Page 35 of Shadowed Obsession

“She raisedyou,” I taunt.

“You know what? Imma let that slide because it’s our birthday,” he jokes, and I’m faced with his smile. It looks the same way it did when we were kids.

“You’re a fool. I miss you, Dare,” I say softly.

“I miss you, too. You’re always welcome home, you know? Could always hide out at my place to avoid Mom and Dad. I won’t tell,” he whispers the last part conspiratorially.

“Thanks, man. Enjoy your day. I love you,” I say, taking another bite of cake.

“I love you, too, Dee. It’s stillourday, no matter what. See you soon,” he says with a wave before the screen goes black.

Once I finish my slice and ice cream, I wander into my office to retrieve the goodies I’ve been ordered to indulge in. I open the door, and the care package from Darius waits on the floor.

Carefully, I slice through the tape to find an array of edibles and airtight jars of various strains, labeled with their names and benefits. Under those there are some of my favorite snacks and pre-rolled joints.

Always looking out for me,I think as I sift through the pre-rolleds to find an energetic hybrid to enjoy. Something calming for me to unwind, but not too much that I fall asleep.

I find a shaded spot out back near the pool and settle into a lounge chair with my Kindle and fire it up. I quickly silence my phone before getting lost in my latest read. The slow burn isfinallyabout to heat up.

A while later,I migrate back into the house to sprawl out on the couch. I’ve been devouring this book and the spice did not disappoint. I take a peek at my phone and am surprised to see just how much time has passed since I started reading. What is the saying? Time flies when you’re reading smut or something like that?

“Motion detected. Motion detected. Front door camera,” sounds from my phone.

I rise to my feet, reaching for the gun I keep in a small drawer on the side of my coffee table before I even pull up the camera feed. An unfamiliar blue car is parked in my long driveway, and two women exit, popping the trunk to retrieve luggage as they approach my door. As they get closer, I realize I couldn’t be more relieved to see them.

Alora and Skye. Thank God.

The doorbell chimes, and my phone pings with the notification:You have someone at your door.

“Honey, we’re hoooome!” They sing their arrival in unison.

“Hot and ready at your door,” Alora says with a chuckle.

Pressing the microphone button to speak, I say “I’ll be right there!”

I rush up the stairs, realizing I now have to stash the pistol in my other hand somewhere they won’t find it.Fuck.

“Just a moment. Sorry!” I yell out, buying myself time.

Frantically I scramble to hide the weapon, shoving it inside a drawer in my home office. It makes me more comfortable to have one in most of the rooms, but I can’t exactly explain to them why I wouldneedto. I bolt back down the stairs, wondering if Scar is watching me run around like a headless chicken.

With a deep inhale that I hold, I wipe the beading sweat from my forehead then exhale. I open the door to welcome my friends inside, and between screams, they wheel in their luggage. Skye nearly tackles me to the ground once I’m in their reach, with Alora jumping on top of us. They take turns squeezing me in hugs, and their touch is healing.

I’ve missed them.

While random pop ups stress me out, my girls are always welcome. Lo flew in from Brooklyn and Skye from Houston. I couldn’t be more relieved they’re here.

“It’s cute how you think we can’t tell when you’re sad, because you have your tells. So, we’re here to get you away from work and outside to party,” Skye says with a huff, pushing her hair out of her face.

“Now, where can a girl find a decent drink around here?” Alora interjects, her curls piled in a messy bun on top of her head.

“Or a decent man?” Skye adds with a smirk.

“I’ll let you know when I find the men, but the drinks I can provide.”

I give Skye and Alora a tour of the place and show them my spare bedrooms for them to settle in before I give them a tour of my room. The moment I swing the door open, Alora heads straight for my bed, plopping down.

Skye’s eyes catch on a large vase of flowers waiting on my vanity that wasn’t there before I left to get birthday goodies. A vibrant bouquet with florals in shades of pink, red, and purple.

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