“Come, Johnni, it’s officially girl time.”
“Okay,” I said as we took our seats.
Between the kids now playing with their new toys and Courtland and his brother bickering over the grill, I felt at home for the first time in a long time.
“I’m happy to see that look in your eyes,” Liv said, catching me off guard.
“What look?”
“Peace… love. I know we just met, but this is the first time I’ve noticed it in your eyes.”
My brows bunched in confusion.
“Oh, girl, you’re public royalty. Let’s just say we both know sometimes pictures lie.”
I nodded, accepting her answer because it was the truth. I was finally happy and in love.
It had beena few days since everything happened and I was finally making my way back up to the hospital to see Quincey. Mama Steph called and let me know he was officially in police custody, awaiting the doctor to release him to go straight to county. I didn’t want to make a jail visit, so I had Nas put a rush on the divorce papers so I could serve them before his life was hectic behind bars.
I got close to his room, which was crawling with police. I could hear Mama Steph fussing before I walked in, which made me laugh a bit.
“You don’t need to be watching this mess. It’s only going to stress you out, Q,” she demanded as the TV got louder, making me draw my eyes to the screen of a picture of the lady I’d kept seeing at the parties Quincey had. My heart fell into my chest once I finally put a name to her.
Andrea Rodgers.
She’s Tim’s wife.
I decided to keep that bit of information to myself since she was dead now, so it didn’t matter anyways.
“Okay, that’s enough.” Mama Steph snatched the remote, turning it off.
“Mama, I was trying to see something.”
He wasn’t though. The news hadn’t been nice to Quincey at all, which in honesty, I hated.
“You’re not missing anything,” I said, offering a small smile, making myself known to the two of them.
“Oh my darling daughter, what a pleasant surprise.” I hugged Mama Steph while Quincey remained quiet.
“Hey, Mama. How’s it been?”
“Good. Well, besides fighting over the remote.” I smirked.
More awkward silence filled the space since neither Quincey nor I said anything.
Mama Steph cleared her throat.
“I’m going to get some food from the cafeteria; I’ll be back in a few.” She squeezed my shoulder as she passed.
I waited until I knew she was out of earshot before I pulled out the papers.
Quincey snorted while shaking his head.
“Well this wasn’t on my damn bingo card this year,” he said, making me laugh. I took a seat at the end of the bed.
“Mine either,” I agreed.
“My Josie.” He reached for my hand with his free one that wasn’t cuffed to the bed.
