Taeja

27. Chapter 27

27

The weekend passed quickly, and her guys were back. After they showered her with kisses, fucked her in the foyer, then settled in, Damon said they needed to talk. Taeja was riddled with nerves, waiting for him to come talk to her. She was packing all the clothes in Zain’s closet into boxes when she heard footsteps approaching.

Damon cleared his throat. “Hey, baby.”

Taeja stopped what she was doing to look at him. “Hey,” she said with a hesitant smile. “Ready to talk?”

He nodded, moving to sit on the ottoman Zain bought the other day after Taeja said she needed somewhere to sit while in the closet.

“I’m listening,” Taeja said.

Damon cleared his throat, his brows furrowing as he opened and closed his mouth several times.

“You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want to…” Taeja said gently.

“No,” Damon said immediately. “I need to do this.”

“Okay… Whenever you’re ready,” she said, and he cleared his throat again. She’d never seen Damon this nervous about anything before. Despite being nerve-wracking, it was cute seeing him flustered.

“I was married,” Damon blurted.

Taeja’s small smile washed away. “What?”

Damon nodded and looked away. “It was a long time ago. Back in college. She… died from an illness she was fighting. I knew she wouldn’t live long, but I really loved her, and she wanted to be married, so I did what was best for us. It only lasted a year, which isn’t very long if you’re thinking—”

Taeja chuckled and walked toward Damon. She straddled him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Taeja held his face in his hands, pecking his lips. “You’re rambling.”

He met her eyes. “If I don’t say the words now, I don’t know when I’ll get the courage to tell you again.”

“I understand.”

“You’re not angry?” Damon asked. “You don’t want to break up?”

“How yu reach deso, Damon?” Taeja asked. “No, mi naa leff yu ova dat. I’m not even surprised.”

His brows furrowed. “You’re not?”

Taeja shook her head. “No. Mi nuh waa feed yu ego, but you’re one of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen and you’re smart, well-spoken, educated, and rich. I’d be more surprised if you told me you’ve never been in a serious relationship before, considering your age.”

“Are you calling me old?”

“If the shoe fits—” She laughed as he glared at her. “I’m joking! Anyway, was this what was bothering you the other day?” she asked, and Damon nodded. Taeja thought for a moment. “It all makes sense now. Sorry. I wouldn’t have flaunted Liyah in your face if I knew.”

“It’s fine.”

“It’s not,” Taeja disagreed. “See? That’s why it nuh good fi keep secrets.”

“Like you don’t have secrets?”

“Of my own? No. I’m open as a book.”

A small smile came on his lips. “That’s true.”

“Of course, it is. I never say things I don’t mean. Anyway, back to what you were saying. My condolences for your ex-wife.”

Damon cleared his throat, looking away. “Thanks…”

“Damon.” She held his jaw and made him look at her. Her eyes softened after seeing the far-off look in his eyes. “I won’t force you to talk about it, but if you’re going to push me away every time you think about her, it ago make me feel a way.”

“What kind of way?”

“Like there’s a void inside you that no amount of my love can fill.”

“What? No. I want you . I love you . What we have differs from what I had with her. It’s no competition, but you’re winning by a terabyte.”

“Damn. Not a petabyte?”

“More like an exabyte, baby,” Damon said and kissed her lips.

When he pulled away, she told him, “I like how that sounds, and it means you have to be all-in or all-out with me. Remember on our date when I told you the world will leave you if you keep living in the past? I think this is one of those things.”

He sighed. “I know that, but… it’s just that I fall for you more every day. A part of me feels like you’ll get ripped away from me, too.”

Her heart shattered.

“Damon—” She threw her arms over his shoulders, pulling him close in a tight hug. “You feel my heart beating? It beats for you. I love you. No one can come between us, so don’t let your worries eat you alive. I’m not going anywhere. And if I do, mi a come back as a duppy and stay wid yu.”

Damon tightened his grip around her, nuzzling his face into the crook of her neck. He inhaled deeply. “I love you too, baby. I’m sorry for how I acted.”

“Don’t apologize.”

He kissed her neck before pulling back to look into her eyes. The light was returning to his eyes. “There’s something else you should know. Do you remember Liza?”

“Yeah,” Taeja said, hoping Damon didn’t see her flash of guilt.

