Page 169 of Are You Going to Love Me

“Everything you did was a cheap ass band aid for you being a horrible fucking person. You stole my voice, you exposed me to shit no one should ever have to see. Took our father, took our grandmother, and you want to sit here like you did something. Nah, you a hoe that stumbled over a bag on some fuck shit. But you know what, you’re right, I should thank you – thank you for being a fucking terrible ass human so we know what to never be. I hope you enjoy your time.”

Eden stood, flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I hope to never see you again.”

Nervousness gone, fear gone, head held up, Eden strolled out with Staysha by her side. They checked out and trekked through the parking lot. Mid-step, Staysha stopped her.

“I’m fine,” Eden shared, no sign of angst on her face. “I just want to eat and go home.”

“Dinner with Fatima while the guys do studio shit?”

“Y’all can come over, we can order in, but I’m good on cameras and people in my business,” Eden shared, starting to walk again.

“You know what I’ve really been wanting?” Staysha commented as the pair crossed the street.

“Hm?”

“Poppi’s cake with cream cheese icing.”

Eden squinted her eyes and looked at Staysha up and down. “Something you want to tell me?”

“No, ma’am, you’re the only Sage sister carrying a human. I’m not going to lie, having a kid scares the shit out of me. And it’s not because Keon ain’t it. That nigga is it and then some. But look at our examples.”

Eden chuckled and mocked her. “That nigga is it and then some.”

Staysha grinned. “What? He is.”

Eden loved experiencing the side of her sister where she wasn’t running from man to man looking for something. She never had to talk to Keon about how he treated her sister. She never needed to. Keon stepped in, stepped up, and took over.

“I know, it’s all over you and I love it. And yes, I’ll make Poppi’s cake. I need something else on my mind other than that shit and Max leaving for tour.”

“Your schedule is going to be plenty busy with the show. I’ve worked my schedule out to be with you a week and with them a week. And before you say anything, MB said you weren’t eating on set, so I’ll be there on your phat ass.” Staysha punctuated her statement with a smack to Eden’s butt.

“Y’all and my ass,” Eden huffed. “Max is lying on it, kissing it. I’ve never been this big.”

“You look good, relax, and he’s kissing it cause that nani is good. What did Poppi say? Keep it right, keep it tight, drive them niggas crazy with a chase and good nani,” Staysha stated, falling into laughter with Eden as they entered the diner.

Upon seeing them, the trio of men stood, unsure of what state they were going to be in.

“No tears, no police. No jail braids in their hand,” Keon spoke first. “I think it went alright.”

Staysha offered him a weary expression. “Eden don’t do jail, but it went as expected.”

Brody stood in front of Maximus with his arms out to receive Eden, and he earned a chuckle as she pushed him out of her way.

“Boy, move, I’ll hug you in a minute. Don’t have my man act up with police watching.” Eden rested her head on Maximus’ chest. “I want to go home.”

fifty-six

. . .

The two-hour driveback to Waynesville was quiet. Eden hadn’t so much as sighed since sharing the plan for the rest of the evening. Even with the house full of family, her heaviness was a co-star.

“E,” he called from the entrance of the kitchen.

Eden barely looked over her shoulder and hummed in response. “Hm?”

“Come here. I want you to see something.”

Eden wiped her hands off on the towel, set the timer on the oven, and sauntered over to him. “What you get me?”

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