Page 50

Ok

I sat in the closest chair and nodded for Chase to do the same. I demanded that he tell me everything, and he did. He explained that it was only meant to be a one-time thing to get me out of his system, but once he had me, he couldn’t stop, especially because he saw me every day. So, he decided to use his brother’s name and address. He admitted he used his brother’s address because he knew it was impossible to get on his property. Clearly, he was wrong about that.

He shrugged. “So, yeah, I had no intention of fucking you after your release, and I only used you to pass the time. But the real issue was that I met the love of my life through you. So I can’t be too hard on you, you know. You helped me out with that as well.”

“Through me?” I asked with narrowed eyes.

“Yes.” He smiled as if he were looking at the so-called love of his life.

“Your sister, Jamie.”

My head snapped back in shock and disbelief. “Naw. That can’t be true. I would’ve known.” I tried to convince myself.

“Sadly for you, it’s true. I saw her picture in your cell the year before your release, one of the last visits y’all had. I pushed up on her, and we’ve been together since. I admit, it’s been challenging since you were living with her. I had to make it seem like I wasn’t ready to meet her family. I didn’t want her to know that you and I had fucked.” He shrugged.

The secrets were never-ending, and I wasn’t sure what was true or what was real anymore.

“You are a sick fuck!” I spat.

He laughed. “Me? No, I beg to differ. You and I are one and the same. I had both sisters, and I fell in love with one of them. You had both brothers and fell in love with one as well.”

“I’m not like you. I didn’t know, and I thought I loved you. I love Chance because of you. Even though I knew there were things off about Chance, it was a change for the better, if you ask me.”

“Yeah, tell yourself whatever you need to sleep at night. You’re surrounded by liars, Chance, Jamie, and who knows who else is lying to you. Maybe you’re a crackhead, like your father.”

I stood up, ready to cause a scene, because even though I hadn’t seen my daddy and I was pissed at him, I wasn’t about to let anyone talk down to my daddy, no one.

“Keep my father’s name out your mouth.”

“Or what, Justice? You swing on me if you want, and I’d send your Black ass back to jail before you could blink. Did you forget I work for the law?” he threatened.

“A correction officer is the bottom of the food chain when it comes to law.” I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah. Well, my father, the warden, seems to really favor my beliefs, so don’t try me.” He paused. “I don’t care what you do with this information, but I need you to let your sister be happy in the open. I’m tired of hiding because of you. You and your dad need to leave her alone.” When he stood up, he looked at me with disdain.

“Ask my brother who your father is? He knows him as Slick. In case you needed another reason to leave him, then you’re welcome.”

He walked away as if we were old friends who had just had a pleasant conversation and were catching up on old times. Although this was the complete opposite.

I sat there with one million thoughts racing in my mind. How did I allow this to happen? How could I have been so blind? So dumb? And what was this mess about my daddy and whoever Slick was?

It felt like hours before I came up with a master plan. The first person on my shit list was Chance. It was as if his ears were burning because he texted me.

On my way home. I need to talk to you about something.

You fucking right about that, fuck nigga.

I was gon’ deal with him in person. I called my sister to see what the fuck she had to say for herself while I drove back to Chance’s house, but I needed to make a pit stop at the gas station and ACE Hardware store.

Jamie answered on the third ring.

“Hey, stranger?”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I snapped.

“Umm, it was a joke. But why are you spazzing?” she asked.

Ignoring her question, I asked, “Who is the guy you’ve been dating? The one you’ve been sneaking around with?”