Page 121 of The Need to Know

Oh that. Tee had stopped calling, but at some point I’d have to have a word with him to make it clear. I shouldn’t have given him my number. It was a no when he first requested the deal, and even now without me owning BLVCKJVCK—yet—it was still a no.

“I was trippin’ that day,” I came out and said. Rubbing the back of my neck, I looked on at the monitors to make sure everything was on the up and up throughout the club. “I think I deserve control now, but I guess I’ll have to wait until Pops thinks I’m truly ready.”

“I’m sure your dad has it all worked out for you. He knows what’s best in this situation.”

My impatience was there, but I knew Regina was right. “True.”

She came from the desk, coming and standing in front of me. “So, you’re happy?”

Business was booming and I had Nastasia. There was nothing to complain about. “My job is prospering, I got a good girl, and my folks is happy. I’m straight,” I said.

Regina cupped my jaw. “Happy to hear that. I always knew you had it in you.” She went on by me for the door. “Don’t be a stranger, Z. We should grab lunch sometime.”

Regina was gone before I could respond.

Life was good, so I went back over to the Diamond Suite and found Nas. Paisley was telling some story that had our section engrossed, and as I held Nastasia against my chest, there was no place I’d rather be.

Alannah flew in early Saturday morning with Oisin. I wanted to pick her up from the airport, but she insisted they get an Uber to their hotel instead.

I was willing to take the day off to cater to Ali and Oisin, but my sister wasn’t having it.

“You don’t gotta uproot your whole routine for me,” Alannah was saying as she stood in Shéc that afternoon. She’d stopped by after getting settled at her hotel, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her live in person. She was glowing in her Silk Sonic tee and jeans. A single braid framed her face on one side as the rest of her hair lay in its usual curly state. Her brown skin was radiating and flawless as she was also makeup free.

Alannah was happy.

“I haven’t seen you in forever,” I said. “You literally leave tomorrow night.”

Alannah frowned, but not for long, she was too jubilant. “I know. I promise my next break I’m coming down here and I’m spending the entire time catching up, no excuses.”

Shéc wasn’t busy, but Paisley and I were shutting down early so I could go and have dinner with my family. Oisin hadn’t come by the shop with Alannah, and I was grateful, because I needed alone time with my sister.

We left Paisley to watch the store while I took Alannah outside for a walk down the strip. The sun was out, shining down on us all and I was thankful for the shade the roof provided.

“I wanted to say that I’m sorry,” I began as I looked her way. “I know our relationship is strained, and it’s not your fault, it’s all on me.”

Alannah made a face. “I know it has a lot to do with Mom and Dad, but I do wish you’d talk to me.”

“It’s just complicated, Al. I’m the older sister and I used to hear ‘Why can’t you be more like Alannah?’ and it would eat at me. I don’t hate you on purpose, but it has been hard on me feeling inadequate,” I admitted. “You’re going to be a doctor for God’s sake and I’m…”

“Running a successful business,” Alannah chirped up. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Nas.”

Maybe I didn’t. “Yeah?”

Alannah threw her head back and groaned. “You’re like the strongest woman I know. I wasn’t there, but I know Dad gave you shit about dropping out, I know Corey put you through hell, but you didn’t just wallow, you bounced back and you really took a risk with Shéc. When the world kept throwing punches, you fought back and conquered. I admire that.”

A smile washed across my face hearing my feats from Alannah. Yeah. I had been dealt some challenges that I overcame, no matter how much I wanted to fall. Rain, sleet, hail, or snow, I showed up to Shéc. No matter how many nos I heard in my life, how many rejections, I made it through. Broken heart or not, I forged forward and learned to live for myself and love myself. Yeah. I was strong.

“Thank you, Alannah.” I stopped walking, pausing in front of the novelty shop as I faced my sister. “I do want to move forward and be closer. I wanna hear about Oisin and anything else going on in your life. I want us to be sisters.”

“Promise?” Alannah asked, her true vulnerability reading loudly in her gaze.

I blinked back tears, feeling terrible for not extending this olive branch sooner. “Of course!”

Alannah poked her bottom lip out and came for a hug, which I wholly obliged, going and wrapping her in a tight embrace.

Soon, Alannah pulled back. “I’ll forgive you on one condition.”

“Name it,” I said.