Page 112 of Set the Moment
“No,” I pout, quickening my steps as I walk to God knows where.
“Sienna, don’t make me park this goddamn car and get your ass. I’m already sleepy as is and then I got some weird ass white boy calling me talking about come pick you up? And why are you walking around without a coat on?”
I snort at my cousin's words and turn to him. Zayden’s smiling his perfectly white teeth my way with one arm on his steering wheel. His locs are pulled back with a headband and he’s wearing his pajamas.
Was he asleep?
“He called?” I ask, getting in the car as he sighs.
“Did he? That motherfucker called me, Ry,andUncle CJ. I don’t even know how he got my number, Si Si.” Zayden smacks his teeth as if truly perturbed by Jace as he pulls off.
“Yeah…He has a way of doing things.” I sigh, resting my head back as Zayden drives.
He looks over at me momentarily, a small frown on his lips as he says, “Don’t ever do that again, you hear me?”
I don’t answer, already knowing where he’s going with this.
“I know you hear me, Sola. Don’t ever walk away from the person you love ever again, especially at night. And don’t you dare leaveanywherewithout your phone and protection. Do you hear me?” he asks, turning to me as we come to a stop sign.
“I hear you, Zayden.” I roll my eyes, smiling at his care for me as he begins driving again.
“Good, because that kid loves your stupid ass, and I can tell that you love him, too,” he says, and then there’s silence.
I watch quietly as we drive, ignoring the looks of my cousin as we exit the neighborhood.
“I’m sorry about them, by the way,” he quietly adds, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know who he’s speaking about.
My parents.
“Yeah, well, they could give a fuck about me, so.”
“Si Si…”
I shake my head, cutting him off as my lip quivers. I bite on my cheek to stop the onslaught of tears. “No it’s okay, they’ve neglected me for almost twenty-one years…What’s one more holiday?”
When I think about it, I’m not mad at Jace. Did that girl trying to stake a claim over him piss me off? Hell yeah. Did him not telling his mom that I’ll be at their Thanksgiving upset me? Of course. But all of this anger and overwhelming feelings aren’t because of him.
Theydid this to me.
Zayden takes me back to his place in downtown D.C., about an hour and forty-five minutes from Summerfield and where Uncle Clef lives. I sigh as I step foot inside his penthouse, kicking off my shoes and heading to the guest bedroom that I normally stay in when Zayden lets me come over.
He hugs and kisses my forehead before heading to bed, claiming to need all of his energy before Turkey-Day tomorrow, and leaving me to my own vices.
Without thought, I head to the ensuite bathroom, don my clothes, and get in the shower.
I don’t turn on the lights or music. Instead, I cry. I let it all out and for the first time in hours, I feel free.
Laughter follows me as I walk throughout Uncle Clef’s house, smiling at the different family photos claiming the walls.
A small frown dusts my lips as I take in our childhood photos.
I sigh, never feeling more alone than I do now.
Maybe I shouldn’t have left last night…
Making my way further into the house, I find myself standing outside of my uncle’s study, and don’t hesitate before letting myself in.
“I was wondering when my Sola girl was going to appear. What’s been going on, Si Si?” Uncle Clef’s warm voice greets me as soon as I enter the room. I sigh as I plop down on the brown leather couch next to him.
