Page 30 of That: Taylor & Brooks

The DJ transitioned into a ‘90s R&B set, and their entire table let out a collective “Ayyye!” When SWV’s ‘Anything’ came through the speakers.

Kennedi swayed in her seat. “I miss y’all. I may come back home soon. For good too.”

When Kennedi mentioned possibly coming home, the conversation shifted. This was their first time hearing their jet setting best friend was ready to hang up her legal pad and press pass.

“Ten years of chasing stories,” she expressed sighing, “and now everybody with a phone and social media account thinks they’re damn Gayle King or something.”

“I feel that. Well, come home. I’m sure your parents would love to have you close and back home. And I know we would girl,” Blake added.

“Yeah, I miss being in one place. I miss having furniture and random shit. But enough about me, fill me in on what’s going on with you. Taylor?” Kennedi said starting with her. It was just her luck that she’d ask her first.

“Uhm, nothing really just work and helping my parents at the church when I can. I’m still a homebody. Still at the hospital.”

“What about our brother in law? I haven’t seen him in years.”

“Nothing to note, still trying to start a gospelrecord label.”

“Still?” Kennedi asked causing Taylor to roll her eyes and nod in agreement. It had been a long time since he shared that pipe dream with anyone that would listen.

Taylor’s phone buzzed against the table, going crazy. She had a Zelle payment notification from Brooks and a text that followed.

Brooks:Don’t. You having fun?

She stared at the screen a little too long before replying.

Taylor:Don’t what? LOL

Brooks:Give me a hard time or send that money back. Now are you having fun?

Taylor:No hard time from me. And yeah. It’s been a minute since I had a night like this. It’s good to be out. Wyd?

Taylors smile appeared on her face, she was too focused on her text messages and the five thousand dollars in her bank account that she didn’t notice Kennedi staring her down.

Kennedi’s eyes narrowed. “Who are you smiling at and texting?”

Taylor took another sip, and wiped the smile from her face. “Nobody.”

Paige grinned. “Oh, it’s somebody.”

Kennedi tilted her head. “Tyree, still got you smiling like that after all these years? I know that’s right.”

“Hell no,” Taylor snapped almost breaking her neck to make that clear. Tyree would not be getting any credit for anything. Not even her growth. She drew the line at him getting props. She couldn’t wait to befinally done and free. He didn’t deserve her protection anymore.

Kennedi gasped, smacking the table. “Oop! Trouble in paradise.”

Taylor shook her head, laughing. “Y’all are ridiculous. No, it’s not a new man. It’s the work chat.” she lied.

They studied her for a second before leaning back. “Mmm. Aight. We’ll let it slide…for now.”

The server returned with another round, and Taylor welcomed the distraction. Because one thing was for sure. She wasn’t ready to explain Brooks Bishop texting her and making her smile. That was a story Taylor wasn’t ready to tell. Not when she was still trying to understand it herself.

Hours later, Taylor pulled into her driveway, still buzzing from the night out. The laughter, the atmosphere, the effortless ease of being surrounded by the women she loved and shared so much history with. It was exactly what she needed and then some. It was a reminder that she was still her. Still fun. Still full of life, even after everything.

She hummed ‘Boots on the Ground’ to herself as she stepped out of the car, the buzz of a good night still clinging to her skin. They’d laughed and line danced until their legs hurt. But as she reached her porch, she stopped short. Several sleek black boxes sat neatly by her front door, a bouquet of white lilies rested on top.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

“What in the world?” She asked as her eyes darted around the quiet street, scanning for movement, for any sign of who had been there. But deep down, she already knew.

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