Page 40 of And It’s Still You

Not one of them protested. Shea came over, kissed my cheek, and gave me a knowing look. He wanted me to behave, but I wasn’t about to let Wednesday talk to me out the side of her neck. I didn’t care who she was or where we were. She had me fucked up.

Once the men were out back with the kids, Angela went back over to the stove before speaking, “Now, Wednesday. Whatever animosity or problem you have with Moya, tell her, and do it respectfully. Both of you are strong women, and I’d hate to kick y’all out for acting a fool in my house.”

I decided to take a seat at the table and give her my undivided attention. With my leg crossed and my hands over my knees, I encouraged her, “I’m listening.”

For a moment, she didn’t say anything. Wednesday looked at August, who gave her a reassuring nod.

“In my eyes, when you divorced O, you divorced us as well. I don’t think you understand how hurt my brother was, Moya. To see him beside himself, crying every day, that shit broke me. It changed how I felt toward you because I never thought you’d intentionally inflict that type of pain on him. Anyone with eyes could see how much he loved and adored you. Was he perfect? No, what person is? It’s just . . . We grew up seeing what Onyx did to O, how he molded him into JMG. Do you really think it was that easy for him to just walk away when you wanted him to? Do you think he was really choosing it over you?”

“I do,” I responded with haste. “I understand where you’re coming from, Wednesday. I do, but you weren’t married to him. You weren’t living with him. You weren’t there for our conversations, the broken promises, none of it. You were simply an outsider looking in. What Shea and I went through affected me as well. It wasn’t like I immediately moved on with my life, because I didn’t. My life drastically changed without him. He wasn’t the only one crying every day. Do you truly think that was an easy decision for me to make? Do you know how hard it was, knowing I hurt the man I loved more than anything in the world to choose myself? Neither of us were perfect in the situation, Wednesday.”

I swiped at my tears before they could fall. While I understood where Wednesday was coming from, she needed to understand me as well. It was no secret that she and August were protective of Shea. He was the baby, the only boy, so their protectiveness was natural. What I didn’t appreciate was her assuming that I wasn’t hurt or that I didn’t care. She obviously thought I didn’t understand why it was tough for Shea to leave JMG. I’d be honest and say at first, I didn’t, which was why we were divorced, but with time and communication, I did.

Wednesday expelled a sigh. “I’m not saying that O was perfect, because there were times August and I tried pushing him out of JMG as well to save y’all. I guess I was upset because I didn’t see things from your point of view. All I saw was my brother hurt, and that shit angered me.”

“It did me too.” August chimed in. “I didn’t let it blind me from Moya’s standpoint, though. As a woman, I understand why she did what she did. No woman ever wants to feel like they’re begging a man for something, especially when it’s like he’s not listening. We can all stand here and agree that O should’ve fought harder for his marriage and that he waited too late to change, but we can’t dwell on it. We can’t hold it against him, because at the end of the day, our brother is truly a great man. While I love my daddy through and through, Onyx ain’t shit.”

Angela held her hand up. “I can testify to that.”

We all started laughing, and for some reason, the men trickled back into the kitchen. Each man took a place at their woman’s side. Even Angela’s husband joined us. Shea sat down next to me and scooted his chair close. He held his hand out, and I eagerly took it.

“You good, Love?”

“Now that you’re here, yes.”

All eyes were on us. I could feel them, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Shea. That uneasy feeling from earlier appeared. Negative thoughts were trying to take over. I shook them off and reminded myself that Shea and I wouldn’t have reconnected if it wasn’t God’s will.

“Moya?” Wednesday called out to me, and I looked over at her. She twiddled with her fingers and said, “I apologize for being a bitch over the years and today. I should’ve just talked to you about it all, but you know how I ride for my brother. Still, it doesn’t excuse the way I’ve treated you, and for that, I’m sorry.”

“It’s all good, Wednesday. Seriously. I know if I had a brother, I’d be the same way about him. Thank you for your apology. I would apologize for how I came at you, but I was returning what was given.”

Wednesday snickered. “Touché.”

“So, is everyone good now?” Angela questioned, pointing her spatula at us.

“We are,” Wednesday and I agreed in unison.

After that, the rest of the day was lovely. We all talked, laughed, ate, and caught up on life. Being around them made me realize how much I missed them, how I missed being connected to the people who loved Shea the most. The smile on his face seemed permanent. All throughout the day, he would show random actions of affection. Whether it was holding my hand or resting his on my thigh, Shea had easily fallen back into his old ways and couldn’t go long without touching me.

I loved it.

His touch was safe and warm, just like home.

As the night was coming to an end, Angela kicked all the adults out and kept the children. Shea let her know someone would be watching the house so she wouldn’t be alarmed if she looked out the window. She reminded him she used to be married to Onyx and knew the protocol.

We parted ways with his sisters, and surprisingly, Wednesday embraced me and apologized again. It was heartfelt, and I appreciated it.

The drive back to Shea’s house was quick, but I ended up dozing off. Between the wine and good food, I was ready to climb inside his king-sized bed and knock out. I had a long day of work tomorrow. Thankfully, Shea had let me completely take over his office. I’d moved some things around to get comfortable. I was working on our second biggest account, and it was taking me longer to go over everything than I wanted it to.

“Shea!” I squealed when I felt him lift me out of his truck. With my arms wrapped around his neck and my face buried into his it, I allowed him to carry me inside bridal style. I thought he’d drop me at the door, but he carried me all the way up the steps and to his room.

“I’m going to run you a bath, Love.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I want to.”

“Are you going to get in with me?”