Chapter 7
I fucked up.
I shouldn't have put my lips on her because now I didn’t want to not put my lips on her.
I don’t know what came over me, but I had been wanting to taste her lips since I saw her this morning.
Seeing her earlier with sadness all over her face pulled at my heartstrings.
I just wanted to hold her and comfort her—give her peace where there was chaos.
When she came down the stairs in those stone-washed jeans and a white blouse with her hair in curls, I was stunned to silence.
The way she moved around the room, checking and double-checking to make sure Scottie had everything she needed, sent a surge through my chest. Seeing her in mommy mode was a beautiful thing to witness.
But my dickhead brother was fumbling her.
While he was out fucking with trash and getting hoes pregnant, he had this beautiful being in his grasp, but couldn’t see past his dick to appreciate her.
I couldn’t interfere with that, though.
As we cruised back to their home, the car ride was silent. I knew she had to feel awkward about what happened, but I didn’t regret it at all. But, because I loved my brother, I wasn't going to pursue his girl. The kiss was a mistake, but I didn’t feel bad about it because I’d do it again.
Once I dropped her off, I was leaving. I had to, or things between us were going to progress, and I didn’t want to put her in a position to have to choose.
“Were you going back to get baby girl?”
She shook her head. “Your mom asked to keep her for a few nights, but I’ll probably go back to get her tomorrow.”
I nodded. “A’ight.”
Ten minutes later, I pulled into their driveway, noticing my brother had finally returned.
I couldn’t help but overhear Jela’s conversation earlier, and knowing that this nigga had his side-chick answering his phone, pissed me off.
He was moving real stupid, and I hated that she had to go through this shit with him.
I wish I could whisk her away, but I needed to move away from that narrative.
It was clear that baby girl was afraid of the consequences behind fucking with me over him, and I didn’t blame her.
However, if she were to choose me, she wouldn’t have to worry because I’d always keep her safe and protected.
When I shut off the engine, Dame came walking out of the house and over to my truck. He opened Jela’s door and pulled her out aggressively without saying a word.
“Why the fuck wasn't you answering your phone?” he screamed at her.
Jela snatched her arm out of his hold and pushed him as tears came out of her eyes. “Fuck you, Damien! Go be with that hard body, Morticia looking-ass bitch!”
“Who the fuck you talking to, Jela?” he asked, stepping dangerously close to her face.
By this time, I was out of the truck and moving toward them. I didn’t speak, observing to make sure he didn’t get out of pocket.
“Just leave me alone, Damien. I’m tired.”
“I don’t give a fuck! Get the fuck in the house!” he yelled, pushing her forward.
She stumbled and fell into the snow that had hardened as the temperature dropped due to the sun’s absence.
I pushed him back. “Cool the fuck out, Dame. You going too fucking far.” I helped Jela to her feet as she bent over to put her things back in her purse.
“Mind your business, Tru! She’s been out all fucking day and acts like she couldn’t answer my fucking phone calls! I guess it didn’t take you long to change your mind, did it? Was it good, nigga?”
“What the fuck is wrong with you, bro? If I took you up on that offer, you’d never see her again.”
“What are you talking about?” Jela asked.
I cringed. I shouldn't have even replied to his dumb ass, knowing she was standing there.
“It’s not what—” I started, but his erratic ass cut me off.
“I told him he could fuck you.”
“What?” She looked hurt.
I couldn’t say shit because he did tell me I could, but I wouldn't fuck her just because my brother gave me permission.
“Is that true?” she asked me.
“It is, but I wouldn't do that shit to you. I ain't even that type of nigga, and that's why I’m leaving.”
“You leaving because you want to fuck my bitch is crazy work.” He chuckled.
“I told you to go ahead. I’m sure she wants to fuck you too.
Right, J? That's why you been out with this nigga all day, huh? I ain't fucking stupid. That's why I don’t let yo’ bald-headed ass go nowhere. You want to give that pussy up to the first nigga that shows yo’ ass interest. Go the fuck in the house! ”
“That's what I am to you now, Damien? A pass-around? You used to make me feel as if I was everything you’ve ever dreamed of. When did you decide you hated me? After Brittany? Whitney? Or was it Kelly?”
