“You supposed to be quiet… this is girl’s talk, and we let you stay,” I rolled my neck, while laughing.
No matter if he wanted to or not, he was always part of the conversation. Whenever I called Capri late because I couldn’t sleep, he would be right there adding his two cents into the conversation.
This had always been Meer, even when we were in college. The only difference was that he got rid of the woman that didn’t deserve him and got with one that did.
“Seriously, what scares you about him?” Alaia questioned, as she adjusted her hijab.
I looked at the rock that rested on her ring finger, the gold bangles she wore on wrist, and the Hermes scarf that she layered over her hijab.
“I’m a lot.”
Erin sighed. “Show me a woman that’s not a lot. I was a lot when I met Winnie, and I know I got on his nerves. I’ve been in your shoes before… well, not that expensive of a shoe.”
I laughed. “Whatever, Erin.”
“I witnessed my father take my mother’s life and then take his own in front of me while Jaiden slept. I went through hell trying to heal from that and just tossed myself into raisingJaiden. I didn’t have to raise him because my aunt was there and would have, but I needed something. I had to do something, take control, because that control had been taken from me when my father changed our lives without a conversation.” She took a deep breath, and Kiki rubbed her back.
“I’m sorry, E.” I apologized, feeling bad.
She fanned her face. “No, I don’t think you know. I’ve been where you are, Zoya. So hardened and in control, always having to be the one in control because that was all I understood. No one could take anything from me as long as I ran this ship. I met Winnie, and he was used to being the boss. Used to taking care of the people he loved, and I fought him on it. Fought him because I was afraid to give someone power over my life again.” She smiled at me, her eyes watery. “I allowed that man to come into my life and he did everything that he told me he would. It’s not easy giving up control when you’re used to having it for so long.”
“It’s been me for so long,” I whispered.
As I listened to Erin, I could understand exactly where she was coming from. She had lost her parents too, and in the most horrific way possible. Imagine a girl watching her father, her first love, murder her mother, and then turn the gun on himself?
All she had was control.
She had to pick up the pieces and try to be whole in a world that left her in pieces. Any woman that couldn’t sympathize with that was a no limit solider, and as strong as Benzino’s neck.
“Doesn’t mean you cannot learn to love again.” Alaia smiled at me, nudging me gently.
Her spirit was always so calm and soothing whenever I was around her. Always soft spoken, and that comfort you needed. “Yeah.”
“Yeah.” She confirmed and leaned her head on my shoulder.
We hung with the girls for a bit before we ended up leaving to bring Bando back home. I knew when my dog had people’d enough and was ready to lay in his bed under the air. Not to mention, I was hot as hell and wanted to take a quick shower and change before heading over to Navy’s family’s block.
They were grilling and Navy had made me promise to come. She invited everyone else, and aside from Capone and Erin, everyone said they would slide through. Erin and Capone had to catch a redeye tonight to California for Jaiden.
“We’re never doing that again, Navy Lynn,” I gasped for air, as I held onto the railing the minute we exited the subway.
As quickly as my hand landed on the railing, I snatched it back, thinking about the amount of people that dragged their bare ass across it on a daily basis.
Mentally, my mind always went to the worst possible scenario, and bare ass was at the top of my mind today.
“Don told her the minute they get married, she has to retire the subway.” Jett replied, looking less than pleased that he was subjected to riding the train with Navy.
Navy turned with her hand on her hips. “You both are so dramatic. The ride over here wasn’t that bad and we didn’t have to wait for the train when we transferred. My middle name isn’t Lynn, either.”
Me and Jett stared at her blankly. The reason we didn’t have to wait was because she snatched both our hands and dragged us across the platform just as the train doors were closing.
“My boob nearly popped out of my corset,” I squinted my eyes at her.
Navy laughed. “Did we die though?”
When she suggested that we take the train to her grandparents’ house, I was on the fence. It had been years since I had taken the subway. I wasn’t a stranger to it, but when you had other options, the train seemed like the last mode of transportation you wanted to take.
Navy loved taking the train and it was the one thing that drove Don crazy. He also knew that he couldn’t change the things that made Navy,her.
