“He seems to think so?—”
“You do,” Marcellus said, cutting her off.
Cashmere shook her head and just let it rock. It seemed like everyone knew she was in a relationship but her.
“Which means y’all need to talk about things like a normal couple, including you getting him reassigned on a job that’s his,” Cassydie said.
“But he works for me,” Cashmere argued.
“He works for me, sis,” Marcellus said.
Cashmere gaped at him. “Fine, but?—”
“Ain’t no buts, Cash. You was wrong,” Cassydie said. Cashmere sat there deep in thought. Had she really been in the wrong? She had only done what she thought was best for her sister. It was what she always did. Breaking that habit had never been an option because it had always been just her and Ivoree.As if reading her thoughts, Cassydie said, “Ivoree is a grown ass woman, and she needs to hear no from time to time.”
Cashmere’s brows dipped. Irritation flared within her. “I don’t think you understand the fact that she was always told no. Up until I met you and started making some actual money, it wasalwaysno because I didn’t have anything to offer her to say yes, so forgive me for spoiling her, even at her big ass, grown ass age.”
“You mean to tell me you ain’t spoil her, even when you ain’t have a pot to piss in? And don’t lie to me, Cash. I know you. I’ve seen how you move in all situations. It’s why I worked so fuckin’ hard to put you on with the council. You have heart. You know how to sacrifice. You put everything and everyone ahead of yourself. It ain’t shit you can say to convince me that you ain’t spoil the fuck out of Ivoree, even when you ain’t have a penny to your name.” Cassydie glared at Cashmere stubbornly. Cashmere glared right back, but she felt her defenses slipping.
Hadn’t she just thought about how she would always sacrifice the best parts of their shitty life so Ivoree could have more? All the food they got went to Ivoree, while Cashmere got crumbs. The warmth of a blanket and the last of the soap or hot water . . .
Had she ignored her own needs and spoiled Ivoree to the point of no return? She tried to shake the thoughts from her head, but they wouldn’t stop. Ivoree got ahead in life because of Cashmere. She knew struggle, but not like Cashmere did. Cashmere knew struggle and sacrifice. Cashmere understood the depths of unconditional love, but she had never known someone to feel that way about her . . . until she met Savio.
Her mind flashed to the way he always shared his food with her or made sure she was comfortable. His forehead kisses secured her. His careful eye made her feel safe. For the first time in her life, she felt like she could turn her brain off when she was in his presence and simply exist. And how did she repay him?By putting her sister first. There wasn’t a lifetime where Ivoree wouldn’t have her heart, but maybe everyone was right. Maybe it was time she let Ivoree go a little bit and start putting her own needs and Savio’s needs at the forefront.
Cashmere had been so lost in her thought that she hadn’t noticed the new presences step into the room.
“Yo, Cash. Sup?” Tato said.
Cashmere glanced up at him, and a genuine smile graced her face. Every time she saw the boy, he grew more.
“Hey, baby,” she said as she rose to give him a hug.
Her smile fell when she stepped away from him and noticed Twizz in the entryway of the living room.
“What’s he doin’ here?” Cashmere asked as she glanced back at Marcellus.
Marcellus shrugged. “He’s on Tato’s detail for now until we can get him reassigned.”
Twizz gripped the back of his neck and looked at Marcellus. “I was about to head out for the day. Same time tomorrow?”
“That works. Good work today,” Marcellus said.
Cashmere huffed. “Look, I’m gonna head out too.”
“Can’t handle the truth?” Cassydie giggled.
Cashmere stuck her middle finger up at her. “Fuck you. No, for your information, I’m tired.”
“Right.” Cassydie smirked knowingly.
Damn her,Cashmere thought.
The real truth was that she wanted to catch Twizz so she could talk to him. She knew Savio didn’t want her to speak to him, but this was one thing she felt in her heart she needed to do.
She quickly said her goodbyes as Twizz walked toward the front door. After kissing Cassydie on the cheek and promising to call her after her attitude died down, she rushed toward the front door. As soon as she stepped outside, she scanned the driveway and noticed her new head of security wasn’t there. She frowned.Honestly, the nigga had been trash since the moment he started a few days ago. She chalked it up to being used to Savio and him always going above and beyond to secure her safety, but now that she didn’t see him at all, she knew she had been wrong in giving him the benefit of the doubt.
She spotted Twizz getting into his truck and called out to him. “Twizz, wait up!”
