Page 21 of Love's Free Will

Zay’s grandma, Ms. Kay, had been running this place since before I was even a thought, and I’d been coming here for years. I knew everybody in here, and most of them knew me so I wasn’t worried. These were my peoples and in the city that I loved and that loved me, I knew I would be protected whether I had security with me or not.

A waitress led us to a booth near the back. A few heads turned when we walked in, but I was used to it.

“Ayo, Royal!” someone called out from a table near the window.

I dapped up a few people on the way to our booth, and Averi followed, keeping her expression neutral. The moment we sat down, a young couple approached us, grinning.

“Sorry to bother y’all, aren’t you Averi St. Claire from The Coven?” the woman asked.

“Yeah, how you doing?” Averi smiled politely.

“Oh my God we’re big fans of the show. And Royal we love your music. Can we get a picture?”

“Of course, Sweetheart.” I said standing up and grabbing her phone so I could snap a few picture of us. Averi was polite, smiling as we both took a few quick photos. More people started murmuring, phones subtly going up, snapping pictures.

Averi leaned in. “See? Told you this would happen.”

“It’s cool Shawty, chill.”

A waitress came over, setting down two sweet teas before we even ordered. “You already know what you want?” I asked, unfolding my menu.

She eyed me. “What do you usually get?”

“The smothered chicken plate,” I said easily. “Shit’ll change your life.”

She pursed her lips, considering. “I’ll get that then.”

I smirked. “Tryna be like me?”

She scoffed. “Nigga, please.”

I chuckled, but before I could respond, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen and saw that it was Princess so I answered immediately. “What’s up, baby girl?” Averi’s brows lifted slightly, like she hadn’t expected my voice to be so… soft.

“Hi, Ro,” my little sister chirped. “I was just calling ‘cause I need some money to get some stuff for school. Mama told me to call and ask you.”

I didn’t even hesitate. “How much you need?”

She rattled off a number. I pulled up my Cash App, sent double what she asked for, and told her to let me know if she needed anything else.

“Thank you. I love you, Ro.”

I smiled, something I rarely did. “Love you too, baby.”

When I hung up, I noticed Averi watching me. She rested her chin in her hand, tilting her head. “Who was that? Your little girlfriend?”

I smirked. “Why? You jealous?”

She made a face. “Nigga, no.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “That was my little sister, Princess. She’s about to start at Spelman next semester.”

Averi nodded slowly. “That’s cute.”

“What?”

She shrugged. “Your voice got all soft when you was talking to her. Never heard that from you, since you always being so damn mean to me. You must spoil her huh?”

I leaned back. “She’s the baby and the only girl. She get whatever she wants from all of us.”

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