensemble on the bed before straining to stand on her feet and reach forward, her bulbous tummy brushing against the bed as she retrieved a backless blush bodycon dress with spaghetti straps.

" Now this baby sister. This is the ' I graduated and am a successful owner of many business. Fuck with me." I couldn't decipher whether her beaming smile was attributed to the beautiful dress or a covert slight against the ventures Hakim had afforded me; I chose to believe the former and live in the moment.

" I didn't bring this one over Jaz, where'd this come from?" I'd brought all the other outfit options over after a mini shopping spree, but the petal colored beauty she was currently holding up to my body was not one I'd come across.

" I saw it online and ordered it for you the other day knowing you'd come to me flustered about what to wear. You got a crazy head on ya shoulders when it comes to business and them books, but fashion choices fluster you so easily. Trust, I relish the role it allows me to play in ya life to boot."

I had tears in my eyes dammit. Jaz truly knew me. Rah saw me, Jay watched me, and Jaz knew me. My tells were a well-worn playbook for her experienced eyes, a comforting hue on a sibling's form that caused me to release an alleviated breath. 

What's Jaz gonna do when she finds out about the covert business she did with Trey?

Will Trey be able to hold the secret in until graduation?