“Did she rob you?”
“No.”
“Did she send them after you?”
“Nah, she didn’t know they were coming that night.”
“Seems like the girl’s worst mistake wasn’t wanting you hurt; it was waiting too long to tell the truth.”
“So we just letting her off the hook now? That’s not street code.”
“That’s where you’re confusing shit, Son.” Pops shook his head. “Ain’t no street code when it comes to love.” His eyes found mine. “Don’t confuse a bad decision with a bad person.”
I sat there, staring at the floor. I’d spent so much time focused on surviving what happened between us, I neverstopped to think about what came next. I used to think that if I ever saw Lyrius again, I’d finally get the closure I’d spent five years chasing. It turned out surviving something and rebuilding after it weren’t the same thing. Because sitting there, listening to Pops, I realized I wasn’t looking for closure anymore. I was trying to figure out if Lyrius and I still had something worth rebuilding.
“She’s tied to the worst day of my life, Pops. How do I get past that?”
“She’s also tied to one of the best.” Pops patted me on the shoulder, and I already knew he was talking about Dakoda. “Your son.”
“You found out you had a son by Lyrius and moved cities in a day,” Jaylen added. “That’s not normal shit, and I don’t think that was only about Dakoda.”
“He got a point.” Pops laughed as the gym doors opened before I could argue. All our heads turned, and as if we’d spoken her up, Lyrius walked inside carrying a takeout bag in one hand and a red folder in the other.
“Well.” Jaylen slapped his thighs. “I’ma see myself out before you put us out.” He started walking toward the exit, and Pops followed.
“Same here. I done worked up an appetite whupping yo’ ass all morning.” Pops stopped when he reached Lyrius. “Hey, baby. It’s good seeing you.”
“Hey, Pops.” She waved shyly, and he pulled her into a quick hug.
I watched Pops hug Lyrius the same way he always had, as if nothing had changed. Hell, maybe I was the only one still trying to figure out what to do with the past.
“Now listen . . .” Pops stared at her. “I know you better bring my grandson to see me.”
“I will.” Lyrius laughed.
“I get keeping him away from this knucklehead.” He pointed at me, and I shook my head at the betrayal. “But me?”
“I’m sorry, Pops.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just bring my grandson.” He kissed the top of her head before heading out the door.
“Tell my nephew his favorite uncle said what’s up.” Jaylen stopped next to her.
“You’re his only uncle, Jaylen.” Lyrius rolled her eyes.
“Same difference.” Jaylen grinned before pointing at me. “Figure it out,” he said before disappearing out the gym. A few seconds later, it was just Lyrius and me.
“I brought lunch.” She held up the takeout bag and then the folder. “And paperwork.” I groaned immediately. Was she still on that shit?
“Are you gonna come out of the ring?”
“Nah.” I grabbed the blanket we’d left folded in the corner and tossed it onto the canvas. “You can come in.”
Lyrius made her way to me and climbed through the ropes, putting all her ass on display as she bent over. She barely got into the ring good before the smell of lemon pepper hit me, and I knew what she had in the takeout bag.
“You still like lemon pepper wings, right?” She handed me a container as she sat across from me.
“They my favorite.” I looked inside the container.
