Chapter 31 Skye
SKYE
The streets blurred past as Ocean drove us toward my sister’s house. My fingers drummed lightly against the dashboard, trying to settle the nervous energy buzzing in my stomach.
Ocean glanced at me. “You good?”
I sighed. “I just want to get this over with.”
“I hear you. Just relax though. Don’t get yourself all worked up before we even get there. Everything’s going to be fine. Just remember what I said.”
Taking in a deep breath, I smiled softly. “You got me,” I whispered.
“That’s right.”
I nodded slowly, trying to calm the tight coil of nerves in my chest. He didn’t need to say anything more.
We made small talk on the way...cracked jokes, laughed and listened to music. For a few minutes, I almost forgot what we were headed into. But as soon as the familiar streetlights of my sister’s neighborhood came into view, my stomach tightened again.
Pulling up to Leera’s house, I could feel it before I even opened the car door. Tension, thick enough to taste.
The front door opened before we could knock, and my mother practically glowed, holding my nephew close. “I’m so glad you made it.”
I stepped a little closer. My nephew wriggled in her arms, tiny hands grabbing at my shirt, and I laughed softly, immediately forgetting the heaviness in my chest.
“Look at him! You remember I told you he has your nose?” My mother cooed.
I leaned down, gently brushing his soft hair. “He’s perfect,” I whispered.
My heart swelled.
Then my eyes flicked over her shoulder. Kory was leaning against the wall, smug as ever, arms crossed. I instantly felt my chest tighten again.
My sister moved in beside our mother, a forced grin on her face. “Hey, Skye. Welcome to our home.”
Nothing about her demeanor said that I was welcomed, but I tried not to focus on that.
I cleared my throat. “Hey, Leera. How have you been?”
“Good. You?”
“I’ve been good.”
“Good,” she said, grabbing the baby and walking toward the living room.
I shot an annoyed look at Ocean, then followed my mother as she pulled me inside.
Within seconds, conversation started, polite enough on the surface, but I could feel everything that wasn’t being said. Every laugh felt forced. Every glance from Kory was sharp, just heavy enough to put me on edge.
Ocean didn’t pretend to like him, which made Kory shift slightly, and I felt a small satisfaction in that.
Dinner was a battle of subtle digs and fake smiles. My mom, of course, noticed the tension, and let it be known that she wasn’t standing for it.
“I don’t want to sit here and watch y’all play this stupid game,” she said, poking Leera in the side lightly with her fork. “Y’all grown folks. Act like it.”
“Game? What game?” Leera asked.
“Oh, please. You know what game? I had your sister come here so she could meet KJ and you two could make amends. Now, to do that, I need you to act like you got some sense. All of this fake smiling and making her feel uncomfortable isn’t the way to do that.”
“If she feels uncomfortable, that’s on her,” Leera said, shooting a glance at me. “No one is making her feel anything.”
I opened my mouth to speak, then slammed it shut.
“I need some fresh air,” I mumbled, standing abruptly.
“I’m going to feed KJ,” Leera blurted.
I slipped outside, the cool air hitting my face like a splash of clarity. I leaned against the porch railing, phone in hand, and dialed Nyx without even thinking.
“Hey,” I said when she picked up, my voice quieter than usual.
“Hey, girl. You sound…tense. Everything okay?”
I exhaled slowly. “I’m at my sister’s. The dinner…it’s a lot. I’m just trying to hold it together.”
“What’s going on? Is Kory acting stupid?”
“It’s not even him. Well, not completely. My sister is acting like I’ve done something to offend her, and all I did is show up like our mother asked me to. Hell, if it were up to me, I wouldn’t even be here.”
“Did you check her?”
“Honestly, I don’t want to start acting crazy. We both know the second I say what’s really on my mind, shit’s going to go left. I’m trying to avoid that. I’m trying to keep my cool in front of my nephew.”
“Well, just keep that at the front of your mind. The dinner will be over before you know it.”
“I hope so, and after, I hope my mother finally realizes that trying to get me and Leera to work through things is a lost cause.”
“I doubt that. You know she’s going to keep trying.”
“Yeah, well, I need her to stop. Although Kory isn’t the one making a scene, he’s definitely making his disdain known. I’m pretty sure he got into Leera’s head before I got here, lying and twisting shit.”
“Girl, you already know. But Ocean’s there, you’ve got support, and you’re smart. You can handle him without losing your cool. Don’t let his energy pull you down.”
I exhaled again, slower this time. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right. Now finish your deep breaths and go back inside like the queen you are,” she said, laughing softly.
I laughed too, letting some of the tension drain. “Thanks, Nyx. I needed that.”
“Anytime. And Skye?”
“Yeah?”
“Remember, you don’t need to fight their mess. Keep your peace.”
I smiled, feeling a little lighter. “Got it. I’ll call you tomorrow. Thanks.”
I hung up and stared at the quiet neighborhood. My heartbeat had slowed from the initial rush of anxiety, and I realized how much I’d been holding myself tight all evening.
I let the cool breeze wash over me, and I allowed myself to reflect and recognize that even though this situation was messy, I had choices.
I could step into the situation grounded, steady, and clear-headed.
I could show up for my family without letting the toxicity of two people define the night.
And most importantly, I had Ocean by my side.
I smiled softly.
Whatever happened inside, I was ready. I could handle it.