CHAPTER 10 #2
Kavon stared at her for a long moment.
Then said the one thing he absolutely should not have said.
“Because part of me keeps wondering what would’ve happened if I found you after Tampa.”
Zaviyah stopped breathing.
“Kavon.”
“I know.”
“No. You don’t fucking know.”
“I do.”
“Then why would you say that?”
“Because it’s true.”
“You love my sister.”
“Yes.”
“And I love my sister.”
“I know.”
“Then whatever you wondering about, kill it.”
Kavon’s jaw tightened.
“You think I can just switch shit off?”
“Yes.”
“You can?”
Zaviyah opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Kavon nodded slowly.
“Exactly.”
She stepped backward.
“You need to go.”
“I know.”
“Now.”
Kavon looked at her.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
He walked toward his truck.
Zaviyah closed the door.
Locked it.
Then leaned against it.
Her heart was pounding.
“Stupid.”
Kyren looked over.
“Mama?”
“Nothing, baby.”
Twenty minutes later, Malissa came over to stay with Kyren.
Zaviyah drove toward Samaria’s place.
The whole way there, she replayed Kavon’s words.
What would’ve happened if I found you after Tampa?
Nothing.
That was the answer.
Nothing would’ve happened.
Maybe they would’ve dated.
Maybe he would’ve found out she was pregnant.
Maybe they would’ve raised Kyren together.
Maybe Samaria never would’ve met him.
Maybe none of this shit would’ve happened.
But none of that mattered.
Because he did meet Samaria.
And Samaria loved him.
Zaviyah pulled into the apartment complex.
She sat in her car for a minute.
Then went upstairs.
Samaria opened the door before she could knock.
Her face looked tired.
“Hey.”
“Hey.”
Zaviyah stepped inside.
No Jalisa.
Good.
Samaria walked toward the kitchen.
“You want something?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Samaria grabbed a bottle of wine anyway.
Of course.
She poured herself a glass.
Then poured Zaviyah one.
Zaviyah took it.
Maybe she did need something.
They sat at the table.
For a minute, neither spoke.
Then Samaria looked at her.
“How was it?”
Zaviyah knew what she meant.
“With Kyren?”
“With Kavon and Kyren.”
“It was good.”
Samaria’s face tightened.
“Okay.”
“Mari.”
“No. I asked.”
“He loves him.”
Samaria looked down.
“That fast?”
“Yes.”
“You believe him?”
“Yes.”
Samaria nodded slowly.
“That’s good.”
Zaviyah stared at her sister.
“You don’t have to pretend.”
“I’m not.”
“You sound like you are.”
Samaria took a drink.
“I’m happy for Kyren.”
“But?”
“But I’m fucked up about everything else.”
“Fair.”
Samaria looked at her.
“Did Kavon say anything about me?”
Zaviyah hesitated.
Samaria saw it.
“What?”
“He said he loves you.”
Her eyes filled immediately.
Zaviyah continued.
“He said he doesn’t know how to talk to you right now.”
Samaria looked away.
“Anything else?”
Zaviyah’s heart started pounding.
“No.”
The lie came out too fast.
Samaria slowly looked back.
Zaviyah knew immediately.
Fuck.
“What else did he say?”
“Nothing important.”
Samaria laughed.
“There you go.”
“What?”
“Doing it again.”
“Mari.”
“You lying to protect me.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Then tell me.”
Zaviyah looked at her wine.
Samaria leaned forward.
“What did Kavon say?”
Zaviyah exhaled.
“He said he wonders what would’ve happened if he found me after Tampa.”
Silence.
Samaria stared at her.
Zaviyah wished she could disappear.
“He said that today?”
“Yes.”
“At your house?”
“Yes.”
“While y’all were alone?”
“Kyren was there.”
Samaria laughed.
“That wasn’t my question.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
“What did you say?”
“I told him to kill it.”
“Exactly like that?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t say anything else?”
“I told him you’re my sister and he loves you.”
Samaria looked down at her glass.
Then she asked quietly, “Did you want him to say it?”
Zaviyah’s chest tightened.
“No.”
Samaria looked up.
“Don’t lie.”
“I didn’t want him to say it.”
“That ain’t the same as not wanting it to be true.”
Zaviyah stared at her sister.
Samaria stared back.
And Zaviyah realized there was no safe answer.
Not anymore.
“Mari.”
Samaria stood.
“Just answer me.”
Zaviyah stayed quiet.
Samaria laughed through her tears.
“Do you want my man?”
“Your ex.”
The second it came out, Zaviyah knew she fucked up.
Samaria’s face went dead.
Zaviyah covered her mouth.
“Fuck.”
Samaria slowly nodded.
“Wow.”
“Mari, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“How the fuck else could you mean it?”
“I was correcting the wording.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
“No, I don’t.”
Samaria grabbed her glass.
Then set it back down before she threw it.
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I think you should go.”
Zaviyah stood.
“Mari.”
“Go.”
“I’m sorry.”
“GO.”
Zaviyah grabbed her purse.
She walked toward the door.
Then Samaria spoke behind her.
“If you want him, just say that shit.”
Zaviyah turned.
“I don’t.”
Samaria laughed.
“Then why every time I ask if you feel something, you can’t give me a straight fucking answer?”
Zaviyah’s eyes filled.
“Because I don’t know what I feel!”
“Well, figure it the fuck out before you destroy whatever is left between us.”
Zaviyah stared at her.
Samaria opened the door.
Zaviyah stepped into the hallway.
The door slammed behind her.
She stood there for a second.
Then her phone vibrated.
Kavon.
Zaviyah looked at his name.
And for the first time since she found out he was Kyren’s father, she didn’t answer.
Because Samaria was right about one thing.
Whatever Zaviyah felt needed to be figured out.
Fast.
Before somebody crossed a line they couldn’t uncross.