Page 51 of The Way Love Heals

“I don’t think so. I’ll send you the address.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”

“Be careful, bestie.”

“Always.”

The call ended, and I allowed my tears to fall. The way my people were showing up for me warmed my heart. I didn’t need to ask them to be there. They just showed up, and I appreciated them more than they knew.

One of the songs I’d sung to Nyle oozed through my speakers. I leaned my head back on the headrest and mumbled the words, feeling every one in my heart. The way I missed that man needed to be studied. It literally felt like my body was going through withdrawals without him. All five of my senses craved him, and I was being deprived of him.

The shit sucked.

Pilar and I pulled up to Lela Mae’s at the same time. She wasted no time getting out of her car with a small gift bag and coming to my car. I laughed to myself because she didn’t even let me open the door. In one swift motion, she swung my door open and threw herself on me. Her embrace was what I needed. For the longest, Pilar held onto me. I buried my face into her shoulder and cried while she rubbed my back.

We were so wrapped up into one another that we didn’t hear or see Brielle come outside to get us. Pilar jumped when Brielle gently touched her back. After letting me go, she looked back and forth between us with her hand over her heart.

“Girl, you can’t walk up on me like that,” Pilar warned and released a shaky exhale. “You don’t know what I have on me.”

Brielle snickered. “I’m sorry about that. I just wanted to come get y’all. I’m Brielle.”

“I’m Pilar, Britt’s best friend.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

Brielle’s gaze fell on me. Around her eyes were dark while the insides were red. Her hair was hidden by a bonnet, and her body was covered in pajamas. She looked like I had over the last few days. The only reason I’d gotten myself together was to come see them. I stepped out of the car and embraced her. There was something about her hug that gave me comfort. I wasn’t sure if it was because she was a part of Nyle or what, but I almost didn’t want to let her go either.

Once we parted, Brielle held onto my hands and asked, “Are you okay?”

“I should be asking you that.”

She hunched one shoulder. “I’m managing.”

“Same, girl.”

“Well, come inside. Nannie is finishing up breakfast. It’s a good thing she always cooks enough to feed an army.”

Pilar and I followed Brielle inside. I looked around the cozy home. We walked down a hallway where the walls were filled with old pictures. I stopped in front of one of Nyle. It was the cutest thing ever. If I had to guess, he was around seven or eight in the picture, with a baseball bat bigger than his body resting on his shoulder. To me, from the look in his eyes, it was obvious he was battling something internally. There was no light in them. He almost looked blank, and my stomach churned. I had to look away.

“It smells so good in here,” Pilar stated, looping her arm in mine.

“Doesn’t it?” I agreed.

Brielle nodded. “One thing about Nannie is that she gets down in the kitchen. Cooking is therapeutic for her. It’s one of her love languages as well, so she’s been in the kitchen since Nyle left. I’ve tried to tell her to chill, but she won’t.”

“Don’t be telling folks my business, Bri,” Lela Mae griped. Her back was turned to us as she stood at the stove, stirring something that smelled heavenly. I looked around to see a spread of homemade cinnamon rolls, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. When she finally turned around with one hand on her hip, her expression softened upon seeing me.

To my surprise, Lela Mae wiped her hands on her apron and walked toward me with her arms out. I melted into her motherly embrace. It was short but welcoming.

“How are you, Brittish?” she questioned, going back over to the stove.

“I’m not okay if I’m being honest.”

“Me either, honey. I’m so damn worried about Nyle. He’s never gone this long without talking to any of us, and it’s slowly killing me.”

“So, he hasn’t reached out to any of you?”

Brielle wagged her head. “Nope. Not one peep. I assumed he would’ve at least reached out to Naheem, but he hasn’t.”