Chapter 25
I felt helpless lying here with no idea what was going on outside these walls. When doubt crept in, I replayed our last conversation, but as day turned to night, the sound of his voice faded with hope. It didn’t help that I caught a glimpse of Sloane faking crying on Straight To The Pointe.
Then Treason managed to do what no other man ever did.
He kept his word. Goldie was happy to see me go, knowing she kept me safe and stuffed with snacks.
I was distracted while getting processed out, anticipating cameras waiting to snap pictures of my expression.
Only this time, there was no photo op. Treason orchestrated my exit through a secured gate while the cameras were out front, listening to the police chief assume responsibility for being overzealous.
Treason’s eyes lingered, sharing that I was cleared of further investigation, then fell back on the road leading home. Stepping into the penthouse, I anticipated a flood of joy and excitement. The corners of my mouth didn’t turn, nor did my eyes water, thankful to be here and not in jail.
“Oh, hi, sweetheart.” Inez stepped forward, then froze, scanning me thoroughly.
“Hi.” I drew my head back enough to look at Tre, “Where’s Rayven?”
“I sent her and Rylo out with Ward so you could get settled.”
Inez stood across the room, clenching Treason’s dress shirt she’d pick up. “I’m not staying, I just didn’t want you coming home to a mess.”
“It’s fine. I appreciate it,” I stammered, my eyes as scattered as my thoughts.
The penthouse was peaceful and calming, which is why I preferred it over any other place. Today, the panoramic view made me nauseous. I hated my favorite chandelier on the way to the kitchen, and the central island felt too small.
“Of course. Are you hungry?”
“I should eat, but I really just want a bath.”
“I could make you something while you take a bath,” she offered, wearing the kind of smile that made the world feel safe again.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
“What do you want to eat?”
I shrugged, unsure what mothers cooked their children when life got rough. Whenever we had a bad day, Sloane would take us to the Fifth Street tower to throw glass bottles at the wall until the landlord chased us away.
Treason read my confusion and jumped in, “You haven’t even asked me what I want to eat. That’s messed up.”
“Hmm, you’ll be lucky to eat all,” she complained, pulling a pen and paper from her purse. “You’re going to the store too.”
“I’m gonna’ take a bath,” I announced.
“Let me grab the laundry. He left clothes everywhere,” she gritted, smacking him on the shoulder with her notepad.
He tugged the strings of my hoodie, propelling my chest to his, “I missed you.” His last words smothered my cheek, “I missed you so much, Blue. Promise you’ll never leave me again.”
“I feel dirty. I need a bath.”
Treason fought the uncomfortable sigh on his lips and nodded. Disappearing into the bedroom, I see why Inez was here to clean up. The bedroom was a wreck like I’d never seen before.
“I’m almost done. Did you decide what you want to eat?”
“What did you make Tre after a bad day?”
She smiled, resting the laundry basket on the dresser.
“Don’t tell him I told you this,” she rushed her hand to her mouth to conceal her amusement, “Tomato soup and grilled cheese. A girl broke his heart in seventh grade, and it became a tradition. I thought he would turn into a tomato as a child.”
I could see the love in Inez’s eyes, the memories pure and clear, despite Treason being a grown man. I wondered why the same light was looking back at me.
“I just got out of jail for murder, and you’re still being nice to me.”
“The police don’t always get it right.”
“How do you know they didn’t?”
Inez smirked, “A mother knows her child. You’ll see.”
I wasn’t sure I would, but a part of me wanted to.
There wasn’t a version of my future that included children.
Now my boundaries had softened, and pushing a stroller didn’t seem like the hell, it once did.
A wild turn of events, considering I knew myself better than anyone.
The uncertainty in Treason’s eyes didn’t let me get too ahead of myself.
Inez represented everything a mother was meant to be.
A kind, understanding, guiding light on your worst days.
Forgiving. Reliable. I didn’t know if I could be that for another life.
I felt the need to explain, fearing she’d think I corrupted her child, but then again, she said a mother knew.
I didn’t plant anything in Treason that wasn’t already there, but I confessed anyway.
“When I was engaged to Lorenzo, he was abusive. I stuffed it down, pretending it didn’t change me.
Forced myself to forget, but it doesn’t work like that.
Things have a way of finding their way to the surface, no matter how deep you bury them.
Lorenzo threatened me not to tell anybody the truth about him, like I’d want people to know he fractured my shoulder from pushing me to the ground so hard.
