Page 41 of The Way Love Heals

After a gentle kiss, Nyle helped me back into my car, and I waited for him to safely get inside his. I needed advice. I didn’t want to put Nyle’s business out there, but I needed a male’s perspective on how to handle things. I needed a male’s perspective to get a better insight on what was going on in Nyle’s mind.

I pulled off and followed behind Nyle while calling my father.

“Hey, Britt. What are you up to, baby?” He answered in his usual, chipper tone that soothed my heart.

“Hey, Daddy. Not much. Following my boyfriend to his house.”

“Mmm.”

I smirked. “What?”

“When am I going to meet him? I’m upset I had to learn about him through your brothers, and they already met him as well. Is that how you do your old man?”

“It’s not even like that, I promise. They just so happened to be where we were that day. You know I wouldn’t do you like that.”

“Mmm. Sure seems that way.”

“Stop being dramatic.” I snickered.

I loved my daddy something serious. He gave the best advice whether we wanted to hear it or not. Everything he did was out of pure love, and not just for us, but everyone. Lucah Abernathy was a God-fearing and loving man. He treated everyone the same with that big heart of his while making sure no one took advantage of it either.

“What’s on your mind, baby? I can hear it in your voice and feel it in your emotions.”

When I was younger, I always wondered how our parents could figure out something was wrong with us. Being a parent myself, I completely understood.

“It’s my boyfriend.”

“Oh, hell. I already don’t like where this is going.”

“No, no.” I shook my head as if he could see me. “It’s not like that. It’s just . . . There’s something going on with him, and I need guidance on how to handle it. I think I’ve been handling it well thus far, but I’m beginning to feel like it might drift us apart.”

“It can only drift y’all apart if y’all allow it. If you truly care about him and vice versa, then y’all will do anything to make it work. Now, what’s going on with him?”

“I don’t want to tell his business because it’s deep and personal. When he was a kid, he had some terrible things happen to him. I mean, I get worked up anytime he talks about it. It has to do with his mother. He doesn’t have a relationship with her, and apparently, she’s looking for him. I know it’s triggered him. I can tell he’s slowly beginning to shut down, and I don’t want him to shut me out. Is that selfish?”

“No, Brittish. It’s not selfish at all. Tell me. What’s his love language?”

“Quality time.”

“Then that’s what you need to continue giving him. Whether y’all talk or sit in silence, be present for him. Let him know you’re there in a way he needs. If he shuts down, still show up. I don’t know the full context, but I do know love can get you through anything if it’s done correctly.”

I sighed. “Is that not too pushy?”

“It’s okay to be pushy when a push is needed. Just know where the edge is and don’t push him over.”

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

“I love you more. Make sure you bring him to meet me and your mother soon, okay?”

“I will.”

We ended the call, and I felt lighter as I pulled into Nyle’s driveway. When he stepped out his truck, he immediately smiled at me. It seemed to be a calmness and relief over him that I knew I provided. I took honor in that while praying God gave me the strength to continue doing so.

“He’s in here.”

I wanted to hide and disappear, but I couldn’t. If I even thought about it, I’d be in trouble, so I sat there with my head down. When my mother and Coach walked in, I swallowed the lump in my throat. Showing any type of emotion would make things worse for me. I’d learned to bury it deep inside, but it was becoming harder by the day.

Renee came and sat next to me, pulling me in closer to her by snaking her arm around my waist. She used her hand to lift my head, and I could see the glossiness coating her eyes as she peered at me with a sickening smile. I cringed when she rubbed the side of my face and looked up at Coach.