Page 26 of Love's Free Will

I crossed my arms. “What about him?”

She set her papers down. “Averi, are you really dating him?”

I blinked before my face scrunched up in confusion. “What?”

“Several people have told me they’ve seen you around town together. And the internet seems to think you’re in a relationship.”

I exhaled sharply. “Ma, I’ve been trying to dispel those rumors for weeks, but they keep popping up.”

She pursed her lips. “It doesn’t help that he keeps posting you on his social media. And I’ve seen his little comments under your pictures.”

I clenched my jaw. Royal was doing that shit on purpose. Every time I posted, this man would be in my comments,dropping heart eyes, fire emojis, or some slick-ass remark just to piss me off. And clearly, it was working since the internet was buying it.

I sighed. “Ma, we’re just working together.”

Her lips pursed. “So, why does it look like more than that?”

“The internet doesn’t need facts to run with a story.” I reached for my drink. “And it doesn’t help that Royal thinks it’s hilarious to stir shit up.”

She arched a brow. “Hilarious?”

I scowled. “He’s being annoying on purpose.”

“And you’re allowing this?”

I stared at her, biting back the urge to curse. “I don’t control what he does.”

She leaned back in her chair. “Well, you should at least be controlling your own image. You should be more careful about the company you keep.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “You mean like how Candace married a barely graduated doctor at twenty-two just to fit into your idea of success?”

She narrowed her eyes. “That’s not the same thing.”

“Isn’t it?” I challenged.

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “I expected more from you, Averi.”

I sat up straighter, my blood boiling. “Oh, I know. You made that clear my entire life.”

Her eyes hardened. “I only wanted what was best for you.”

“No,” I corrected. “You wanted me to be your version of me.” A tense silence settled between us. I set my fork down and folded my hands in front of me. “This is exactly why I’ve been avoiding you. I’m tired of you being in my business. Tired of you trying to control me and my life.”

She exhaled, looking frustrated. “Averi, this isn’t about control. It’s about reputation.”

I laughed without humor. “No, it’s about you being embarrassed that your daughter isn’t playing by your rulebook.” She opened her mouth, but I kept going. “I left Atlanta to escape this shit. I didn’t want to be paraded around at country club brunches or married off to a man with the right resume.”

Her jaw tightened. “So, instead, you want to be seen with a thug?”

My stomach twisted and I sighed shaking my head, my fingers immediately going to my temples feeling the headache coming. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

She lifted a brow. “Why? It’s the truth.”

I clenched my fists. “You don’t know anything about him.”

She tilted her head. “And you do?”

I blinked, because yes, I actually did.

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