“Go the fuck in the house, bitch!”
“Calm the fuck down! What the fuck is wrong with you?” I pointed at him. “Jela, if you want me to take you somewhere to let this nigga cool off, I got you. You don’t have to stay here. Clearly, his ass is drunk.”
Dame laughed. “Where the fuck she gon’ go? She ain’t got nowhere to run to.”
“Jela…” I said, looking at her.
“She ain’t going nowhere. Get ya ass in the house.”
Jela looked at me, backed away, and turned, hurrying into the house.
I couldn’t get the hurt look on her face out of my mind.
I knew she had to think the reason I kissed her or was showing any attraction to her was because Dame gave me permission to fuck her.
But that wasn't the case. She didn’t know me, so it was easy to think she was being played.
It was childish and petty for him to even put that shit out there in front of her, but I was learning that the brother I hadn't seen in five years and only talked to over FaceTime was a totally different nigga than the one I left behind.
I leaned against my truck and stared at him. “You petty as fuck for that, but I’m starting to see the familiarity in you. You acting just like ya bitch-ass daddy.”
“Fuck you and him.”
“Oh, yeah? It’s fuck me now? Is that how you feel?”
“Just how I feel, nigga. Get yo’ pretty ass away from my house.”
I nodded. “That’s real.”
I pushed from the truck and headed inside to get my shit. I knew it was a bad idea to come here. It’d only been thirty-eight hours, and already, the energy of Damien Senior was looming in the atmosphere. Before I hurt my brother, I was removing myself from his presence.
I hurried to the room to grab my shit. I had already packed what little I had this morning, so it was a quick grab and go.
I didn’t do this ghetto, toxic shit. I thought staying with him until my house was done would be cool, even with Jela’s fine, tempting ass.
I had missed hanging out with him, but obviously, I came home to a different nigga with a beautiful woman, who I wanted to deliver from whatever hell she was living in.
I grabbed my satchel and suitcase, then left the room. As I walked through the foyer, Dame was standing by the door with a bottle of Ace in his hand, leaning against the wall, watching me.
He smirked at me before saying, “Even though you getting the fuck out, I ain't mad at you, my baby. That offer still stands. It’s my peace offering.”
“Dame, get the fuck outta my face. You don’t want them type of problems, my guy.
If I were that type of nigga, I’d have ya ass crying in the fucking corner because she’d be packing her fuckin’ bags, walking outta this door with me, and my niece will be calling me daddy by next week.
Move yo’ dumb ass out of my way. And be at Mama’s house Sunday for dinner. She wants to talk to us.”
I pushed past him and headed to my whip.
I tossed my shit in, got inside, and started the ignition.
I looked up and saw Jela in their bedroom, looking out of the balcony doors.
I sighed as I put the truck in reverse and left my brother’s house.
I made sure to leave Jela my business card in the guest room.
If she needed me, she knew how to find me.
Two Days Later
Saturday
“Mr. Lowes. Welcome,” I acknowledged my client as he approached the dinner table with his wife.
“Mr. Stone. Good to see you,” he replied.
“Mrs. Lowes. I hope the flight was accommodating for you both.”
She smiled. “It was. I can't wait to move here for good.”
“And I can’t wait to make that happen for you.
My apologies about the meeting space. I just got into town myself, and the company’s grand opening won’t be until the new year, so I wanted to choose a space where we can be comfortable discussing your plans for your dream home,” I said with a genuine smile.
We were currently in the main restaurant of the Westin, which wasn't too bad, but I would have preferred to meet with them in an office. The Westin’s restaurant wasn't busy and provided a calming ambiance, even though it wasn’t a place I’d have chosen.
“No, this is totally fine. I am super starved after that long flight, so this is perfect,” Mrs. Lowes replied, giving me a soft smile.
“Well, let’s get down to business.”
I pulled out my laptop and sketchbook to jot down their ideas and draw a rough sketch of their dream home.
Our meeting lasted for about an hour. I now had their sketch with key points of what they wanted in their home.
Their excitement turned my shitty day into one of peace, and before long, I was bidding them adieu with promises of reconnecting after the new year.
