Page 13 of His Obsession Her Cure
Alestar leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, waiting for us to decide what to do with the letter. I sank into the chair, picking up the envelope and breaking the seal with my thumbs. The paper inside was thick and expensive. I pulled it out, clearing my throat before reading aloud.
Dear Boys,
If you’re reading this, then you have survived what your parents couldn’t. I loved my son, but his weakness was his heart. He loved your mother more than himself, more than his sanity, and that love destroyed him. I believe her demons pulled him under, and I will go to my grave believing her addiction and greed was not separate from his untimely death.
I couldn’t save him, but I could save the both of you. That is why I cut them out of my will and placedeverything in your names. The money, the homes, the investments are your responsibilities now. Use it to build a life worthy of your name, one that would make your father proud, even if he lost his way. I know you both believe that I should have done something when I found out about your parents' addiction. But I never knew how bad things were for you boys until after your father’s death. If I could go back, I would have done things differently. I won’t ask for your forgiveness, I’ll just ask for you to be better men than those that came before you.
Reginald Hale
I fold the letter carefully as though it might catch fire, placing it back into the envelope.
“So, he knew, had the power to stop it and did nothing. We were left alone to fend for ourselves with two unstable junkies. Fuck him, fuck all of ‘em.” Aren growled angrily.
“Yeah, fuck them. He was right about one thing though.”
“What’s that?”
“We are better men than the ones that came before us. Let’s get ready for Ma and the girls.” I said, getting up to get some air before I lose my shit. The tightness in my chest eases a bit as I move further away from our grandfather’s words. I stop at the back door as the puppy paws at the door of her crate. I bent down and scooped her up, bringing her to my chest and stroking her fur.
“May a love like Amanda and Stanton's never find us. To love a person so much you would do anything for them. He wouldhave killed for her. Hell, he died for her. If that’s what love is, you can keep that shit.” Aren groaned.
“That ain't love. That was a sickness, and I’ll be damned if I let us repeat their fate.
We stood in silence for a while before Alestar spoke.
“Let's get started on brunch before they get here. You know Ma will try and take over cooking if everything isn’t done before she gets here. Let me get some air and I’ll be back to help.” I said before I opened the door before the darkness that lived inside of me took me under.
Chapter 4
Pepper
True to her word, Ma woke us up bright and early, piling us into her green Cadillac truck to head over to the guy’s house. She said it would be about a forty-five-minute drive south in a little town called Pine Valley. The house was located on about five acres of the most beautiful, secluded land I had ever seen. The forest that surrounded the house was lush and inviting. I could tell that it would be beautiful in the winter. The home was a large black and brown brick mansion with beautiful wood accents. It was a magnificent structure but based on the overgrown landscape you could tell it hadn't been lived in a while. It took us about five minutes to get down the long driveway lined with trees and lights that would guide you to your destination down the dark path between the trees. We parked in front of the three-car garage next to a large stone staircase that led around to the front of the home. Stepping out of the car I got startled when I was almost run over by the cutest little puppy. It looked like a little mini-Chewbacca.
“What the fuck these niggas got rats. Kill it.”
“She’s not a rat, she’s a dog, obviously Nyx.” I smiled bending down to rub her belly when she rolled over. I never had any animals growing up. I think my parents may have thought thatthe urges I had have been taken out on animals like some people like me. But no matter what people thought I would never hurt something innocent no matter what Nyx said.
“I wouldn’t tell you to kill an innocent animal either bitch. I’m not heartless. But a rat can definitely get stepped on. So, if she’s really a dog she’s safe.”
“OMG you are so adorable. What is your name?” Char cooed, running over to us as I rubbed her little belly.
“Sage sit,” a familiar voice said from the stairs.
I looked up from Sage and saw Gunner on the porch, shirtless in a pair of slutty gray sweatpants. I could see his print from here.
“Lord have mercy.”
That man was blessed. I could almost feel the drool about to leak out of the corner of my mouth as I watched him from where I kneeled.
“Close your mouth before you catch a fly,” whispered Ma with a chuckle. Heat rose up my neck and cheeks from the embarrassment of being caught eye fucking her grandson.
“Boy put on some clothes. This is not a strip club.” Ma shouted. “Where are the other boys?”
“Inside getting brunch ready. I thought we could at least feed you, since y'all were helping us today.” He said, his deep voice carrying.
“Oh, thank you baby. Y’all didn’t have to do that. I could have whipped something up for y’all.”
“No ma’am. You taught us better than that. It’s ok to let us take care of you sometimes.” He said as she pasted him on the stairs, patting his cheek as she walked inside.
