Page 75 of Body Language
“Goodnight, Kendrix.”
“Goodnight, Pretty.”
I stepped up beside Zejah on the porch. She looked nervous, twisting her phone in her hands.
“You talked to Hux yet?” I asked.
She shook her head quick. “No… but he’s been calling and texting me, though.”
“Good,” I said, unlocking the door. “Because he’s gone be surprised the same way I was.”
Her throat bobbed like she wanted to say something else, but instead, she just nodded. Together, we walked into the house.
I headed straight for Hux’s room. I didn’t even bother knocking. I pushed the door open, and he was slouched on the edge of his bed with his phone in his hand.
The second he saw me, his eyes darted away. Guilt written all over him.
I crossed my arms. “What’s going on, Hux?”
“Nothing,” he said, too quick.
“Boy, don’t play with me.” I stepped further in, shutting the door behind me. “You been walking around here stressed, snapping at folks, acting like the whole world got you bent. I ain’t stupid.”
He sighed heavy, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s just… school. Basketball. You know how it is.”
I tilted my head, studying him. “Mm. That’s cute. But it must be Zejah, huh?”
The way his head snapped toward me told me everything I needed to know. His eyes went wide, mouth falling open like he forgot how to form words.
“How… how you know about that?” he whispered, voice cracking.
Before I could even answer, the door creaked behind me. I turned, and Zejah came in. Eyes red, cheeks wet, tears spilling all over again.
“Hux…” she choked out, voice trembling.
He stood up so fast the bed squeaked, his face went pale as he looked between me and her. I just crossed my arms tighter, locking eyes with him.
“Looks like it’s time for everyone to stop lying.”
Hux didn’t say a word. He just moved. Fast.
Like his legs didn’t even ask permission from his brain. Like something in him broke loose when he saw her.
He rushed over and pulled Zejah into his arms with a force that made my throat tighten. She collapsed against his chest like her whole body had been waiting for that one second of safety.
And it hit me, just how deep it really was. Hux doesn’t like physical touch. Never has. He’s been that way since he was little. I used to have to bribe him for hugs with cookies and money to let me twist his hair. So to see him hold her like that?
It wasn’t just some messy high school fling that accidentally turned into a baby.
My little brother loved that girl.
He pulled back just enough to look at her face, scanning every scratch, every tear.
“I read your message,” he said, voice trembling. “You fought your mama? For real?”
Zejah nodded, biting her bottom lip like she was still scared of what he’d think.
He leaned down, kissed her forehead softly, and asked, “You okay?”