“Liza had a husband; his name was Marco. He was in the army with Zain, but he wasn’t as lucky as my brother. I never really got over how suddenly Eloise died, then the same thing happened to Marco. We’ve been helping each other with our grief, so Liza and I usually visit Marco’s mom just to sit and chat with her. Iyani has Alzheimer’s and Marco and Eloise are the only ones she remembers well. Talking with Iyani brings her joy. I think it’s the highlight of her days in that nursing home .

“Talking helps me and Liza, too. But since I met you, the pain doesn’t feel… the same anymore. You give me hope, gorgeous, which is why I should apologize for reaching this far in our relationship and almost making the past ruin what we have,” Damon said.

Taeja smiled. “That was kind of poetic.”

“Yes?”

“Yeah,” she said, and Damon grinned. “Is that all?”

“For now.” He kissed her nose, then she got off him. “Do you need help?”

Taeja shook her head as he stood. “I’m almost done.”

“Okay. I’ll be downstairs.”

“No badda eat off the food before mi get none.”

Damon laughed, already halfway through the door. “Zain wouldn’t allow that to happen.”

Taeja laughed, going back to what she was doing. She paused when she saw the dress again. “All now me nuh give Liyah her things.” She grabbed the dress and laid it on the bed. She skimmed the large boxes and bare walls — everything would be going to charity. Especially that ugly mustard-colored carpet. It was just the other day Taeja learned that one of their exes decorated the place, so now she wanted everything gone.

Was it petty? Yes.

Did she care? No.

Wait a minute…

Taeja looked at the dress. “Wonder if—” She grabbed the dress and headed downstairs to see the brothers laughing while Zain made a cheese paste from scratch. “Whose dress is this?” She held the dress at a scornful distance. “Unu doh lie to me. I never lie to you guys.”

Damon whistled and looked away.

Taeja glared at him. “Nuh feel yu innocent. You lied to me, too.”

“Keeping something from you differs from lying.”

“That wouldn’t hold up in court.”

“We’re not in—”

“Mi seh wa mi seh.”

Zain walked toward her. He pried the dress from her hands and walked toward the sink. He dropped the dress in the sink, then lit it. Tongues of flames stretched for the ceiling, reflecting in Zain’s eyes as he watched it burn. When the dress was nothing but ash, he looked at Taeja. “Are you happy?”

Shaking her head, Taeja crossed her arms. “No. What you did doesn’t answer my question.”

Zain’s brow raised. “That didn’t answer your question?”

“I want you to say it.”

“I don’t have to confirm what you already know.” Zain tilted his head to the side. “What? That wouldn’t hold up in court?”

Taeja rolled her eyes. “Burn up the house next since as everything in here already get touched by whatever she waa name.”

“Don’t be like that,” Damon said. “We just talked about this.”

“That’s before me realize that the two of you have secrets.” She glared at them. “If this relationship is going to be built on lies, then it won’t work. I never lie to you guys about anything, and now I’m realizing you keep stuff from me. Was I wrong the other day when I said someone was here?”

Damon scratched the back of his head. “Uh…”

“Someone was here,” Zain said.

Taeja laughed dryly, her throat tightening as she looked away from them. “Wow. Just wow.”

Damon sighed. “I didn’t want you getting angry.”

She snapped her head in his direction, a fire in her eyes as she hissed, “How did that work, Damon? Eeh?! Mi nuh care if unu a try distance me from the past, it’s the principle of how you guys do things. I’m new to this and I’m trying my best, but you’re making it hard for me if you’re going to—”

Damon stood from the island and walked toward her. He grabbed her face and kissed her hard. Taeja didn’t return the kiss. She pursed her lips when he pulled back.

“Sorry,” Damon said gently. “It won’t happen again. We promise.”

Taeja looked from Damon to Zain. “I want to hear you say it this time.”

Zain walked toward her. He grabbed her wrist, then linked her pinky with his. “ It won’t happen again. We promise,” he said. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic,” she said dryly, and he stared at her for a moment before releasing her hand and returning to the pot on the stove.

Damon released her face. “I have to go to the office for an emergency meeting, but I’ll be back for dinner.”

“Okay.”

Damon left and Taeja sat at the island, watching Zain scrape the scraps of burnt fabric into the trash can. “You need to come clean to Damon.”

“About?”

“Why you hate Liza.”

Zain tensed before relaxing. “No.”

“It’s killing me to keep this from him—”

“Don’t you think it’s killing me, too?” he asked. “My brother will do anything for me. Even if it means cutting off the person who’s been helping him more than I can. Everyone’s got this situation all wrong, and if either of them knew the truth, it’d ruin their friendship. I’m not telling Damon anything, and you’re not either.”

