The Brothers

A couple weeks had gone by and it was the weekend of Kristopher's birthday party. It was Friday night, and CJ had a football game. Kash and Odell had flew in earlier today, so the whole crew was in attendance. Ever since Colin got locked up, Cam never missed any of CJ's games and as the boys got older, he took them as well.

"CJ still ain't gettin no playing time?" Odell asks as they take their seats in the stands.

"Nope. I know he hates it too. He's just a team player and doesn't say anything." Aaliyah says.

"He'll get his chance soon, it's only a matter of time." Cam says confidently.

"Yeah, he'll be just fine." Odell reassures. The team runs out of their inflatable tunnel and once all the fans calm down a bit, Cam and Odell both whistle as loud as they can to get CJ's attention. He notices the distinct sound and turns around to see Cam and Odell behind him waving. "My lil nigga!" Odell says. "AY LIL KAP! LETS GET IT BABY!" CJ smiles and shakes his head.

"Stop, you're probably embarrassing him." Kash says pulling him down back to his seat.

"He not embarrassed." Odell shoots back.

The game starts and he didn't go in till about 5 five minutes left in the 4th quarter. They already had the game in the bag, but that didn't stop CJ from going hard every down that he played, and the whole family was right there cheering for him. After the game and after he changes, he meets up with Scottie and Justin.

"So you goin to the party with us, right?" Justin asks.

"Can't. My aunt and uncle are in town for the weekend."

"Come on bro...you'll see them tomorrow, and I also heard ya girl is goin...and her fine ass friends. My God."

"That's not my girl, but my mom ain't gone let me."

"Just tell her you comin to my crib." Scottie says.

"Alright...let me just go say what's up to the fam and I'll be back over here."

CJ goes over to where his family is standing. "My boy!" Odell says being the first one to greet him.

"What's up unc!" He says giving him a hug.

"Good game baby boy." Odell adds.

"Preciate it. Mom, can I go over Scottie's tonight."

"I know you see me standing here boy." Kash says.

"My bad auntie." He gives her a hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Collieee!!!" Akia, Odell and Kash's youngest says. CJ looks down to see both of his favorite girls stand there.

"Hi pretty girls!!" He picks them both up, one in each arm. He plants a kiss on both of their cheeks. "How are my two favorite girls." He says putting them back on the ground.

"Good." Ariyah answers.

"So mom, can I go."

"What's going on at Scottie's?" Aaliyah asks.

"Nothing. Just playing video games and stuff."

As much as Aaliyah wanted to say no, she went ahead and let him go. "Yes CJ, you can go. I'll come by and get you tomorrow before the party."

"Okay." He gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Good game."

"Thanks. I love you."

"I love you too, papa."

"See y'all tomorrow."

Odell knew that wasn't the full story. He knew there was probably more going on. He wouldn't  call him out in front of his mom so he sent him a text message.

Uncle Odell: Ay man, you be careful tonight.

Lil Kap: You know?

Uncle Odell: I wasn't born yesterday son. Just be careful and call me if you need me.

Lil Kap: Cool. Don't tell my mom. She'll kick my ass.

Uncle Odell: I won't. Have you some fun.

Kai, Cam and their kids head back to their house and Aaliyah insisted that Kash, Odell and the kids stay at their home. When they get to Aaliyah's, Kash gets the girls ready for bed and not long after they take a bath, they're already out for the night. By the time Kash showers, Aaliyah's already in bed, reading a book, as well as worrying about CJ. But she trusts him and trusts that when he tells her he's somewhere, that's exactly where he's at. She hears a knock at the door, looks up and see Kash standing there.

"Hey lady, may I come in?" Kash asks.

"Um of course." Aaliyah pats the empty space next her. "The girls already sleep?"

"Yes ma'am. They took a bath and knocked out."

"Should I text CJ?" Aaliyah blurts out.

"Aaliyah, no. He's over his friends house. He's fine."

"Yeah but.."

"Listen, I know you wanna make sure he stays out of trouble and all that, but you gotta trust him."

"I do...its those friends of his I don't trust. Their parents let them do whatever. And I can't just say no you can't hang out with them. They've been friends since we moved out here."

"Liyah...you're overreacting. He's fine. He knows better."

Aaliyah sighs. "You're right. He does. I should stop worrying."

"Yes please! Worry and stress causes wrinkles." They both chuckle.

"And I don't need those. I can still pass for a about 25."

"Girl, what is Colin going to do with you when he gets out."

"Whatever he wants to do. Lawd I can't wait."

"You really been holding off until he gets out?"

"Yup. The last time I got some was before he got locked up."

Kash stares blankly at her. "Wow, you're serious."

"Mhhm." Aaliyah nods. "I've come real close. Like a few years after we moved down here, I found myself casually dating this guy."

"Pauseeeee. Why the hell was I not notified. You or Kai wasn't. This was just my little secret. I didn't even tell my son. Especially not around that time. He was 12. He was going through changes emotionally and physically, and telling him I was dating someone would have just set him off. But yeah, I was close, but I just couldn't."

"So how have you been doing it all these years?"

"It's been rough, I can tell you that. Vibrators are great and all, but mama need the real thang."

"You are one faithful woman, I can tell you that. Even after everything that happened."

"I just couldn't bring myself to love someone else."

"I hear that."

"So when's the next competition?"

"Next month. In Atlanta. Maybe you and CJ and come out. Be a nice little home coming. I'm sure your parents would want to see you."

"Why, so they can rub it in my face that they were right about Colin. They never liked him from the get go. Especially when they found out I was pregnant. They were convinced he wasn't good for me."

"Yeah, I remember. But those are still your parents, and CJ's grandparents."

"I know. I'm down to go though. Visiting my parents, that's a toss up."

"Well, we'll get to that when the time comes."

Aaliyah nods. They continue to talk for a while until they both get sleepy.

--------------------

"Lil Kappy finally decided to hang out with his boys tonight." Justin teases as they walk up to the house where the party's being held.

"Shut up fool." He says pushing him. They get inside and it's already a lot of people, and the smell of weed is strong. They enjoy themselves and Scottie, Justin and CJ go outside to the back yard to roll one up. CJ doesn't smoke but he just stands to the side and chill.

"I thought you said Ariella was comin?" CJ asks.

"I said I heard she was comin. I ain't said she was." Scottie looks over towards the back door and sees her walking out the house. "Speaking of..." They watch her walk over.

"Hey CJ." She says.

"What's up. You here by yourself."

"With my girls. Just came outside to say hey." Ariella was really just a crush. Someone he admired from afar, mainly because she was a senior, he was only a sophomore. So her just coming to say hi to him had him feeling some type of way. "May I?" She asks Justin. He passes her the blunt.

"I didn't know you smoke?" CJ says.

"There's a lot you don't know about me."

"What I gotta do to get to know you then?" She hands the blunt back to Justin.

"Come on." She takes him by the hand and leads him back into the house. Their conversation didn't get too far due to the party being raided and everyone started scattering. She and her friends made it back to her car and CJ met up with Justin and Scottie somewhere near where the party was and went back to Scottie's for the night.