Page 24

Messiah gave me a confused look, but I was asking a serious question.

“Once she’s discharged from the hospital, she’s gonna come stay with the rest of us.”

I shook my head as he spoke because I didn’t agree with the decision.

“To be honest, I don’t think she should even be in the state, let alone the city, when they bury that man. Emotions will be high, and I think it’s best if she’s as far as possible, at least until things die down.”

“You might be on to something. Honestly, it might be a good idea for all of us to take a vacation that week. I don’t want to take a chance of one of us being caught slipping. It would also give Moe and Jett time to set some things in place for when we return. This could very well blow over in a week or so, but my gut is telling me it won’t be so simple.”

I nodded in agreement because I thought the same thing. These people were out for blood, and they were willing to put their freedom on the line to get it. We needed to act now before anyone else got hurt.

“Babe. I just got off the phone with Jay, and someone threw a brick through the salon’s window. He sent me a picture of the brick, and this is what it says.” Yaya handed Messiah her phone, and I could tell by the veins popping in his forehead that things were only about to get worse.

“What does it say?” I held my hand out for the phone, and he handed it over without hesitation. When I read the message, my blood ran cold. On the side of the brick, written in white chalk, were the words, ‘R.I.P. Honesty.’ All I saw was red, and I knew we needed to hurry up and get her out of the hospital.

SIX

honesty graham

Tears filled my eyes as I read through all of the comments and message requests I had received over the last two weeks. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around Rondell being gone, and truthfully, I still hadn’t fully processed it. We weren’t on the best of terms, but I never wanted anything bad to happen to him. It honestly felt as though he had done this to punish me, and I still didn’t understand why.

“You don’t deserve to live. I hope someone slits your throat. It should have been you and not him. Die evil bi—Hey!”

I shrieked as someone snatched my iPad. When I saw who it was, guilt flashed across my face. Once again, I had gotten caught red-handed, and there was nothing I could do about it.

“Didn’t I tell you no social media? I took your phone for a reason,” Solomon fussed as he powered my iPad off and set it on the dresser.

“I’m bored.” I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest like a true brat.

“Yeah? We can play another game of spades, but I’m sure you’re probably tired of getting your ass whupped.” Solomon smirked.

“I’m being serious, Solly. I’ve been cooped up in this house with my family for a week, and I’m getting antsy. I want to be back out in the outside world, laughing with my friends and going to parties. This isn’t fair.” I pouted. I thought he would comfort me like he normally did, but he caught me off guard when I saw the frown on his face.

“What’s the look for?”

“I guess I never realized how selfish and self-centered you could be until now, and that shit is a turn-off.”

I was taken aback by his words, and it took a moment for me to digest.

“Wait, where did that come from?”

“You’re sitting in here complaining about being stuck in a mansion with your family as if this is some type of vacation or something. People are after you, Honesty. Your family has been targeted because of this situation, and their lives have been threatened. I understand you’re frustrated, but this is serious.”

I wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of his anger, and it hurt more than I wanted to admit.

“Are you serious right now? I can’t believe you would even think so lowly of me. You have no idea how bad this whole thing is tearing me apart. I replay his last moments in my head over and over again like a recording that won’t stop. I feel like shit because everyone I care about is suffering because of me! I spent my whole life trying to be the perfect child, with good grades, who never gave my parents any issues, and now I’m the reason people can’t even sleep in their own homes.” I cried as snot and tears ran down my face.

“I didn’t mean for my statement to come off the way it did, but you have no clue how deeply this is affecting me. Every day I wake up and wonder if I should just do everyone a favor and end it all. At least if I’m gone, everyone will be able to return to their regular lives. Then I go online to doomscroll and occupy my mind, only to have hundreds of messages from people wishing death on me. You might be offended, but all I’m trying to say is that I wish I could go back to the days when a couple of bruises and a hangover were the biggest issues I had to deal with. I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to be human anymore.”

It hurt my feelings to think he could see me in such a negative light. Yes, I was spoiled, and I could be selfish at times, but this wasn’t one of those moments. I was barely holding on to the little bit of sanity I had, and I desperately needed an escape.

Solomon’s shoulders dropped as he stepped closer. I stepped back when he tried to wrap his arms around me, but he paid me no mind and hugged me tight. He knew how sensitive and stubborn I could be, and he knew exactly how to handle me.

“I’m sorry, my little crybaby. I jumped the gun, and I apologize. We’re all exhausted and running off of emotions right now. I know how much you care about your family, so please don’t take what I said to heart.”

I melted into his embrace as I let out the tears I had been holding back for the past two weeks.

“I’m so tired, Solly. I’m trying to be strong and act like everything is okay, but I’m losing it. I don’t even know if I want to be here anymore.” I said the words out loud, and it made me even more emotional to know that I had gotten to such a low point in life. I dreaded waking up every day because I felt like such a burden.