Page 101 of Addicted

This was going to make Indie happy and making her happy was all I cared about right now.

I walked inside and immediately heard voices coming from the dining room. Indie and Ish. They were already eating.

I made my way down the hall and stepped into the dining room to find them sitting at the table, plates full of the meal Brady had prepared.

Indie saw me enter, her face lighting up with a smile that made me smile right back. She was wearing a simple outfit. Black shorts and an oversized cream-colored sweater that hung off one shoulder, showing smooth brown skin. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, a few curls framing her face. She looked beautiful. She always looked beautiful.

“Hey, baby,” she said, her voice warm.

“What’s good,” I said, walking over to Ish first.

I dapped him up, and he returned it with a grin.

“What’s up, Stone.”

“You good?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just telling Indie about this project we got in history class.”

I nodded, then turned to Indie.

She was still sitting in her chair, looking up at me with those big brown eyes. I reached down, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her up out of her seat.

“Stone—” she started, but I cut her off by pressingmy lips to hers.

The kiss was deep. Possessive. Full of everything I felt for her. When I pulled back, she was breathless, her cheeks flushed.

“Damn, man,” Ish groaned from his seat. “Y’all gotta do that every time?”

I glanced at him and saw the little smile on his face despite his complaint. He was used to it by now. I smirked and let Indie sit back down, then took my seat at the head of the table.

Brady had outdone himself tonight with tomahawk steak, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and fresh rolls.

I grabbed my fork and started eating while Ish picked up where he left off, talking about his history project.

“So, we gotta do this whole presentation on the Civil Rights Movement,” Ish said. “Me and my partner are doing ours on Malcolm X.”

“That’s dope,” Indie said, nodding. “Malcolm X was a real one.”

“Facts,” Ish agreed. “I’m excited about it. My partner’s cool too. We been working on it after school.”

I listened, chewing my food, watching the two of them interact. This was what I’d given them: stability, safety... a home.

Ish was thriving at his new school, and Indie was finally able to relax without worrying about bills or keeping a roof over their heads. I’d taken care of all that. Seeing them so happy, comfortable, and at ease made everything worth it.

“What about you, Indie?” I asked, cutting into my steak. “You been working on any new designs?”

Her face lit up.

“Yeah, actually. I’ve been sketching some new pieces. I’m thinking about doing a whole collection inspired by old Hollywood glamour. Like, think Dorothy Dandridge and Eartha Kitt, but with a modern twist.”

I nodded, watching her talk with her hands, her excitement palpable. She’d been spending more time in that design room I’d set up for her. Finally pursuing the dream she’d put on hold for so long.

“That sounds nice, baby,” I said. “You gon’ let me see when you done?”

“Of course,” she said, smiling. “You’re my biggest supporter.”

Ish snorted. “More like yo’ sugar daddy.”