Chapter Seventeen #2
Almost two hours later, Logic pulled up to a gated community in Rochester Hills.
The homes were bigger than anything he’d ever seen, and while he tried not to act awestruck, Logic was super fucking impressed.
This was the type of community he wanted to move his siblings to, if not better.
He could hear them in the back oohing and aahing at the mansion's fountains and funny shaped trees.
“Man, I can’t wait till we get a house like this,” Spice said in awe. “I’m never going to move out.”
“And you’ll never have to,” Logic swore, pulling into Rahlo’s circular driveway.
“You hear that, Ty. So when y’all get married, you can’t put me out.”
“What makes you think I wanna marry your brother?”
“Because he’s a great person, duh,” Shugg stated.
“He’s the best,” Spice added.
Parking behind Czar’s Benz truck, Logic glanced over at Tyler. The corner of her lip was tucked into her mouth as she stared out the window. He could feel her uneasiness across the car and almost felt bad for suggesting they go out.
“You ready, baby girl?” He palmed her knee as if he could see the inner battle she was having with herself.
“Yes,” Tyler answered, clearing her throat.
“Cool, come on.”
Logic waited for everyone to exit the truck before walking up to the big wooden door. He didn’t have to knock because an older black man opened the door with a scowl on his face.
“We don’t do charities, I believe in God, and no, you can’t meet Rah,” he grunted, trying to shut the door in their face.
“Papa,” a soft voice called out. “Let them in.”
“I didn’t move in to be your butler,” he fussed. “I moved to get away from your bad ass brother, but shit, your kids are just as bad. At this point, put me in a retirement home.”
“You moved in because Rahlo turns his head whenever you’re doing something wrong, and I’ll never put you in a home. Who else am I going to bother?”
“Bother your husband,” the old man muttered as Rahlo’s wife, Taylor, pulled the door open.
“Hey yall, I’m sorry about that,” she laughed lightly. “I’m Taylor, Rahlo’s wife, and you must be Logic.”
“I am. It’s nice to meet you. You have a beautiful home.” Logic extended his hand.
“Thank you.” Taylor smiled, shaking his hand before focusing on the real reason she answered the door. “I am trying not to fan girl, but oh my god, Tyler is standing in my foyer. When Rah said you were coming over, I thought he was lying because what are the chances of you coming over to my house?”
“Hey girl! Your home is truly amazing,” Tyler responded. “And it’s nice to meet you.”
“Girl, fuck this house. Can I get a hug?”
Logic protectively slipped his hand into Tyler’s.
Taylor peeped the move and stepped back. “Oh my god, I probably seem like such a creep right now. If you don’t hug, I respect your boundaries.”
“No, you’re fine. It’s fine,” Tyler assured both Logic and Taylor. Only then did Logic release her hand, allowing them to hug.
“And you smell so gooooooood,” Taylor cooed.
“I know damn well you’re not out here smelling people,” Rahlo barked, stepping into the foyer. He pulled Taylor under his arm, kissing her cheek. “You don’t even sweat me like that.” He poked her in the side.
“Stop, you know I love her. Why would you invite her here thinking that I wouldn’t be all in her face?”
“I didn’t think yo ass was gone jump on the girl.” Rahlo shook his head. “What up doe? I’m happy yall could come out.” He stretched his hand to dap Logic and then Sage.
“Thanks for the invite. You remember my sisters, Shugg and Spice, and this my brother Sage,” Logic introduced his siblings. “You already know Ty.”
“Heyyyy,” the twins sang while Sage stood there star struck. He didn’t know if he should look at Rahlo or his wife. Taylor’s round ass was stealing the show.
“Hi, thanks for having me.” Tyler smiled.
“Nah, we don’t do that shy shit,” Rahlo teased. “My wife already seen the video of you beating niggas with Birkins.”
“Oh shoot, that’s why she got on that ankle thingy.” Spice covered her mouth. “Let me see the video.”
“Nigga, you messy,” Logic laughed.
“I’m fucking with her, come on back here. Czar ass on the grill and this nigga swear he doing some shit. Come on.” Rahlo led them through the massive house.
When Tyler pictured having a home, Rahlo and Taylor’s home was exactly what she wanted.
A foyer with a double staircase, a living room full of white furniture that no one could sit on, family pictures on the walls and mantel, a brick fireplace, gorgeous artwork, and a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Kids' drawings were posted on the refrigerator next to preschool progress reports.
Tyler loved everything about their home and it made her love the couple that much more.
Once they walked through the patio doors, Tyler was once again blown away.
She had grown accustomed to the finer things in life, but Rahlo and Taylor were taking it to a different level.
The spacious backyard resembled a mini resort.
