Page 2 of Make Me Remember

She lifted her head and stared at me. “There is nothing for you to be sorry for. All of this would have happened regardless… except for Shayla’s ass showing up at the wedding. None of that changes who you are to me, and I know it doesn’t change who I am to you. If anything, it gives both of us the support we both need. I love you so much, and I’m going to continue loving you, no matter what comes our way. We’re Bonnie and Clyde, baby. I got’chu, and I know you got me.”

I kissed her lips. “I love you too, baby. You are everything I need. We are going to have a wonderful life together. When I win that million-dollar purse at the national championships, I’m gon’ make all this shit up to you.”

“There is nothing for you to make up for, but I can’t wait to see what you have in mind.”

The Uber driver stopped in front of our hotel. I turned to my baby. “Let’s get home and see what the fuck is going on.”

CHAPTER 1

JACOB

“Jacob Monroe, you’re free to go.”

“I don’t know who Jacob Monroe is.”

The correctional officer looked back at the paper in his hand with a frown on his face. My name had officially changed to Henderson, and I refused to answer to the name Monroe any longer. I’d sit in this bitch all night until they called me by the right name. He flipped the page, and realization showed on his face. “My bad, man. Jacob Henderson, you’re free to go.”

I was shocked that he was cool about it. I expected him to come back with plenty of attitude. They must have made a note on my file that my name had officially changed and how I would get completely offended and worked up when I heard the last name Monroe. I nodded and stood as he opened the door. When I walked out, I saw Traylon’s homeboy in another cell, mean mugging me. Fuck them people.

They didn’t realize they were fucking with the wrong one. I would take all of them out of here one by one… pick their asses off like I was hunting rabbits. When I heard the arguing and yelling from inside my house, I immediately grabbed my gun. The police weren’t doing their fucking jobs, and I was pretty sure Uncle WJ, my mama, and all my aunts and uncles would be at Precinct 1 raising hell later.

I limped my way to the front to sign for my personal effects then walked out that bitch to see my mama and stepdad standing there with Sidney Taylor, one of our family attorneys. The minute my mama laid eyes on me, she ran to me, wrapping her arms around me.

“Baby, are you okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I kissed her head and rubbed her back, coaxing her to let me go so we could get the fuck out of here. I nodded at my dad and Mrs. Taylor, then we walked out. Once outside, Mrs. Taylor said, “There are no charges being filed. You saved Kane’s life. He came out of surgery okay, but he lost quite a bit of blood. The main part, though, is that he’s alive, thanks to you.”

I nodded. I knew Traylon wasn’t alive, because I shot that muthafucka in his dome. I wasn’t about to take no chances with his ass. When I saw my cousin on the ground with a gun aimed at him, my adrenaline skyrocketed. I shot that nigga from my yard, nearly five houses down. Now, Traylon could go to hell and meet his sister. He wasn’t alone when he shot Kane. The nigga that was in a cell not far from me was with him, along with a couple of other people.

“Did Shayla get arrested?” I asked.

That bitch was with him too. I didn’t understand what stake she had in this shit since she didn’t even live in Nome or China. She was Cassie’s biological mom, and those people were her cousins, but I couldn’t understand why she would be with Traylon.

My mama frowned. “Shayla, as in Cassie’s mother?”

“Yes. She was there. When I fired, she ran. Only one person hung around, and he’s locked up. He didn’t hang around long, but he hung around too long to avoid getting caught.”

“Hmm. That’s interesting,” Mrs. Taylor said. “Do you know if anyone has cameras around their houses?”

“We all do. They were at Rylan’s house, so I know for a fact he does. You’ll even be able to pull the sound from his. Because of some bullshit that went down with his wife a couple of years or so ago, she felt safer with them being there.”

She nodded. “Okay. Can I come to you tomorrow? We have a lot to go over. Although they are releasing you, I need to be prepared in case they try to come back and say differently, especially since you have history with this family.”

I nodded then winced as I shifted my weight and nearly fell to the ground. My leg was killing me, mainly my knee and ankle. My dad reached out and steadied me while my mama wrapped her arm around mine.

“You okay?” Mama asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I just need to get off it.”

Everyone nodded in agreement and helped me to the car. Mrs. Taylor stood in front of me as I sat on the seat, preparing to scoot backward into the car. “See you about ten. Is that too early?”

“I wake up with the chickens, Mrs. Taylor. That’s fine.”

She chuckled. “Okay. See you tomorrow. Go ice that knee and ankle.”

I nodded and gave her a slight smile as I scooted back across the back seat, putting my back against the other door. Once my parents got inside, my mama said, “I’m surprised they even released him.”

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