Chapter 18
Chapter
Eighteen
Falcon
It didn’t surprise me when I looked at my door camera and saw Isaac.
After Eli’s show last night, she wanted to come home with me.
She told him that she needed some space but didn’t say where she was going.
I told her she could stay as long as she needed to and that if she wanted her own space, I’d buy her a home.
Whatever she wanted, she’d have. I tried to go with her to pack her bags, but she was worried about there being tension between me and Isaac and promised she’d meet me here.
A part of me was worried that she’d get home and allow her brother to change her mind about leaving, but to my surprise, she stayed firm and did what she believed was best for her.
Truth was, I’d always been aware of the weird dynamic she had with her father.
A lot of times, her relationship with Isaac made up for it, but there were times when he was just as insensitive and inconsiderate.
I knew not all men were soft toward their daughters, but Senior took that shit to another level.
It had always been weird to me that he never worked to put forth effort to have a closer relationship with her, but I never felt like it was my place to address it—until now.
As gently as I could, I slid from under Eli.
I’d gotten up to handle my hygiene and climbed back into bed, and her ass was still sleep.
Since she was normally a light sleeper, I knew preparing for the show these last couple of months had drained her.
My mind was already working, thinking of ways I could treat her.
After opening the door, I allowed Isaac to come inside. He looked around briefly before heading toward the couch, but he didn’t sit down.
“Is my sister here?” were the first words out of his mouth.
“If she wanted you to know where she was, she would have told you. If she is here, just know she’s safe.”
His head tilted and eyes tightened as he stared at me. “That’s where we at with it now? You inserting yourself in my family business and choosing my sister over me? Where’s your loyalty, bruh?”
Sighing, I ran my hand over my waves. “I’m loyal to right.
I always have your back, right or wrong, but you know I’ll tell you when you’re wrong, and I expect the same from you when I’m wrong.
I’m not choosing your sister over you, but she needs support, and seeing as you’re riding for your pops, I’m riding for her.
It’s only fair, and I thought you’d appreciate and respect that.
You told me to take care of her and protect her.
What exactly did you mean by that? Or did you not want me to protect her from your father? ”
“She doesn’t need protection from him.”
“Actually, she does. I get that you might not see anything wrong with how he talks to her, but she’s a woman, and she’s not an athlete.
The way he talks to us won’t work with her.
Outside of that, Senior never puts forth effort to spend time with his daughter.
Just because she’s an adult, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t need her father in her life.
She said the man has never even told her that he loves her before, and she questions if he even likes her, but I know that’s not a concern of yours, is it? ”
Isaac huffed as he sat down. “She said that shit? I mean, now that I think about it, I can’t recall a time where I heard him tell her he loved her, but I thought he’d said it when they were alone. Of course he loves her, though, even if he’s never said it.”
“But has he told you he loves you?”
Silence filled the space before he said, “Of course.”
“Senior favors you. It could be because you’re a man, it could be because of commonality, it could be because of football.
Regardless, he favors you. So yeah. If you want to see me standing by her side as betrayal, do that.
She needs someone in her corner with no bias, unconditionally.
You can’t do that objectively, so I will.
I hope one day you respect it, but if not .
. .” I shrugged, not feeling the need to continue.
“Damn,” Isaac grumbled, running his hands down his face. “That makes me feel like shit. I’ve noticed the disconnect in their relationship, but I didn’t realize just how bad it was.”
“It’s hard to when you’re on the inside looking out.
Your relationship with him is perfect, so it’s going to be difficult for you to see the flawed way he treats her.
She doesn’t have a mother, bruh. At least you have Senior.
I’m sure at times it feels like she doesn’t even have him.
And when he does come around, look at how he talks to her.
All the little girl in her wants is to be loved, supported, and accepted by her father.
If she can’t get that, he has to stay away from her. It’s not healthy for her mental.”
Standing, Isaac nodded his agreement. “If she’s here, tell her to call me so I can check on her.
If she’s not here, tell her the next time you talk to her.
” We shook hands, and it led to a brotherly hug.
“I know I’ve been giving you hell, but I do appreciate you looking out for my sister.
Since she doesn’t want me to be here for her now, take care of her. ”
“I will,” I promised, following him toward the door.
After I locked it behind him, I went back to my room.
Eli was still knocked out. I climbed back into bed and put her on my chest, next to my heart where she belonged.
Her breathing evened out as she wrapped her arm around me and tossed her leg over mine.
Kissing her head, I gently massaged her scalp.
She had truly become my treasure, and I was going to make sure no one had the chance to hurt her without consequence—regardless of who it was.
The Next Day
I looked up the world’s largest bookstore and took Eli there.
We’d come to Powell’s City of Books in Portland, Oregon.
I knew we’d be here for a while because she’d want to cover every inch of space, and I let her get every book she wanted.
We arrived just before noon and didn’t leave until damn near five.
The smile on her face made the long day worth it, and I would have stayed twice as long if that made her happy.
“This was so much fun, Fally!” She squealed as she slid into the back of the chauffeured SUV we were in for the day.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, because this is only just the beginning.”
“Ooh, what else did you have in mind?”
“I figured we could do a bookstore tour. I looked up some independent and black owned stores, but if you have any you want to add to the list, let me know. We can do a city a day or every two days, and I have the next two weeks blocked off. Is that cool?”
Her eyes watered, but she held back her tears as she rubbed them. “Why are you doing this for me?” she asked softly.
“Because I love you, and you deserve it. Because I want to spoil you and make you happy. Because you’re mine, and it’s my job to take care of you. You gon’ let me do that?”
That signature giggle escaped her before she hugged my neck, then buckled her seat belt.
“Thank you, baby. I really needed this. Between the show prep and melting down backstage, this was the perfect recharge. Not just the bookstore but spending time with you.”
“I’m happy to hear that. You look like yourself again. Sound like yourself. I thought I was gon’ have to beat up ya old man for a minute there.”
She laughed. “He called me talking about Isaac questioned him about something you said about him never telling me he loved me. Do you know that man yelled at me for that and still didn’t tell me he loved me?
” Eli chuckled, but it was a humorless chuckle.
“I just hung up in his face and blocked him. Not sure how long I’ll have him blocked, but I know I need to protect my energy and peace. ”
“You made the right call. I’m not saying it’s impossible for y’all to have the relationship you want, but at the same time, if it hasn’t happened by now . . .”
“I’m over it. I think I tried so hard because of Mama.
I didn’t want to lose him emotionally after losing her physically, but it is what it is.
” Her head shook as she looked out of the window.
“I don’t want to talk about that though.
I’m having a great time, and talking about him will just ruin it. ”
“Say less. Where do you want to go next? Texas was on my list. There’s about three bookstores there that I wanted to take you to, but again, if you have something else in mind—”
“Texas it is! And I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see all the places you picked. This is so exciting!”
As she clapped and shimmied, I laughed and shook my head. Nothing made me feel better than pleasing this woman, and that was a dangerous way to feel, because it made me want to please her for the rest of my life.