Heather

I also know I’m tired of fighting this thing between Braxton and me. Honestly, I’m tired of living in fear. Seeing Braxton with that girl really put some things into perspective for me.

I have a choice to make. I can live in fear of my scars and allow what my heart wants to slip away or be taken by someone else. Or I can claim my life back.

I’ve been a fighter all my life. This shouldn’t be any different. If I don’t at least try, then Ernest wins. I’ve allowed him to destroy me. That’s just not an option.

I’m scared to death. I don’t think this is going to be easy at all, but I’m determined to try.

Now, if only I knew what to do about Lucy. I want to make things right for her and Billy. I still think the entire plan to make Billy jealous is ridiculous, but we’re committed to the mess we made now. If Billy finds out she right that’s just one more strike against Lucy. Somehow, we have to prove we’re the real deal so Lucy has a chance.

Ugh, my head hurts. I wish I could go back to the beach house and hide out. Brax and I were in our own perfect little bubble there. I smile at that thought.

“I love that smile,” Mom leans into whisper in my ear.

I blink away my thoughts, turning to look her way. I love Faith. She has been the mom I’ve needed and so much more. I’m so happy my dad has her. She has made both of our lives better.

“What smile,” I ask, this time aware of the curve of my lips I’m directing at her.

“You just went somewhere. Wherever it was, it was a happy place for you. Your entire face lit up,” Mom muses as her eyes search my face.

“It’s not Lucy, is it?”

I bite my lip debating on whether to answer that question or not. I’m still not sure what Braxton and I plan to do. I don’t want to jinx things by speaking prematurely. I still have a few things I need to figure out.

“No, it’s not,” I decide to answer, but remain vague.

“I didn’t think so,” she gives me a knowing look. “You been happier. That’s good.”

“Yeah, I am happy. I’m thinking about making some changes,” I think out loud.

“You know your dad and I are all for what makes you happy,” she says, plucking a dress from the rack.

We’re supposed to be shopping for linens. We’ve been moving through clothing stores for two hours. Not a single linen is in sight or has been thought about.

“This is cute,” the smile falls from her lips, when she looks up at something over my shoulder. She places the dress back on the rack, then mutters. “On second thought, I won’t be buying shit from here today.”

“What? That was cute. What happened?” I wrinkle my brows.

“These people in here are tripping. First of all, my shoes on my feet cost more than most the crap in here. Second, I work hard every damn day to make a living. What you’re not going to do is follow me around this damn store like some criminal because of the color of my skin,” she says, loud enough for the now blushing store clerk to hear.

I shake my head. Faith is right, her red bottoms would pay for a new wardrobe in this store. We told the clerk three times we didn’t need any help. I frown, starting out of the store with Mom. I get pissed, stopping just before I get out of the door. I turn to the sales clerk.

“You know something. You’re so busy watching us, but those two have been robbing you blind for the last ten minutes,” I point to the two blondes, I noticed shoplifting a while ago.

If the security guard hadn’t been eyeing us, I might have said something sooner. People are so foolish. I mentally add the store to my do not shop list. If dad were with us, he’d be pissed.

We’ve gone out plenty of times, where Faith and I are ignored, only to have dad walk in behind us and be offered assistance right away. Every single time, Dad turns around, marching his family right out the door, but not before giving the manager of the establishment a piece of his mind.

My thoughts turn to Braxton. I think of his temper and his age. Is he ready for something like this? Being in an interracial relationship isn’t easy. I’ve seen it all my life.

My dad may be white, but I’m given the full black experience because my skin says black, not Irish-Blasian or Afro-Asian,—or whatever you decide to call my mixed bloodlines.

I can’t help wondering if Braxton is mature enough for that. If he’s ready to face the world I’ve grown up seeing. If we were to have a family, our children are more than likely going to have my experience as well.

I shake my thoughts away. I’m getting way ahead of myself. Although, I know it wouldn’t be wise for anyone to come for me if Brax is around. He would’ve probably tossed that store.

I smile. Moment of truth, I’ve beat up a few girls for Brax when we were younger. Some he knows about, others, not so much. Let’s just say I may have given him shit about it, but I already know Brax didn’t sleep with many of the girls that were running their mouths in high school. I just happened to shut a few up.

A smile consumes my face, when I think of how we’ve been taking care of each other for years. Even back then, I was willing to do anything for Brax. You could just imagine how much stronger that feeling is now. Just as that thought crosses my mind, I frown at the sight before me.

In all my musing, Mom walked us a few stores down and into another clothing store. My eyes nearly pop out of my head. Pricilla, was that her name?

She’s hanging off some guy that’s not Braxton. I know Brax said he was going to call things off with her, but damn that was fast. Hell, he had to run off for work. I don’t even think he’s back.

I don’t know if he even had time to break up with her. My blood starts to boil, when I think this girl could be cheating on Brax. How dare she?

I pull my phone from my pocket, shooting Brax a quick text. I tap my foot, as I await his reply. I ask a simple question.

Me: Did you have time to break up with Pricilla?

