Page 74 of Falling Into Gravity

Her family was top tier. Like,legacy-leveltop tier - loud and layered, raised on “don’t leave that house without lotion” and “don’t talk back with your hands on your hips.” A village made of women who loved hard and men who weren’t afraid tosayit, show it, orprotectit.

Her daddy, French didn’t play about her. Neither did Javen, or Lunar, or Qamar, or Pimp, or Mav or Bu. Every one of them treated her like she mattered—because she did. Because in their eyes, she wasn’t just some girl figuring it out. She was theirs. And in their world, being “theirs” meant you were sacred.

That was the difference.

That was the crack forming now—right there in her ribcage, where her pride and her ache were still trying to wrestle it out. Malik had left her that morning with silence, and maybe that hurt more than anything he could’ve said. But Bu and Lunar? In a dim booth in a noisy-ass club? They poured light straight into the places she didn’t even realize had gone dim.

Aku blinked and nodded again, this time more to herself than anyone else. Trying to keep it together. Trying not to let the weight of being lovedthis wellundo her completely.

Because damn…she was lucky.

And she knew it.

And deep down, beneath the glitter and hurt feelings and glossy lips, she still believed love like hers could stretch wide enough to reach Malik too—if he was man enough to receive it.

Lunar leaned over and nudged her. “Let’s take shots. Then I’m watching you do that dumbass TikTok dance on the floor.”

“I’m not drunk enough yet.”

“Two shots, it’s go time.”

They slid out the booth together, laughter trailing behind them. From across the club, a pair of eyes tracked Aku like a heat-seeking missile.

Malik had shown up.

He was already out and about when he saw her subliminal message on Plugged In. He leaned against the wall just watching her, feeling her out—looking for the right time to show her, he was ready and coming full force behind her, even if he had to go through her family to get to her.

Aku danced with Lunar, rapping along to his lyrics while people recorded them because Nar was officially in the building which had become a rare treat for them. With Lunar now residing in Jade City, he didn’t get out much anymore. He was more of a family man, teaching Kamari and loving on Ahvi.

She laughed, when Lunar started to do his little two step. “Fuck it up!” she cheered, mimicking his steps, falling in line, showing off her majorette skills at the same time. Anyone who knew Aku, knew she could dance her ass off.

When she bent over to make her little booty cheeks clap, Lunar pushed her. “Now, you doin’ too damn much.”

“What?!” She laughed hard. “I’m outside, remember?”

“You outside by yo’ damn self. I’m ‘bout to sit my ass down, ‘cause I ain’t trying to see all that.”

Aku punched his arm. “You’re ‘bout to go over there and text Ahvi cause you’re a young old man now.”

Lunar laughed before saluting her and going back over to the couch where Bu was smoking a blunt with his eyes on Malik. Aku might’ve been oblivious to him being there, but Bu wasn’t. It didn’t take long for him to spot the blue flag in his left pocket.

He didn’t say anything though…was just going to sit back and see how it all played out.

Lunar reached for the blunt, eyes still on Aku. “You think she’s happy?”

“She gon’ be good, just gotta trust the process.” Bu spoke like he always knew the future—like he had a secret conversation with God every morning and every night.

“What you think about that nigga she brought to the house? I looked him up…he created an app or some shit.”

“Oh yea?” Bu bobbed his head to the music.

Lunar smirked. “…but you knew that.”

He laughed. “How you gon’ tell me what I know?”

“’Cause I know you…you did a whole background check on that man.”

“I did and I still don’t have nothin’ to say. This Aku’s life to live and if she want a nigga that bangs, who am I to tell her different. I ain’t French…that’s his job to put his foot down.”

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