Page 33 of Love's Free Will

I swallowed. “Yeah. I like him friend… Real bad and I hate it.”

She studied me for a second before shrugging matter of factly. “Then tell him.”

I scoffed. “And what, get my feelings hurt?”

Egypt scoffed. “Or find out he feels the same way. Averi you’re a fuckin’ catch and I ain’t saying that shit because you’re my bestie. Every other nigga you ever been with saw that shit too late, let’s just hope Royal ain’t like they dumbasses.”

I bit my lip, not ready to accept that as a possibility.

Later that night, after Egypt finished filming, we went and had a late dinner at some Thai restaurant she swore by before we got back to her Airbnb.

I was in the guest bedroom, getting ready to shower, when my phone lit up.

Royal.

I hesitated before answering. Then I pressed the green accept button. The screen loaded, revealing him sitting in a car, surrounded by smoke, music low in the background, the faint sound of Zay and King laughing in front of him.

But my focus was on him. His eyes were low, lazy, heavy with something I couldn’t name. He scanned me slowly, and a chill ran up my spine. I was wearing nothing but a towel, and his gaze lingered way too long on my bare shoulders.

“Hey Royal.”

“What’s up mama?”

I ignored the way that rolled off his tongue as if it was natural, as if he’d been calling me that this entire time.

“I see you not in the studio.”

“I see you in a strange bed.”

I rolled my eyes, ignoring him. “What are you doing?” I asked, keeping my voice even.

He smirked. “Thinking about you.”

I exhaled slowly, ignoring the way my skin heated. “Oh really?”

He nodded. “Been wondering why you runnin’ from me.”

I scoffed. “I’m not running, Royal.”

He tilted his head. “Then why you leave the city?”

“I needed to see my friend,” I replied. Before he could respond to that, the music lowered and I heard Zay.

“That’s Ave? What up Ave?”

“Hey Zay.”

“Avie Girl, what’s up baby?” that was King. I noticed the way Royal’s eyes flicked in his brother’s direction hearing him call me baby and I forced back my chuckle.

“Hey King. Why y’all out in the streets? Royal has an album to finish.”

“We needed a break.” Zay laughed and I watched as Royal accepted the blunt one of them had passed to him.

Royal licked his lips before pulling on the blunt then exhaling the smoke. “So when you comin’ back?”

“Tomorrow evening.”

He hummed, his voice low, slow, eyes dragging over me. “Good. I’mma pick you up from the airport.”

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