CHAPTER 1
BALI
“Maui built a beautiful ass house,” Carter said as he scanned the open floor plan.
I nodded slightly. “It’s very beautiful. I’m so proud of her.”
Carter slid his arms around me from behind and kissed my neck. “You know you gon’ have to let this shit go with Noni. I don’t like you being depressed and angry all the time, baby. She’ll figure out what’s best for her, just like Maui did with Mythic. Y’all were all against her being with him, but he proved y’all wrong. Now, y’all see everything she saw in him, hell even me, and that’s my brother.”
I stepped out of his embrace and left him standing there. This wasn’t the place for all that sensitive shit. We could talk about that later at my house. I glanced back at him to see him watching me with a tight smile on his lips. Making my way to the back door, I couldn’t help but be thankful for Carter. He understood me more than anyone. Sometimes, I thought he even understood me better than Noni these days.
He was right. I was going to have to let go, but that shit was hard as fuck. We were dating best friends. Eventually, us not getting along could affect their friendship. I didn’t want to seeNoni sacrifice who she was for a nigga. This shit was so shocking to me. She was the last person I expected to allow a man to control her.
Before I could open the door to get to the patio, my daddy opened it for me. I gave him a tight smile. “Thanks, Daddy.”
“Mm-hmm.”
I walked through the door and noticed he’d followed me out. Desperately needing a minute to calm down and get myself together, I said, “Daddy?—”
“Naw. I don’t have to say shit, because I done said everything I need to say. I don’t give a fuck about what you feel is right or wrong. Y’all are damn near twenty-seven years old. Being twins doesn’t mean y’all have to do everything the same way. Maturity takes on different forms, and sometimes, experiences influence who we become. Noni has always followed your lead. Let her find her identity outside of you.”
I rolled my eyes. She wasn’t finding her fucking identity. She was kissing Red’s ass. I expected shit like that from Maui, but not from her. She was changing for him. Seeing her humble herself like this was blowing me. If he wanted a humble bitch, she should have let his ass go find one.
“You can roll your eyes if you want. If that shit ain’t meant to be, Noni will let it go. She may be compromising for him, but she ain’t gon’ put up with bullshit. She still the same mean ass she’s always been. She’s just softer for him. Ain’t shit wrong with that, baby.”
I wasnotfinna sit here and tell all her business, especially not to Daddy Mayor. She was the only one compromising. She was letting that nigga walk all over her. That shit was blowing me. I was my sister’s keeper. I always had her back, but I also let her know what the fucking deal was when her intuition was off. We were not in the days where women allowed men to belittlethem and treat them like servants and sex slaves.Because fuck that shit.
I turned to head back inside, but Daddy grabbed my arm. My frown matched his, but I could feel the moisture in my eyes. That was a fucking no-no. He released his grip as he stared into my eyes. When those fools inside cranked up “Help Me Find My Drawls,” I took a deep breath and slowly shook my head. Daddy smiled slightly and pulled me in his arms.
I hugged him briefly, then pulled away and went back inside to find Carter’s eyes on me. I made my way to him, and he extended his hand. He loved this fucking song. It got on my damn nerves. Still, I enjoyed it with him.Thatwas a fucking compromise. When I got to his arms, he hugged me tightly and kissed my forehead. Carter was so perfect.
I took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly, accepting the love he freely gave. Daddy Mayor was right, just like Carter was. However, Carter knew how demanding Red Squared could be. He was more concerned withmyemotions. He didn’t want me to stress myself out, especially if Noni was pushing against me. Everyone else thought I was bullying Noni. They just didn’t know that nigga like we did.
Mr. Red was hotheaded, too, so I’d heard from Daddy Mayor, but I didn’t think he was as bad as Red Squared was. Mrs. Shana didn’t look like the type to put up with that kind of shit. Then again, Noni wasn’t the type either. She surprised the fuck out of me. I lowered my forehead to his shoulder, although the song wasn’t really the type of song for emotional slow dancing.
Everyone else was swinging out and somewhat zydeco-ing, but I just wasn’t in the mood. Carter wrapped his arms tighter around me, causing our bodies to heat up. He kissed my ear, and said, “I got’chu, baby. Whatever you need from me, I got’chu. I love you, Bali.”
I lifted my head and gave him a tight smile. “I love you, too.”
I pulled away from him and grabbed his hand. I hated people seeing me in a sensitive state. Although they were my family, I didn’t feel comfortable being bare in front of them. Only a few people had ever seen me this way outside of my immediate family. Ashanni, Milana, Rylan, and Ace. However, Carter had become my safe space.
As I headed to the door, Maui caught up with me and hugged me tightly. I took a deep breath as I hugged her back. “You’re leaving already?”
“Obviously. I’m not in the mood.”
She glanced back, causing me to do the same, and I saw Noni and Red Squared dancing. She loved to dance. She looked so happy. Maybe I needed to just let her fuck around and find out. Turning away from Maui, I pulled Carter with me and walked out.
“Bali, wait.”
I rolled my eyes and huffed loudly as Carter gently rubbed my back in a soothing manner. “What, Maui?”
“I just hate to see you like this.”
“And that’s why I’m leaving. I hate to be seen like this. Now, bye.”
I walked away, leaving her standing there, as Ace drove up, bumping that new Z-Ro. I swore my family swore by that nigga when it came to rap. When Daddy Mayor got him to come for our party, my aunts and uncles were having a whole fit.
As Carter opened the door to my car, he turned and kissed my lips. “Are we going to your place?”
