Page 30 of Set me Free

"Aight, aight! Everybody shut up for a second!" Sevyn’s voice boomed through the apartment, pulling everyone’s attention toward the center of the room.

I was sitting on the couch, a fresh drink in my hand, with Malcolm next to me, one arm draped over the back of the couch in a way that was casual but suggestive.

Creed was across the room, watching.

Again.

"It’s my little sister’s first birthday in the city," Sevyn announced, raising his glass. "So, of course, we had to turn up the right way. Serenity, you already know how much I love you, how proud I am of you, and how I’ll still drop a nigga if they step outta line."

The room laughed, but I could see the way Malcolm shifted slightly, sitting up straighter.

"Happy birthday, baby sis," Sevyn finished, grinning before tipping back his drink.

Everyone cheered, and before I could even react, Arielle was standing next to him, raising her own glass.

"Okay, my turn! To my favorite girl cousin—" she made sure to clarify looking in Sevyn’s direction.

"Only girl cousin," I corrected, laughing.

"Same thing," she smirked. "Tootie, you are the most brilliant, talented, stubborn person I know. And I love you for it. Happy birthday!"

More cheers. More clinking glasses. And then?—

"Alright, I got one." Creed’s voice was low but commanding, silencing the crowd. I stiffened slightly as he stepped forward, raising his glass, his light brown eyes locked onto mine.

"To Serenity," he started, voice smooth but full of something heavy.

"To the girl who don’t take no shit. Who moves like she owns every room she walks into. To the one who always acts like she’s fine even when she’s not, but still somehow makes everyone else feel like they got it together. To the one who don’t even realize how special she is."

The room was silent. The weight of his words hung in the air, thick, charged, undeniable.

"Happy birthday, Serenity," he finished, his smirk small but knowing.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my ears. Because the way he said that? That wasn’t just a toast. That was something else. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

“Who is he?” Malcolm asked.

"Damn," Egypt muttered beside me. "That was a little too deep for just a best friend toast."

"Shut up," I whispered, taking a long sip of my drink.

But I could still feel his eyes on me.

Later that night, I stepped out onto the balcony, needing a breather. I should’ve known I wouldn’t be alone for long.

"So that’s your type?"

I turned, already knowing who it was before I even saw him. Creed stepped outside, leaning against the railing beside me, his expression unreadable.

"What?" I asked, raising a brow.

"Malcolm," he said, voice low. "That’s your type?"

I crossed my arms. "What’s it to you?"

He licked his lips and exhaled. "You really wanna do this right now?"

"You’re the one who brought it up."

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