Tre was pissed all on his own. I didn’t ask him to do anything about it. ”
“As a parent, you won’t always like your children’s decisions, but you love them through it anyway.” She stroked my arm with effortless admiration, “I know you’re strong. I don’t think anyone can question that, but it’s okay to set it down for a while and just be.”
Inez’s hug was warmer than the words she’d just spoken before leaving the room. I let the water run while I stripped out of my clothes. Treason appeared in the doorway, his glance sliding rapidly to my stomach as I lowered into the tub.
“I know you’re tired, but Ward wants to see his sister with his own eyes when he brings Rayven back.”
“Okay.”
“Do you need anything before I go to the store?”
I shook my head, resting my neck against the edge. Closing my lids, I relaxed in the warm water until I heard Sloane’s piercing voice asking, Where’s Vie? Pushing up on my arms, I grabbed the towel and dried off. Dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, I opened the door and sauntered down the hall.
“Vie! I missed you so much!” Rayven threw her arms around my neck.
“I missed you, too, Squirt!”
“Glad to see you kept your word,” Sloane taunted Treason, sashaying closer. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“Rylo said call him. He’s so funny,” Rayven laughed, but my expression remained stern, turning to Ward.
“I’ve got a bone to pick with you,” I fussed, index finger pointed, “As if I’m not stressed enough in jail, you gave him coffee. Really, Darren ?”
“You left the nigga feenin’. I did the best I could,” he defaulted, hugging me.
“You know him better than he knows himself. You should’ve checked him,” I fussed confidently. Ward had even taught me a few things about Tre.
“You’re home, right?” Finally, I smiled, and he did too. “I’m glad you’re home.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll holla at you later when his nosey ass isn’t around.”
“Don’t be whispering to my woman,” Treason chastised, his face scrunched in irritation.
“He’s territorial. Might be a sign to watch,” Sloane whispered, leaning in so only I heard the subtle jab.
“Be nice or you’re getting out,” I warned.
“Fine,” Sloane replied, throwing her hands up, forcing Treason to turn around.
He was near the elevator with Ward, sharing a short conversation before dapping each other up. Ward turned and winked at me just before the elevator doors closed.
“I’m going to the store since she won’t let me DoorDash.”
“No, I won’t. Get everything on that list,” Inez fussed.
“What did you do?”
“What I had to do,” he pressed his lips against my forehead, Sloane turning her head like a child watching her parents kiss.
“What does that mean, Tre?”
“We’ll talk later. Tell her the good news while I’m gone,” Treason urged, Rayven.
“What news?”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Tre got me an interview with Dr. Wayne Carmichael. He’s a bomb ass neurosurgeon from McBath Medical Center. He offered me a fellowship. Navie, I thought I was dreaming.”
“ Tre is just full of surprises, isn’t he?” Sloane’s voice was full of sarcasm.
Listening to Rayven brag about Treason and her new fellowship helped me relax. The more she ranted, the more I understood the hype. Fully funded MCAT prep courses. A paid summer clinical research internship, plus a living stipend and a scholarship for the first year of med school.
Her excitement and passion brought tears to my eyes. Medical school was expensive, and I wasn’t sure how we would afford it. Now the man that I loved to hate had given us one less thing to worry about.
“So are you keeping it?” Sloane asked.
Time was dwindling, but I still wasn’t sure. Inez noticed and intervened.
“That’s a conversation between Tre and Navie.”
“Being a dad is optional, but a mother is mandatory. It’s her body, and she’s stuck with that baby regardless of what your son does or doesn’t do. Weren’t you a single mom?” Sloane asked.
“A single mom who raised a good man. A man who will always take care of his child,” There was a different bite to Inez’s words defending her son’s character. Maybe there was another side of her, too. One that explained her fucking Winston Calloway.
“We haven’t had time to discuss anything. I just got home.” I interjected before the conversation took a turn.
Thankfully, they both retreated, while Rayven sat with wide eyes, thankful it was me and not her. Inez left to check on the laundry, but we all knew she needed space from Sloane’s biased opinions.
“Why did you start with her?” I asked, shifting to Sloane.
“Now I have to bite my tongue for her and her son?”
“No for me! Goddamn, I just came home, that conversation could’ve waited.”
Rayven scooted in, roping her arm around my shoulder.
“I guess now would be a bad time to point out that you don’t have time,” Sloane pressed.
Rayven bulged her eyes, as if Sloane respected anybody’s needs but her own.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now.”