17. Brittish Abernathy
Three days.
Day three of Nyle being MIA, and I was on a mission to find him.
With AJ going back with Asher for the weekend, I was headed to Lela Mae’s house.
I needed answers on where I could possibly find Nyle.
His family was my only option. If they didn’t have an inkling, then I wasn’t sure what I could do other than wait.
But I wasn’t sure how long I could wait.
Nyle’s situation was deep, so I didn’t want to be selfish.
I didn’t want to consider my feelings over his, but I couldn’t completely push mine to the side.
With his disappearance, our relationship was suffering.
Each time I thought about how it would negatively affect us, I thought back to my parents.
The insight they gave me was what kept me going.
It was what kept me in a positive headspace.
My phone ringing through my car speakers broke me from my thoughts. I smiled upon seeing Pilar’s name. My girl had been checking on me nonstop, and I appreciated her more than she knew. I tapped the green button on my screen and heard the music in the background.
“Good morning, Pilar,” I answered.
“Good morning, girl. What are you up to?”
“Headed to Nyle’s grandmother’s house to see if they know anything. You headed to work?”
“I was actually headed to you. I took a personal day to be with you.”
My eyes stung. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did. You need me, and I’m going to be there for you. Do you think Nyle’s grandmother will mind if I tag along with you?”
“I don’t think so. I’ll send you the address.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”
“Be careful, bestie.”
“Always.”
The call ended, and I allowed my tears to fall. The way my people were showing up for me warmed my heart. I didn’t need to ask them to be there. They just showed up, and I appreciated them more than they knew.
One of the songs I’d sung to Nyle oozed through my speakers.
I leaned my head back on the headrest and mumbled the words, feeling every one in my heart.
The way I missed that man needed to be studied.
It literally felt like my body was going through withdrawals without him.
All five of my senses craved him, and I was being deprived of him.
The shit sucked.
Pilar and I pulled up to Lela Mae’s at the same time.
She wasted no time getting out of her car with a small gift bag and coming to my car.
I laughed to myself because she didn’t even let me open the door.
In one swift motion, she swung my door open and threw herself on me.
Her embrace was what I needed. For the longest, Pilar held onto me.
I buried my face into her shoulder and cried while she rubbed my back.
We were so wrapped up into one another that we didn’t hear or see Brielle come outside to get us. Pilar jumped when Brielle gently touched her back. After letting me go, she looked back and forth between us with her hand over her heart.
“Girl, you can’t walk up on me like that,” Pilar warned and released a shaky exhale. “You don’t know what I have on me.”
Brielle snickered. “I’m sorry about that. I just wanted to come get y’all. I’m Brielle.”
“I’m Pilar, Britt’s best friend.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Brielle’s gaze fell on me. Around her eyes were dark while the insides were red.
Her hair was hidden by a bonnet, and her body was covered in pajamas.
She looked like I had over the last few days.
The only reason I’d gotten myself together was to come see them.
I stepped out of the car and embraced her.
There was something about her hug that gave me comfort.
I wasn’t sure if it was because she was a part of Nyle or what, but I almost didn’t want to let her go either.
Once we parted, Brielle held onto my hands and asked, “Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that.”
She hunched one shoulder. “I’m managing.”
“Same, girl.”
“Well, come inside. Nannie is finishing up breakfast. It’s a good thing she always cooks enough to feed an army.”
Pilar and I followed Brielle inside. I looked around the cozy home.
We walked down a hallway where the walls were filled with old pictures.
I stopped in front of one of Nyle. It was the cutest thing ever.
If I had to guess, he was around seven or eight in the picture, with a baseball bat bigger than his body resting on his shoulder.
To me, from the look in his eyes, it was obvious he was battling something internally.
There was no light in them. He almost looked blank, and my stomach churned. I had to look away.
“It smells so good in here,” Pilar stated, looping her arm in mine.
“Doesn’t it?” I agreed.
