Page 142 of Set me Free

The soft buzz of my phone vibrated against the towel beside me, and without thinking, I reached for it, my thumb tapping across the screen as I read his latest text.

Creed: U good?

A small smile tugged at my lips.

Me: I should be asking you that.

Creed: I’m cool. Just checking on you.

I hesitated before responding. I knew exactly why he was checking in on me. Because he knew—he always knew—when something was off with me. And right now? Everything was off. I had just broken things off with Iman. And I hadn’t told Creed yet.

Me: If you miss me already, just say that Langston.

Creed: I miss you Beautiful

“You are grinning like a lovesick fool. Who the hell are you texting, Iman?” Averi’s voice cut through my thoughts as she adjusted the towel wrapped around her body. She was sitting cross-legged on one of the massage loungers, sipping from a flute of champagne.

I locked my phone, but not before Egypt snatched it out of my hands, her eyes scanning the screen before a knowing smirk played on her lips. “Mmmhmm. I knew it. You over here texting your baby daddy like y’all aren’t in two separate places right now.”

Arielle, who had been laying face down on the massage table getting her deep tissue massage, lifted her head, arching a perfectly sculpted brow. “Please tell me you are not spending your time texting Creed instead of enjoying this spa day.”

I groaned, reaching for my phone, but Egypt snatched it away, holding it out of my reach.

Averi took a slow sip of her drink, watching me with amusement. “So, are you gonna tell us what’s up or do we have to bully it out of you?”

I let out a breath before sitting up. “I ended things with Iman.”

All three of them froze before Egypt let out an exaggerated gasp. “Oh, now this is tea.”

Ari propped herself up on one elbow. “Why?”

I swallowed hard before I said the words out loud, words that had been bubbling inside me for months. “Because I’m still in love with Creed.”

We were all silent, for a solid five seconds, none of us spoke.

Then, Averi grinned. “Well, duh bitch.”

Egypt rolled her eyes dramatically. “Oh, so now you’re admitting it? Girl, we’ve been knowing.”

Ari smirked before sitting up completely. “The real question is, are you gonna tell him?”

I hesitated, playing with the edge of my towel. “No… not yet.”

Egypt groaned, throwing her head back. “Girl, why?!”

“Because he’s going through too much right now,” I admitted. “His grandfather just died. He just got injured. His season is over. I’m not about to add to his plate with feelings. He doesn’t need that right now.”

Ari stared at me for a long time before shaking her head. “Tootie… you are his peace. If you think for a second that man doesn’t already know that you love him, then you’re fooling yourself.”

Averi nodded in agreement. “You love him. He loves you. What the fuck are y’all waiting for?”

Egypt snapped her fingers. “Tell him. Tonight.”

I exhaled, shaking my head. “Y’all are crazy.”

Ari took another sip of her champagne before shrugging. “No, you are. And if you don’t tell him, I will.”

Hours later, I sat by the floor-to-ceiling window in the suite, my plate of shrimp fried rice barely touched as I watched the sun begin its slow descent over the Vegas skyline. The city looked golden, bathed in light, and yet I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in my chest.

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