Their pool stretched from one end of the yard to the other.
There was a jacuzzi, mini water slides, and a manmade waterfall.
Along the privacy fence sat four cabanas with a mix of lounge chairs and couches.
To the left of the cabanas was a guest house, and to the right was the outdoor grilling area.
“What up doe?” Czar greeted the group when they made their way toward him. “I see you wasn’t playing around huh?” He motioned toward Tyler.
“I heard you was back here burning food.” Logic grinned, dismissing the comment about Tyler. What was understood didn’t need to be explained.
“Fuck outta here, lil dog. I’m nice on the grill, ask my wife.”
“He's aight.” A slim woman with long, thick hair playfully rolled her eyes.
“You know what, get these fake ass hot dogs off the grill. Got me flipping fucking carrots like it's meat or some shit.”
“Shut up,” she laughed. “And you know you like my glazed carrot dogs.”
“I knew this nigga was losing weight,” Rahlo clowned. “Marley, you over there feeding him blades of grass and sticks.”
“Go ahead, keep talking. Your wife asked me for a few tips on being vegan. I’ll have you over here squeezing almonds for milk,” Marley threatened.
“Aight, aight.” Rahlo held his hands up. “I don’t want no smoke.”
“We don’t act like this all the time,” Taylor swore, turning to their guests while still holding on to her husband.
“She ghetto too.” Czar pointed at Tyler with the tongs. “Did we not all see the same video?”
“Not too much,” she snickered.
“Anyway,” Taylor continued. “The guest house is over there. Go get changed and join us by the pool. We cooked a little bit of everything and there are all kinds of beverages in the cooler behind the bar. The kids are welcome inside the house as well. We have a movie theater on the third floor and there’s a full basketball court on the ground level. ”
“Did she say a movie theater?” Spice whispered.
“Did!” Shugg confirmed. “I’m about to see if they want a goddaughter.”
“Oh, that’s all it takes for yall to leave me?” Logic lightly bumped Spice.
“Well, not leave, but they can borrow us,” she giggled.
“Yea, aight. We're going to go change,” Logic said, slipping his hand into Tyler’s. It was one of the last hot days in September and he was ready to enjoy it.
Once inside the guest house, the twins took the first bedroom on the right, Sage took the second one, leaving the master to Logic and Tyler.
Placing her bag on the bed, Tyler started to silently remove her bathing suit and slides.
Her mind was racing and she was starting to feel crazy.
For years, she had been walking around higher than the stars, and now that she wasn’t, everything seemed upside down.
“Fuck it,” Tyler mumbled, picking up her purse. If she was going to have a good time, then she needed something to knock the edge off. Opening the mint can, she quickly picked up the peach-colored pill.
“Baby girl,” Logic called out, startling her as he entered the room.
The can fell from her hand and the pills rolled to the middle of the floor.
Lowering his eyes, Logic glanced at the pills and then back at Tyler, who was standing there as if she couldn’t move.
She clamped her eyes shut, hoping that it was just a dream, but she heard his voice again, sending her heart to the bottom of her feet.
“Straight up?” Logic frowned, bending down to pick up the pills, shaking them in his hand like dice.
Silence
“The fuck is this?” he questioned.
Silence
“Yo, you really a fucking pill head,” Logic spoke angrily. “I mean I heard the rumors, but fuck. I was hoping I heard wrong.”
“Don’t call me that.” Tyler finally found her voice. She was beyond embarrassed and wanted to kick her own ass for not fighting off the demons a little bit harder.
“Fuck you want me to call you and you’re in here trying to shove shit down your throat. What is this?” He opened his hand. “Molly, fentanyl, X?”
“It’s mine, nigga.” She reached for it, but Logic stepped back, putting space between them.
“So you really a fucking addict?”
“I’m not addicted to shit,” she denied.
“Get the fuck outta here. You cracked out.” Logic shook his head in disappointment. “I’ve been trying to get to know you, but shit, I don’t think I even want to. I can’t fuck with no crackhead.”
Triggered. It was the only way to explain the shades of red that flashed behind Tyler’s eyes.
“Fuck you!” She flew at Logic with tears in her eyes. Balling her fist, Tyler pounded into his chest with all her strength. “Fuck you,” she cried. “Fuck you, Logic.”
“I’m not trying to fight you, shorty.” Logic grabbed her arms, placing her in a bear hug.
“It’s not like it’s the first time I had to fight a nigga.” Tyler fought against his embrace.
“Lo.” Spice tapped on the door. “You ok?”
“Yea, go to the pool, I’m right behind you,” Logic answered while pleading with Tyler to calm down. She was still wrapped in his arms, hanging onto the hem of his shirt.