She huffed. “Alright. But know seh my mouth a old fridge. If I slip up one day, it’s on you.”

Zain chuckled. “Come stir the pot.”

Taeja did as told. “Where are you going?” she asked, watching him wash his hands in the sink.

“Out.”

“I can’t cook as good as you. Suppose I burn the house down?”

“Then you’d be doing yourself a favor.”

Taeja chuckled as he disappeared into the garage. A minute later, his bike throttled to life, and he sped away. She finished up the sauce, then grabbed her phone and notepad. While she walked around the house making final notes, she called Liyah.

“Hey, Liyah!” Taeja exclaimed. Her smile faded as sniffling drifted through the line. “Are you okay?”

“Y-yeah,” Liyah forced out. “It’s just that my parents are at risk of losing their house and I can’t help them. ”

Taeja’s frown deepened. “I’m so sorry to hear that, Liyah. I’m sure something will work out for them.”

“Stop making it sound so simple, Taeja. You don’t know what struggle is,” Liyah snapped, and Taeja’s mouth slackened.

“I didn’t mean it like that…” Taeja whispered.

Liyah scoffed. “Yeah, sure.”

Taeja moved the phone from her ear as the dial tone rang out. She stared at the screen for the longest moment, wishing she could’ve done something to help Liyah’s parents. They wouldn’t accept her help, pride was embedded deeply in the Norris’ DNA.

Wiping a hand below her eyes, she continued what she’d been doing before. She was unsure how much time passed, but it was long enough for Zain to return.

“You good?” Zain asked, blocking her view of the TV by standing before her.

“No, but I don’t want to talk about it,” Taeja replied, and he stared at her for a moment. “I’ll be okay, Zain. I promise.”

“Okay,” he said, dipping his hand into one of his pockets. He pulled it back with a key, dangling it before her face. He raised a brow as her brows knitted. “You don’t want to burn this and live in our new house?”

He tugged her back onto him by her waist. His dick touched her cervix and made her scream.

“Tek time!” she hissed.

“Stop running.”

Taeja pressed her face into the bed, stifling her moans while throwing her ass back on him. She met all his strokes. This pain mixed with pleasure was amazing. The way his dick stretched her. Going so far in, but not all the way.

Who knew the mile-high club could be this thrilling?

“Don’t stop,” Taeja moaned, tightening her walls around him, and freezing as her orgasm took her by surprise.

Zain continued to roughly thrust inside her, only slowing down as his orgasm took control. “ Fuckkk. ” Zain quickly pulled out of her, pumping cum onto her ass. He tapped his dick on her ass when he was done, then grabbed the nearby towel to wipe her off.

Breathing heavily, Taeja dropped from her arch and rolled onto her back. She watched as he tugged his jeans up to his waist. “I don’t think I can walk through the airport,” Taeja joked.

Zain chuckled, adjusting his dog tag around his neck. “I’ll carry you.”

She smiled as she stood and redressed. “I’m nervous…”

Zain sat on the sofa, tilting his head to the side.

“What if she doesn’t like me?” Taeja asked.

“Then she’s stupid.”

Taeja gasped. “Yu cya call mi mother stupid!”

“I’ll do it again if she doesn’t like you.” He patted his thigh. “Come here.”

She stepped forward, then paused. “You’ve been acting different.”

“How?”

“More… touchy.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted? Come. Here.”

Taeja straddled him. She threw her arms around his shoulders. “I’m happy to be going home,” she confessed. “I haven’t been here since I was four, so I don’t remember much. I really appreciate you and Damon coming with me.”

Zain nodded, grabbing her ass in his strong hands. She smiled, her gaze flickering at the long scar across his left eye. The urge to kiss him overpowered her. Licking her lips, she leaned in. Zain didn’t move, so she took that as a sign to continue.

She kissed above his eyebrow. His eye. Then below it.

Pulling away, she had a heavy heart as his eye blinked open to look at her.

“I hate them for doing this to you,” Taeja said solemnly.

“I survived.”

“Not because you survived means you deserved to go through it.”

Zain’s jaw ticked. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“I’m listen—” She paused when the door opened. Her face brightened after seeing Damon. “You’re awake! ”

“Why are you surprised after how loud you were?” Damon asked. “You’ve traumatized my employee.”

Taeja smirked. “We’re not sorry!”

“Exactly,” Zain added.

Amused but trying not to let it show, Damon rolled his eyes. “Come buckle up. We’re landing soon.”

