Page 93 of Played
And that’sifhe faces those consequences. What’s to say what will happen when he gets in front of the panel, lie to wiggle his way out of this, frame the incident as an accident? Because he’s for damn sure not going to tell the truth, that he intentionally left his partner in a burning building because she wouldn’t give him no play or pussy.
If that happened, no one would ever know the truth. If I hadn’t spoken up, it would leave him free to subject another woman who rejects him to the same behavior. He’s not safe to work with. For anyone. And when I thought about another person suffering through the harassment and fear that Matt’s inflicted on me these past months, there was no way I could sit on this. And though it hurts me to even think his name, Solomon had a very valid point. Our house? We’re a team. Our lives literally depend on us being cohesive and having one another’s backs. He’s shown he can’t compartmentalize, that he’ll bring his petty, bitter shit onto the job, possibly endangering other firefighters. If he harmed another person—another woman—because I chose to stay silent, though, then that would be on me. That would be my fault.
Now, standing with Dad and Malcolm, I feel stronger than I have in months. I reclaimed my power and my voice, and I will never allow another person to strip me of it.
“You should be proud, sis.” He drops a kiss on the top of my head and releases me, but still grasps my shoulders. “All of us are. But I want you to know, whatever decision you’d gone with, we still would’ve been proud. Full disclosure, though? If you hadn’t reported him, he would’ve seen me. And I would’ve made that fist to his mouth that he got after that drill shit look like a love tap.”
I crack up. My brother needs someone to calm his ass down. But that person would have to possess the patience of Job, because if I believed Solomon’s mouth was reckless ...
The joy warming my chest dims a bit.
Nope. I shake my head as if I can shake thoughts of Solomon loose in my head. I let that go.
Lethimgo.
I give myself permission to be okay with that and not beat myself up over compromising who I am.
I am enough. I did enough. I can let go.
I force a brighter smile to my lips, grasping at the peace and happiness I felt leaving Jared’s office. Focusing on myself—that’s my goal. My future. And when I’m ready, finding someone who will accept me for me and put me first. Until then? I’ll enjoy the blessings God has given me. If getting injured in the fire taught me anything, it’s that every day isn’t promised, and I must treat each moment as a gift. Keshaun taught me that too.
Moving on isn’t forgetting. It’s living.
“I’ll see you two later. I have to make a meeting downtown. We’re celebrating later, Wright,” Dad says, smiling and using my last name. I grin up at him. “So don’t make any plans for tomorrow after shift.”
“Got it, Captain.”
Then he ruins it by pressing a kiss to my forehead. I snort. But I don’t mind. Not this time.
“C’mon.” Malcolm hooks an arm around my neck after Dad leaves. “I gotta surprise for you.”
I squint my eyes at him. “What is it?”
He sighs. “Why do people always ask that question when you tell them you have a surprise?Surprise, man. Where did I stutter?”
I snicker. “Fine. But you know damn well I don’t like—oh, wait.” I pull my vibrating phone out of my pocket and glance down at the screen. “That’s Noni. I promised I’d call right after my meeting.”
“Cool. Meet me downstairs in the bay.”
“Be right there.” After hitting answer, I hold the phone up to my ear. “Hey, girl. No worries.” I walk away from Jared’s office and head toward the locker room for a little privacy. “It went great. They took myreport, and I swear, Jared tried to keep it professional, but if he’d had Matt in front of him at that moment, we’d probably be investigating a work-related homicide.” I cackle. “Seriously, though, they both seemed like they believed me and told me it would be handled.”
“That’s amazing, babe. I’m so happy for you.”
I push open the door to the locker room, stopping just inside.
“You don’t sound too happy, friend.” I frown. “What’s wrong?” A beat of silence, and then Noni’s sigh echoes in my ear. “Okay, now I’m worried. Did something happen at the school? You good?”
In general, Noni’s an upbeat, positive person. To hear her not cheering and cussing has my stomach bottoming out and anxiety flooding in.
“Dina, I found out who recorded you and Solomon that night at the club.”
I fall back against the wall, not expecting her to saythat. What the hell?
“Hey, you still there?”
“Yeah,” I whisper. Clear my throat. “Yeah, I’m still here. What do you mean you found out who did it? How? From what Graham told me, even Solomon couldn’t track down—”
“Minnie did it.”
