He was hungry…hungry to build his own shit…hungry to take his career back…hungry to prove he could stand on his own without a single person trying to polish him down to who or what they thought he should be.
His heart cracked through his ribs just enough to remind himself,I been him…before y’all… without y’all.
Slowly, Zaire leaned back in the chair, his chest rising with a deep inhale, relieved.
He didn’t care about Ertan’s threat.
He cared about the freedom he finally felt.
Zaire sat in the same spot for a little, just letting his pulse settle. When he finally picked his phone back up, his thumb hovered over the recent calls.
He didn’t want to think about Ertan no more. He scrolled instead until he found the name he was looking for. He sent True a simple text, letting him know everything was on go.
Once Zaire gothis head straight and knocked out the calls he needed to make, he cut across the yard toward the main house. Ray had the grill smoking, Magnolia was rocking gently in her chair, and Meadow was curled up on the porch swing with a cup of sweet tea like she’d finally sat down for the first time all week.
Music played low from her speaker, some old-school R&B that made the air feel softer than it was.
Ray glanced back when he heard the footsteps on the gravel. “Aye, Zaire. Grab a plate. Food almost done.”
Meadow looked up, eyes lighting before she caught herself. “Oh…you decided to come outside?”
Zaire smirked. “You miss me?”
“Not even a little.”
“Lying ass,” he whispered for her ears only.
She rolled her eyes, but slid over on the swing to make space for him. He sat beside her, his scent overpowering the smell of the grill.
Magnolia smiled when she saw him. “Evenin’ baby.”
“Evening ma’am,” he replied, leaning over to kiss the top of her hand.
Meadow watched with a sad smile on her face. Today was a good day for Magnolia. She had a clear mind and even recognized everyone. That was always a win in Meadow’s book.
“You good?” Zaire looked over at Meadow, reading her face before she replied.
“Yeah,” she said, stretching her legs out. “Kids wore me out today.”
“Did you make them pick the balls up before they left?” He knew that Meadow was a softie sometimes and let them run to their parents before they cleaned up what they messed up.
“Don’t start with me, Mr. Cooks.”
“I told you I would come if I wrapped up my business in time.”
She nodded, sipping her tea. “I know.”
Zaire leaned back. “You look tired.”
“I am,” she admitted, “feels like I been running all day.”
He nudged her knee with his. “Come lean on me, then.”
She looked at him sideways. “Don’t start.”
“I ain’t startin’…I’m suggestin’.” He put his hands up like she was sticking him up.
Meadow sighed like she was annoyed but rested her shoulder against him anyway. His arm slid behind her. Her body answered before her mouth did.
