Page 92 of Love's Free Will

The drive through the Hills was quiet. L.A. was winding down for the night, but my mind was racing. It was nearly 3AM, booty call hours but I wasn’t on that. Not tonight. Tonight, I was on a mission to finalize this thing between us once and for all.

His house was still lit up when I arrived. The glow from the backyard spilled through the windows, and I could hear faint music coming from somewhere nearby.

After parking and getting my bag from the trunk, I walked up the short set of steps to his front door. I rang the bell, heart in my throat. Moments later, the door opened. He was barefoot in a fitted black tee and gray basketball shorts, the scent of weed clinging to his skin. His eyes widened when he saw me.

“Ave?”

I held up my bag like it was an explanation. “I didn’t wanna be alone.”

His expression softened instantly before a smile spread across his face. “Come in.”

He stepped aside and took the bag from my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. We walked upstairs in silence. The house was quiet—Queenie and Princess must’ve gone to bed. When we stepped into his room, I saw the sliding glass doors were cracked open, music floating in from the balcony. A soft beat looped under a mellow bassline. It was something new, just an instrumental.

“You were out there?” I asked.

He nodded, placing my bag at the foot of the bed. “Just vibin’. Thinkin’. Tryna come down from tonight.”

I kicked off my slides, “Can I join you?”

He grinned. “Of course.”

“I’mma go shower right quick and put my pajamas on first.” He nodded before heading out to the balcony.

I went into my bag, grabbed my toiletries and pajamas before going into the ensuite bathroom. The shower was quick, enough time to clean myself, wash the makeup off my face and then I was out and getting dressed in my silk pajamas. I threw the hoodie back on, knowing it was a little chilly out before heading for the balcony.

The balcony overlooked the city, the lights below twinkling like stars flipped upside down. Royal had been lounging on one of the chaises. As soon as I walked onto the balcony, he pulled me down into his lap, immediately engulfing me in his arms. He had a half-burned blunt between his fingers, relighting it then taking a pull from it.

“Damn,” he whispered exhaling smoke. His eyes roaming my frame, the thin material from my pajamas clung to my chocolate skin almost like it was painted on, “You so fuckin’ fine.”

I giggled. “You been drinking as well as smoking?”

“Not enough to say anything I don’t mean.”

He took another slow pull and then pressed his mouth to mine, blowing the smoke between my lips. My eyes fluttered shut, and for a moment, all I heard was the bassline and our breathing. We didn’t need to say anything. We just were.

“I’m proud of you,” I said after a while.

He looked at me. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Everything about tonight… the album, the energy, the way people reacted. You did that.”

He nodded. “It still don’t feel real.”

“It is. You were a fan favorite before, but with Concrete Roses; Royal, you’re about to take off.”

He kissed the side of my neck softly. “I meant everything I said tonight, Ave.”

I swallowed. “Even the part about me being the love of your life?”

He looked me dead in the eye. “Especially that part.”

“Why’d you say it out loud? In front of all those people?”

“’Cause I felt it,” he answered simply with a shrug. “Didn’t plan it. Didn’t rehearse it. Just… looked at you and knew I had to say it.” I bit my lip, my eyes stinging. “I hope you don’t mind; I know the internet been going crazy all night,” he added.

“I don’t mind,” I whispered. “I loved every second of it.” He stared at me for a long time, and I knew he could tell I was building up to something. “I love you too Royal,” I said. His mouth parted slightly but relief flashed in his eyes. He’s said it to me so many times, but I had refused to say it back, afraid to admit my feelings out loud. “I’ve loved you for a while,” I added. “But I was scared… of what that meant, of how it would change things. But I’m done running. I just wanna be with you.”

Royal exhaled like he’d been holding that breath for months. “Damn Ave…”

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