Page 26 of Free to Fall

“Nah, cause why you always comin’ for me?” I asked, smirkin’. “I was born fine. You? You been dependin’ on that Fenty filter since ‘18.”

“First of all,” she said, holding up a finger, “this face is blessed and highly favored. Second, you been wearin’ the same chain since I met you.”

“And yet, you keep starin’ at it.”

She blinked. “I’m starin’ cause I’m waitin’ for it to turn green.” Everybody laughed. Even I did, low and under my breath. Damn, I loved her mouth. Even when it was trying to fight me.

Later, as dinner was winding down, the topic shifted to music. That’s when Averi, big-mouth and nosey, dropped it.

“Egypt was in the studio this week,” she said, smiling. “She was in her bag, y’all. I ain’t never seen her that locked in.” My head jerked toward Egypt. She hadn’t told me that.

Serenity perked up. “Oh really? What inspired it?”

Averi grinned. “That’s what I wanna know. She came in actin’ like she had just stepped outta somebody’s arms. Asked her if it was Wall Street and she immediately said no, that’s how I knew the date didn’t go well. But something had her up in there inspired.”

The table went quiet for a half-second too long. Egypt gave Averi a pointed look. “You so messy.”

“I’m just sayin’! Your pen was penning.”

Serenity leaned in. “Who had you singin’ like that?”

I tried not to smile. Egypt’s eyes slid to mine for a split second before she rolled them and sipped her drink. “Nobody y’all know.”

“Yet,” I muttered, under my breath. Her foot definitely kicked mine under the table.

After dessert, we all started heading out—everybody loud and tipsy, shoes in hand, hugs flying all over the front porch.I was heading toward my car when I felt a firm hand on my shoulder.

“Let me holla at you,” Creed said, pulling me to the side. We stepped off to the edge of the driveway, just out of earshot. He had that older brother look on—arms folded, brow slightly raised, not judgmental but definitely not playin’. “You gon’ tell me how long you and Egypt gon’ keep playin’ hide and seek?” he asked.

I frowned. “What?”

“Bro, you watched her all night like you was starin’ at a home you couldn’t afford.”

I sighed, dragging my hand down my face. “I told you that in confidence.”

“I ain’t tellin’ nobody. Not Serenity, not nobody. You my brother. That ain’t how I move.”

I nodded, appreciating that. “It’s just…not the time. We tryna figure out what this is, without everybody weighin’ in.”

“I get it. But y’all ain’t slick.”

I laughed low. “Guess not.”

Creed looked me dead in the eye. “When you’re ready, be ready to stand on it. Cause Egypt ain’t the type you halfway love.”

My chest tightened. “I know,” I said quietly. “The kind of love I have for her ain’t halfway.”

He nodded once, solid. “Then don’t waste time pretendin’ like you do.”

We dapped, and I walked back to my car feeling heavier than before. Not in a bad way, just in a real way. And in the dark of my truck, with the scent of Egypt’s damn perfume still in my hoodie? All I could think was—He’s right.

Later that night, I was back at the crib, fresh out the shower, laying on the bed with the TV playing low when I pulled out myphone and hit her on FaceTime. She picked up on the second ring. Bonnet on, skin clean and glowing.

“Hey,” she said, voice soft.

I propped the phone up on my pillow. “You alone?”

She smirked. “You expecting somebody else besides you to be sleepin’ in my bed this late at night? Of course I’m alone.”

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