Page 131 of Are You Going to Love Me

Eden propped her chin on his shoulder. “We got you, too.”

On the red carpet, the couple took photos together and separately. For Eden, it was a full-circle moment. The spotlight was on her and Maximus, positive energy and good vibes, until they reached the last interview with ShadyPalms.

“We got the hottest couple out right now. Trae Way MB and Eden Sage, how are y’all feeling tonight? You two look good.”

“Thank you,” Eden hummed sweetly, holding tightly to Maximus’ hand.

“She fly, ain’t she?” he complimented, a proud smirk on his face. “Glowing and shit.”

“Baby,” Eden grinned, her cheeks heating. “Stop. It took a minute to pull this off.”

“She is, and so are you.” The reporter ogled him. It was a move to get a reaction out of Eden. Maximus tightened his grip around her hand. A subtle gesture. “Even with the noise that this is for clout, you two make it look so good.”

A double squeeze to her hand, Maximus let her know that he had it. Eden smirked, knowing that whatever was coming out ofher man’s mouth was going to set the record straight once and for all.

“Clout is crazy. You see how good she looks? She’s fly, I'm fly; why not do that fly shit together and enjoy it? I hope you find some real shit so you know how it feels. Put some respect on her name the next time y’all formulate these questions. Thanks for your time, you take care of yourself.” With that, Maximus led Eden away and made sure she was in the custody of Staysha and their security before he was rushed off to the other stage to perform.

Neglecting to be seated immediately, Eden was tucked away at the side of the stage watching Maximus’ metamorphosis into his wildest dreams. His journey was beautiful and worth every accolade he was presented along the way. There was no question in her mind that she could do this forever.

It’d beenthree weeks since Ocean City, Maximus had the final touches to his album done and three mixtapes in the reserve in the event the predicted bullshit popped off before its release. His home studio was done, and at this point, Eden was with him four nights a week.

Finding her stretched out on the patio after a few laps around the pool, he admired how the sun glistened over her brown skin. She had to be comprised of gold, amber, and brown sugar. Settled by her, he picked up her leg and draped it over his lap.

“Look who emerged from the studio,” she teased.

“Why didn’t you come down there?”

“You had enough going on, you didn’t need me.”

“I always need you,” he commented, finding his peace again in her stillness. “There’s a birthday creeping up on me, what do you want to do?”

“Absolutely nothing,” Eden stated, turning her head to him. “Birthdays aren’t really happy for me.”

“Why not?”

Eden shrugged. “A reminder that Poppi isn’t here. A few months ago, the thought literally felt like I had no business celebrating when everything was in shambles.”

“I think you should consider celebrating yourself. All that shit you be tellin’ me, I need you to apply it too. You’ve accomplished so much.”

“I hear you, but I think I'm going to pass on it.”

Maximus shrugged. “So I can tell Staysha to go ahead with the listening party for that day?”

“Yeah.”

He studied her and chuckled inwardly, “Aight. Get dressed, we got reservations.”

A few dayshad gone by, and Maximus found himself at the rehab center with a bag of brand-new clothes, hope, and anxiousness brewing in his spirit. Augustus had been out of sight but not out of mind. He was cowering in some drug-infested hole, avoiding contact with Maximus’ fists. Him out of the picture for now would be good for their mother. Dependingon how this conversation went, he was either coming home with her or extending her stay.

After ten long minutes of what seemed like an eternity as he stood statue-like in the courtyard, his mother appeared. She looked like her old self. Skin dewy and bouncing back from the abuse she’d subjected it to, weight coming back on her bones, and an almost peaceful spirit.

“Maximus,” she crooned, taking in her youngest.

He offered her a half smile as he stood to his feet to greet her. “What’s goin’ on, ma? You look good.”

“I’ll be better when I get out of this place. Back to freedom.”

Maximus grimaced as he released her and took a seat. “You ready for that? Freedom.”

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