Page 163 of Real's Love

“I wanna check on her,” I explained as I dialed her number.

What I didn’t say was that after dealing with another devastating blow—Targen’s abrupt disappearance and total silence—my cousin had shaken herself off and decided to get back to the business of living. I was excited to hear about her night.

“Hey, girl!” she answered, sounding bright and cheerful.

“Hey, T! Just checking in. How was it?” I asked, settling back against the headboard.

“Girl, it was good! I’m actually just getting home,” she said, her tone bubbling with enthusiasm. “It was nice. He’s sweet, and I might see him again.”

Real’s ear-hustling ass grunted. I elbowed him sharply.

“That’s so good, baby! You deserve it,” I replied, my heart lifting at her news. “Tell me everything!”

She laughed, and I could practically hear the smile in her voice. “His name’s Malik. You know we met in an online writers’ group. He understands so much about me, Ev.”

“Y’all gonna have to hang out more, then. Get to know each other,” I encouraged, imagining her appearing with a good man on her arm, her radiant smile lighting up our family gatherings.

Another grunt. Another elbow.

“Damn, girl,” Real hissed.

I pressed my index finger to my lips.

“Oh, definitely. I want?—”

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the warmth of our conversation.

“Theory?!” I yelled into the phone, panic rising in my chest. “What happened? Are you okay?”

Indistinguishable noises filled the line, and my heart raced as I called her name again, my voice frantic. “Theory! Talk to me!”

But the call dropped, leaving me in a suffocating silence. I stared at my phone, frozen in place, dread creeping into my veins.

“Love?”

The sound of Real’s voice snapped me out of my stupor.

“Real! S-something’s wrong w-with Theory! She screamed, and th-th-then the call ended!”

Real’s expression shifted from calm to concerned, but he didn’t jump out of bed. “Love, just breathe. It’s probably nothing.”

I looked at him incredulously.

“N-nothing? She… shescreamed! That ain’t nothing!” I stumbled over my words, urgency filling every syllable. “What if she’s in trouble? We gotta call 911!”

I reached for the phone I had dropped, but he grabbed my arm.

“Wait a second,” he said, laying the baby down. “Don’t panic. You don’t even know what happened.”

I shook my head, frustration bubbling over. “You don’t understand! She sounded scared. I know her, Real! We can’t just sit here!”

He reached for my hand, his grip firm and calming, but I felt like I was about to explode. “Love, I promise you, Theory is fine. Just… just give it a minute.”

I loved Montréal Idris Hamilton, but in this moment, I wanted to fight him. He was too calm, too relaxed when my cousin could be in very real danger. Then, a realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Wait,” I said, the pieces falling into place. “Why you not bothered? You know the trauma she’s already been through.”

He was suddenly busy gathering our baby’s things and heading out of the room.

---