Page 53 of Taeja

Mason and Taeja laughed.

“Liyah, me gon alright,” Taeja insisted, and Liyah hummed disbelievingly. Taeja chuckled, loving how Liyah was always so protective of her.

About ten minutes later, they slowed before Teddy’s house.

Taeja placed a hand on the door. “I’ll come over for my bags.”

“Okay. Call me if anything. I love you, Tae,” Liyah said.

“Must be nice being loved,” Mason muttered, tightly pursing his lips as Liyah glared at him.

“I’ll be okay,” Taeja said again, then exited the vehicle. Inhaling a deep breath, she stared at the pathway leading to the house.

It was much larger than hers, but only the first floor was occupied. The second floor was used to store paintings and sculptures.

She straightened her shoulders, taking unsteady steps up the pathway. Taeja pressed the doorbell twice, then waited. A few seconds later, the door opened wide, revealing Teddy.

Dressed in a burgundy beret, square-shaped glasses, grey baggy jeans, and an oversized white shirt, Teddy looked the epitome of an indie artist. Despite their differences, it was one thing Taeja admired about Teddy. Teddy had a unique fashion sense, and, at first glance, Teddy looked like the kindest soul.

But Taeja knew better.

Teddy was a spawn from hell, and Taeja would never be tricked by Teddy’s sweet appearance ever again.

Stepping aside, Teddy motioned for Taeja to enter the house. Taeja set the first foot inside and heard Mason drive off. A part of her wished she’d told them to wait on her, because whenever she was around Teddy, things always went one of two ways…

Taeja walked further into the house. The door slammed shut. Teddy’s footsteps tailed Taeja into the living room. She sat on a sofa while Teddy sat across from her.

“Wa yu want?” Taeja asked curtly.

Teddy’s brow raised. “This is how you’re going to speak to me now?”

Forcing a smile, she rephrased her statement, “What do you want, Teddy?”

“You know why I called you here. Stop acting clueless.”

“I don’t.”

“You haven’t changed at all. This is exactly why we can’t ever get along.”

“Change?” Taeja bit back. “Know wa? Fuck this. Me nuh know why me come here.”

Teddy glared at Taeja, who jumped to her feet and marched toward the entrance. “I’m not finished talking to you, Taeja!”

“I’m done talking to you.” Taeja didn’t bother with closing the door when she marched out of the house. She pulled her phone out and dialed the person she needed most.

Damon answered after the second ring. “Are you finished shopping?”

Taeja nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. She was trying her best not to cry, but it was difficult. Teddy always managed to get beneath her skin in the simplest ways. “I am,” she finally answered, thankful her voice didn’t crack. “Can you come pick me up?”

“Where are you?”

“I’ll send you my location.” She ended the call. She walked to a convenience store that was ten minutes away, then sent the location.

Thirty minutes later, Damon arrived. His brow raised as she sat in the front seat. “You didn’t see anything you liked?”

Taeja fought the urge to facepalm. She’d been so angry after the brief interaction with Teddy that she forgot she didn’t have her shopping bags. Taeja sighed, looking through the window as they drove off. “I had to go somewhere,” she stated vaguely. “I have to go to Liyah for my things.”

Damon nodded. He placed a hand on her thigh, making her smile before linking their hands. His presence had her worries floating away until they arrived at Aaliyah’s apartment.

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