Her giggle rings out across the store, grating my nerves. I wanted to pound her face in that night she was at the club. Now I’m itching to put my foot in her ass. I don’t care that Brax was going to drop her anyway.

Brax: Still working. On my way back soon. TTYT.

Yeah, he’ll talk to me than, alright. We’re going to have a good talk about this heifer, after I put my foot in her ass. I hold up my phone and record her for a few. She does me the favor of kissing the guy she’s with. Feeling like my head is going to explode and having enough evidence, I shove my phone back into my pocket.

I don’t hear a word mom says to me, as I storm across the store. Pricilla is walking into the dressing room with clothes in her hand. When I reach her, I grab her by the shoulder, spinning her until her back hits the mirror on the wall. My arm pins her to the mirror, forearm in her throat.

I get right in her face, narrowing my eyes. The clothes in her arms fall to the floor, her eyes widen in surprise. She’s about my height so we are eye to eye. I lean closer getting all up in her face.

“You remember me?” I hiss.

“He-Heather, right?” she chokes out.

“That’s right, Bitch. You’re here with some other guy. Aren’t you supposed to be dating Braxton?” I snarl.

“Y-you don’t understand,” she tries to gasp out, when I apply more pressure to her throat.

“Then make me.”

Her eyes get larger. “He’s in love with you…I mean nothing,” she struggles to say. I release some of the pressure, searching her red face. “Let go of me, please.”

“Wait, so you’re cheating on Brax because he has feelings for me?” My brows shoot up.

She rolls her eyes. “I’m not cheating on Brax. We’re not together. Look, call him. We can clear this up.”

“He’s not available,” I hiss.

“Well, trust me. We’re not a thing. Can you let me go now,” she huffs.

I narrow my eyes at her, backing off slowly. I shove her a bit for good measure. She reaches to rub the back of her head with one hand and her throat with the other.

“He warned me you’d try to kick my ass over him,” Pricilla scoffs. “You two are nuts.”

With that she rushes past me, out of the fitting area. My brows knit, as I think her words over. I flex my fingers at my sides. Brax has some explaining to do.

* * *

Braxton

I haven’t laughed so hard in years. Listening to Pricilla curse me out because Heather hemmed her up in a fitting room, is hands down the funniest shit I’ve heard in years. My eyes are still watering with tears of laughter.

I park in front of my parents’ place, but head across the street to the Lockharts’. I’m looking for a little ninja that likes to defend my honor. I know I’ll find her at her father’s. Everyone will be here for Nellie’s arrival.

I move around to the guesthouse. I plan to check there first. Heather said they’d be getting it ready for Nel, chances are they’re still at it.

The front door sits open. I step inside to see Heather sitting on the couch, her arms folded over her chest. She staring at a blink TV screen. She’s so lost in thought, she doesn’t hear me enter. Or so I thought.

“Were you ever dating that girl?” She says tightly, when I nearly reach the couch.

I round the furniture, sitting on the edge of the coffee table before her. Placing my hands on her thighs, I look into her eyes. She’s pissed off.

“Are we talking about the girl you attacked today?” I reply, trying not to burst into laughter.

She swats my hands from her legs. “I want to know the truth. Were you ever dating her like you guys said?”

“I love that you were defending my honor, Baby. That shit is so hot,” I say, dodging her question.

Heather stands and stumps her foot. “I asked you a question,” she yells.

Standing, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her into me. Placing my forehead to hers, I close my eyes and inhale. It feels like coming home. I slide one hand up her side, over her neck, up to cup her face.

“It’s been over two years, since I’ve had my lips on yours. Do you really want to have this conversation or do you want me to remind you what I taste like?” I rasp.

I open my eyes slowly, fastening them on hers. I can see anger and lust mix together. I decide to put us both out of our misery. Tilting her head back, I take her lips.

My entire being comes to life. I feel like I’m breathing for the first time, since we last kissed. Heather taste better than I remember. The flavor of chocolate and mint linger on her tongue.

Wanting more of her intoxicating essence, I suck her tongue into my mouth. Heather moans, her restraint falling away. Her arms wrap around my neck, her fingers find their way into my hair.

I groan, releasing her tongue to deepen the kiss. My hand still on her waist glides to her round ass, causing her to melt into my body. My hard cock presses into her belly.

I’m so lost in the kiss, I nearly miss the voices headed our way. I break the kiss, searching Heather’s face. We still need to talk. I’d rather have that talk, before everyone gets into our shit.

However, when I see the look in Heather’s eyes it rubs me some way. She backs away from me quickly, putting way too much space between us. I want to tug her back and hold her to my side.

“I want this to stay between us for now,” she whispers.

“Sure,” I grunt, flopping down onto the couch. “Whatever you want.”

“Brax—,” she starts, but I shake my head.

“Hey, Braxton,” Faith sings, as she walks through the door. “I was just telling your mom that I wish one of you boys were around to help me move a few things.”

“Aw, fuck. It would be this one. Make yerself useful,” Mom commands. “Make it look like I raised ye boys right.”

I snort, shaking my head. Only my mom could make me smile in this moment. I know in my gut, when I do get to talk to Heather, she going to say some shit I don’t want to hear.

Here we go again.