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ChapterFour
Lavender
When Choyce returned,Lavender was sitting out by the lake. She looked at him when he sat next to her, and she could tell by his eyes that he’d been crying.
Her heart broke just a little more.
“I got a bag of clothes for you in the house. You’re leaving tonight.”
“By myself? Where am I going? Have you heard any news about my family?”
His head hung briefly before he looked at her and answered. “Yes, by yourself, but it’s just temporary. I have to hang back and take care of some things so your return can be permanent. You’re going to South Carolina with my sister Grace. You’ll be safe there. Shouldn’t be more than a week or two.”
Nodding, she asked, “Are you going to be okay here? They were really upset last night.”
His smile was not one of humor as he looked out into the water. “You have no idea. I’ll be fine, though. Your family is, too. Mercy has eyes on them now at the compound.”
“Do you know when they’ll be able to leave?”
She watched his temples expand as his jaw clenched. “No,” was all he said, and she could tell by his tone that the conversation needed to end there.
“Lavender!” Rema called from the house, gaining both their attention.
“Ma’am?”
“It’s cool now.”
“Okay, thank you!”
“What’s cool?” Choyce asked skeptically as she stood.
“Your cake.”
Seemingly confused, Choyce blinked slowly as his head tilted.
“Cake?”
Lavender smiled a real smile for the first time in what felt like forever as he stood and peered down at her.
“Yeah. I made you one for your birthday.”
His brows wrinkled, and he scratched his head. Lavender couldn’t help but find his reaction cute.
“You made me a cake?”
She nodded, feeling herself warm under his stare. “Yes. It’s not a lot but…”
“It’s the sweetest thing someone has ever done for me.”
“Oh. Good.”
Grabbing his hand, Lavender led him back inside. Rema gave her a candle and lighter, then hugged Choyce before leaving them alone in the kitchen. Choyce’s head shook as he stared at the chocolate cake she’d started working on as soon as he left.
“Happy birthday, Choyce.”
“You got all this stuff going on, yet you took the time to make me a birthday cake?”
“From scratch,” Lavender added with a smile.
“From scratch?” His exaggerated tone made her giggle. “Aw this shit better be good as hell then or I’ma light your ass up.”
“Boy, please. I’ve been baking and cooking with my mama since I was eight. This is about to be the best cake of your life.”
“Mhm. Just let me taste it and see for myself.”
As Lavender placed the candle in the center of the cake, she couldn’t ignore his eyes roaming her frame out of the corner of her eye. Quickly lighting the candle, she told him, “Make a wish,” as she lifted it and placed it directly in front of him.
Their eyes remained locked for a few seconds before he closed his eyes and blew out the candle. As soon as she placed it back on the table, Choyce pulled her into his arms. She held him close, softening against him. When he placed a kiss on the top of her head, Lavender’s nipples hardened. Pulling away, she crossed her arms over her chest to cover herself.
“Cut a piece and meet me back outside.”
“Aight,” he agreed, eyes lowering to her ass as she turned and walked away.
Unable to hold back her smile, Lavender left the kitchen as quickly as she possibly could.
Returning to her pallet by the lake, Lavender sat Indian style. The view behind Rema’s home had been helping her maintain her peace. It was also a quiet neighborhood. She hadn’t had any visitors yet, so there hadn’t been a need for Lavender to relive what had happened. Rema did make it clear though that she had adult children who would pop up on her without warning.
It wasn’t long before Choyce returned, sitting closer this time… with a smile. Lavender felt pride in putting that there. She couldn’t imagine the pain that was consuming him right now over his mother. If one cake made him this happy, she’d bake a million more.
With her bottom lip tugged between her teeth, she waited anxiously to see what he thought. He topped his fork with a small piece of the cake before sliding it into his mouth. His eyes closed and he moaned softly before grinning.
“This is good as hell, Lav.”
Lav.
Had they reached nickname status already?
“Yay! I’m glad you like it.”
“It’s so moist.” He took a second bigger bite. “And you really made this from scratch? By yourself?” She nodded, heart filled with pride. “This is really good. Probably the best cake I’ve ever had, and chocolate is my favorite.”
“Mine too.”
“When’s your birthday?”
“On the twenty-ninth. I’ll be eighteen.”
He nodded. “What school did you go to?”
