Still In

XIX

Hours later...

Dave

"Come on, Dave! You gone let this big bitch beat you?!"

"Sean, shut the fuck up." I groaned. "Ah! Gimme my damn tickets."

We were at Chuck E' Cheese's and I was on the gorilla machine. Danny and his friends were running around while Kelsie watched them. Tanya and Kianna were posted up at a table talking about God knows what and Carrie was just off to herself. I was actually surprised that Tanya invited her to come, but I had a feeling she would be regretting it at some point.

"Three tickets? The fuck is that?!" Randy said.

"Fuck it. We got more than enough."

We had three bags full of tickets and they were all for Danny. We decided to play more games later, so we went over to Tanya and Kianna. I slid in next to Tanya and put my arm around her. Something was off though cause she tensed up for a second.

"You good?" I asked.

"Yeah, your hands are just cold."

When Tanya got back home she changed into jeans and a tank top. I shrugged it up and started talking to Randy. The entrance door opened and when I looked back, it was Tyrell and Tariq.

"Yo!" I yelled, waving my hand.

Tariq nodded and got his hand stamped before coming over to us. Tyrell did the same and they placed their gifts next to the rest of em.

"What's good." Tyrell said. "Where my nephew at?"

"Running around somewhere." Tanya said.

"David!" I heard someone say.

I looked around and saw my mom coming over with Bianca and her baby. Tanya's leg started shaking as she looked at Tariq. He mouthed 'relax' and her leg slowed down. I could tell by her reaction that she didn't invite Bianca.

"Hey, ma." I said, getting up to kiss her.

"Hey, baby." She said, hugging me. "Hey, Tanya."

"Hey, mama."

"Damn, nobody gone greet me?" Bianca asked.

"Hello, Bianca." Tanya said. "Would you like to sit down?"

"Sure, thank you."

Tanya slid out the booth and let Bianca go in. Rather than sitting back down, she tapped my arm and signaled towards the door. Knowing she wanted to talk outside, I followed behind her. When we got outside she leaned against the building.

"I didn't invite her." I said, quickly.

"I know." She said.

"You want me to ask her to leave?"

"No, it's her nephew's birthday. She has as much of a right to be here as my brothers do."

"So, what's up?"

"Um, actually, I'll tell you when we get home."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, this isn't really the time or place."

"Okay."

She gave me a weak smile and we walked back inside. Kelsie was now at the table with the kids and their parents. We all sat down and started talking to all the parents. I glanced over at Carrie and noticed her expression go from bored to excited. I was confused until I followed her gaze. Marcus had arrived with a cake in his hands.

"What the hell?" I whispered to myself.

He got his hand stamped and walked over to our table. "I hear it's my baby cousin's birthday."