Chapter 12 #2
“I feel lost. Displaced. Unwanted. Both of my parents are dead, so I don’t have anyone to answer the questions I have. I guess I created this fantasy in my mind that he was somewhere out there looking for me, so the truth stung more than I realized.”
“Are you open to getting to know the family? I can tell you from experience, the Grahams are some of the kindest souls you’ll ever meet. I grew up with very little love or family, but they have filled the void in my heart in so many ways.” Ciyani praised.
“No offense, but none of my siblings seemed interested in getting to know me. I’ve been through too much to put myself out there only to be rejected. I don’t want to be an outsider or a burden.”
“They need time, that’s all. What happened at dinner had more to do with their parents than it did with you.
No one wants to find out that the people they love have lied to them.
I think once they’ve had a chance to deal with their feelings, they will come around.
In the meantime, you have us. I already claimed you as my new friend, but now we’re technically cousins, so you’re stuck with me.
” Ciyani beamed, and I could no longer hold in my tears.
I buried my face in my hands and broke down at the table.
A few of the ladies rubbed my back while encouraging me. I hated that I ruined the mood with my emotions, but I was struggling to deal with it all.
“I’m sorry for fucking up the vibes. Life has been so hard, and I’m trying to hold on as best as I can. It feels like I’m being punished and I can’t for the life of me figure out why.” I used a paper towel to wipe the rest of the tears from my face.
“You didn’t ruin anything. Our hearts broke for you, and we wanted to come check on you and let you know that you aren’t alone.
Families aren’t perfect, but you couldn’t be a part of a better one.
I was in the same place as you, wondering why the man upstairs seemed to have a vendetta against me.
At one point, I wanted to end it all so I could finally stop suffering, and then I ran into Justice. ”
“Not only did I find the love of my life, but I gained a forever family. As much as it hurts us, I believe pain has its purpose. It teaches us patience and gratitude because once your life begins to fall into place, you’ll remember everything it took to get there. ” I listened intently as Ciyani spoke.
Life had given her wisdom, and I was grateful to be on the receiving end. It frustrated me not having my mother around to talk to or get advice from. I found myself making dumb decisions to keep the people I loved around, but it always backfired on me.
The rest of the night was spent drinking and playing card games. At some point, they talked me into playing Truth or Dare, and things took an unexpected turn.
“Alright, Peace. It’s your turn. Truth or Dare.” Yaya probed. Since I already picked truth the last time, I decided to switch things up.
“Dare,” I said with uncertainty. Yaya seemed like the wild type, so I had no idea what she was going to dare me to do.
“Hmmm, let me see. I dare you to send Dreaux your location and tell him to let you know when he’s on the way.”
“Wait, I don’t understand. He already knows where I live.” Her dare wasn’t making sense to me, but the other ladies were giggling, so I must have missed something.
“Girl, give me your phone,” Yaya demanded, holding her hand out. I relented and handed her my phone. She typed a message, and my phone chimed to alert me that there was a response. She went back and forth for a couple of minutes before a devious smirk appeared on her face.
“Here you go, boo. You wanted to know if that man was interested in you, and now you know.”
When she handed my phone to me, a FaceTime call from Dreaux appeared.
“Don’t be scared. Go ahead and answer. We need to hear this.” Yaya snickered while I swallowed the lump in my throat. They cut the music down the moment I accepted his call. The first thing I noticed was the deep frown on his face. He appeared to be in his car, but it wasn’t moving.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked calmly. Even though I was freaking out inside.
“What’s up? What was that bullshit you sent to my phone?” The ladies were covering their mouths to stifle their laughter while I put on my best poker face.
“I’m sorry about that. I was changing into my pajamas and clicked your contact by mistake. Is Promise okay?”
“Peace, don’t fucking play with me. Whoever you invited over, you need to tell them you’ve changed your mind.”
“Why would I do that? I’m kid-free, so why would it be an issue for me to have company?” I muted the phone and moved it away from my face so he couldn’t see my smile.
“Aye, Loso. I’m about to send you an address. I might need you to send the cleanup crew in like twenty minutes.” Dreaux spoke into a second phone that I hadn’t seen before.
“Just say the word, and we’re on it,” a deep voice replied.
“Alright, bet.” He hung up the phone, focusing his attention back on me. My mouth fell open in disbelief because I hadn’t expected him to react that way.
“Whoa, I think you’re being a bit extreme here.”
“Naw, baby girl, I’m extending grace by allowing you time to correct your mistake. Now, please go ahead and tell that man to lose your number.”
“I don’t understand why you’re being so overprotective.
I appreciate you being a good friend, but you have to give me room to breathe.
I’m a woman at the end of the day, and I have needs like everyone else.
Promise wasn’t here, so I thought this would be a good time to get my needs met.
” I attempted to reason with him, but the vein that pulsated in the middle of his forehead told me that I was pushing my luck.
“I think you like fuckin’ with me, and I can promise you it won’t end well. I would suggest you do what I said and go take a cold shower with your hot ass pussy.”
“And what if I don’t? You’re not the boss of me, and legally this is my place.”
“You know what, you’re absolutely right. If you want to make your place a crime scene, go right ahead, ma.” I bit the inside of my lip when he addressed me.
“No, that’s not necessary. I’ll let him know he can’t come.”
“Good girl. I’m glad you got your mind right. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my little princess wants to make ice cream sundaes, and I made her wait in order to deal with her momma,” Dreaux grumbled.
“Don’t you think it’s a little late for ice cream? She’s gonna be bouncing off the walls.”
“You don’t need to worry about what we’ve got going on over here,” he shot back as he stepped out of his car.
“Let me get this straight, it’s okay for you to be in my business, but I can’t ask about my child when she’s with you?”
“Exactly. Now get off my phone, playing games. Justice just texted me and said Ciyani and nem over there. You gon’ fuck around and let them get your ass hemmed up. Don’t let my suits fool you. I’m a thug ass nigga, baby.”
His warning sent chills down my spine, even though I tried to pretend I was unfazed. I hated the way my body responded to him because I had no control over it. Every time I heard his voice, I felt an instant shift in my soul.
“Yeah, whatever. Get off my phone. You’re interrupting my night.”
“Yeah, alright. Find you something safe to play with, Peace.”
“I’m not worried.”
I hung up before he could respond. Of course, I knew I would have to hear his mouth later, but for now, I had been victorious.
I headed back to where the ladies were and continued enjoying my night.
Although my feelings for Dreaux were growing stronger by the day, I had to remind myself that being hopelessly in love with a man was the reason I was in this mess in the first place.
I needed to get my life in order and focus on my daughter before I even considered dating. Love would have to wait.