Page 62 of Free to Fall

“I don’t know,” I said, voice rising. “I just…I’m tryna figure it out.”

He nodded slowly, not pushing. Then quietly, he asked, “Do you still love me?”

The question sent heat rushing to my chest. I stared at him, mouth dry. “Yes,” I admitted. “Too much. Which is the most frustrating fuckin’ part. I want to hate you. I want to forget I ever let you close to me…but my heart won’t let me be great.”

He exhaled, chest rising and falling as he scooted closer. His hand found mine, large and warm. “I love you too,” he said,voice low and heavy. “With every fiber in my fuckin’ body. Ain’t a day gone by I ain’t missed you. I’m sorry for what I said. I was a coward. I let fear get in the way of something real.” I didn’t move. I couldn’t. “I want to be with you,” he whispered. “I want to raise our kid with you. I want to do this right. Be the man you hoped I’d be…even if I’m still rough around the edges.” His hand reached up, gently cupping my chin, tilting my face to his. “I ain’t perfect, E,” he murmured. “But I’ll love you loud, if you let me.”

Then, without giving me a chance to stop it, he leaned in and kissed me. It was soft, slow. Like a question he was hoping I’d answer with my mouth. And I did. Because I was tired of pretending. Tired of fighting how much I still wanted him.

My fingers curled around the collar of his shirt as he deepened the kiss, his hands sliding around my waist, anchoring me to him. The room faded, the food, the noise. The months of heartache were all gone. All that existed was this tension—this storm of want and longing, crashing down between us as we let ourselves get lost in each other all over again. And this time…I didn’t stop it. I didn’t want to.

17

NASSEEM

Ain’t nothing like pullin’ up to LAX with Egypt by my side. It had been damn near a month since we were last seen in public together, and now here we were, steppin’ out the terminal and into a waiting black truck together like none of that shit ever happened. Like I ain’t break her heart. Like she ain’t cut me off. Like we wasn’t just in Memphis tryin’ to pick up the pieces of what I broke. And I was tryin’. Every fuckin’ day, I was tryin’.

We didn’t say much in the car ride back. Egypt had her shades on, head leaned against the window like she was tryna pretend I wasn’t even there. I didn’t take it personal. That was her way of processing shit—quiet, guarded, and stubborn as hell.

As we pulled away from the curb, my phone started going off. Notifications from group chats, Instagram DMs, texts from my manager and publicist. I ignored everything until I saw the headline fromLipstick Confidential.

Egypt + Nasseem Spotted at LAX: Are They Back Together?

Just when we thought it was over… our favorite industry soft-launch couple might be back ON. Egypt and boxer Nasseem Walker were seen leaving LAX together this morning, sparking rumors that the pair may have reconciled after weeks of speculation about their break-up.

While Egypt’s social media still shows him blocked (yikes), our sources confirm she’s just returned from a three-week trip to Memphis where she was seen recording music and spending time with family. Nasseem, who’s been caught up in legal and public drama involving his brother, seemed to disappear from Egypt’s life… until now.

We don’t know exactly what’s going on between them—but one thing is for sure: they lookedrealcozy. Could this mean black love is back in rotation? Or will it all fall apart again? Either way, you know we’ll be watching.

Signed,

LC – Your messy cousin with the tea.

I threw my phone face-down on my lap. “Ain’t that some shit,” I muttered. Egypt turned her head slightly but didn’t say a word. Just sighed and looked back out the window. We were headed to my condo so I could grab some clothes, but I couldn’t sit on this no more. I had to tell her. “Yo…I need you to stay with me for a while.”

Egypt blinked slowly. “What?”

“I need you at my place. For real. I don’t want you alone right now.”

She shifted in her seat, looking at me for the first time since we landed. “Why?”

I ran my hand down my face, sighed heavy. “Because Nate’s been runnin’ his mouth. And not just to blogs. He…he said some shit, E.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What kind of shit?”

“He threatened you.”

“What?”

“Remember I said we got into it at my gym?” she nodded her head. “Well, he threatened me and then threatened you too. He said he knew where you lived, knew shit he shouldn’t. It wasn’t just words either. He sent some dudes to follow me at the gym a few days before I went to Memphis. He told me next time I might find a bullet in my back.”

Egypt’s whole body tensed. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“I didn’t wanna scare you. But now? I need you close. Where I can protect you.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Then we’re going to my house.”

“E—”

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