Page 130 of Taeja

“It’snotfine,” Mason stated. “Aaliyah, you’re supposed to be my safe space. I don’t want to be with you if it’s going to be the same thing over and over.”

Liyah’s head shot up, her mouth agape. Tears streamed down her face. Taeja wanted to reach over and dry Liyah’s face like Liyah would do for her, but she didn’t. Zain taught her how freeing it could be to embrace emotions.

“Yu really ago seh that to mi, Mason?” Liyah asked.

He nodded. “You’re treating me like I’m some random guy who wants you.”

“How?” Liyah asked with attitude.

“You always hold my mistakes over my head and it’s like you don’t trust me anymore. I know we come from different backgrounds, but you act like anything I give to you, I’m going to take it back from you. I’m not your dad’s brother.”

Taeja gasped. “That’s low, Mason.”

“No, he’s right,” Liyah disagreed. She dried her tears and looked at Mason. “I’m sorry.”

Mason scoffed. “Sure you are.”

Liyah’s brows furrowed. “Wow. Really? Mi seh mi sorry, and that’s all you have to say?”

He shrugged. “I heard that one too many times now.”

Taeja glanced between the couple and outside. She wished the Earth would open and swallow her, only spitting her out after these two got done with what she knew was about to be another argument.

Liyah glared at Mason, who returned an equally harsh one. “What do you want from me, Mason MacMillan?”

“I want you to be my Mrs. MacMillan,” he said without a second thought.

“I’m going to marry you, Mason. I’m just not ready yet.”

“We’re not getting married right now, Liyah. It’s an engagement. We can walk down the aisle when we’re old and grey if that’s what you want. I just want my ring around your finger right now, so I feel more secure in this relationship.”

Liyah’s brows knitted. “You don’t feel secure?”

He shook his head. “Not since lately. You leave after every argument. Sometimes I fear you won’t come back. If you love me, wear the ring, so I know you will.”

“Sounds like yaa try trap mi friend,” Taeja said.

Mason laughed humorlessly. “I’m not trying totrapher. If leaving me makes her happy, then she’s free to go. But we know she’s more than happy with me, so that’s not going to happen. Tae, when me and Aaliyah argue and she wants her space, I always give it to her. But this is what I want for my peace of mind, and she keeps declining.”

As Liyah looked in Taeja’s direction, Taeja looked behind herself. “A wa wi a look pon?”

“I’m looking at you.” Liyah chuckled as Taeja turned back around. “Tell me what to do.”

“I can’t tell you what to do in your relationship, Liyah.”

“But I need advice.”

Taeja glanced between her friends. Mason’s jaw was clenched and his eyes were tired. Liyah chewed on her bottom lip.

Focusing on Liyah, Taeja said, “You love Mason, and he loves you, too. Even when the two of unu at each other throat like puss and dog, a unu dat a smile up with each other the next minute. So, I think you should do what makes the two of you happy.”

Liyah pondered the words before looking at Mason. “I’ll wear the ring,” she said, and Mason sat up, his jaw unclenching while his eyes shone. “Under a few conditions.”

“Yes. Anything,” Mason said.

“I meant what I said junior year. I don’t want to get married until I have my degree and a good job. I’m hyphenating my last name when we get married. I don’t want a big wedding, and I don’t want any kids until we’re married for at least two years.”

“Done. Done. That can’t work, and done.”

---