“Remember, you don’t need to fight their mess. Keep your peace.”
I smiled, feeling a little lighter. “Got it. I’ll call you tomorrow. Thanks.”
I hung up and stared at the quiet neighborhood. My heartbeat had slowed from the initial rush of anxiety, and I realized how much I’d been holding myself tight all evening.
I let the cool breeze wash over me, and I allowed myself to reflect and recognize that even though this situation was messy, I had choices. I could step into the situation grounded, steady, and clear-headed. I could show up for my family withoutletting the toxicity of two people define the night. And most importantly, I had Ocean by my side.
I smiled softly.
Whatever happened inside, I was ready. I could handle it.
32
OCEAN
The minute Skye walked outside, I felt the shift.
That silence that wasn’t really silence. Just heavy air, everybody trying to act normal, forks scraping plates.
I was sitting at the table doing my best to keep my cool, but my focus was split between the front door where Skye had disappeared and her mother sitting across from me, giving me alook.
She didn’t say anything for a second, just wiped her mouth with a napkin, eyes steady on me. Then?—
“So, Ocean...” she started, her tone casual. “When we met, did I tell you how much I like your name?”
I cracked a half-smile. “Not directly, but I got the feeling that you did.”
“It makes you sound mysterious.”
“Yeah, my mom chose it. She said she wanted me to have calm energy. I’m still working on that part though.”
She chuckled. “So, where do things stand with you and my daughter? What exactly is...this?”
I leaned back, knowing that was coming. “We’re figuring it out,” I said, honestly. It was clear she wasn’t buying us just beingfriends. “I’m respecting whatever pace she wants to go at. But just so we’re clear, I’m not toying with her in any way.”
Her eyebrow raised. “You sure? Because Skye’s been through her fair share of?—”
“I’m well aware,” I cut in gently. “That’s why I move careful with her. I’m not trying to hurt her.”
The table got quiet. Even Kory, who’d been pretending to scroll his phone like he wasn’t eavesdropping, finally looked up. I could feel his smirk before I even saw it.
“Is something funny?” I asked.
“Yeah,you,” he said, chuckling. “Niggas kill me with all that poetic shit. Every man says he’s not trying to hurt a woman when he’s trying to get some.”
Her mother’s lips pressed tight, but I stayed calm, reminding myself what type of shit I was supposed to be on.
“Nah,” I said slowly, meeting his eyes. “You must got me confused with yourself.”
His smirk faded, just a little. “You don’t even know me.”
“Trust me, I know enough.”
He laughed, leaning back in his chair. “You really think you know everything based off of some bullshit Skye told you? She got you walking in here like you running something. But you not running shit. You inmyhouse. Let’s keep that clear.”
Before Skye’s mother could step in, I was already standing.
“First off,” I said quietly, “watch your tone when you talk to me. Second, don’t ever get it twisted. I don’t need to run nobody’s house to recognize disrespect when I hear it.”
