Page 27 of Risks

“I said no! I want to go home.” Shemarches to the car, getting in and slamming the door. She doesn’t look this wayonce.

I pivot to Jesiah and run my glovedhand over my hair. “She’s pissed. I underestimated how upset she’d be.”

He scowls. “Once she’s a littlecalmer, tell her the truth.”

I nod and head to the car, turningto Toya once I’m inside. “Will you let me explain some things once we’re at theapartment?”

She huffs a harsh breath. “Take meto my mom. I can’t be around you right now. Not after this.” She’s not evenmeeting my gaze, staring out the windshield instead.

“Toya, there’s something youshould—”

“I don’t want to hear it, Varen!You’ve crossed a line.” As fresh tears fall, she roughly swats the dropletsaway. “Just fucking drive!”

Jesiah is right. I have to waituntil she’s calm.

“Okay. I’m sorry.”

Starting the car, I pull onto themain road and drive across town until reaching our parents’ house.

I’m sure only Lisa is home. My dad’sprobably at the office, and Alison’s plane arrives later.

Toya doesn’t say anything to mebefore exiting the car. I grab her suitcase from the back and follow herinside.

“Hey, baby girl,” Lisa greets happilywhen she comes out of the living room. It quickly falls when she observesToya’s demeanor. “What’s wrong?”

Without a word, Toya leans into hermom for an embrace, sobbing against her.

Lisa hugs her tightly in return andflicks to me, expression hard with criticism. “What did you do?”

“I found Jesiah,” I admit, notkeeping the sting from my tone either.

Her eyes flutter.

“How could you do that?” she scoldsin shock.

“Lisa, tell her—”

“You have no right!” she snarls. Iknow it’s an attempt to keep the truth from leaving my mouth.

Toya eases from the hug and looks atme with puffy eyes. “How did you even find him?”

“It wasn’t that hard,” I rasp. “I askedaround your old neighborhood, and a former classmate gave me his name. He worksas a—”

“I don’t want to know anything abouthim,” she stops me and turns away. “I’m going to lie down.” She runs upstairs,slamming a door soon after.

I ball my fists and fight the urge tofollow her. I know she won’t listen now. She’s too upset.

Setting my gaze back on Lisa, Itighten my jaw. “How could you do that to Toya?”

Her lips quiver. Following a nervousglance up the stairs, she folds her arms and refocuses on me, saying in a lowtone, “You don’t understand.”

“I don’t understand?” I echo, incredulous.“You need to tell her the truth. Tell her what you did.”

Lisa huffs. “You should leave,Varen.”

Pissed, I aggressively drag my palmdown my face and threaten, “If you don’t tell Toya, I will.”

A mocking expression forms. “Youfound Jesiah without Toya’s permission. You may have very well just ended yourrelationship.” She motions to the front door. “If you don’t mind.”

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