Page 126 of Addicted

We headed downstairs, where Brady had already prepared breakfast. Scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, fresh fruit, and toast.

Ish was sitting at the kitchen island, finishing up his plate.

“Morning,” he said, looking up at us.

“Morning, lil’ nigga,” Stone said, sitting down next to him.

I sat on Stone’s other side, and Brady set a plate in front of me.

“Thank you, Brady,” I said.

“Of course, Indie,” he said with a warm smile.

We ate in comfortable silence, the only sound the clinking of forks against plates. When Ish finished, he stood up and grabbed his backpack.

“Aight, I’m out,” he said. “See y’all later.”

“Have a good day at school,” I said.

“Be safe,” Stone added.

Ish nodded and headed out the front door. A few minutes later, Stone and I finished eating. He stood up and held out his hand.

“Come on,” he said.

I took his hand, and he led me outside, his other hand resting at the small of my back. The black SUV was already waiting in the driveway, Javion behind the wheel and Troy in the passenger seat.

Stone opened the back door for me, and I climbed inside. He slid in next to me, and Javion pulled out of the driveway.

***

The drive to LA was long.

Stone and I didn’t talk much. He just sat there with his hand on my thigh, his thumb rubbing slow circles against my skin. It was comforting, grounding me in the moment.

Javion was playing some song by Mozzy—everyone knew that was Stone’s favorite artist.

I leaned my head against Stone’s shoulder, my eyes drifting closed. I felt safe, protected, and most of all, loved.

Eventually, we pulled up to the crash pad. Stone kissed me deeply, his hand cupping my face.

“Have fun with Aurora,” he said.

“I will,” I said, smiling.

“I love you,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.

“I love you too,” I said.

He kissed me one more time, then climbed out of the SUV and walked over to grab one of the cars he kept there. As the SUV pulled away, I reached for my phone and called Aurora. She answered on the second ring.

“Bitch, where you at?” she said, her voice excited.

I laughed. “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in like twenty minutes.”

“Okay, good! I’m so excited. We haven’t hung out since St. John.”

“I know,” I said. “I missed you.”