Taeja gulped as she stood, walking toward Damon, who took her hand. He led her out of the cabin. She sat on the seat beside him. From the corner of her eye, she saw Zain sit in the furthest aisle.

“How was your sleep?” Taeja asked as she secured her seatbelt in place.

“Good,” Damon replied. “I needed that.”

“Sorry for taking you away from the office, even though all you’ve been doing for the past hour is work.”

He chuckled. “I’m taking a break now.”

“I wish we could stay longer than three days, but I have classes next week, so…”

“Speaking of classes, I have a surprise for you.”

“Listen, nun bout classes nuh excite me unless yago hack into the system and give me free credits.”

Damon chuckled. “I didn’t do that, and don’t look at me like that because I won’t. You’re earning your degree honestly. Just like I worked for my two.”

“Where’s the fun in having a hacker boyfriend if yu nago help me?”

“I’m not a hacker,” Damon countered, and Taeja’s face blanked. “Okay, fine. But that’s more like a side job.”

“You breaking the law kinda makes you sexier.”

Damon smirked. “How much sexier will I be after I tell you that I got you a job as the apprentice to one of the smartest persons I know?”

Taeja sat more upright. “Doh play wid mi, Damon!” she exclaimed, ignoring how Zain looked in their direction while Damon laughed. “Who? What is it? How yu even know?”

“I did it for you so you wouldn’t have to,” Damon explained. “It’s at my company with Gavin.”

“Gavin wants an apprentice? ”

“No, but I’m his boss. He does what I say.”

She laughed. “Thanks, Damon. I appreciate it.”

Damon grinned. “Of course. Gavin’s good at practically everything. He’ll help you figure out what you want to become while you help him do whatever he needs help with.”

“What does he do?”

“He works in cybersecurity, and he’s the sound designer for my video game.”

“Hope mi can keep up with him.” Taeja nervously chuckled as she looked through the window. The clouds were clearing away. She could see the small island come into view. The two-hour flight had passed quickly. “It’s beautiful!” she mused, and Damon chuckled. She glanced at him. “What?”

“I love how you find beauty in everything.”

Her heart paced as butterflies filled her stomach. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” Taeja said, smiling.

“So, it’s fuck all my I love yous?”

Taeja laughed and slapped his thigh. “Stop cursing. It nuh fit yu.”

Damon rolled his eyes, and she smiled at him before looking through the window again.

The jet was zooming down the runway now, and in quick time, they were off the jet. They got through customs quickly, then headed toward outside. Taeja was in the front while her men walked on either side of her.

Stepping outside, hot air and loud chatter greeted her. The atmosphere differed from what she was used to. The place even looked brighter. The excitement of waiting patrons added to her nerves while taking some away at the same time. Everyone was so happy to greet their returnees. She hoped Cassedi would be the same.

Taeja scanned the crowd. Cassedi promised that she’d be—

Right there.

Holding the placard and looking like she saw a ghost.

Taeja was the same.

Even as the woman ran over and engulfed her in a big, tight hug. Shocked that this was real, Taeja slowly laid her hand on her mother’s back .

“Oh, my baby,” Cassedi sobbed.

Wetness settled on Taeja’s neck. It brought tears to her eyes. She held Cassedi tighter, her lips trembling. “Mom,” she breathed out.

That word sounded foreign after so many years. She always called her parents by their government names, but at that moment, the only word she could say was the rightful title.

Mom.

Cassedi pulled away, holding Taeja at arm’s length, and doing a take of her. “You’re so big and beautiful!”

Taeja smiled through a sob, wiping away her tears. She could say the same about her mother — Cassedi was beautiful. It was as if Taeja was looking into a mirror that showed the reflection of her future self.

“I’m happy to see you,” Taeja said.

“Oh, baby girl, I am, too,” Cassedi said then released her. She glanced at the men flanking Taeja. “These are your friends you told me about?”

Taeja cleared her throat. She wasn’t sure how Cassedi would react. This was a different country than she was used to, and Jerry’s words planted a seed of doubt in her. “Yeah,” she said, pointing at them. “This is Damon and Zain.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Cassedi said, shaking Damon’s hand, then pulling it back to her side when Zain only nodded. “Well, let’s go. The vehicle is waiting.”

The men dragged the suitcases to the minibus. They loaded them into the trunk. Cassedi drove away while gospel music drifted through the speakers on a low volume.

Watching her mom drive, Taeja whispered a confession, “They’re not my friends… They’re my boyfriends.”

