I knew exactly what rumors she was referring to. After the break up, Adrianna had been spotted around social media on the arms of several different celebrities, including Tone Amsterdam.
When things didn’t progress between the two of them, he loaded a snippet of him dissing some “unknown” woman onto his socials. Based on the content, it was obvious to me and probably to Adrianna that the song was about her. The lyrics of the snippet and the postings of her on social media withseveral different men fed into the implication that she was being passed around. I didn’t think it was true, but I also didn’t think she would cheat on me. So, what did I know about Adrianna’s convictions and boundaries? Absolutely nothing.
Anyway, I shook my head and finished the piece of fruit in a second bite. Whatever Adrianna had going on in her personal life was her business and I wouldn’t speak on it. I walked around the island to toss the peach pit into the trash can.
“Sheisa nice girl.” Is what I chose to offer. “She’s just made some missteps.”
“If I lost your fine ass, I would probably make some missteps, too.” Ryann had muttered the words, but not softly. The volume actually made me wonder if she meant for me to hear her words.
I had to chuckle. “What?” I grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl. “What did you say?”
Her eyes went wide. “What?”
“What did you say, Ryann? Did you say that you would make some missteps, too, if you lost my fine ass?”
“Damn.” She started to giggle. “I’m really wilding. I promise I meant to think that in my head, not say it out loud.”
“But the sentiment…”
Her milk chocolate brown eyes pinned me. “Oh, the sentiment is the sentiment. I said what I said.” She sighed. “You’re a catch, Brix. Everybody always says that the dating pool is disgusting. They say there’s pee in the pool. I look at men like my brothers and you and I know that’s not always true. I mean, I know from experience that you have to wade through a lot of fuck boys, but good guysdostill exist. You’re a good guy, Brixton. You treated Adrianna very well. I’m shocked as hell over how she played in your face.”
“Thanks, Ryann.” I stole a glance down at my watch. It was a little before six. “I’m feeling antsy. This is around the time I’m usually getting ready to make moves to get my day going. I’mmatake a walk, try to get some of this energy off before breakfast.” I tossed the apple core into the trash can before moving my gaze to Ryann. “You’re not doing anything, come keep me company.”
“It’s still dark outside, sir. How are we supposed to see where we’re going?”
“Come on, girl. Look”—I pointed out of the kitchen window—“it’s not pitch black out there. The sun is starting to break through.”
Before she could even stand up from the bar stool, CJ entered the kitchen carrying his daughter, Giselle, on his hip. “Did y’all keep the party going from last night or is this a new party?”
“Good morning.” Ryann crossed the room. Once she was in front of CJ, she planted a kiss on Giselle’s cheek. “Good morning, Giselle my Belle.”
Giselle gave her a toothless grin and bounced in her father’s arms, so Ryann repeated the action.
“This is apparently a new party.” I answered his question. “I came down because I was hungry as hell and couldn’t sleep. Ryann was already down here.”
His eyes shot down to Ryann, who was still entertaining a gurgling, giggling Giselle. “You cool, Sis?”
The rise and fall of her shoulders was so slight I would’ve missed it if I hadn’t been staring at her. “I’m cool.”
That felt like a lie.
CJ must’ve thought so, too. His eyes stayed on her face, even though she wouldn’t give him eye contact.
My voice broke into the silence that had settled over the kitchen. “Yo, I was gonna take a walk, a jog … something. I need to get off some of this energy.”
“Yeah, gotta start getting ready to get back at it. The season’ll be here before we know it. It’s like, by the time you finally manage to decompress, it’s time to get back on the grind again.” His gaze finally moved away from Ryann to me. He fished hisphone out of the pocket of the loose-fitting joggers he wore. “Let me hit the alarm system so you can get out. Just text me when you get back. I’ll make sure you get back in.”
I nodded. “What time is breakfast? I’m hungrier than a motherfucker.” I walked over to him, took the baby from his arms, and gave my niece a quick kiss on her chubby cheek before returning her to him.
“Chef’ll be here at seven. Breakfast by eight.”
I nodded before turning to walk away.
“Wait up, Brix!” Ryann dropped one more kiss on our niece’s jaw. “Let me grab my shoes.”
His eyebrows went in toward each other as he gave a slight frown. “Is this part of your new exercise routine? Working out before sunrise?”
“Only when my heart is broken and I don’t know what else to do with myself. When sitting still gives my brain too much time to think and I feel like I’m gonna drown in the … nothingness of my life,” she responded, leaving both CJ and me speechless.