I remained in the restaurant after they were gone, going over the notes to brief my team for our upcoming grand opening, when I spotted my little cousin walking through the lobby.
“Neveah!” I called out to her.
She turned abruptly with a frown on her face before she noticed me and smiled, heading my way. “Tucci! I thought you were staying with Dame,” she said once she made it to me.
I stood, giving her a hug, then motioned for her to sit. “Nah… I thought it would work, but clearly I was wrong.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing I want to repeat. What you doing here?”
Her eyes scanned the restaurant, then she shook her head. “You know Auntie’s house is a little crowded. Just decided to get a room here for a couple of days.”
“What happened with you and ya boyfriend? Y’all ain't moving in together no more?”
“We are. We’re just waiting on a few things before we do.” She toyed with the napkin, seemingly battling with something.
Aside from Deja, Neveah was the closest girl cousin I had.
She looked up to me as a big brother since Luke decided to work for Dame and neglect his little sisters.
Even though I moved three hours away to Detroit, Neveah called me every weekend wanting to kick it with me.
Sometimes I couldn’t because of work, but the few times we linked, she was eager to show me all the places this mysterious boyfriend of hers had been taking her to.
The way she was withdrawing from talking, as she normally did, let me know that she was battling with something.
“Talk to me, Nev. What’s on your mind?”
She smirked at me. “I’ll tell you… if you tell me what's on yours.”
My cheek lifted in a half smile, and I shook my head. “What’s up with Dame and this Jela woman? What's the story behind that?”
She shook her head. “I really don’t know, Truce.
Dame’s been weird ever since you left. I know, for sure, he’s been talking to his dad because I overheard him and Luke talking about putting him on.
Jela, she’s… different. He doesn't bring her around much, and we see Scottlyn way more than we see her. I think he’s putting his hands on her, but I can’t confirm or deny that he is or isn't. I hate that for her because she seems sweet—just very timid and scared.”
I rubbed my tongue over my teeth and nodded.
I knew he was putting his hands on her. I tried not to think that’s what was going on between them, but all the signs were there the moment he yelled at her on Thanksgiving about his food.
That, and the fact that her aura screamed sad and broken.
The look in her eyes held a sign of familiarity that I knew all too well.
It was the same look my mother had while we were growing up.
It was common for a child to exhibit a behavior they had seen too often.
Of the nine months out of the year when I only got to see Dame over Christmas or spring break, he’d probably witnessed a lot more than I did when I wasn't around.
It was a learned behavior after probably seeing our mother get abused way more than I had seen.
I tried to steer him in the right direction by giving him positive advice and affirming him daily.
It was obvious Damien Senior had gotten to him before I could.
I wanted to intervene, but that would only make shit worse for Jela.
I didn’t want to put her in a compromising position, so I needed to take off my cape and pray that she left his ass before things got worse.
“I want you to do me a favor,” I said, gaining Neveah’s attention.
“What's that?” she asked.
“I want you to befriend Jela. You and your homegirls, or Charmaine, should make it a priority to hang out with her maybe two or three times a week. If he’s putting his hands on her, he won’t do it while she has company.
As a matter of fact, since it’s overcrowded at Ma’s house, tell Dame you want to move in with him.
And as my favorite bestie-cousin, I know you’ll give her the support she needs since she’s been deprived of it for almost a year. ”
She looked at me, and a smile drew up on her face, exposing her pretty, white teeth. “You like her, don’t you?”
“Man, gone. That’s my brother’s fiancée.”
“And clearly, you know your brother is on bullshit with her.”
“That's none of my business.”
“It clearly is your business, seeing that you’re trying to fulfill her needs, but I’ll let you live.” She stood from the table, grabbing her bag. “I shall do as you requested. I love you,” she said, kissing my cheek.
“Hold up! You didn’t answer my question about what’s going on with you.”
“See you later! I have to go meet up with Char! Love you!”
She rushed her ass out of the restaurant as I shook my head and laughed.
I knew whatever she was hiding, I’d find out soon enough.
Until then, I hoped that sending Jela a life raft in the form of my cousin would provide her some relief from the hands of my stupid-ass brother.
Although I had to separate myself from her before things progressed, I did like her enough to care about what the fuck was going on in that castle.