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Chapter 19
Remy
Remy stared at the ceiling for hours, waiting for Mikel to come back to his bed. She must have drifted off at some point, waking to an empty spot beside her. She searched around the room for any sign that he’d returned. She sat, rubbing the sleep from her eyes before grabbing her phone.
No texts. No missed calls. Nothing.
Worry tightened her chest.
Remy tapped the screen to call him just as the sound of deep voices rumbled from outside the door. She jumped out of bed and hurriedly pulled her clothes on from the night before. She had never done the walk of shame, but right now that was the least of her concerns.
She made her way down the stairs to the kitchen where Mikel sat drinking a cup of coffee, talking with Bently.
“I still can’t believe you two are together. It’s weird seeing Dre’s little sister coming down the stairs, knowing she’s been in your bed all night,” Bently teased his younger brother. Mikel’s smile faltered as he turned to face her.
Her legs wobbled with uncertainty and she held her breath. How was he going to react? How should she respond?
Mikel walked over before putting his arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek. He smelled like coffee with a hint of cigarette smoke. She winced.
“Well, get used to it, brother, ’cause she’s definitely stayin’.” Mikel smirked.
His eyes were glassy and bloodshot. But that was probably from the lack of sleep … or had he used? He seemed okay. Was it best to pretend like nothing had happened? She’d follow his lead. “If I am going to stick around, I better get a change of clothes. I don’t think this dress is gonna work for my shift at the bakery.” She forced a smile, hoping it masked her worry.
“You looked pretty great in my shirt last night,” he teased.
“Okay, that’s enough. I’ve had my fill of young love to last me a lifetime,” Bently interjected holding out his hand in protest.
“He’s just jealous,” Mikel said as two women she didn’t recognize came down the stairs.
“Good morning.” The redhead smiled, eying the door.
Bently walked over, stopping to smirk at Mikel and whisper, “I’m not sure I have anything to be jealous about.”
Remy was awestruck as Bently wrapped his arms around both women and led them out.
“Did they …?” she whispered as they exited the house.
“I didn’t think he had it in him.” Mikel laughed.
A pang of jealous curiosity prickled in her chest. “Would you ever want to do that?”
He turned back to her, his gaze heated. “You’re the only woman I want in my bed.”
She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding in relief. “I was worried when you didn’t come back last night.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I just needed to clear my head. I’m feeling a lot better now. I apologize again about last night. It was reckless.”
“Well, teen pregnancy isn’t high on my to-do list, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world.” She laughed, hoping to set him at ease and let him know she was in this for the long haul.
Panic flashed in his eyes, his body tense and rigid. “But you’re on the pill, right?”
She nodded, obviously the humor had been ill-chosen. “I’ve been on the pill since I was sixteen. In fact, I just got a new prescription—switched over to a different kind that’s supposed to be a smidge more effective.”
He nodded vigorously as he exhaled and wrapped his arm around her. “That’s good because I can’t … we can’t have any more accidents like that. It’s too much of a risk.”
Unease slithered over her, coating her in caution. He had a lot going on in his life, dealing with his issues. She was too young, about to go to college and start a business in the next couple years. A baby would not be ideal, but it would be something they’d created together—a part of him growing inside her. Couldn’t he see that it might not be all bad?
“Let’s get you home to change before your shift at the bakery,” he said.
