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“Hmm, yeah, that’s better.” He leaned forward and pulled my body into his.

“Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done, and I won’t ever regret it. You make a nigga feel soft, and for once, I don’t hate it. You might have bullied your way into my life, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. I never thought I had a future to look forward to, and it’s all I think about. I can’t wait to put a ring on your finger and watch you walk down the aisle. I already know I’ma be trying my best not to cry like a bitch, but I don’t care. As long as I have you, I have everything I need.”

Solomon kissed my forehead as I lay on his chest. I wiped the never-ending tears from my face and nestled deeper into his chest. His love healed me in a way he would never understand, and I was grateful that he trusted me with his heart. Nothing or no one would ever be able to destroy what we built.

TWENTY-EIGHT

honesty graham

“Damn, it’s packed in this bitch,” Oh’Shun yelled over the music as we made our way to the backyard. Freedom had invited us to attend a pool party for Nardo Mason who was a popular actor. Since my man was out of town again, I decided to take him up on his offer to spend the weekend in Cali.

“I thought Messiah’s house was big, but this place is sick.” I gawked.

The moment we turned on the street, there was a massive line of cars on both sides of the street. Security was in place and directing traffic while leading us to the check-in point for them to search us.

Once we got the front of the house, they searched our bags again and did another finally scan before we were granted access inside. There were people all over the house, some I recognized for various tv shows, sports as well as music artist.

“Yeah, it’s lit in here for sure. I’m not ready to buy a house yet, but when I do, I definitely plan to go all out, “Freedom stated. We found a spot with a line of beach chairs nears the pool, so we sat out things down.

“Are you going to eventually move to LA full-time?” I asked him. For years, he had travelled back and forth, but I always wondered when he would settle down.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. If I’m being real, the only reason why I haven’t move out here for good is because of Sincere. Breyoun offered to come up with a schedule for him to come out here with my on his breaks and the summertime, but I’m not sure what I want to do. I love it out here, but I also love being around my family. Well, some of y’all.” He chuckled.

“How are things going with your parents. I haven’t seen Uncle Omar at the family events lately.”

Freedom shook his head.

“They’ve been separated for a minute now. She doesn’t want to tell the family because she’s embarrassed, but I don’t know why. I love my Pops, but I don’t fuck with him. She claims it has nothing to do with me, but she won’t tell us the real reason behind it. All I know is he moved out three years ago and they’ve been living separately ever since.” Freedom shrugged as if it were no big deal, but I knew better. His parents had always been a sore spot for him and I used to feel bad because I couldn’t relate.

“What about you and O2. Y’all still don’t talk?”

“What is this twenty-one questions or something? I feel like I’m on one of those dumb ass interviews.”

“Whenever we’re together, we always talk about everyone, but you never say much about what’s going on with you. Aunt Faith has been real quiet lately, so I was curious.” I answered.

“I think Aunt Faith has a new man, but y’all ain’t hear it from me,” Triniti added with her messy ass.

“What the fuck?” Freedom shouted.

“Aye, I’m just the messenger.” Triniti threw her hands up in surrender.

“Yeah, but what made you say that? Did she tell you that?” Free pressed.

“You know I work at the bakery, so I’m around her all of the time. This fine ass dark-skinned man has been coming by the shop almost weekly. I’ve seen them huddled in the corner a few times, and she’s always smiling and grinning. Hell, as sexy as he is, I would be skinning and grinning to. He looks like he fucks good.”

“Why would you say some shit like that?” Oh’Shun grumbled as he glared at her. Freedom looked like he was about to be sick to his stomach.

“Y’all do know your momma is grown right. If the rumors are true and her and Uncle O are really done, I don’t see anything wrong with her getting her back broke. Momma gotta have a life too. You see Uncle Truth has been in the gym and looking like he’s about to ruin someone’s credit. I didn’t think I would ever be able to accept anyone outside of Auntie Ophelia, but he seems happy.”

I nodded in agreement because Uncle Truth had been smiling a lot more over the years. In the beginning, he barely brought her around. It wasn’t until his sons sat him down and told him it was okay that he finally felt comfortable with bringing her around the family. I understand why he was so reserved though. He and Aunt Ophelia had been together for most of our lives and it was an adjustment to see him with someone else.

I felt the same way about Big Moe, but the circumstances were different because my mother hadn’t been happy with my father for years. As much as it pained me to admit, he wasn’t a good man to her, so it was good to see her with a man who treated her well.

“Who is that?” River whispered as a group of handsome men walked outside. I recognized the twins right away because they attended Douglasville University when I was in my senior year. They were the most sought-after twins in both their personal lives and their professional ones.

“Those are the Sutton Twins, Cash and Moolah. They are having a celebrity football match this weekend and they are playing in it. I wanted to get tickets, but I knew y’all probably wouldn’t have wanted to go.” Freedom told us.

“Why the fuck not? I love football?” River shrieked.