IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES Book 2

Chapter 32

He went into the bedroom and slammed the door. Me and Travis jumped from the loud scream and the sound of furniture being thrown.

“I apologize for Smoke ignorant ass.” Travis shook his head and headed for the basement to get his clothes that had stopped in the dryer.

I slowly walked to the bedroom and inched open the door. Amidst the broken lamp, sheets and toiletries on the floor, was August with his back up against the bed. His head on his knees that were up, and he was crying.

I knelt down in front of him and wrapped my arms around him. Kissing the top of head.

“Babe do not let him bring down your mood. Everybody knows how much you loved your brother. And still do. He’s just speaking out of hurt and has to take it out on somebody, because he misses him just as much as you do.

“I should’ve whooped his ass.” August sniffed, his head still down.

“No you shouldn’t have. You did the right thing.”

“But he disrespected you babe.” He lifted his head up.

“I don’t care about that.” I got some Kleenex off the dresser and wiped his running nose.

“You know I don’t allow that.” He wiped his eyes.

“August, I know that you will defend me at a moment’s notice. But sometimes it isn’t necessary. You don’t have to accept the invitation for every argument you’re invited to.”

“But what hurts is that he called me a Judas babe. I may be a lot of things, but I’m not disloyal. I’m not baby, I’m not.” He started back up crying again. “I loved Mel more than anything on this earth. I would never turn my back on my brother.”

I held his chin up and wiped his eyes. “Baby, you don’t have to justify anything to anybody. I know. Your mother knows. Trav knows. Cha knows. Kay, Chay and Noonie know. And Mel knows. Smoke ain’t take care of Cha when she needed help, you did. And it wasn’t like you were rich where you had the means to do that. You had barely nothing. But you took his children in. Cared for them. Clothed them. Fed then. Put a roof over they head. Got them whatever they needed on the little bit you did have. It don’t get no more loyal than th—that. See stop, now you making me cry.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, I fanned my face with my hands to stop.

“Aww I wanna cry too.” Travis came over to us. Group hugged us and started fake crying. “ I love y’all. Y’all my relationship goals.”

“Nigga get off of me.” August pushed him.

“Ey don’t push me.” Travis pushed his head. “But I’mma leave you two love birds alone. Amb can I take the rest of that food?”

“Yes Travis.” I sighed and shook my head. He was getting irritating.

“Thank you. And clean this shit up before Mama get home Baby Hulk.” Travis patted August’s head like a little kid, August slapped it away.

Travis left out the room.

“Go take your shower I’ll clean this up.” I kissed his lips then stood up. “Your mama going to get you about her lamp tho.”

“I’ll get her another one.” He stood up, wiped his eyes, then took off his shirt.

I started cleaning up, and Aug went in the washroom and ran the shower.

Fully naked, he threw his pants on the bed then got in the shower.

About twenty-minutes later, he got out the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist.

I was done cleaning up by then, so I went in the bathroom. He was brushing his teeth. I sat on the counter.