“It’s given me a lot of clarity. Helped me see what I need to fix in my life,” she whispered.
“You always got a place with me, Kara,” I vowed. “All I ever wanted was for you to get your shit together. Me and Mine were already lost causes?—”
“I don’t think so.” She lifted her head, and her misty eyes bounced around mine. “Look at you. You’ve got a brand-new life. You have Ivy and a woman that loves you, who you love. You just had two new babies, which I still haven’t seen. Do you have pictures?”
I went to retrieve my phone from my pocket, swiping right to the photo album. I stored all of their pictures together so I could go to them any time that I wanted. I handed it to Kara and let her scroll through them. Her smile only seemed to grow the more she went on. The final picture was from a couple of days ago. Harbor held each baby while sitting in the rocking chair in their room. She wore the biggest, warmest smile. A proud mother, and you couldn’t tell her shit about it.
“Wow. She looks really happy,” Kara acknowledged. “And I can tell that shit rubbed off on you. You’ve got a whole family now, Free. Imagine that.”
“What are you going to do with yourself?” I asked.
She averted her gaze from mine and let out a low groan.
“Mmm, well, I’m not sure yet. I would love to get to spend some time with Ivy and my new niece and nephew before I decide. What do you think? Is Harbor going to be okay with that?”
“I think she would probably like the help since Celine is gone,” I responded.
“And what are you going to do about Celine?” she queried.
“I haven’t had the time to think about it. Been a lot going on. I haven’t seen or spoken to her since the day you showed up on my doorstep.”
“You should talk to her. She is your mother.” Kara side-eyed me.
I considered her opinion, and it actually surprised me. I expected her to be a lot more unstable than what was in front of me. Bowing my head, I swiped my hand over the top of it. For months Celine was heavy on my mind. I knew where she was, hiding out at her favorite hotel. She didn’t do too well being alone, and I couldn’t help but wonder how she was actually holding up. When the twins were born, she was one of the first people I thought about.
“So… the fuck is going on with you and Slice?” I commanded, and she rolled her eyes while a smile teased the corners of her mouth.
Kara pulled out of my embrace and raised herself to her feet. She stuck her hands into the pockets of her jogging pants and spun to face me.
“Slice is a good friend. At least he has been the last few months. I’ve gone to some dark places around here, Free. I escaped one night, and he caught me. I was for sure about to go somewhere and be high at the end of it all. I’m lucky he was there. He talked me off the ledge, and he’s been looking out for me ever since. We are friends,” she admitted.
“Just friends?” I lifted both brows and was on my feet.
“Would it be a problem if it were more?” she asked. “I am grown.”
“Slice works for me, Kara. I don’t like mixing business and pleasure,” I warned.
“Your business, Free, not mine.” She cleared up, shaking her head.
“It could interfere with my business.” I had to make myself clear that I was against whatever this was.
“If it does, then we will cross that bridge. Slice and I are cool. We enjoy one another’s company. You of all people shouldn’t be criticizing me about this,” she argued with passion.
That right there let me know there was definitely more between them than this friendship shit. But she was right; it wasn’t my business until it became my business.
“Glad that you’re better, Kara.”
“Thanks for always looking out for me, even when I bring you nothing but trouble.” She stepped forward to embrace me, and I held her back.
“A phone call away, sis. Always.” I turned to leave.
Kara walked me to the door, and when I stepped out, Slice was there waiting. We exchanged an unwavering stare. My sister hung back, witnessing the exchange.
“This is my sister, Slice.” My tone was even.
“Free, I would never disrespect you,” he conveyed, holding his hands up in surrender. “It’s not just a job. We fuck with each other, but not how you thinking. I haven’t touched her… like that. We talk. If it comes to anything else, you will be the first to know. I can still do my job and not let this interfere.”
“You better.” I nodded, brows furrowing. “Your priority is keeping her safe; that comes first.”
