Scottlyn had finally awoke during our visit, and as I told Jas, she warmed right up to her. It was over from there because Jasmine wouldn’t let her go back to Truce, whom Scottlyn kept trying to go to. It was funny and so heartwarming that it felt as if Truce was a part of our family.
When it was time to leave, I hugged and kissed my mom, holding her a bit longer for good measure. We left the hospital after bidding my sister a good night with promises to link up with her tomorrow. I didn’t want to leave her either, but she told me she had to get up early tomorrow for work, and since she lived with her boyfriend, I didn’t want to intrude on her space. She fussed with me the whole way down to the parking garage, until Truce stepped in and told her he had me.
“Y’all making all this ruckus, and it’s really nothing for real. Jela and Chunks will be taken care of.”
“I know they will, Mr. Big Time, but that’s not the point. I haven’t seen my sister in a year. My house is big enough for them to come over, and Dre won’t care at all. He’ll actually be ecstatic that I finally have you back.”
“I know… I promise I’ll come tomorrow as soon as you’re home from work.”
“Fine,” she conceded. “You better take care of my sister… the right way!” Jas warned.
“That’s the only way I know,sis.”
“Mmhmm. Love you, sis. See you later, cupcake.” She rubbed Scottie’s cheek, and they both giggled.
“Love you more,” I told her, blowing her a kiss as she walked away, got inside her car, and pulled out.
“Well, Mr.Big Time. Where exactly are you going to take us tonight?”
He smirked and took my hand. “To the safest place on Earth.”
Reuniting Jelawith her family made me feel good about the choice I made to make it happen for her. I could see the love and could tell they missed her a lot. Her sister was a character and the spitting image of Jela. If Jela hadn’t told me she was the eldest, I would have mistaken them for twins. Mrs. Draya was easy on the eyes too. They all looked like sisters, with Mrs. Draya being the older sibling.
Jela’s smile and laughter eased my soul. I could see why my brother was so obsessed with her. Her spirit was calming, nurturing, and unforgettable. Dame swore she was a boring counterpart in the bedroom, but with the way her ass jiggled when she walked and how he’d gotten her pregnant twice, I found that hard to believe. I was trying my hardest to remainrespectful and not pursue her, but boundaries and lines had already been crossed. Jela deserved real love, commitment, fidelity, and happiness.
She deserved me.
As I pulled into my home in Grosse Pointe Woods, I thought about giving it to Jela to start her new life. Dame didn’t know about this spot, and it was a slim chance he’d come out here to look for her. You needed big money to live in this extravagant neighborhood, and Jela had none yet. I wanted her and Chunks to be comfortable and feel safe, even with his goons he had in Detroit. She could start fresh and not have to worry about looking over her shoulder too much.
“You live here?” she asked, once we drove through the wooded area up to my house that sat on ten acres surrounded by silence and trees.
“Yeah, I was going to put it on the market next week, but I think I’m going to keep it now.”
“You should. It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks. Let’s get y’all settled in.”
When she went to touch the door handle, I gave her a look, and she laughed. “Sorry.”
“I’ma need you to set a reminder on your phone once we get you one tomorrow.”
She giggled some more. “Duly noted.”
I got out of the truck, retrieving my niece, who was wide awake and talking gibberish, and then walked around to open the door for Jela. I held out my hand to help her down and led them into the house.
“This is amazing,” Jela said, looking up at the high ceilings and open views.
“It’s a little chilly in here. I’m going to start the furnace. When I come back, I’ll show you around, and you can pick whatever room you like.”
“Okay.”
I walked out of the living room and went into the basement to relight the furnace when my phone rang. I pulled it from my coat pocket, seeing Neveah’s name on the screen.
“What’s good, Nev?”
“Hey, Tucci. I went by the hotel and noticed you or Jela weren't there.”
“Yeah, we checked out this morning.”
