Page 109 of Crossing Lines

“Well, the doctor will check on you shortly. If everything’s fine, we’ll provide medication for the pain as well as rehab resources—”

“I don’t need that,” Mama shuts her down harshly. “Just give me some pills so I can be on my way.”

“Geez, Mama.”

Shanae scoffs. “It isn’t my fault you got…” She stops herself when I snap my head to her. “Ahem. I’ll find the doctor and an icepack for the swelling.” She peels off.

Cairo gives me an apologetic look. “I’ll talk to her about that.”

When he leaves, I refocus on the woman who birthed me and has brought me so much pain. “You love me, Mama?”

Her eyes wilt. “Of course, son. You’re the only good thing to happen to me.”

“Then please make the decision today. Rehab, or lose me forever.”

She swallows profoundly and releases a shaky breath. “I’ll go back to rehab. I’ll try again.”

“This time, stay with it.”

“I will. Promise.” She sighs. “I know my promises don’t mean shit. But this time, I’m keeping my word.”

I give her hand a loving squeeze. “Thank you.”

FORTY-FIVE

I ring the bell and shift on the porch impatiently. My heart pounds harder with betrayal when the person I’m here for opens the door. “Come outside, bitch. I won’t beat your ass in your grandma’s house and disrespect her.”

Iree scowls. “Look, Davia, I don’t know how, but—”

“Feel so stupid. I can’t believe I covered the added expense for you to come to Paris.”

Her eyes expand. “You covered for me?”

“Shared a room with you,” I add. “Let you wear my designs for free. Treated you like a sister. And you sabotaged me, bitch?”

“I had nothing to do with it,” she argues. “It wasn’t me.”

“You’re seriously going to lie to my face? Just admit you did it because I’m with Kross. You’re jealous of me. You spent all this time crushing on him, and he ignored your ass. He doesn’t want you. That’s why you sabotaged my launch. You’re pathetic.”

“Fucking bitch!” Iree charges forward, grabbing at my hair. Fighting Shanae when we were kids taught me how to avoid those moves. I weave and smack Iree.

Her eyes blare, and she screams as she launches at me again. We trip down the porch steps, shouting while tugging at each other’s clothes in the grass.

“What in God’s name!” Mama G yells, running out of the house. “Stop this nonsense right now!”

We manage to stand from the ground, still throwing hands. Iree gets in a smack, and I punch her, drawing blood.

She looks at me with a murderous glare. “Bitch!”

Mama G yanks at us as we continue fighting. “God… What is wrong with…” Her voice dips as she staggers while touching her chest. The action halts our fight, and we stare at her in concern.

“Gran?” Iree freaks out. “Gran, what is it?”

Mama G doesn’t respond, only gasps while twisting her face.

“Get her to the hospital,” I urge, helping Iree rush her to the car.

She shoves me back after setting her grandma on the backseat. “This is your fault!”

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