Page 32 of Differences

“Keezy?”

“You feeling her, ain’t it?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Your tone, your choice of words. You’re already planning to go to the hospital without me cussing your ass out. Who is she?”

“Keezy, you going to the hospital or not?”

He laughed. “Nigga, you ain’t shit. But yeah, I might be late. If I stay on track, I should make it. If not, I will be there tomorrow.”

“Bet.”

We hung up the phone, and I made my way out of the room. Keezy was right. The way I was feeling about Taja was true. I was feeling her and had been feeling her since the first night I laid eyes on her. However, my guard remained up. I fought and fought my feelings so that they could remain protected. Yet the more I was in her space, the lower my guard fell. Taja was my kryptonite. No matter the fight I tried to put up, it was a losing battle.

I knocked on the door, and she called for me to come in. She had the phone up to her face and an irritated look on her face.

“You good?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry about it, Jay. You made your bed. Now lie in it. After today, your number is blocked. Leave my key at the leasing office.” She hung up the phone and tossed it to the side.

She huffed. “He’s been calling all day. He even called my best friend, and she’s in Japan doing a photo shoot for the next line that’s coming out.”

I knew Taja was referring to Allison. She was the leading model for TRU and had done the majority of the international photo shoots.

“He’s hurting. He knew he lost the best thing that was out there. Of course, he’s going to go through extreme measures to talk to you.”

She shook her head. “He can try to, but I’m done.” She let out a deep sigh. “How was work? Did you hear from your mom today?”

Taja was special. Even though she was dealing with her own personal issues, she still took a moment to check on me. She was making me fall harder and harder for her, and she didn’t even notice.

“The usual, a lot of meetings. I’m actually about to head to the hospital now. Would you like to go?”

“Yeah, I need to apologize and thank your sister for her support. She didn’t have to do what she did.”

I smiled as I thought about Rae. Rae was the perfect big sister. She showed up for people all the time, even when people didn’t show up for her. I regretted straining our relationship. The distance between Rae and me boiled down to being my fault. The chip I proudly wore caused it all.

“Yeah, she is special.”

* * *

One hour later,after a Target run, we were pulling up to the hospital. Taja insisted on stopping and picking up a gift for Rae. She got her a card, wrote a message in it, and included a gift card.

I shut the car off and side-eyed Taja. After leaving Target, we had a playful debate about whether sleeping with socks on was weird.

“Don’t look at me like that! I can’t help it. I have to have socks on when I sleep. I always have,” she proudly affirmed.

“Mentally, that means something is wrong with you. Anyone who takes the time out of their night to make sure they have socks on for bed is crazy.”

She playfully slapped my arm. “Don’t play with me, Weston.”

I held my hands up, surrendering. “My bad, serial killer,” I joked.

“Get out of the car before you be checking into the ER from me beating you up!”

I laughed at Taja while following behind her as we headed to the elevator. Even when we rode up, I continued to tease her.

“Stop, Weston! I’m telling Rae that you’re calling me a serial killer.”

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