Page 72 of Love's Free Will

“I know,” he said quietly. “I’ve been carrying that every day since.” I looked away, emotions threatening to explode. “I miss you,” he added. “I miss us. I want to spend time with you again. And I was hoping you’d consider?—”

My heart twisted as I shook my head. “I’m not ready,” I said honestly. “I need closure. Not confusion.”

He nodded, but the disappointment in his face was sharp. “I get it.”

“Look, it was good seeing you. And I mean that. I’m happy you’re finding your footing. But honestly Royal, I have to protect my peace.”

He straightened up, rubbing his nose and clearing his throat. “Yeah. Yeah, I respect that.”

I took a breath. “Take care of yourself, Royal.”

“You too, Ave.”

Then I turned and walked away, every step feeling heavier than the last. And even though I didn’t look back—I wanted to. God, I wanted to.

Walking back down to the studio, I didn’t know how I felt about that conversation. Royal said he’d be in LA for a few months on business, but those words had been playing on a loop in my head ever since I left the rooftop.

LA is massive. Endless neighborhoods, boulevards, and hideaways. You could avoid someone for years in this city if you wanted to. But not if you both work at the same damn label, not if you were both recording music down the hall from one another.

Back in the Aaliyah Booth, Egypt tilted her head at me, her mic tilted to the side and a water bottle perched between her knees. “So… what happened?”

I slid back into the producer’s chair and exhaled through my nose, keeping my eyes on the screen. “It went fine. As good as it could, I guess.”

She rolled her chair over to mine and rested her chin in her palm. “He apologize?”

“Yeah.”

“Did he say he missed you?”

I paused. “…Yeah.”

“And?”

“He asked if we could… you know, go back to what we were.”

Egypt’s eyes widened. “Wait. For real?”

“Deadass.”

“And you said?”

“I told him no, Egypt. Like I told you before, I have to protect my peace.”

“Wow.” She sounded impressed maybe thinking I would have folded, but then her voice softened. “I mean… I get it. Protect your peace and all. But Ave… you’ve been walking around here like your heart fell out yo’ damn chest. I think that’s something to consider too babe, all that love don’t just stop.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to. It was true. Royal Teegan had broken something in me. And I hated that he had that kind of power.

I convincedmyself it’d be easy to limit my interactions with Royal. I’d avoid him at LA Records. Stay focused. Handle the business of promoting the album when that time came and keep things professional.

But all that planning went out the window the second I walked into Sevyn’s game night and saw Royal posted up in the kitchen like he owned the place. Confused, I made a beeline to Serenity and Ari who were sitting on the couch in the living room talking.

“Who the fuck invited him here?” They exchanged a glance.

“He walked in with Nas.” Serenity said. “So, I assume he did.”

I scoffed before getting up making a beeline towards Nasseem who was also in the kitchen. I didn’t even bother exchanging pleasantries with him or Royal, there was no need. I was already annoyed.

“Nasseem, can I talk to you for a second?”

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