When It Begins Again

7

Carlos wiped the sweat droplets from his head as he stood behind the cupcake stand.

Jeston sold a cupcake to the fifteenth girl with a smile and Carlos knew the cupcakes weren't the main reason the girls were lining up at their booth.

He was grateful that Jomauld came with Kharyi and took Mya with them because she would have been bored out of her mind.

"How much of these girls are coming to your birthday party?"

Jeston shrugged.

"Not much. The cheerleaders of course and some friends from class."

Carlos' eyebrows arched.

"Jes, you know your mom..."

Carlos bit his tongue, he couldn't put this on Jewel alone.

"I think a limit to the amount of people you have is important especially if you want it to be unsupervised."

Jeston stared at him.

"What's a good limit?"

"Twenty to twenty four persons."

Jeston's jaw dropped.

"Dad that's the entire basketball team alone."

"But I'm sure you don't talk to everyone like that. The more people you have, the more responsibility you're going to have which is going to in turn come on your mother and I. You all are underaged. Choose the guys and girls that are closest to you, twelve and twelve each."

A sigh escaped Jeston's lips at the same time a young lady approached their stall.

The first thing Carlos noticed was the strapped crop top that she wore that revealed the tattoo coming from her shoulder blade to her chest.

She wore straight weave that accentuated her almond shaped face and cocoa butter skin. Her nose piercing shone under the light of the sun as she smiled at Jeston.

His son's entire composure changed and that's when Carlos noticed the two new piercings on his son that he'd missed. A small hoop by his tragus and his nose.

Jewel was going to crucify the both of them.

"Heyyy Jeston. What are you selling?"

Carlos folded his arms across his chest because he needed to have a serious talk with his son.

"Chocolate cupcakes. Want to try one?"

She nodded as Jeston retrieved a cupcake box and handed it to her.

"It's on the house."

She smirked.

"Thanks. Are you staying back after? Some members of the team were talking about chilling after everyone clears out."

Carlos cleared his throat, gaining the attention of his son and female companion.

"Ariel this is my dad. Dad this is Ariel."

Carlos soon realized that this was the girl he son was interested in.

Jewel was going to flip when she found out.

Ariel stuck out her hand to her.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Santiago. You're kind of like a big shot around here."

Carlos shook her hand.

"I'm just a regular person."

He smiled.

"Can Jeston stay back after? My older sister is picking me up, she can drop Jeston home after."

His son's eyes were pleading with his as Carlos nodded.