Grip Trilogy Box Set - Kennedy Ryan Page 0,165

tears stream down my cheeks. I’m a fixer. It’s what I do for a living. I fix everything for everyone, but there’s nothing I can do to fix my skin. To fix the fact that everyone wants Grip with Qwest, and I can’t ever be what his mother wants me to be. I know what she means to him and that he wouldn’t be the man he is today without his mother’s influence and guidance. That he disappoints her by loving me burns more than the gravy I spilled in my lap.

I allow myself a few moments of the lavatory pity party before wetting my napkin and wiping the dress, which is probably ruined. That’s the least of my concerns, though. I splash water on my face until it looks sort of normal and steel myself to go back out there. It would be wonderful if Ms. James and Jade liked me, but they don’t. I tell myself that Grip likes me, he loves me, so it doesn’t matter.

I’m walking up the hall but stop when I hear my name.

“And you tried to tell me you and Bristol was just friends. Like I’m blind, dumb, and stupid,” Jade says sarcastically. “You a trip, cuz.”

“Oh, I’m a trip?” Irritation coarsens Grip’s words. “Why?”

“You weren’t satisfied with the fancy loft and the motorcycles and the cars and flying around on private jets,” Jade says. “You just had to go and get you a white girl, didn’t you? She’s the last piece for your collection.”

“Jade, lower your voice,” Ms. James says softly.

“No, Jade,” Grip snaps. “Shut the hell up.”

“You had a queen but just had to go get you a Becky.” Jade loads her voice with contempt before pulling the trigger. “Just like all them other niggas. Forgetting where they came from.”

“I haven’t forgotten a damn thing.” Grip’s words scrape against each other like iron sharpening iron, slicing into the thick air filling the house.

“Forget who they came from.” Jade presses on like he didn’t speak. “Like the sisters need another reminder that we ain’t good enough. Ain’t pretty enough. You sorry ass sellouts gotta stay true to form and choose them every time you get a little cash.”

“My being with Bristol has nothing to do with you or anyone else,” Grip says.

“Doesn’t it?” Ms. James counters softly. “I’m sorry, but Jade’s right. I didn’t raise you to be a cliché, Marlon. Some man who thinks he needs a white woman on his arm to be successful.”

“If you think that’s what I’m doing,” Grip replies softly, disappointment heavy in his voice. “Then you don’t know the man you raised at all.”

“I know you had a good woman, a beautiful Black woman who understands where you come from,” Ms. James replies. “Who understands our challenges and knows how to support you.”

The incident with Officer Dunne haunts me. How Grip had to guide me. Calm me. Correct me. How I had no clue about any of it. She’s probably right. Qwest probably would have had Officer Dunne in his own cuffs when it was all said and done. In this moment, I feel completely inadequate.

“And last we heard, you were with Qwest,” Ms. James says, her voice unapologetic. “Next thing we know you bring her in here uninvited and unannounced like some trophy we should put on the mantel. What am I supposed to think?”

“A trophy, Ma? Come on. This is me,” Grip fires back. “You’re right. I should have handled it differently and eased into it, but this is happening, whether you found out today or later.”

“But you chose today to rub her in our faces,” Jade cuts in.

“I’m not rubbing anything in your face,” Grip says. “You’re a part of my life. Bristol’s in my life. I just want you guys to get to know each other.”

“We should at least give her a chance,” Shondra speaks up for the first time.

“Shondra, don’t act like you don’t feel the same way,” Jade says. “When that basketball player got married last week, first thing you asked was did he marry a Black woman.”

“Well, I like Bristol,” Shondra says, not addressing the reminder of what she said before. “She’s good people, and if you want to be with her, Grip, I got your back. It’s fine with me.”

“Well, it ain’t fine with me,” Jade says.

“Jade, come on now,” Amir interrupts. “You don’t even know Bristol.”

“So what are you, Amir?” Jade challenges. “Another nigga with his nose wide open for this white chick? You know they freaks,