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She was a hard sleeper, just like her sister. The two of them didn’t hear anything once they closed their eyes.
Exhaustion had worn my baby down, and I wanted nothing more than for her to rest well and get comfortable, even if it made me uncomfortable. I was willing to suffer if it meant she wouldn’t. There wasn’t a question about it.
A mother would do anything for their children
Dewayne had put his hands on me for the last time, and instead of retaliating or physically harming him as payback, I chose my sanity and safety. Because mentally and emotionally, I’d left him two years ago. I was just waiting for the physical aspect to follow. My only fear was the lack of financial resources that I had for myself and children, but after so long, being broke wasn’t the worst of my fears. Staying committed to failure was.
Ever was getting abused but didn’t leave until she couldn’t take it anymore and making sure the kids were set
They weren’t tears of sadness, but of happiness and joy. I’d finally put myself first and that was worth the tears.
the freedom I felt was indescribable, so instead of attempting to place or describe the feeling, I allowed myself to just feel. That’s all I wanted and needed. To feel. It had been a day from hell, but my girls and I were safe and headed to our new home.
Baisleigh’s House. The brunch house was hiring for a new waitress and special events coordinator. The roles were intertwined and after a quick glance at the base pay, my interest was piqued.
Almost, I reminded myself. Almost out of the city that had caused me more pain than it had brought me progress. Almost away from the man who’d cornered me with his financial, physical, emotional, and mental abuse. Almost back where I started. Almost where I belonged and where I could thrive. Almost home.
My heart rejoiced as I laid my left arm on Essence’s back. At that very moment, my entire world was in my palms. The two humans I’d given birth to mean everything to me and it was because of them I had muscled the strength to finally hit the ground running – with nothing to my name.
Changed behavior was the only apology I was accepting, now, from myself or anyone else.
Home. There was nothing like it. It wasn’t often that I visited Channing, but when I did, the feeling was always surreal. The place that had raised me would be the same place that saved me this time around.
There was so much I’d learned about being a woman – a softer version of one – in the last decade of knowing her, and I couldn’t wait to soak up so much more. Because I was always in survival mode or on defense, I didn’t have the privilege of softness or vulnerability. That’s what made it so hard for me all these years with Dewayne, but it was time to stand for who I truly was and wanted to be. I was ready to let my guard down and if that meant never letting a man get close to me again to stop from getting taken advantage of, then so be it. I didn’t mind being single until I was buried if it
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Loving herself
Baisleigh had hired me on the spot, willing to take a chance on someone who was willing to take a chance on themselves. My transparency sat well with her. She, too, had once experienced a narcissistic partner.
Since Essence was discovered in my womb, I’d been a stay-at-home mom, afraid of losing her like I’d lost Dylan.
who is dylan?
Baisleigh didn’t pry, but she made it a priority to check on every staff member to make sure that we were all taken care of. I appreciated that. I appreciated her.
And why can’t I be like everyone else? Losin’ my mind, think I look good when I’m really just high. Scared of my life, can a bitch get by? Sick of listening to everyone else. Sick of my pride. Sick of saying shit just to be nice.
What was supposed to be a chance to rest for me became a bonding experience for her and I.
The peace the move offered me had me sleeping like a baby. Like my babies.
Even at thirty, she was still my baby girl. It wouldn’t ever change.
She’s his baby girl and I loved that
This time, I didn’t even wonder about who the fuck was on her line because now that I was in her mix it didn’t matter. Quickly as it had come, all the shit about her being Lyric’s best friend had gone out the window. As she pecked away at her phone, it took everything in me not to gently slide it from her fingers and toss it out the window along with it. I would’ve gotten her a new one when I made it back to the city, but I didn’t have grounds to do so, not yet.
Luca was a drug that I’d rapidly become addicted to in only a four-hour time span. I wanted to be the center of his attention even if it was only for a minute or two. Solidarity with my narcotic of choice didn’t seem like too much to crave.
“You should keep your head up.” Luca pored over my features and said to me, “You’re prettier that way.”
There wasn’t a part of my physical appearance that I wasn’t in love with. It was the mental and emotional aspects that I was ready to get a grip on and after spending the night away, I knew that was coming soon.
before I conquered her body, I wanted to conquer her mind. It was the true treasure, and I was after it. All else would follow.
If I wanted you, I wanted everything that came with you. And when you became mine, what was once yours was now both of ours – kids especially.
For the first time, she’d been gifted from the heart, a milestone that I felt like any and everybody should experience from the opposite sex.
The two pieces immediately amplified her entire appearance. She was easily the baddest in the room already. Now, she looked like she belonged with the steppers that she had come with. That was my goal.
“Imagine me offering you the world but you’d rather have crumbs because another bird has access. You really not ready.”
“Yes. Of course it is. Hell, make some business cards, and we will pass them out to the guests until you run out. My job is not to keep you here. It’s to lift you higher. Anything I can do to help you reach your full potential, I’m with it. That goes for every one of my employees. I wish I’d known, honey. You came right on time, though.”
Yes! Love a supportive boss
“Giving me your undivided attention.” “What?” “That’s the job. And, it pays well. Starting bonus includes a fully furnished, fully paid for pad, a new whip, and unlimited credit card usage.”
“Go. He’s one of the good ones, Ever, and you don’t want to let him slip away. His brother, Laike, now that’s a different story.” She rolled her eyes as she said his name.
He’s brutally honest, but not mean.
I only wanted to help her reach her full potential, never hindering or holding her back. It would take patience on my end, waiting to gain her trust, but I was willing to wait if it meant undoing the damage that he’d done. For once, I wanted to save someone but to my surprise, she didn’t want to be saved. Ever wanted to be her own knight in shining armor, and my heart tightened at the revelation. Baby had been damaged. The nigga who’d played with her had played her right into my arms, and I couldn’t wait to show her what it felt like to fuck with and fuck on a real nigga.
Her little arms wrapped around my neck as she rested her head on top of the right one. I wondered if my mother and Laike could see my heart as it melted in my chest. Wrapping my arms around her was inevitable as she continued to hug my neck.
It was only day one and Luca had nailed the test.
It was obvious that Lyric was the princess of the family and was compensated well.
Under Luca’s gaze, I began playing twenty-one questions in my head. Do I have on enough lip gloss? Wait, did I forget my lip gloss in the room? Is my hair frizzing? Can he tell I’m nervous? Where are we going? Does he like what I have on? Am I overdressed? Why is he looking at me like that? Is there something on my face? How do my curves look? Is this too revealing? What are his plans for me tonight?
Girl get it together rn!
My territory had been marked, and I didn’t play about shit that belonged to me.
“Please don’t wear costume jewelry around me. Never. If there are pieces you prefer, please let me know and I’ll see that you get them.”
I match energies, Ever. There’s no I in team and neither is there a big me, little you. My woman and anyone around me will always be a direct reflection of who I am as a man. If I can’t make sure they’re straight, then I’m not to be trusted.”
“My man must worship the ground I walk on. He must give me the same love that I give him. When I’m in love, I’m limitless. I’ll always go above and beyond. I want that reciprocated.”
