“Okay, enough with the negative talk. My sis is back home, so we’re about to turn the fuck up before we have to get the babies home. Marce, you know what to do!” Iyana hyped as Marcy walked over to Amber’s phone and switched the music. “Anything” by SWV queued, and my head fell back in laughter.
“Yeeaah! Get ya ass up, Jela. Or should I say… Coco!” Marcy yelled.
“Swear! This bitch always had to sing lead!” Amber added while laughing.
“Don’t do me. I let y’all sing most of the leads!”
“One song, Jela…” Iyana mused.
I couldn’t stop laughing as I stood, and we formed a line. Jasmine stood back, recording us as we fell into our old routine.
This was what I missed.
This was what I wanted.
A carefree and happy life with no worries, no stress, and no being afraid ever again.
My Chunks was worn out.
As I looked down at her lying on my lap, mouth agape with slob dripping down the side of her cheek, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Her once neat bun was now a head full of soft curls all over her head.
“She played herself out today,” Mrs. Draya said, laughing as well.
“Yeah, she did. Where's Mr. Al at?”
“Getting the car warmed up for us to head on home.”
“Oh, okay. I had fun with him. He’s funny as hell.”
“It’s one of the things I admire most about him.” She smiled. “I want to ask you something.”
“Of course.”
“Is this thing with you and Jela serious?”
“In terms of what? Because I’m a very serious person, in general.”
“In terms of you sleeping with my daughter and giving her all of these gifts, spoiling my grandbaby, and giving her money. What does all this mean?”
I knew why she was asking. I could see the untrusting look she was giving me and hear the skepticism in her voice. My brother took her daughter away from her and mistreated her, so I knew that by being related to him, she didn’t know what my angle was.
I didn’t have one.
Never would.
“I care about your daughter, Mrs. Draya. I can assure you that I’m nothing like my brother. I don’t have any hidden agendas. I have your daughter’s best interests at heart, and I’m going to make sure she’s safe and protected at all times.”
She pursed her lips and nodded. “And how does your brother feel about this?”
“He isn't aware that Jela is in my presence, and he never will as long as I can help it.”
“You’ll have to forgive me if I’m a little pessimistic about your feelings for my daughter. She fell hard and fast for your brother as well. He treated her like glass all the way up until she got pregnant. Then he broke her. He started being controlling and manipulative, putting things in her head to make her believe we were against their relationship. I hated it. You being his brother… I just need to know if you’re her new beginning or her alternate ending in this peculiar story.”
“I understand. You have nothing to worry about when it comes to how I feel about Jela. I’m not here to harm her. The moment I saw her, my protective mode activated. I didn’t know what Damien was doing to her, but I knew he was doingsomething. I didn’t want to think he was harming her, but the signs were there…
“Our mother has a similar story of domestic violence, and it triggers me when I see it being done to anyone I love or care about. I know I can’t save everybody, but if I can prevent it from happening to anyone in my proximity, then I’m going to be sure it won't happen again.”
“I hear you, Truce, and I feel your genuine energy. Just promise me you will keep her safe.”
