ATL Hoe

Chapter 24: New Truths

    "This place has the best burritos," Derek said, opening the door to a small Mexican restaurant for me. It was the first week of summer and we were in Harlem to help Damon. We'd just landed and stopped to eat before getting to his dad's house where we were staying while we were there. Jaiya, Mia, and Devyn had all left to go home. I'd be joining Jaiya back in California after all this.

    "I get burgers from here, they go crazy," Damon said and Derek and I both turned and looked at him like he was crazy.

    "You don't come to a Mexican place and get a burger," I said, shaking my head at him. He was such a weirdo. He went to argue but his phone started ringing. It had been going off like crazy ever since we got off the plane. He excused himself and walked away, taking the phone call. I enjoyed the time I had with the two of them but was so nervous to be meeting their family. I knew a lot of the business they had to take care of would be without me so I'd be at the house with strangers all day and was dreading that. I should've brought one of my friends.

    When we reached their dad's house I braced myself. I could get shy around people, especially older people, and even more so around people who happened to be my boyfriend's dad.

    "My lil niggas!" he said, opening the door. He gave each of them a bro hug then stopped when he saw me. "And look at you beautiful," he said, pulling me into a hug. "You can just call me Pops like they do. I've heard a lot about you," he winked and opened the door some more, letting us in.

    "It's nice to finally meet you," I said politely and followed them to a living room where we sat on the couch and Pops sat in a reclining chair.

    "Derek don't like to call me like that but when he does all he talks about is you," he said and Derek rolled his eyes.

    "Not true," he lied and I pushed him, laughing.

    "Don't front," I laughed and his dad joined in.

    "Frontin' for real. This nigga sweats you!"

    We sat in there talking for a little and I realized their dad wasn't intimidating like I had pictured in my head. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to spend a week with just him though cuz I was sure it'd get awkward at some point. The rest of his family finally showed up. He had two cousins named Cheyanne and Kelsie who I liked a lot. They seemed like so much fun. I also met his aunts and uncle and even his grandma. She was sweet but sassy like all grandmas are and brought over the best peach cobbler I'd ever had. I sat in the living room listening to embarrassing stories everyone was telling about Derek and Damon and loving every moment of it. Damon was on his phone the whole time and I could tell something was bothering him. He got up to get some food and I followed him so I could see what was wrong.

    "You good?" I asked already knowing the answer was no. He nodded his head, lying. I wasn't going to accept that, though. "For real what's going on? Your phone has been going crazy all day and every time you look at it you get upset," I told him my observations.

    "Nun, I can't handle," he shrugged.

    "Well, I'm nosey so it's not for you to get it off your chest, I just wanna know," I teased and nudged him. He laughed as he scooped some more beans and mac and cheese onto his plate.

    "You can't tell nobody this," he started and I nodded in agreement. "This girl is claiming she's pregnant with my baby," he admitted. My eyes got big.

    "That's who's been blowing you up?"

    "Yes man, she's on bullshit already," he said, sounding stressed out.

    "What are you gonna do?"

    "If it's mine ima be there for it, no doubt. And I'm pretty sure it is. That's why I'm planning on moving to Atlanta," he said and all the dots were starting to connect.