AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I took his hand into mine, finding solace in his words. While I might not have felt like my father loved me unconditionally, I knew Nathan did. He wasn’t just my best friend; he was my soul mate. A part of me wished we could have been lovers too. He knew about my past and toxic relationship with my father. How he used me and rented me out to the highest bidders. Nathan still loved me though—flaws and all. He loved me with the kind of love I wished Tyreek had for me. If he did, maybe Tyreek wouldn’t have called our wedding off.
“You don’t have to stick around just because of me. I’m sure you’re tired of this shit too.”
“I am.” He paused, looking down at me until I looked up at him. “But I’m not leaving without you.”
Lifting his hand, I kissed it three times, then wiped it. “I love you more than anything else in this world under my father, Nathan. More than anything.”
The elevator dinged and opened, letting us out on the roof. Before we stepped off, Nathan said, “I know, and I love you too.”
CHAPTER17
Janae
Two Weeks Later
I was so happy my girl was back in town, and by the glow on her face, she thoroughly enjoyed her honeymoon. We embraced before heading into Seasons 52 for lunch. Harmony would meet us soon, but she was running a little late.
Not long after we were seated and had given the waiter our drink orders, I was asking, “So, how was it? I’m sure it was great just by the look on your face.”
Honey chuckled. “Girl, it was everything! Kayla might have a little brother or sister on the way.”
“Aw hell. Are you ready to be pregnant so soon after giving birth?”
Kayla would be four months this month and my head was swiveling just at the thought of thinking about having babies so soon after each other. But… that was kind of a good idea, too. To go ahead and get them all out the way and make sure they could grow up with each other in the process.
“No but also yes.” She gave me the cutest giggle as she lifted her arm onto the table, knocking her water over in the process. Honey was probably the clumsiest person I knew, but she was so stinking cute no one really cared. So used to making small messes that she had to clean up, Honey casually wiped the water up as she continued. “I’m ready to get our babies out the way so I can be done with being pregnant. Having to go months without truly enjoying my life. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed being pregnant, but sharing my body with another human isn’t…”
She stopped speaking abruptly and stared at me.
“What, Honey?”
“Janae…” Her voice was low as her shoulders sagged. “I’m so sorry, Nae. I wasn’t thinking…”
“What are you…” When I realized what she was worried about, I smiled and shook my head. “Girl, it’s fine. I’m good.”
“Are you sure? I’m sitting here complaining about wanting to get my pregnancies out the way when you…”
“It’s fine, sis, I swear. I’m good. I’m happy for you, no matter what happened with me. They are completely dependent of each other, and that won’t ever change. Don’t ever feel like you can’t talk to me about babies and motherhood just because I had a miscarriage.”
Honey swallowed hard, giving me a soft nod as she pushed her curls out of her face. “Well, yes, that’s it. I just want to get our kids here so I can get my body back right and enjoy myself.”
“So how many are you all planning to have?”
“Three or four. Now that we have Kayla, I know for sure I want her to grow up how I did with at least two more siblings, but I want them closer in age. I love being the oldest sister, but I admire how close my sisters are because they are closer in age.”
“I feel you. Me and Tyreek actually talked about this. He wants his kids to have more siblings since he only had one. I feel the same way, but I also wouldn’t mind just having two. My parents were able to juggle me and Jason, effortlessly, seemed like. I wouldn’t change anything about my childhood at all.”
“What’s up with you and Tyreek anyway?”
As our waiter set our drinks down and asked if Honey wanted a refill for her water, I considered how much I wanted to share with my best friend. My time alone with Tyreek was sacred. At the moment, those memories were all I had. I prayed God kept him for me while I got myself together, but I honestly didn’t know. Men like Tyreek were single intentionally, but it was no secret he was ready for the next phase of his life. If he was truly letting me go, he’d start dating soon, and there would be no telling how quickly he’d get engaged and married after that.
Once we were alone again, I told her, “Nothing’s up. We agreed that we would enjoy each other and that’s it. I haven’t seen him since the wedding. While y’all were gone, I got Kayla from Adrian so there was no contact with Tyreek.”
“Is that how you want things to be though?”
I shrugged before taking a sip of my cocktail. “It’s how it has to be for now. I’m focused on myself, and I vowed not to bring Tyreek back into my bullshit until I was ready for what he wanted.”
“But you do want him?” she clarified, and at that point, I couldn’t hide it anymore.
