“I get it,” she said, nodding. “But you’re back. Like, not disappearing on her or us?”
“I’m back.”
“Good. I know Yale gave you hell when she saw you,” she laughed. “But you deserve it for sending her away like that. And then there’s--”
“I ain’t seen her yet,” I said, cutting her off, then wiping my hand over my mouth.
Xoey pushed my arm off her shoulder, turned to face me, and slowly blinked. “You haven’t seen her since she’s been back?” she asked slowly, and I shook my head. “Like at all?”
“No,” I replied. “Well, I thought I saw her one day at the hospital last week, but by the time I parked, got out, and wentto look for her, she wasn’t there. I asked the security guard who was posted in the front about it, but his old ass pointed to some woman at the food court.”
“You haven’t seen her?” she repeated her question with a laugh.
“Nah, but I’m looking for her. I know she’s here.”
“Oh, baby, I gotta go find Legacy and Mercy,” she said, looking around. “Let me find them before you find her because this is about to be a show.”
“It’s not going to be that bad,” I lied. I already knew that Yale was about to give me hell for the shit I did to her. I was prepared for it, though. I was about to beg and plead for her forgiveness, and I knew she wasn’t going to give it to me.
“Yes, it is,” she replied. She took her phone from her purse and started typing. “I’m texting Legacy and Mercy right now to meet me out front so we can see this shit show that’s about to go down.”
“Damn, you don’t have any faith in me, huh?”
“Hell no!” she laughed. “I have none.” She shook her head. “I’m going to find my friends so we can laugh at your misery.”
“Damn, Plus Twelve, that’s cold.”
“That’s life, Amethyst.” She patted my cheek. “Now let me go find my friends so we can enjoy this show together.”
Xoey left me standing in the middle of the hallway, and all I could do was laugh. I took two more laps around the reception hall before deciding to hit up the family group chat.
On my way out, I texted the family group chat to ask if anyone had eyes on Yale.
Me: Y’all seen Sunshine?
Pop: We’re not about to do the work for you dumb ass. You fucked up, ignored her for months, and now you’re chasing behind her.
Me: A simple yes or no would do, Pop.
Pop: Life ain’t simple, Amethyst.
Mama: She’s outside.
Me: Appreciate you, favorite parent.
I looked up to see the front door closing, then put my phone in my pocket. I fixed my clothes and then headed to the front door. The warm night air hit me, and I licked my lips as I looked around. There were a lot of people outside. I saw my brother and Fable at the bottom of the steps talking. Xoey, Mercy, and Legacy sat in the middle of the steps talking. KO, Vine, Yamari, and Yale were on the other side of the steps, closer to the bushes, talking. Her back was to me, but I could tell from the way her head fell back that she was laughing at something one of them said. Morning was down from them with Destyn and Ki playing around him.
I crossed my arms over my chest and watched her. I was about to barge my way back into her life, and so I was giving her a minute of peace. She deserved that much. I wasn’t above saying my actions were fucked up, but I did it to protect her.
A black truck pulled up, and I turned my attention to seeing the Blackmons get out of the car. Purpose went to talk to Corinthians and Four, who were standing by Four’s car, talking. At the same time, Gift was approached by Xoey. I could see the interest in her eyes from where I stood. Another car slowlyapproached the group, and something made the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
The windows on the passenger side of the car went down, and I heard the shots before I saw the guns. It felt like I was moving in slow motion to get to Yale.
“Sunshine!” I yelled as I rushed to her.
Screams echoed through the air along with the smell of gunpowder, then the metallic scent of blood. I got to Yale and shielded her with my body. Once the shooting stopped, I quickly stood and then pulled Yale up.
“Are you okay?” I started looking her over. I started with her face, then moved to her shoulders and arms, and my eyes landed on her stomach. “You’re, you’re pregnant?” My hands went to her stomach, but Yale stepped back, shaking her head.
