“We could eat. Thank you, Miss Jela,” Timothy replied.
“Okay. I’ll be back shortly.” I closed the door and went upstairs to get Scottlyn and me together for the day.
I called my sister to come over since I hadn't seen her since the New Year started. When we hung up, my phone rang, displaying Neveah’s name on my screen. I hadn’t spoken to her since I left Muskegon. She had texted me “Merry Christmas” and asked how we were doing. I told her we were doing great, then she sent me a photo of her in Montego Bay for her birthday. I hearted the photo and that was it.
I hurried and swiped the bar over to answer. “Hey, Neveah.”
“Hey, Pooh! I know I’m a bad friend, butpleasedon’t charge it to my heart. I’ve been busy trying to get my house together, so I wasn’t able to check on you. How are you and Chunks?”
“We’re doing good. Your cousin just left to head back your way.”
“Aww, I know you’re missing him already.” She giggled.
“I am. How have you been?” I asked, going into the living room to turn on Jools TV for Scottlyn while she played with her toys.
“I’ve been good, girl. Just trying to figure out how to tell my cousin that me and his best friend are about to get married.”
“Whaaat? That’s awesome, Neveah. Congratulations!” I praised.
“Uhh, thanks. I’m glad to have your support. I just don’t think I’ll have Truce’s. He’s probably going to murder Law.”
“Why would he do that?”
I made sure Scottlyn was good before I went back to the kitchen to warm up the security’s food up. They probablythought I was on some bullshit since it took me a minute to get dressed.
“Truce doesn't want any of the females in our family to date any of his friends or associates—says it’s a conflict of interest because, if anything bad happens between us, he’d be forced to step in. But I love Laurent, Jela. I fell in love with his chocolate ass the moment he set foot in my aunt’s house twenty years ago.”
“You guys have been together that long?”
“Oh no! We just started talking four years ago. And while I love my cousin, I’m going to need him to accept that people date family friends all the time!” We both laughed at the irony of her statement.
“That’s true. I’m sure he’ll be accepting. You know your cousin.”
“Yeah… Hashetried to contact you?”
“He can’t. I have a new phone and number, remember? I hope I never have to talk to that man ever again in life.”
“It’s probably going to be inevitable, but I’m sure Truce has you covered.”
“This house is locked down like Fort Knox, girl. If he does find me, he won’t be able to get to me or Scottlyn with confronting these big, burly men surrounding the house.”
“Yeah, I ain’t seen or talked to his ass, but because I know what type of person he is, my head stays on a swivel. I’ve been trying to talk Laurent out of killing him, but he’s not listening. It’s out of my hands.”
“Truce said the same. Is there a history of mental illness in your family?”
“Not from any of us. I do believe Damien’s dad had some issues, but I can’t confirm it. I just knew Truce broke his legs for hitting on my auntie.”
“Yeah, he told me. I’m just nervous about him being in Muskegon with Damien threatening to hurt him. You know I never meant for any of this to happen, Neveah.”
“I know you didn’t, Jela, and this is not your fault. It’s not your fault that Truce took one look at you and fell in love.” She snickered, making me laugh.
“I doubt it’s love, but it’s something.”
“Girl, please. My cousin is smitten by you. Look around at all he’s done. He took you to meet his dad’s side of the family to spend Christmas with them. Heneverdoes that. Not even with his ex, Melody.”
“Hmm. Melody, huh?”
“Stop it!” She laughed. “She was a non-factor, if you ask me.”
