Page 21 of Truce Of The Matter

When we walk inside, I try hard not to immediately look for Truce but she’s been on my mind since I left her sexy ass thismorning. I barely heard shit during the meeting. Thank God ain’t much changed about these cookies because I was zoned out.

Aryel spots Chantel, my brother Dax’s fiancé, seated in a booth by the picture wall. So we walk over to say hello. Aryel practically jumps into her lap; she loves her uncle and new auntie.

“What up, sis?” I ask.

“Hungry,” she says then laughs. “I stopped by to pick up dinner for me and Dax but I have to wait. Something happened and everyone went to the back for a meeting with Truce. I got free lemonade while I wait so I guess I can’t complain too much. I heard crying; everybody did. I don’t think it’s good.”

“Shit,” I utter. Truce’s mom was in the hospital. I hope nothing’s wrong. “Can she sit with you while I try to see what’s up?”

“Of course. Us girls need to catch up,” she says and Aryel beams.

I’m dialing Truce as I walk off. When she doesn’t answer, I step to the side of the counter. Luckily, Taj, the manager and Lyra’s friend, walks out. I approach her. She’s actually bawling.

“What’s going on?” I ask her.

“Auntie… She’s dead,” she says and I immediately hurt for Truce.

“Where’s Truce?”

“In the office. She needs to?—”

I’m walking through the employee door heading to the back before she finishes her damn sentence. I need to lay eyes on her. Surprisingly, no one says shit to me until I make it past the large coolers.

“Ay. My man, you shouldn’t be back here,” a tall, dark-skinned, bald-headed brotha calls after me but I keep going, looking for Truce. “My man!”

“It’s fine,” I hear Taj say from behind. She must have walked back after me. “She’s in the last room on the left,” she adds and I throw my hand up in appreciation.

I hear her as soon as I get close to the door so I don’t bother to knock. I just walk in and find her on the floor, weeping. Her sadness and apparent pain are tugging at my heart and causing the muscles in my damn chest to constrict. There’s only one thought on my mind, somehow taking her pain away. So I ease down on the floor next to her, scoop her into my arms, and pull her into me. Her arms wrap around my neck and she buries her face into my chest. Gently, I caress her back as she cries. We stay like this until she reveals her tear-stained face.

“Sorry,” she utters.

“Nah. I’m the one sorry for your loss.”

She shakes her head then rests it back against my chest. “She’s really gone and I can’t… God, I don’t even know…shit! It hurts.”

“Let me take you home.”

“Yes,” rolls off her lips without any hesitation. So I raise off the floor, still holding her. When we are totally upright, I ease her down. The moment her feet hit the floor, she adjusts then wraps her arms around me. “I need to tell my team bye,” she whispers, her voice still filled with pain.

“They’ll get it if you don’t.”

“At least Taj.”

“A’ight. I’ll get her and then I’ll get you home.”

“Okay,” she says, then blinks.

Tears fall and I thumb them away. “I’ll be right back.”

She nods then drops her arms from around me. After leaning in and planting a kiss on her forehead, I leave her in the office and go find Taj. She’s out front, behind the counter, helping with drinks. I tell her about Truce then rush over to Aryel andChantel. I motion to Chantel and she stands and steps toward me.

“I just heard; it was Miss Irene. I can’t imagine what Truce and Mr. Greg are going through,” she says somberly.

“Actually, Truce is back there having a tough time.”

“Oh no,” she sighs.

“Yeah. I’m going to take her home. I don’t know if you have plans but I would really appreciate it if you could watch Aryel or take her to my mom. If you can, I’ll come get her later.”

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