Page 199 of Taeja

“I’m leaving on Saturday instead.”

“I see,” Merissa said, taking another sip before turning her back to Taeja.

Giving her aunt a last look, she went downstairs. Her guys were on the driveway, talking amongst themselves. Zain saw her first, and he stood more upright. When Damon saw her, he smiled. Taeja walked into Damon’s hold, relaxing as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

“How’d it go?” Damon asked.

Taeja sighed. “I was hoping to meet more family, but I don’t think they’d want to meet me.”

“Why not?” Zain asked, anger in his tone.

“Because they don’t accept outside children. The only one who doesn’t have a problem is Merissa because she’s been friends with my mom since college. I don’t know if Merissa likes me; she’s hard to read and reminds me of Teddy.” She sighed. “I’m scared to meet Cassedi’s family when we return to St. Ann tomorrow. No one likes my father, so they won’t like me.”

“That’s not true. I hate your father, but I love you,” Damon said.

“We…” Zain muttered, and Taeja looked at him. He gave her an awkward smile, and she returned a small smile before breaking Damon’s hug.

Taeja looked at Damon. “I’m leaving now. Thanks for staying with my mom.”

Damon nodded. “No thanks needed. I love her company.”

Taeja smiled. “She has my phone. When you’re ready to come back to the hotel, you have to call Zain.”

“Why are you making it seem as if I’m not coming to the party, too?”

Taeja scoffed. “Yu nuh realize yaa Cassedi tail?”

“I won’t disagree.” Damon laughed before giving her lips a quick kiss. He watched as Zain opened the door to Wayne’s bus for Taeja. He waved at her as Zain drove away.

They were heading back to the hotel. Jaheim, Sakara, and Wayne were there already. They’d spend the night there, while Cassedi and ZsaZsa stayed with Merissa. The hotel was exclusively for adults. Several of them were scatteredaround the island in tourist hotspots.

“Are you hungry?” Zain broke the silence.

“No, I just ate,” she answered, thinking about the delicious meal she had at a restaurant in Montego Bay.

“You didn’t really touch your food earlier.”

“I was nervous.”

“You should stop being nervous to meet new people. Everyone loves you.”

Taeja smiled. “That’s really sweet,” she said, and Zain crinkled his nose. “You look cute when you do that.”

“I’m not cute,” Zain said, repulsed while Taeja chuckled.

They didn’t talk much the entire journey back to the hotel, not that Taeja minded. She liked the silence with Zain. They were always comfortable.

Arriving at the hotel, they parked, then headed to their room. Wayne wasn’t in his room, so they knocked on Jaheim and Sakara’s door.

“I think Wayne is by the nude pool,” Sakara said as she accepted the key. “I’ll see you later, and remember to wear something sexy,” Sakara said, her gaze lingering on Zain before settling on Taeja. “They have a special guest.”

Taeja nodded before returning to her room with Zain. “Sakara confuses me,” Taeja huffed.

“How?” Zain asked.

“She’s okay seeing me with you guys separately. But once unu around each other, she look pon mi like seh mi a waa whore.”

“I told you about using that word to describe yourself.”

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