Brielle nodded. “One thing about Nannie is that she gets down in the kitchen. Cooking is therapeutic for her. It’s one of her love languages as well, so she’s been in the kitchen since Nyle left. I’ve tried to tell her to chill, but she won’t.”
“Don’t be telling folks my business, Bri,” Lela Mae griped.
Her back was turned to us as she stood at the stove, stirring something that smelled heavenly.
I looked around to see a spread of homemade cinnamon rolls, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit.
When she finally turned around with one hand on her hip, her expression softened upon seeing me.
To my surprise, Lela Mae wiped her hands on her apron and walked toward me with her arms out. I melted into her motherly embrace. It was short but welcoming.
“How are you, Brittish?” she questioned, going back over to the stove.
“I’m not okay if I’m being honest.”
“Me either, honey. I’m so damn worried about Nyle. He’s never gone this long without talking to any of us, and it’s slowly killing me.”
“So, he hasn’t reached out to any of you?”
Brielle wagged her head. “Nope. Not one peep. I assumed he would’ve at least reached out to Naheem, but he hasn’t.”
“At least we know it’s not just you,” Pilar whispered.
I swallowed. “Do y’all have an idea as to where he could be?”
“If we did, we would’ve gone to find him by now,” Lela Mae replied.
“Nannie!” Brielle hissed.
With her hand on her hips, Lela Mae craned her neck back to where her face was toward the ceiling. She took slow, deep breaths, so I walked over to her and gently placed my hand on her shoulder. Tears stained her face. When she lowered her head, she gave me a small smile.
“I’m sorry, Brittish. My emotions are all over the place, but it doesn’t warrant my attitude.”
“No worries. I understand this is affecting all of us. Lord knows I miss him something serious.”
“Give him time. He’ll come back home,” Brielle spoke confidently. “Nyle has always been the type to go into a shell. What Renee did was absolutely disgusting, so I get it.”
Lela Mae huffed. “Don’t mention her name in my house. It pisses me off every time. I mean, I damn near hate my child, but the Lord won’t let my heart go there. My dislike for her is extremely deep, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to forgive her.”
Pilar chimed in. “That’s understandable considering everything she did and doesn’t feel bad about it. It’s gross, so you had every right to beat her ass.”
“And I’d do it again.” Lela Mae smirked. “Y’all go wash your hands so we can eat. Bri, call Naheem and see where he’s at. His ass is always late.”
Brielle showed us where the bathroom was. Pilar and I washed our hands and met them back in the dining room just as Naheem came swaggering inside. He appeared to be in a rush as he raced past us into the dining room.
“I think I figured out where Nyle is,” he announced, and all eyes were on him.
“Spit it out, Son!” Lela Mae exclaimed.
“Remember when we were teenagers and used to wonder where he would disappear to after his games, Brielle?”
Brielle’s brows dropped closer to her scrunched nose as she tapped her fingers against her chin. Her eyes ballooned, and she repeatedly snapped her fingers. “I do, but do you think he went back home after everything?”
“That’s the only place I can think of. It brought him comfort, remember?”
“Where is this place, and why aren’t we headed there?” Lela Mae all but yelled.
Naheem ran his hands over his face before turning to me. “I think Brittish should be the one to go get him.”
“Me? By myself?” I pointed at my chest.
“Yes, you. I know how Nyle feels about you. Anytime we talk, you’re a topic of conversation. If he needs anyone right now, he needs you.”
Without hesitation, I said, “I’ll go right now. Give me the details, and I’m on my way.”
Naheem asked for my phone and punched the address into it. It would take me a few hours to get there, but the travel would be worth making sure Nyle was good. Lela Mae fixed me a plate for the road and asked for updates. I promised them I’d keep in touch and left with Pilar in tow.
“Do you want me to come with you?” she offered.
“No, but thank you. I’ll text you when I make it.”
“Okay, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We embraced one another and parted ways. I didn’t even bother stopping by my house to change clothes or anything. If Naheem was right and Nyle was where he assumed, I wanted to get to him as quickly as possible.
“I’m on my way, baby.”