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My stomach dropped. This was my mother’s serious tone. Whatever argument I might have, I wouldn’t win. “Yes, ma’am?”
“I believe you recognize your responsibilities now.”
I nodded, though I’d always known what they were. I just hadn’t accepted them or had blatantly chosen to ignore them.
“That includes taking care of those who you love. Even those you don’t realize you love yet.” She turned to Dad. “I want this to stop now, Harris. Drew’s apologized, and only time will tell if it’s sincere, but I won’t have this rift any longer. We’ve all made mistakes, and we’re not going to tally up whose are the worst. I need peace. I told you I might not be able to forgive you, Drew.” Her eyes darted to Gabriel, who was soaking up every bit of this conversation, his head bobbing to and fro as he looked at us. “But I can. Because I want to. If I didn’t, what kind of mother would I be? What kind of grandmother would I be?”
“You’re an incredible mother. What I’ve done isn’t a reflection on you. It’s all on me. Do you understand?” I asked, pleading with her.
“It’s hard to accept but yes. Your choices are your own. Not mine.”
Relief swept through me. The last thing I wanted was for her to blame herself for what I’d done. “I love you, Mama. You too, Dad.”
“I love you too, Grandma and Grandpa,” Gabriel piped up, and somehow, he eased the tension in that instant.
“We love you,” Dad said, patting Gabriel’s head. “And you too, son.”
Everything clicked into place. I could see a path forward, where I was part of the family again, and that family was expanding.
“Drew,” Sonya said softly, slowing her gait. She pressed up on her toes, her lips against my ear. “I love you way more than I hate you.”
“I know, Tigress. I know.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Drew
Five Months Later
“You’re scaring me.”
Sonya dragged me down the street to an unknown destination. We’d been back together for five months, and I still wasn’t sure most days if she wanted to kiss me or kill me.
“You should be scared.” Her eyes gleamed, her pace quickening. She stopped in front of a bar.
“Nuh-uh. I am not going to watch you hustle some guy tonight.”
She stopped in the doorway, leveling me with a look. “I know that. Just trust me,sugar.”
“You make that difficult.”
She led me through the crowded bar, wedged us between a man and a woman, and ordered a couple of drinks. “Tell me how you used to go trolling. Did you pick out a group of women? Was there a method to the madness or just anyone who was willing?”
I nearly choked on my drink. “It’s irrelevant, Tigress. The only woman I see in this bar is you.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “Don’t try to sweet-talk me.”
“Getting laid isnota guarantee with you. I have to do what I can.”
She slid a hand under my suit jacket, tugging me closer. “Tonight, it’s guaranteed.”
Her seductive purr had me setting my drink on the bar behind her. “Then let’s get out of here.”
“Not so fast.” Her fingers dipped beneath my waistband to tease the top of my ass. “Indulge me. If you were here to pick up women, who would be the lucky ones?”
“Not playing this game. You just promised me we’re fucking. If I answer that, you’ll change your mind.” She appeared pleased by my answer. I brushed my lips against hers. “I can’t let that happen.”
“Please.”