Cassedi pulled her brows together. “ Both of them?” she asked, and Taeja nodded slowly. “Oh… well… that’s… new. Are you happy?”

Taeja nodded. “Yes.”

Cassedi smiled. “Okay. Then I’m happy for you.”

Taeja smiled. “Thanks, Cassedi. At least you aren’t judging me.”

“I mean, I don’t understand it, but I’m not judging. I know the new generation is a bit different. Who was judging you? ”

“Jerry…”

Cassedi frowned, then smiled. “Jerry’s always miserable. How’s he been?”

“Uh… Good. I think. He doesn’t really talk to me anymore.”

Cassedi’s grip tightened around the wheel. “ What ?”

“Can we talk about it when we’re at your house?” Taeja asked. “I don’t want to talk about him right now.”

“Of course.” Cassedi smiled. “I’m so happy to see you, baby girl. And you two as well. Is it your first time in Jamaica?”

Damon nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“You’ll love it here. I don’t live in a fancy house, but I’ll ensure you enjoy these three days.”

“I’m sure you will,” Zain muttered.

Taeja glared at the trace of attitude in Zain’s tone while Cassedi smiled, oblivious to it. Cassedi pulled Taeja back into casual conversation as she drove. They spoke about trivial things such as the weather and music on the radio — ignoring the purpose of the visit.

They headed to a quaint community in St. Ann. When they arrived, the stars and moon dotted the sky.

“I’m sorry for the small house,” Cassedi said, watching Damon and Zain drag the suitcases inside.

“It’s fine,” Taeja said, smiling as she looked around the living room.

It was much smaller than she was used to. It felt like the closet she had at her old dorm, but it belonged to her mother, so she’d accept it. Besides, it was still a decent-sized house. Aside from the living room, there seemed to be two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen.

“I made dinner earlier,” Cassedi said.

“Dinner?” Damon piped up.

“Yes,” Cassedi said. “Fried dumpling, fried breadfruit, and salt ting.”

“Salt ting?” Zain asked while sitting on the sofa.

“She means saltfish,” Taeja said. “And I’m not hungry. Thanks though.”

“Okay. How do I feed you… three ? In a specific order or…”

Taeja chuckled. “It doesn’t matter. ”

“Okay. I’ll be back.” Cassedi smiled and went to the kitchen with Damon trailing behind her.

“Are you okay?” Taeja asked Zain. She sat beside him and ran her fingers through his locs.

He nodded. “You?”

“For now. It looks like we’ll be sharing a room. I would’ve booked a hotel if—”

“It’s fine,” Zain said, looking toward Cassedi and Damon.

Cassedi handed Zain a plate and drink, and Damon offered Taeja one, too.

“I said I wasn’t—”

“You haven’t eaten in hours, baby. Eat,” Damon urged, not moving until Taeja took a bite. He smiled and sat beside Cassedi on the other sofa, then started eating.

If anyone looked at the mother-daughter reunion, they would’ve sworn they weren’t apart for many years. But Taeja knew better. This was just a bandage over a badly festered wound. It’d be ripped off tomorrow, bright and early. She just needed to make it through the night first.

After they finished eating, Cassedi took the plates. “Do you all sleep… together ? Or in separate rooms? Because I have no problem sleeping on the sofa.”

“Absolutely not,” Damon said. “This is your house. We’ll share the room.”

“Are you sure? I’m sorry. I’ve never seen anything like this before, but I’m trying to wrap my head around it so you can all be comfortable.”

Taeja smiled. “You’re doing your best, and that’s good enough for me. Like Damon said, we have no problem sharing a room.”

Cassedi stopped chewing her lip to smile. “Okay… Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” Taeja and Damon said while Zain nodded.

After they showered, they crawled into bed. This bed was small, barely fitting the three of them, but they made it work. Their bodies pressed against hers, like a nice warm blanket made of hard muscle.

She smiled at Zain, who lay before her. “Look who’s going to sleep with us!”

Zain scoffed. “I’m sleeping on the floor. Hurry and go to sleep.”

“Yu nafi sleep pon the floor—”

“I’m going to.”

Taeja kicked him off the bed .

Damon roared a laugh as Zain landed with a thud.

Zain quickly recovered to glare at her. “Did you just kick me off the bed?”

“Yup,” Taeja replied, wondering how she managed to do that. Maybe it was because she finally caught him off-guard. Smirking, she closed her eyes. “Grung yu waa sleep. Why yaa complain? Doh bawl to me. Goodnight.”