“For how I spoke to you through text and for the bullshit in the media.”
“You get a pass. You didn’t know I knew about your brother, and I didn’t make it any easier by telling you that I did. As far as the media, it’s okay. I knew the risk I was taking.”
I frowned slightly and turned to him. “What do you mean by risk?”
“Because I was in uniform, they realized where I worked. Executives for Premier Wings saw it and wrote me up for violating the ethics clause. I didn’t sign it though. They basically wrote me up because it cast somewhat of a negative light on the company. The media made it seem like I was there uninvited and used my access through Premier Wings to get at you.”
“I have to make a statement. I feel really bad now.”
“Don’t. I could have said no and just got at you when we landed in Houston.”
I nodded, then walked around him. I wondered if he’d gotten to meet his bio mom. He seemed so sensitive right now. Surely my situation wasn’t the whole reason for that. If he had met her, that would explain his tenderness a bit more.
I turned to him, and he said, “I’m sorry. I’ll wait out there while you change.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Yes, it is,” he said with a smirk on his lips as he scanned my body.
I gave him a tight smile and nodded. I smiled after he left out and breathed out a sigh of relief. He was so soft with me just now, the total opposite of the person I had gotten accustomed to dealing with. In his gaze, I could see the things he wasn’t saying. He wanted more. Why else would he be here with his parents if he didn’t? Even if his parents were connected to Noah’s label, he wouldn’t have come with them, simply to prevent them from getting the wrong idea about us.
I quickly put on my jeans and T-shirt, then made my way to the front. When I entered the room, everyone that was seated stood. “Thank you. I’m truly at a loss for words.”
Noah walked over to me and put his arm around my shoulders. “Let me introduce you to everyone. This is Sonya’s husband, Shawn. He does a lot of the photography for the label. Their son Tristan does as well, but he couldn’t be here today. This is Devin Taylor, Shawn’s brother and Graham’s father. His firm handles the accounting for YKMN. You met Exodus already, as well as RJ.”
I smiled slightly at everyone and nodded. They did the same. Then Noah took me to the kitchen. “TAZ is my wife. She’s also a singer who recently signed to my label. No one in the family really calls her TAZ. We call her Tee or Taryn. My mama, Raqui Brooks, wanted me to give you her love as well as my daughter and son, Noelle and Jax. This is Sidney Taylor, one of the attorneys for the label and Graham’s mother.”
She nodded slightly and gave me a tight smile. I could see she was sizing me up. Everyone knew of our involvement, thanks to the media, and it made me slightly uncomfortable. Noah led me back to the front room, so I sat next to Kimaji. She was in a full conversation with Devin’s dad. She was so good at mathand was inquiring about his firm. I had to assume Graham had introduced her to his parents as his sister.
I sat there awkwardly until Noah asked, “Did anyone from your label show up?”
“Yes. I fired my manager right before everything started. She just got to town and was busy trying to explain herself while I was in the procession about to view my brother. My emotions got the best of me, and I fired her on the spot.”
He slowly shook his head. “Don’t worry about anything right now. You need anything?”
“No. Y’all have done enough. I can’t believe you came all the way from Baltimore.”
“So umm . . . I was already in Houston. Growing up, my step-dad’s father claimed me as his grandson. He still does, so I came to see him.”
“Oh okay.”
“When I found out about your brother, we just extended our stay and sent our baby girl, Brooklyn, back to Baltimore with my mama.”
“I appreciate you so much. Let me turn on the TV.”
It was way too quiet in here. After doing so, I made my way to the kitchen. The ladies were all seated at the island. “Thank y’all for cooking for me.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Sonya said. “You are a part of the family.”
I glanced at Sidney to see the smirk on her lips. “I can see you’re uncomfortable, SOLA.”
“Please call me Arlie,” I said to Sidney.
“Arlie. Okay. Don’t ever let nobody make you feel uncomfortable in your own home. Secondly, you and Graham are grown. That ain’t my business unless you want it to be.”
I smiled tightly and took a deep breath. “I just don’t like to be perceived negatively.”
“Shiiiid, that’s the story of my life,” Sonya said and laughed.
