Page 20 of Recklessly In Love With A Ruthless Savage 2
The morning sun spilled through the wide kitchen windows like liquid gold, casting warm light on the hardwood floors and marble countertops. For once, there was peace, no threats, no fear in the pit of my stomach. Just Crew leaning against the stove shirtless, frying bacon with one hand and sipping coffee with the other, while Timberly danced around barefoot in her pajamas and oversized bonnet.
“You made the eggs too runny last time,” Timberly said matter-of-factly, hands on her hips.
“Didn’t nobody ask you to be Gordon Ramsay this early, baby girl.” Crew said, glancing down at her in mock offense.
“You asked me if I wanted breakfast.” She giggled.
“I did but I didn’t ask to be onChopped.” He laughed.
I smiled as I slid onto the barstool, one hand unconsciously drifting to my stomach. It still felt surreal, that there was life growing inside me. That after all that darkness… I was still here. We were still able to find joy without being on edge.Then a loud knock on the back patio door jarred me from my thoughts. A small pinch of unease gripped me until I saw Tyra's head wrapped in a leopard scarf, holding two Starbucks cups and an attitude.
“Y’all really got me driving cross town for breakfast like I don’t got gas prices to pay,” she said as she walked in.
“Good morning to you too, sunshine,” I teased, hugging her tightly. “Where’s my nephew?
“With my Aunt Pam. See said for you to call her by the way.” She huffed as she put a cup down in front of me with a smile.
Crew handed her a plate before pointing at the bacon. “Don’t eat more than three. Timberly counts.” He huffed playfully.
“I would hate to have to fight my niece over bacon. But I will,” Tyra replied, already chewing.
“I heard that!” Timberly yelled from the living room.
“So, who are these new friends you wanted to introduce me to?” Tyra asked.
“I already told you about Anesia. She’s Tati’s mother, you remember Timberly’s friend. She’s bringing Tati over to see Timber and I thought it would be nice if she and her girls could come over since I can’t really leave the house while Kyle is still out there. You’ll love them Mecca is Black and Blue’s sister and Kema is her best friend. They are so crazy and cool just like your ass.” I told her. Intentionally leaving out the part that they helped me question and torture Kennedy last night.
“Sounds like a plan. You know I keep my circle small. Meaning just me and you but if you say they’re cool I’ll give them a chance. It would be nice to have a friend group we could party with.” She said, taking a sip of her coffee.
A few hours later, Anesia, Mecca and Kema arrived with August and Tatiana, each with bags of sandwiches from my favorite place in town, they had fresh fruit, pastries, and something called“organic lavender honey spread”that I was pretty sure cost more than my rent back in the day. It didn’t take long for the laughter to erupt as we sat outside on the large veranda. Tyra instantly clicked with Kema, both of them loud, funny, and unfiltered. Mecca and Del hit it off too, bondingover a mutual obsession with sleek planners, and overpriced perfume. Anesia and Janelle, the calmer ones of the bunch chatting over shared taste in books, author and urban fiction versus dark romance. I just sat there, watching them all connect feeling something I hadn’t in a long time. Like I belonged. This was what I had been searching for when I ran from Kyle all those years ago.
“So,” I said once the food was halfway demolished. “I was thinking, we should do brunch sometime when all this is over.” I smiled putting the last piece of my cherry Danish in my mouth.
“We actually do a Sunday funday brunch at Harpers. It's a cool little vibe in Brookview. Y’all are welcome anytime.” Anesia said. “I’ll give y’all the address and time for our next one. You can meet my bestie Cree then too.”
“Girl, I’m always down.” Tyra said. “But you definitely gon have to do some acrobatics on the dick to get Crew mean ass to let you up out of this house any time soon. Especially now that you’re carrying Tyra Jr.” She snickered.
“What?” Mecca asked, looking between the two of us.
“Well, I guess I’ll let the cat out of the bag since my friend can’t hold water. I’m pregnant.” I said, shaking my head at Tyra as she hunched her shoulders and sipped her drink.
“Congratulations!” They all said.
“Thank you, guys. It's early. I haven’t even been to the doctors yet.” I told them
“I know damn well he ain’t letting your ass out of his sight then. Sorry girl.” Anesia said. If he’s anything like August your ass is gon have to invest in some knee pads and throat spray before you can go outside.” She laughed, causing everybody to join in and slap hands.
“Well, I’m just gon’ ask him and see what he says. Maybe if I agree to take a few of his men with me he will go for it.” I said not really believing my own words. I looked over to the deck whereCrew was sitting at the bar with August and the twins, catching his sharp gaze like he had been listening to our conversation the whole time.
“No.” He said, brow lifted in a scowl.
“But—” I said but he cut me off.
“You just got home. Kyle still ain’t dead and you just found out that you’re pregnant.”
“I need to feel normal.” I said, folding my arms and pouting like a spoiled child.
“Then we’ll bring brunch to you.” He said
