Chapter 30 #2
I took a breath, steadying myself with a sense of purpose. “Okay, I guess it’s my turn now.”
Everyone looked at me, waiting.
“This trip has shown me the beauty of perfect timing, and how things unfold exactly when they’re supposed to.
We all needed this, whether it was to heal, to laugh, to escape the grind, or simply to be recognized again in ways we forgot we deserved.
” I looked at Isis, a soft smile playing on my lips.
“I’m really thankful to have met you, Isis…
even though our first interaction was a bit…
” I paused with a knowing grin, …tense. You’ve shown me that people are multilayered.
You’re bougie, bold, and surprisingly hilarious once you let that designer wall down. "
Isis beamed, a light of appreciation sparking in her eyes. “I’ll gladly take that as a compliment.”
Turning my attention to Adrian, I chuckled, “And I’m so grateful I brought you along. Lord knows, if I hadn’t, I’d still be out here believing you were a licensed carpenter with a secret lumberjack past and a degree in power tools.”
With laughter dancing in the air, we realized how much we had grown on that trip, each moment cherished and remembered.
Then my eyes found Bryce, and everything slowed. My voice softened, thick with genuine truth as I prepared to share the final piece of my heart.
“Although I was angry at first, I’m so glad you got your month mixed up. If you hadn’t been here, I don’t know what I would’ve done during the storm, the bear incident—everything. I needed you more than I realized.”
My voice wavered slightly, the emotion almost overwhelming me.
“I’m even more thankful for this reconnection between us.
The truth is, love doesn’t always return the way we hope it will; sometimes it comes back when we least expect it, and it wears the scars of our past, carries the weight of growth, and brings with it apologies.
You’ve given me all of that, and I appreciate it more than you know.
So thank you for not letting us stay broken. ”
Bryce reached over, gently took my hand, and pressed a soft kiss to it without uttering a word. And honestly, he didn’t have to say anything.
Isis, standing nearby, wiped her eyes with a dramatic sniff, clearly fighting back tears. “Okay, Adrian, let’s go before I start crying and ruin my setting powder.”
As Adrian began loading the luggage into the trunk of the SUV, I pulled Isis aside.
“We heard y’all last night,” I murmured, arms crossed, a teasing glint in my eyes.
Isis shrugged nonchalantly, as if she had absolutely no regrets. Leaning in closer, she whispered conspiratorially, “We heard y’all too. Y’all was motivating, so I said, let me put in work too!”
I tried to hold it in but snorted.
She grinned. “It’s nothing serious, girl. I just needed some dick… and he delivered.”
I giggled. “You’re insane.”
“Yet completely satisfied,” she shot back with a wink.
We shared one last heartfelt hug before making our way toward the front door.
“Merry Christmas, boo,” I said warmly, wrapping my arms around her.
“Merry Christmas, girl! And look… if you ever need fashion tips, discounts on flights, recommendations for champagne that costs more than your rent, or if y’all ever do a cabin sequel, count me in—but only if there’s a hot tub, a chef, and snow boots that don’t mess up my pedicure!”
I laughed. “Will do. And if you need any cooking tips that don’t involve smoke alarms, burnt edges, or calling DoorDash halfway through, I got you.”
“Duly noted! Ciao!” Isis blew me a kiss and strutted into the crisp winter air, moving as if a photographer was about to yell, Work it.
Bryce wrapped his arm around my shoulders as we leaned against the doorframe, watching them prepare to leave.
“Man, this place is about to be so damn peaceful now that they’re gone,” Bryce said, almost in relief.
I chuckled softly. “Yeah… but you can’t say they didn’t bring the humor. I actually enjoyed their chaotic company… once we all came to an understanding.”
“Yeah,” he muttered, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Just then, we heard the pathetic cough of an engine that sounded like it was struggling to breathe, a sound reminiscent of a sickly old man.
Adrian tried again.
Nothing.
Bryce shook his head in disappointment, adopting the role of a frustrated big brother. “I bet this fool ain’t check the antifreeze.”
We stepped outside, the brisk air biting at my cheeks as I wrapped myself in a thick, cozy blanket.
When Adrian finally swung the door open, Isis was inside the truck already going off.
“Adrian, I swear if I get stranded in any zip code without at least two Starbucks, a Target within breathing distance, or where the Wi-Fi has only one bar, I’m filing emotional distress charges!”
Bryce exhaled deeply. “What’s wrong?”
Adrian, still focused on the dashboard, didn’t even look up. “It ain’t cranking. Sounds like the truck just took its last breath and gave it to Jesus."
Classic Adrian—always finding humor, even when a situation felt dire.
Bryce folded his arms, annoyance creeping into his voice. “Nigga, did you check the antifreeze?”
Adrian blinked, genuinely confused. “The what now?”
With an exasperated groan, Bryce instructed, “Pop the hood.”
Bryce leaned in, peering into the engine bay. After a moment of studying the situation, he turned back toward the cabin, his brow furrowed in concentration. A minute later, he returned with a gallon of antifreeze, its bright green fluid sloshing slightly with each step.
“Lucky for you, I’m always prepared.”
Isis had gotten out of the car, and we stood off to the side, arms crossed, watching him work while the wind gusted untamed, tugging at her tight curls and my colorful bonnet.
Isis huffed silently, visibly irritated. “See? This is why I’ll forever be high-maintenance! My cars come with heated seats, remote start, and roadside assistance that actually assists! Meanwhile, Adrian thinks being dependable means charging his phone before noon.”
“And yet you let that same man rearrange your uterus on a twin bed,” I quipped, raising an eyebrow and unable to resist a jab.
She grinned, completely unbothered. “There’s that shade.”
I nudged her playfully. “I’m honest; there’s a difference.”
Isis cocked her head, a smirk dancing on her lips. “Oh, and need I remind you, you let him hit first. Don’t try to act brand new now!”
I rolled my eyes, waving a dismissive hand as if to shoo away the memory.
“Yeah, well, that was before I discovered all the crap I know now. Had I known he was an emotional terrorist with a penchant for carpentry lies, he wouldn’t have took a peek at this coochie.
Adrian would’ve been lucky to get a handshake and a God bless.
But hey... you live, and you learn.” Then I let a smirk slip, lowering my voice.
“I can’t lie and say the dick wasn’t good, though… but keep that between us.”
Isis zipped her lips dramatically and tucked away the imaginary key in her bra, her expression a mixture of serious and playful. “Girl, I got you. I’m bougie, not messy.”
The engine finally gave a reluctant rumble, and the headlights eased on with the relief of a long-held breath released. They were back in business.
Bryce patted the hood with a sense of accomplishment. “Y’all should be good now. Just make sure you get the truck checked out when you get back in town. An antifreeze fairy might not show up next time.” His tone was both teasing and serious, a friendly reminder of what could happen on the road.
Adrian nodded, stepping forward to dap him up.
“’Preciate you, bruh,” he expressed, his tone grateful.
“And please, whatever you do, don’t let the truck catch a cold again!
” Isis grumbled with mock concern, then she diverted her attention to me, her face lighting up. “Bye, beautiful! Don’t be a stranger!”
We exchanged heartfelt goodbyes, and as their vehicle pulled away, Bryce and I stood together in the quiet aftermath.
Bryce slid his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in close, enchanting warmth radiating between us.
“Finally,” he whispered, his voice low and intimate. “Just us.”
“Just us” felt exactly like enough, as the world around us faded, leaving only the lingering warmth of shared moments and the promise of what lay ahead.