Page 33 of The Wright Man

Tina : We invited Maleek.

I froze mid-reach, a bag of organic cane sugar cradled in my hands like it was about to catch me when my knees gave out.

Of course they did.

SisterSisterSister Chat

Angie : ...Why would y'all do that.

Tina : Because Daddy loves him.

Bella : Because we love him.

Tina : Because we hate Gavin.

Bella : Because you haven't said his name in 4 years.

Tina : Because y'all CLEARLY got unfinished business.

Bella : Because he wants to be there.

Tina : And because we said so.

I stared at the phone, heart pounding like I was back in ninth grade, hiding in the laundry room to take a call from the boy across the street after curfew. Only now that boy was a man. A dangerous one.

And now I'd have to see him. At Daddy's party. Tomorrow. Ten minutes from my house.

Like nothing had ever happened.

Like everything hadn't.

SisterSisterSister Chat

Angie : Y'all are messy.

Bella : But did we lie?

I sat my phone down on the counter, the ease and relaxation I felt moments ago vanishing into thin air.

He was coming. Whether I wanted him to or not, and so much sooner than I expected.

Maleek. My almost. My always. My never-again.

I was almost done setting aside the ingredients for the frosting when Gavin walked into the kitchen, tie undone and slung around his neck like a noose he couldn't be bothered to finish tightening.

The timing was as if God had a sense of humor.

He barely glanced at me. "You went shopping?"

I was immediately annoyed. The bags were on the counter. The proof was right there. I kept moving, slipping the ingredients into the fridge.

"Yes. My dad's birthday's tomorrow," I said instead, forcibly keeping my tone light. "We're having his party at the house. You're still coming, right?"

He opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and didn't look at me when he said, "Probably not."

I paused. "Why not?"

"Does it matter?" He asked as he twisted the cap off and took a long sip, then leaned against the counter. He was already tired of this conversation. "Your dad never liked me anyway."