Page 91 of Believe in Me

She leaned against me, and I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Your sisters look like your dad. You’re just like your mom. Big-old pretty eyes and all.”

“I know. Lorenzo, I don’t ever want you to stop reaching out to your kids. Don’t ever give up on trying to be a part of their lives.”

“I won’t. Hey, how are you feeling? Head still hurting?”

“I’m fine. Are you okay? I mean, I know you’d rather be home.”

I kissed her head. “I’m good. This is nice. We should do this more often.”

“Yeah, we should.”

“Honey, I’m home!” a booming voice announced.

I turned to see an older version of the pictures on the wall enter the room. I’d seen him on his commercials. He hadn’t aged quite as well as his wife, but from what Renee told me, he’d been running in behind other women for years. I just didn’t get men like him or Renee’s ex. Why couldn’t they be satisfied with what they had at home? But shit, I’d messed over more than a few women myself. Darwin’s and Jovani’s mom was pretty and loyal to a fault, and I didn’t appreciate her at all. She was bitter as hell about it. I couldn’t blame her, though.

Mr. Strickland approached Travis, shook his hand and exchanged a few nice words with him, then headed my way. “Angelo Strickland,” he said, giving me a firm handshake.

“Lorenzo Higgs. Great to finally meet you. Renee has told me a lot about you.”

“Wish I could say the same, but I know I need to work on communicating with my girls better.”

He leaned in and kissed Renee’s cheek. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Hey, Daddy.”

He shifted his focus back to me. “So my Lisa tells me you’re a writer, but looking at you, I’d swear you were a bodybuilder.”

I smiled. “Used to work out a lot. Stopped a few years back. Just try to get my cardio in when I can now.” I grabbed Renee’s hand and squeezed it and she shot me a glance, but I could tell she wanted to giggle.

“Really? What’d you do back then? Free weights or machine?”

“Free weights. Usually like five sets of thirty. In my best shape, I could lift one-twenty-five easily.

“That’s a lot. Got a new weight machine in my office. Trying to get in shape so I can keep up with my Lisa.”

Renee groaned softly.

“Five sets of thirty, huh?” he said.

I nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have to try that tomorrow morning in my office.”

Before I could reply, the doorbell rang and Mrs. Strickland said, “Oh, that’s my surprise guest! Be right back.”

She returned with some guy, and Angie shrieked before rushing to him and hugging him.

Renee smiled and waved at him.

Nicky just stood there with her mouth hanging open for a solid minute before saying, “Damon? I just talked to you like an hour ago. I thought you were in South Korea.”

“Well, Nicky, you aren’t the only one who’s been keeping in touch with Damon since he was last home. He told me a couple of weeks ago, right around the time I started planning this party, that he was moving back. I asked him not to tell you, because I thought it would be a nice surprise for you,” Mrs. Strickland gushed.

Nicky stared at the man for another second. “Um, I can’t believe it. You moved back?”

He smiled and nodded, then moved closer to her and pulled her into a hug that she really laid into. “Yeah, I’m here to stay.”

“What-what about Missy Mae?”

“We broke up.”

Travis cleared his throat, and Nicky snatched away from Damon and began introducing the two men—Damon as her BFF, Travis as her fiancé.

“Well, now that everyone is here, let’s go eat!” Renee’s mom said, and we all headed to the dining room.

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