Page 152 of Tarek

“To be free from you all. Aaron, Dereck, James, Anthony. To be loved by someone and not used.” I don’t realize my nails are digging into my skin until Carson’s hand gently pulls mine away.

“Let her go, Henry. This arrangement is over, Ily,” Carson says kindly.

“Do what the fuck you want,” Henry shouts.

I grab my bag and run to the hotel door. My veins feel heavy like they were filled with poison.

As I open the door I pause and look back at Henry. “If we don’t get our lives together. If we don’t understand what love is, I fear the three of us will die needing it.”

Carson bows his head in silence, and Henry’s scowl deepens. “Get out.”

* * *

TAREK

I don’t think I slept well last night. I should have driven to Rhet’s house and picked up Penny. Take her back to my home to sleep. But she told me she was leaving early this morning.

I should tell her that I bought her old apartment, but I don’t think that she is ready for that.

Adjusting the brown bags in my hand I knock on the door waiting for Penny to open up.

The door opens; I see her running back into her bedroom. The whole apartment is dark. What the hell was going on?

I drop the bags on the floor and walk to the side of her bed.

The sound of sniffling breaks me.

I kneel to the side of the bed and pull the blanket away from Penny’s grip. Her locs lay over the pillow and her eyes are watery.

I switch the lamp on, and I can see her red puffy eyes. I don’t know who made Penny cry, but they are dead.

“What’s the matter, Treasure?” I ask pushing one of her locs away from her face.

She shakes her head and cries into the pillow. Her shoulders shake as she tries to draw a breath in.

I sit at the edge of the bed and drag her in my arms. “Treasure, tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m pregnant,” she says in a hushed tone.

I swallow trying to contain my excitement. I squeeze her tighter and kiss the top of her head. “We’repregnant,” I state.

“No, I’m pregnant?” She tries to pull away

“Treasure. Don’t make me spank you.Weare pregnant.” I rub her back, taking pleasure that she is allowing me this level of intimacy.

“Suppose it’s a phantom pregnancy like the last time,” she asks with a hint of dread in her voice.

I take her hand and place it over her belly. “That’s a Fairisles baby in your belly. Survival is in his DNA.”

She sniffles and sticks her head under my neck. “I have to wait till Monday to see a doctor.”

“Says who? We are going to see a doctor today,” I reply. I take my phone out, and I send a text message to my family doctor.

* * *

PENNY

It doesn’t take long for Tarek to get me a doctor. He wrapped me up in my blanket and carried me in his arm to his car to see the doctor.

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