Page 157 of Taeja

Liyah crossed her arms above her chest. “An apology would be nice.”

Zain tilted his head to the side, watching Liyah for a moment. Liyah shuffled on her feet until he looked away. Zain stepped toward Taeja, lifting her chin while she tipped. He kissed her lips, long and hard, before pulling away and walking down the hallway. Taeja watched after him, ignoring Liyah’s mumbles.

Damon cleared his throat. “I apologize for my brother.”

Liyah sighed. “Accepted, I guess.”

“Can I get a moment alone with her?”

“She’s all yours.” Liyah went inside the house, closing the door behind her.

Damon held Taeja’s hands and kissed her knuckles. “We’re going to miss you.”

“Nuh unu seh it’s just for the weekend?” Taeja teased.

“Does that mean I’m not supposed to miss you? Come here.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. His heart pounded against her head, a gentle lullaby Taeja could fall asleep to.

She sighed. “Mi wish unu wuda carry me. I haven’t been to that side of the state since last year.”

“We can go whenever you get a break from school.”

“Why not now?”

“I told you it’s because—”

“You’re gonna support your friend. I just wish I could still be around you guys, but I understand.”

“We have time to do whatever you want before you go back to school.”

“Don’t remind me about college. It’s in a week and I’m stressing already.”

“If I didn’t want Liyah to give me a nickname too, I’d hold you against the wall and eat the stress out of your pussy.”

Taeja bit her lip, chuckling as she pulled away. She tipped and kissed his lips passionately. “I’m still sore from earlier. Mi front need rest.”

“We’ll make up for it when we’re back.”

Taeja blushed, looking at the floor while taking a step backward. “Bye, Damon. I love you, and please keep Zain out of trouble.”

“I’ll do my best. Love you, too.”

Her brows furrowed. “Wahm to theI?”

Damon chuckled, leaning forward to kiss her forehead. “I love you.”

Taeja smiled. “Go before miserable Zain drive leff yu.”

Damon scoffed, but he took brisk steps away. Taeja stood in the same spot until he disappeared. It felt like a hole got drilled into her heart, irreparable unless by her men. She missed them so much already.

Sighing, she tightened her grip around the overnight bag in her hand, then entered Aaliyah’s house. She was surprised to see Mason. “I didn’t know you were here,” Taeja said while kicking the door shut.

“In myfiancée’sapartment?” Mason asked, not looking away from the cartoon playing on the TV.

Taeja laughed as she dropped her bag on the floor and sat on the sofa beside him. “Rub it in, Mason.”

“Wait until I start calling her my wife. You’re going to be tired of me.”

“That’s why mi glad mi have a few years fi mi ears eat grass.”

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