The last fifteen minutes of the drive were long, silent, and tense. I could feel the heat radiating off her body. When we made it into the yard, I parked and turned to her, but she quickly unclicked her seatbelt and hopped out. So, I did the same and trailed behind her. I was so close that she stumbled up the steps, and that was when she finally snapped.
Spinning around, she pushed me in the chest, making me fall down a step. “Leave me alone, Lyrix. I’m not in the mood to talk right now.”
She made her way up on the porch, but I ran around her to stop her from going inside. The fire in her eyes didn’t move me, because I knew what I saw bubbling beneath was from a deeper source. “Nah, we gon’ talk now. What’s on your mind?”
Her chest heaved up and down for a minute before she let me have it. “Why the fuck would you do that, Lyrix? The boys have been worried sick about you, and so have me and your mama. You know how Drey is! But, no, you had to take matters into your own hands.” Tears began to spill down her cheeks. I took a step forward, ready to wipe them away, but she wouldn’t allow me to. “No, don’t touch me. I couldn’t sleep a lick, knowing youwere locked in there, and there was nothing I could do. You’re in this situation because of me.”
I shook my head. “Nah, I’m in this shit because of me. You’re right. I knew the nigga was going to press charges, but he deserved it. You don’t always have to agree with my decisions, Grai, but when it comes to you and my boys, I am always going to protect and defend y’all.”
I tried to walk to her again, but once again, she stepped away. I sighed, allowing my shoulders to fall. “Bubbles . . .” She ignored me, turning to give me her back and look out at the trees in the distance. I used the opportunity to ease up behind her. “I hate seeing you upset, but anything could’ve happened to the boys, and then he had the nerve to be sitting in the lobby, bitchin’ about his fucking car. That shit ate me up, Bubbles. I had no choice but to do what I did. I’m willing to accept the consequences.”
Her shoulders shuddered seconds before she spun around to face me. “And what about us? What are we supposed to do without you here? Your decisions are not just yours to carry. They impact me and the boys you claim to love so much. What about us, Poppa? We need you. I need you.” Her voice trembled at the end. She shook her head and held up a hand. “I . . . I can’t.”
Without another word or backward glance, she marched around me and into the house. “Fuck!” I cursed as her words sank into my spirit. Every one of them was eating me up because she was right. I was ready to accept my consequences, but I hadn’t considered how my actions would impact them.
I took a seat in one of the rocking chairs and studied the sky. Our lives were already entangled, and I’d made things a little more difficult. I didn’t think I’d fucked up until I saw the sadness in Grai’s eyes. She was truly afraid I would have to be away from them. Until the moment she asked me what about them, I hadn’tconsidered the weight of my choice, but now it was all I could feel pressing down on my shoulders.
Chapter 14
Grai
Now that Poppa was home, my muscles finally began to uncoil under the stream of hot water, but there was still a little tension because we still weren’t talking. Well, . . . I wasn’t talking to him. He’d been trying ever since I blew up on him Monday, but I was embarrassed about the way I behaved when he came home. My emotions got the best of me, and I revealed my truth. Today was Wednesday, and I missed him like crazy.
Since we lived in the same home, and he was currently on house arrest, I saw him, could smell his intoxicating amber scent lingering in every room I entered, almost like it sat there, waiting for the opportunity to overwhelm me. I’d rush out of one room, just to walk into another and be confronted by the same drug. At this point, it was becoming impossible to ignore him.
My anger had subsided sometime after he came home. Now, I was mostly worried about what would happen next. He was only allowed to go to limited places right now and had a curfew for being in the house. Since he ran his own business, he was okay to miss work, but I hated that his life was on pause because of who I decided to have children with.
I mean, I understood why Poppa did what he did. I knew the kind of man he was. When it came to the people he loved, he would swing first and ask questions never. If he even got a whiff that something wasn’t right with me, he would have that Raptor in the wind. I know he’d left plenty of tire marks around the city to come see about me.
Thinking about it really got me in my feelings. If Poppa had to serve time, we would be devastated without him. He was our anchor, the beacon of light we could flee to when the world grew too dark. The thought of him being away from us made my heart race. That was what had me so worked up. Our lives were so entangled that his absence would be felt. My boys couldn’t afford to lose the only positive male role model they had.
I finished up my shower with heavy thoughts. Stepping out, I slipped into my plush robe and walked over to the sink. I paused when I saw the cream linen paper folded nicely on the counter. It sat inside a box on top of a bed of pressed lavender springs. I bypassed the letter to reach for the lavender. Inhaling the scent, I allowed my eyes to close, instantly sending a wave of serenity through my body.
After I’d had my fill of peace, my curiosity urged me to open the letter. The parchment was very thick and textured. I placed the lavender down to open the letter. I tucked my bottom lip, allowing my eyes to peruse the fancy and inky script.
To My Lady Grai,
Let me make things right. Saturday night when the sun kisses the skyline goodnight meet me in the meadow. Wear something silk and you won’t need shoes because I’m going to bring you back down to earth where you belong with me.
Yours Always,
Lyrix
I must’ve read the letter ten times before pressing it into my chest. I began to feel this tickle of sunshine at the back of mybrain. The letter was so cute and Bridgerton coded that I was so giddy I raced out of the bathroom to grab my phone.
I called my sisters on a group FaceTime and propped the phone up. Toni answered first, surrounded by darkness, even though it was midday.
“Hey, sis,” she whispered seconds before coughing uncontrollably.
I frowned. “Um, are you okay?”
Before she could respond, Kemani popped up on the call. She had the phone propped up where we had the most perfect view of our little niece, who was nearly finished baking in there. My sister looked completely over it, and I couldn’t blame her. I remembered how tiresome those last few weeks were for me with both boys.
After Toni cleared her airways, she spoke softly. “Yeah, I’m good. Wassup?”
The biggest smile appeared on my face as I lifted the letter into the camera. “I’m pretty sure Poppa asked me out on a date.”
Mani shrieked as she sat up excitedly. “What? Tell me more.”
