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“What the hell do you mean, none?”

“I mean exactly that. Kyenna refuses to touch Ryleigh’s money. She’s paying the entire past-due balance from her personal account.”

Now that shut my ass up. I looked back down at the paper because I didn’t want Lloyd studying my face. I couldn’t believe that bitch paid it herself.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because she loves Ryleigh and she understands that she needs a safe place to live.”

“A safe place,” I scoffed.

I picked the paper up and started thoroughly reading it this time. The amount was right there. Every damn dollar I owed, with late fees included.

“She really paying all of this?”

“She has already authorized the payment. Once you sign the agreement, I’ll send everything to the lender. The money will never touch your account, and it will not come from the trust. Your mortgage will simply be brought current.”

This was the first time I didn’t have anything smart to say. Kyenna had not only beaten my ass but now humbled me by paying my debt.

“And before you start thinking this means you can get behind again and come back asking for another bailout, it doesn’t. The letter makes it very clear that this is a one-time payment. Kyenna wanted that language in there specifically,” Lloyd said, leaning back in his chair.

“I don’t need the slick shit, Lloyd.”

“It’s not slick. Just common sense. You moved into a house that your monthly distribution allotment cannot comfortably support. She is giving you a chance to fix that without Ryleigh losing her home. What you do after this is on you.”

I rolled my eyes even though I knew he was right.

“I’ve been looking for a job,” I told him.

“Good.”

“I’m not about to go work no fast food window or be nobody’s damn cashier either. I’ve been applying for office jobs, receptionist positions, leasing offices, shit like that. Nobody wants to hire me because I don’t have experience.”

“Then you may need to start somewhere that gives you experience.”

“See, this is why I don’t like talking to educated niggas too long. Y’all always got some shit to say that makes sense when I don’t want to hear it.”

Lloyd laughed. “That might be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

“It wasn’t a compliment.”

I went back to reading the agreement. There wasn’t really anything in it I had a problem with, besides the fact that Kyenna’s name was all over the damn thing. I wasn’t allowed to post about the fight, speak publicly about it, or make any statements connecting payment to her. In return, my mortgage got caught up, and the shit was done. That should’ve been easy. Still, my pride was fighting me.

“I don’t like the feeling of owing her,” I said.

“You don’t owe her anything. She paid to protect Ryleigh’s housing. Kyenna was very clear about that. She doesn’t expect repayment, gratitude, friendship, or anything else from you.”

“Of course she doesn’t.”

“Raya, at some point, you have to stop searching for disrespect in everything Kyenna does. She could have denied the request completely and let the foreclosure process continue. Legally, she had every right to do that because the trust was never intended to cover this situation. Instead, she chose to use her own money, so Ryleigh wouldn’t be affected. You don’t have to like her. She clearly doesn’t like you. But that doesn’t mean every decision she makes has some hidden attack behind it.”

I stared at him. “You always defend her.”

“I defend facts. It just so happened that you and facts don’t always get along.”

“Fuck you, Lloyd.” I picked the pen up and signed my name. “There. Happy?”

“Extremely.”