Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“English, not you, too! I thought you’d be on my side!”
“Melanie is running late, as usual. I can call her right now and have her swing by the store to get anything else you might need.”
“Tell her to pick up a chef, a new best friend, and a sister-in-law for me. Aisle six in Kroger.”
“I’ll let the guests know there’s a change of plans!” She squealed happily before skipping back out of the house.
Legend wanted to choke Axel out. “How much?!”
“How much do you want, Legend?”
“Don’t try to sound all righteous and indignant, like how dare I want compensation for this fuckery you done pulled. Just so happens, I’ve had my eye on a couple of fits.”
“Okay, I’ll give you the money for the clothes.”
“And not no shit from Kohl’s, Walmart, or Target, either. I also want two days off next week. Paid!”
“Two days?! You know I can’t do that, Legend!”
“Take it or leave it. Burger King is right down the mothafuckin’ street, and they said I can have it my way.”
“I can’t believe you’re doing this to me.”
“You and English so busy worried ’bout tryna impress folks and keep up with the Joneses after this major culinary disaster, you’re lucky that’s all I want. Here I am, dressed fresh, lookin’ good, and you ’bout to put me over two hot ass grills, and whipping up sides in this kitchen that normally take hours in advance to prep. At the end of today, I’m going to be ten pounds lighter due to this heat from the sun and grill, and smelling like a big ass sautéed onion. What woman you know wants to give some sloppy top to a man who smells like a White Castle cheeseburger? You tryna make a miracle out of a mistake, and I—”
“All right! Fine. Two paid days off, and two new outfits.”
“Cool. Y’all got a bag of onions and a couple bags of potatoes up in this bitch?”
“Yes.”
“I need at least three jars of mayonnaise, man. Four cartons of eggs. Buns. Get all the baked bean cans you have in here.” Axel quickly grabbed a piece of paper and pen. “I need brown sugar. White sugar. Cinnamon. Any BBQ sauce you have, a lot of it. Mustard. Ketchup. Garlic and onion powder are a must. I need every damn seasonin’ y’all got in this mothafucka. Go down to that deep freezer and bring me the burgers, sausages, hot dogs, steak, easy shit that’ll cook fast. It’s too late to make ribs since we need this done right away, but I can work with what I mentioned. Anything you don’t have, get English to call my sister, and she’ll get it.”
“Got it.” Axel jotted everything down.
“Get them grills fired up immediately, and that catering crew out of my way. Send ’em home. Are we good?”
“We’re good!” Axel raced out of the kitchen in the direction of the basement.
English walked back in, bouncing Cameron in her arms.
“My mother is about to take the baby so I can help you. What do you need me to do?”
“English, can’t you cook? Axel said you could, but maybe he lied to save face when I told him not to marry you.”
“I detest you, Legend.”
“You actually love me, but for real, you know it wasn’t anything personal. I was wrong… I’m glad he didn’t listen to me, and got hitched to you. He’s the happiest he’s ever been thanks to you and Cameron.” She smiled at that. “Anyway, why didn’t you think of doing this if you know your way around a kitchen?”
“I cook okay, but I don’t grill well, Legend.”
Just then, English’s mother walked in and wrapped her arms about the baby, a big smile on her face.
“Come here, my lil’ angel!” The older woman cooed as she made her way back towards the patio door. Before she exited, she turned to him. “Honey, Chloe ain’t the only one that was eyeballin’ you. You’ve got a whole bunch of admirers out here. Once they find out you can cook, they’ll be all over you like white on rice!” She cackled before disappearing out the door.
“So you’ve told everyone that I’m cooking, huh? Just knew you had this in the bag. Y’all just use me up and spit me out!” he half-teased.
Ignoring him, English grabbed her phone and called Melanie. He overheard her explaining the situation as he picked out certain items from their refrigerator and placed them on the counter to dice and slice. As soon as she hung up, he railed into her.
“Where are your good-looking friends, English?” He grabbed the salt and pepper shakers off the kitchen island. “Ain’t shit out there but married women and monsters! I mean, I know I’m no Ryan Reynolds or Michael B. Jordan, but damn! I don’t ask for much! Just have all of your teeth, be clean, and no rainbow-colored hair!”