Page 32 of Overdue Feelings
“This is all on me,” Ares said as his head dropped into his hands.
“Nah, it’s not,” I replied.
“Y’all didn’t force me to do anything,” she said, voice sharp. “And I don’t regret it. But I’m the one paying for it. My job’s on the line. My reputation. My library. They didn’t call y’all into the office. They didn’t question your professionalism. Just mine.” Her voice cracked. Not loud, but enough. I looked over at Ares. The same look on his face, I felt on mine—pissed the fuck off.
“I didn’t know us living our truth would jeopardize your job,” Ares said quietly. “If I had?—”
“What?” she cut in. “You would’ve left again?”
His mouth tightened. Creek was mad, and I could tell he was choosing his words carefully.
“I’m not leaving, so don’t say that shit again. Whatever happens, we face it. Together.”
“Damn right,” I added. “You’re not the only one in this. You shouldn’t be carrying this alone.”
Creek finally looked at us. “Principal Voss said she supports me… but I still gotta meet with the school board tomorrow. Said it’s protocol.”
“Then we’re all meeting with the school board,” I said, placing a hand on her shoulder from the back seat. “We in this shit together.”
“They not about to single you out,” Ares said, his eyes locked on hers. “They about to learn we don’t play about you.”
She nodded once and wiped her cheek as she leaned her head against the headrest, like the weight of everything had finally settled. I reached over, took her hand, and gave it a squeeze.
“We got you, C. No matter what.”
She turned her head, and he moved in, pressing his lips against hers. It wasn’t long, but it was full of all the shit they hadn’t said yet. When they pulled back, she looked at me. I leaned in and kissed her, slow and steady. I wanted her to fully understand that she wasn’t standing in this shit alone.
“We’ll see you at Gigi’s,” I said as I opened the car door. Ares nodded, and the both of us stepped out onto the pavement.
“Okay.” Creek nodded, started her engine, and pulled off.
“This shit is wild,” he blurted. “I think I’m done. I’m gonna quit.”
“For real?”
“Yeah. I don’t need the job that bad. And she’s worth it.”
I let that sit for a second, then nodded in agreement. “Shit, I’ll quit too. I got money saved. I’ll figure something else out.”
A small smirk appeared on both of our faces.
“No scandal if we don’t work here.” He shrugged.
“We protect her peace, however we gotta do it,” I said.
He nodded, and we both went to our cars. I sat behind the wheel for a second, just staring out the window. We really out here in this together. Me and him… for her. A year ago, I would’ve laughed at the thought. Now? I’d burn the whole system down before I let it break us. I pulled off toward Gigi’s, ready to face whatever came next.
I hadn’t even madeit down the street before I saw them—my parents—standing on my grandparents’ porch like they belonged there. Like they hadn’t ignored this house for years.
“Shit,” I muttered and parked my car in the driveway. Creek and Zae pulled up behind me and we got out almost in unison.
“Mom? Dad? What are y’all doing here?”
My mom turned. Her face said everything. She came to control the situation… to control me. My dad didn’t even bother hiding the disappointment.
“We came to talk some sense into you,” he said.
“Ares, baby,” my mom added, like I was still a kid. “We heard you shut down the practice.”
