“Shit.”
Her phone vibrates in her hand again and she sees it’s another text from Trent. She looks once more around the parking lot before walking toward the shuttle, deciding to take Trent up on his offer—Roman’s truth ringing sharp in her ears.
The bar Trent drags her to is an edgy, industrial space nestled in the heart of downtown. The interior is an eclectic blend of raw materials—exposed steel beams stretch across the high ceiling, and concrete floors are polished to a sleek, reflectivefinish. The walls are a mix of red-painted brick and matte gray panels, giving the space a modern yet gritty vibe. Large, black metal light fixtures with exposed bulbs dangle overhead, casting a warm, amber glow across the room. The bar itself is a striking centerpiece. Long, blackened steel with a glossy finish that contrasts with the matte gray countertop. Behind it, rows of neatly arranged bottles glow under soft, ambient lights, while bartenders move with practiced precision.
Bottles being lifted, ice rattling as it’s poured into glasses, and the quick, sharp snap of cocktail shakers as they’re flipped and shaken with added flair, blend with the soft pulse of music and chatter.
It’s a nice change of pace for her, and she finds her shoulders relaxing as they slip further inside. Trent guides her to a booth in the back before leaving to grab drinks.
“Jahlani.”
She looks up at the sound of her name. “Teryn, hey.”
Teryn’s red locs cascade in loose curls down her back, the light blue fabric of her dress flowing effortlessly over her shoulders. She tosses her bag onto the table and slides into the booth across from Jahlani with a relaxed grace.
“Didn’t think you’d be here,” Teryn says, her voice casual but laced with curiosity. “I thought you hated bars.”
“Yeah, well, Trent invited me,” Jahlani replies, her eyes scanning the room for him. “I needed to get out of the house.”
Teryn nods and starts to pick at the chipping nail polish on her fingertips. Low music filters through the speakers, but it’s not enough to fill the growing silence between them. Looking around the space, she sees couples dancing, talking, and laughing.
Unburdening themselves.
Which is what she came here to do, not sit here in uncomfortable silence with her estranged cousin. So,fuck this, she thinks.
“Teryn—”
“Jahlani—”
They both meet each other’s eyes and Teryn gestures for her to continue.
Jahlani sighs, straightening in the booth. “Look, I’m sorry about everything. I feel terrible about not reaching out.”
Jahlani’s mind floats to four years ago, when she finally left. She didn’t tell anyone that she had no intention of returning. It would only take her two years, she told them.
Teryn tilts her head. “Did we do something to you all those years ago?”
Jahlani thinks about how she wishes she had the ability to go back in time. If she could, she knows that this is something she would do over in a heartbeat. She would learn to open her mouth and speak up. To communicate.
To let Teryn know that she was having a hard time with her parents and didn’t know how to do anythingbutleave.
Jahlani shakes her head. “No, God no. It’s complicated. It’s mostly to do with my parents and everything that happened after my dad left.” She extends her hand across the table, her fingers trembling slightly as she clutches Teryn’s tattooed wrist. She looks into the dark tint of her eyes. “You did nothing wrong.”
Teryn hesitates, then slowly folds her hand into Jahlani’s, offering a small, watery smile. “Damn, I wanted to stay mad at you for longer.”
A quiet laugh escapes Jahlani, but the moment lingers.
Teryn shakes her head softly. “I could have reached out too, you know? The phone works both ways, so I’m sorry. Wow, I’venevercried in a bar before.” She waves a hand over her face, blowing out her cheeks. Jahlani laughs, handing her a napkin.
Jahlani slides out from her side, then moves to wrap her arms around Teryn, a gentle vanilla scent emanating from her.
A deep voice laughs from the side. “You’re hugging. I knew my trap would work.”
Teryn rolls her eyes as they unwind from one another. Jahlani arches a brow at the three shot glasses in Trent's hand before reaching out to grab one.
“To family,” Trent says.
“To family,” Jahlani and Teryn echo as their glasses clink, and they tip their heads back to drink.
