Page 51 of Always Been You
Then, just like that, he smirks—a shift so subtle I almost miss it.
Without another word, he directs me into the car, signaling Josh to do the same before sliding in beside me.
Chapter Twenty -Three
Eddie
I glance at Lawliss sitting beside me, our hands clasped together, neither of us letting go. I’m glad she brought me here today. I’ve thought of coming since I arrived, but I never quite brought myself to do it. Funny, considering everyone who knows me now thinks I have nothing but hard edges.
My parents were my world growing up. Unlike other kids whose parents dropped them off at school or left them with drivers and nannies, mine were always there. They never missed a single event and never made me feel like I was an afterthought. They let me do everything, encouraged every passion, every wild idea. I was a happy kid. Except when I had to put up my walls to keep people from taking advantage of me. Even then, I learned quickly. When I said jump, my parents didn’t ask why. They asked how high.
Thankfully, I took after them. Smart, driven, and disciplined. I liked that it made them proud. I still remember them at charity galas, boasting about me to anyone who would listen. And my dad—he was the one who taught me how to navigate the world.
“Be good to me, and I’ll be good to you. Step on my toes—or the people I love—and I’ll repay you double.”
That was his philosophy. He was ruthless in business, but when it came to my mom and me? The man had a heart of gold.
And now that I think about it... I like him in that way.
Today marks the anniversary of when I lost them. Years have passed, but today… it feels raw. Maybe it always will. But after speaking with them today, something inside me feels lighter. Not healed, not whole, but lifted. Like some weight I didn’t know I was carrying finally eased.
And Lawliss… she’s here.
I glance at her again, her fingers fidgeting with her nails.
“What are you up to now?” I ask, narrowing my eyes slightly.
She hesitates for a beat, then looks at me. “You know what today is, right?”
I nod. Of course, I do.
“I didn’t want to spring this on you…” she says, her breath hitching slightly.
I raise a brow. “You kind of have, whatever it is.” My thumb brushes slow circles over our joined hands, soothing. “Go on.”
She exhales. “So, as you guessed this morning... we’re doing two different things today. And the second part is about to begin.”
I smirk. “Let me guess. This is supposed to be some kind of happy occasion? A celebration for my birthday?” Figures she’d remember.
She nods, then adds, “I just hope you like it.”
I shake my head slightly, a small smile pulling at my lips. She doesn’t need to worry. After everything today, the fact that she put effort into this means more than she knows.
“Lawliss… I know I’ll love whatever you’ve planned.”
Then, I bring our joined hands to my lips and press a soft kiss to her knuckles.
***
The car rolls to a stop, and I step out, moving around to open the door for Lawliss.
“Mi Lady,” I say with a small smirk, extending my hand.
She shakes her head but smiles, placing her fingers in mine, her touch warm despite the crisp air. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
The moment she steps out, I take in my surroundings, my chest tightening with something I don’t have a name for. I should have known she’d bring me here—home.
My old neighborhood.
