Chapter 25 #2
“Oh my God,” I whispered when Teagan unlocked the door. The walls were softer now—fresh gray with white trim, gold handles glinting against the light. Even the baseboards looked brand new. “They widened the door.” My eyes darted down the hallway to my bedroom. They had widened all the doors.
“Yep,” Teagan said proudly. “Rico and James came by when you were gone, Quade’s orders. He said it was the perfect time since you’d be out. They even added guard rails in the bathroom.”
I smiled as my eyes gazed at my home. “They’re really almost done.”
“Yep. Kitchen’s the last thing left. I told you this place was going to come together.”
My chest warmed with gratitude for my sister.
If not for her, none of this would have been possible.
It felt like my new beginning was finally taking shape.
I made my way into my art room as Teagan wheeled my luggage inside.
I smiled. My flowers were still alive and well, beautifully placed around the room.
“Your little garden is still alive, thanks to me.” Teagan followed my gaze and snorted. “You better tell your man to cut me a check for watering all this damn love.”
I laughed. “You act like it was hard.”
“It was,” she said. “I had to rotate the vases, talk nicely to the roses. I’m adding gardener to my résumé.”
I shook my head, grinning as she handed me a fresh bouquet of “Today’s flowers.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. Quade was really serious about this bouquet-a-day thing.
Teagan smirked. “If he keeps this up, I’m starting a delivery service. I can resale these—” Before she could finish her sentence, there was a hard knock at the door. We both froze, and Teagan frowned.
“Who is that, knocking like that?” She moved to the front door, and I followed.
“Oh, hell no,” she said before she even opened the door. I didn’t even have to ask who it was. The look on her face told me everything I needed to know.
“Teagan, it’s fine,” I said quietly. “Open the door.”
“Noa—”
I held up my hand before she could protest. I needed to face this, end it for good, and make space for everything new that was blooming in my life.
“Okay.” Teagan hesitated, then pulled the door open, revealing Shawn standing there with takeout in one hand and a bouquet in the other, like everything was normal between us.
“Hey. Thought I’d bring you something to eat.
You just got back, right? Figured you’d be tired and hungry.
” He smiled, stepping forward before I could answer.
The smell of his strong cologne hit me first. I used to love the scent, but now it only reminded me of the nights he used to leave it lingering on my pillows after he left without a word.
I stared at him, confused. I wasn’t sure what to say or why he was here.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he said. “I miss you. You miss me?”
“Not at all.”
He lifted the bag a little. “You still like sushi?”
“I’m not hungry,” I replied, and he shrugged.
“Well, you can eat it later.” His eyes moved past me, scanning the house. “Damn, construction boy been busy. Got the place all fixed up?”
“What do you want, Shawn?” Teagan asked, still holding the door open.
“Chill.” He laughed under his breath. “I just came to check on the love of my life, but since you asked, some funny shit happened today. I’m scrolling the Gram, and bam, there you are.
” He pulled out his phone, turning the screen toward me.
“All over the Tea Room, claiming a motherfucker as your boyfriend.”
I didn’t say anything, because I failed to see the problem.
“I’m trying to see when you lost your motherfucking mind,” he said. “When we start popping out with other people, Noa?”
“Are you done?” I rolled my eyes. This man was clearly delusional and not in a good way.
He stepped closer to me. “Nah, I’m not. You think that man gon’ deal with yo’ broken ass for long? The meds, the fatigue, you never wanting to leave this damn house? You think he loves you or something? He just feels sorry for yo’ ass.”
“Say one more thing,” Teagan said calmly, bouncing on her heels. Shawn ignored her.
“You walked away when I got sick. You disappeared when I needed you. You only came back when I could give you something again. That’s not love. That’s convenience, and I’m done accepting crumbs. I deserve better.”
“You think he’s better than me? You ain’t built for somebody like him, Noa.”
“No, I’m not built for you.”
He tilted his head, jaw tight. “You talk a lot of shit for somebody stuck sittin’ down—”
“Finish that sentence, and you’ll be sittin’ down right along with her.” Teagan’s taser cracked in her hand. I didn’t even know when she’d retrieved it. Shawn jumped, but he didn’t move or stop talking.
“You think this house and yo’ new nigga make you new?
Think all this”—he waved the flowers and takeout in the air—“means you’re free?
” I didn’t answer. “You’ll never be free, because you’ll always be a sick—” The crack of Teagan’s taser stopped him mid-sentence as a blue spark snapped against his arm.
“Bitch!” He stumbled back, cursing.
“Say that shit again!” Teagan said, waving her taser in the air. “Finish your sentence! I dare you!”
Shawn clutched his sleeve as he stared at her. “You crazy—”
“No,” I said, cutting him off. “We’re done, Shawn. We’ve been done. I don’t want to be a part of whatever story you keep telling yourself about what we are. I’m in a new relationship. I’m happy, and I need you to stay away from my house. I need nothing from you. Please, just… leave.”
He stared at me for a second, breathing hard. He looked like I’d just crashed his car or something.
“You know what? Fuck you, Noa. You a crippled bitch who got lucky,” he spat, and Teagan raised her taser again.
“Leave!” she said.
“Watch how fast your luck burns out. All this shit? Temporary.” He dropped the takeout and flowers on the floor and stormed out the front door.
Teagan slammed the door behind him and dropped her taser on the table by the front door before swooping up the takeout bag and bouquet and tossing them in the trash.
“Cheap ass flowers. You won’t be needing these.” She then turned to me with a grin. “Next time, I’m tasing his ass first.”
“Please do.” I laughed as she came over and hugged me.
“I’m so proud of you. You finally know what you deserve.”
“He really thought I’d never move on.”
“Well,” she said, brushing off her hands, “you did. And your new man is fine as hell and about to be rich. That’s what we call an upgrade!”
“You’re terrible.”
“I’m real,” she said, heading toward the kitchen. “Now, you want tea or wine while you spill about LA!”
“Wine, of course,” I replied, and Teagan ran off to the kitchen just as my phone buzzed in my lap. I picked it up, a little annoyed that it may be Shawn, but the moment I saw my man’s name, I smiled.
Quade:
Arrived at the studio. I’ll be late, but I’ll be there tonight. You good? Y’all make it safe?
Me:
Yeah, I’m good. Everything’s cool now. Handle your session.
Quade:
Always do. See you soon, sunshine.
Me:
Don’t work too hard. I need your battery to be full for tonight.
Quade:
Say less.
Me:
Handle business. See you later.
I set the phone down and exhaled slowly. I think I liked this little life of mine.