Chapter 8 #4
“I’m fine, it’s not my blood,” he stated in a low tone.
Relief suddenly swept over me.
“Thank God. What happened? Who’s blood is that?”
“Ledge,” Free declared, and my eyes widened.
“What! Is he okay?”
“He’s in ICU.” Free shed his black leather jacket and kick off his shoes. “I need to take a shower.”
“Free, there’s something I need to tell you.” I stopped him as he turned to go up the staircase.
“Harbor, I really don’t have the energy—’”
“Ivana is dead,” I conveyed, pausing him in his steps.
He swung around slowly on me.
“What you say?”
“She’s… gone.” I didn’t know why, but I started to cry.
His face was left blank.
“What happened?” he asked, lowering himself to the second step and taking a seat.
“I don’t know. I found her, in the bathroom, with a needle in her arm. The coroner said it was heroin. They looked at her arms, and it looked like she was frequent with using. Did you know?”
“Nah.” He shook his head before dropping it into both hands. “Does Ivy know?” he queried, bringing his head up.
“I didn’t tell her anything. I thought you should be the one—’
“I’ll take care of it.” He quickly stood and started back up the staircase. I was speechless. His lack of emotion was stifling. There was a definite disconnect between us now.
* * *
One week later…
Ivana’s funeral was an event I was in no way prepared for.
Ivy had shut down, and the date for me to leave had moved up to that same day.
I was packed and ready when they arrived at my apartment to say their goodbyes to the twins.
Still dressed in their funeral attire, I welcomed them into the apartment.
The twins were each tucked into their car seats.
Deviance was going to drive us to the airport.
He’d been pretty quiet and solemn lately as well.
I was going to miss him. He was dependable and easy to talk to when I needed to vent.
Ivy barely said a word as she stepped past me and knelt in front of her brother and sister.
“Hi, you two. Are you ready for your big adventure?” she asked, putting on the happiest voice for them as they each smiled at her familiar face. “I’m going to miss you. Try not to grow up too fast.” She leaned in, kissing each of their cheeks.
Frequency hung back, observing, and handsome in his suit as he stepped forward.
“Everything is set up for you over there. I took care of your living arrangements already and the tuition for school.”
“You didn’t have to—’
“I know. You deserve it. I don’t want you to have to focus on anything else while doing what you’re doing.”
It amazed me that he was still thinking about me after everything. Guilt plagued me regularly, and I couldn’t help but feel semi responsible for what Ivana did to herself. Hot tears stung my eyes, and I sniffled to distract myself from actually falling apart and crying.
“Thank you.” I whirled around to face Ivy.
She hung back near the sofa eyes roaming me.
“I am going to miss you.”
“I’ll be okay.” She shrugged. “I have him.” She nodded to her father.
“Yeah, you do,” I agreed. “You have been through a lot, but you are a survivor, Ivy. And I know you might feel some kind of way about me just taking off—”
“It’s your life. You taught me that you have to follow your dreams, even if it leads you away,” she muttered that last part.
“I wish you nothing but the best in Morocco. I am sure you are going to kill it at that school.” I stepped closer so that I could embrace her, and I swear I felt her crying against me.
Frequency bent down in front of his seeds and looked between both of their adorable faces.
“Aye, daddy loves you, a’ight? And you gon’ see me all the time and know who I am. Take care of your mama and be good.” Watching him with them melted my heart.
He kissed them both with love and brought himself to his feet in front of them. Turning to me, he didn’t speak as he soaked me in. Taking a couple of steps forward, he stopped, closing the space between us. His strong hand fell on my neck and his lightly colored eyes gazed deep into mine.
“I’m never gon’ stop loving you, Harbor. I don’t care if you across the fucking world; that shit won’t die. You taking my heart with you, ma.” He hovered over me, and his lips meshed into mine in the most-supple kiss.
My knees wanted to give, but his hand on the small of my back kept me in place against his strong torso.
“I’m letting you take this time to do you, experience the world, and everything in it. But I’ma keep it a stack with you; I don’t like this shit. It would be selfish of me to not let you spread your wings though.”
“I have learned a lot being with you. I don’t regret any of it, just so you know that. I’m not doing this to get away from you or forget. I could never.” I choked on those last words.
This was it. I was coming undone. Before I could completely break down, he wrapped me in his arms and held me tight. Mine fell around him, embracing him back as his head rest on top of mine.
“I know,” he whispered.
“I love you.”
“I love you more.” He reacted, his voice breaking.