Dear God. It’s been a while, but I need You, my nigga. I began to pray with my hands clasped together in front of me.
Lyric,Ever’s mother, and her stepfather sat next to me as we waited patiently for the thirty-minute minimum to elapse. Silence surrounded us all, everyone in complete disbelief of the situation. Aside from checking in with Laike, I hadn’t said a single word. For what? I didn’t have shit to talk about. If it wasn’t Ever that I was talking to, I wouldn’t be talking.
Thirty-one minutes. I looked at my clock and calculated how much time had passed. I marched to the same desk that I had come from after walking in. The same receptionist was seated at the computer.
“Ever Sinclair.”
“Room twenty-six,” she shared.
Without hesitation, I headed down the hallway. Lyric was right on my heels. I could hear her footsteps trying to keep up with my speed. Ever’s mother and stepfather were in last place and I’d be damned if I waited for them to catch up.
Twenty-four.
Twenty-Five.
Right here.I approached the door and pushed it open. The curtain concealed Ever’s frame but I felt her presence. When I rounded it, my stomach turned. Completely unrecognizable, Ever laid in bed with bands strapped to her belly. Too overcome by emotions, I rushed out of her room and into the hallway.
“FUUUUUCK!” An unrecognizable growl started in my belly and rushed out of my mouth.
Combing over my face with my hand over and over, I tried settling myself. Seeing Ever in that position had me tight in the chest with steam coming from my ears. My baby’s beautiful face was completely ravished. Eyes swollen shut, lips split open, lumps and bumps on her forehead and cheeks, as blood stained her nose and chin.
“Luca,” Lyric softened as she approached me.
“You see that shit, Lyric? You see what that nigga did to my fucking baby?”
“She’s asking for you.”
“It’s my job to protect her and I let this shit happen.”
“You didn’t let anything happen. It is not your fault. Please don’t start blaming yourself for this man’s fuck up.”
“I’m so sorry to disappoint you, baby girl, but he has to go.”
“I know. I know, and I understand. I want him dead but the difference between then and now is you have time to think. You’re a very smart man, Luca, and I’m certain this isn’t your first rodeo. I just need you to use your head and come back home to us. We all need you. Your baby…”
“Did she lose the baby?”
“No. No. They’re monitoring the baby. The baby is an Einsenberg. It will be just fine. He or she just needs their father. We all do. Now, go in and see what she wants. You don’t have to stay long. Just let her know you’re here.”
“He. It’s going to be a boy.”
“Well then, he.”
“Are you strapped?”
“I’m always strapped, Luca. Don’t insult me.”
“Good. If that nigga comes through that door, you lay his ass out.”
“With pleasure.”
Without haste, I walked into the room where Ever’s mom and stepfather were at her bedside. Lyric was right behind me, but stayed close to the door. For once, she was my protection. I needed this moment, and she was going to make sure I had it. As I neared the bed, her mother and father headed toward the door to give us some privacy.
“Whatever I can do, tell me,” James whispered as we passed each other up.
I nodded as I continued in Ever’s direction. Though I didn’t want to see Ever in her current condition, she wanted me. And, honestly, I wanted her. I grabbed her right hand and pulled the chair from the wall to take a seat.
At the moment, I hated I paid so much attention to detail. The skin on her hands were severely burned from what I assumed was the concrete. Two of her nails were broken so badly that they bled. Closing my eyes, I tried to even my breaths. It proved to be very difficult. I was seething on the inside.
