Page 14 of Loyalty, Lust, Love
“Things aren’t always what they seem, Lynx. You were a child when all of this happened. There are probably a lot of things your parents kept from you. Don’t be angry with him, at least not right now. Bury him with a clean and forgiving heart,” Octavia added.
“Octavia is right,” Mr. Nesby added. “I hope you don’t let this taint the memories you have with him. He was a good father to you.”
He let their words sink in and promised to do his best not to be angry. They talked a while longer before the doorbell interrupted them.
“That’s probably Kena and her mother. They're going to ride in the limo with me, Bunny, and Mr. Nez.”
He let his sister and her mother inside. Although they’d exchanged a few words on the phone, this was his first time meeting Kena's mother. She was an attractive older lady, still in great physical shape, and he could see why his father was attracted to her.
After a round of introductions, they piled into their vehicles. On the way to the church, throughout the service, and during the burial, Lynx tuned in and out, still not quite ready to believe his father was gone.
His mother had been gone for almost two decades, and he still wasn’t used to her absence. Although he hadn’t spent much time with his father once he left for college, they communicated through texts, phone calls, or FaceTime calls almost daily. He wasn’t looking forward to his new normal.
Chapter 6
Present Day
“What are you doing here?” Fateema asked Cornell.
“It sounded like Mr. Patton was very important to you, so I came to support you.”
“Were you at the funeral too?”
“Yes, and the burial.”
After sitting through the services and burial for someone she didn’t know, she would probably want a free meal too. She felt guilty for her sudden annoyance at his presence at the repast because it was very thoughtful of him.
“And you’re just now saying something?”
“I’ve been trying to catch up with you, but there were too many people. I kept losing you in the crowd.”
“Oh, well, thank you. I appreciate your support, and I’m sure Lynx does as well.”
“No problem. I didn’t want to come empty-handed, so I bought a card and signed our names.”
“Thank you, Cornell. You really didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but it’s the least I could do.” He gave her the card with a satisfied look as he scanned the venue.
“I was headed to the kitchen to help prepare the food to serve. Do you want to sit down?”
“Where are Meaghan and Octavia? I’ll sit with them since I don’t know anyone else,” he suggested.
“They’re already in the kitchen. You can sit in any empty spot, and I’ll come and find you when I get a free moment.”
“Bunny, I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Lynx didn’t notice Cornell as he put his hands around her waist and rested them on the small of her back. Their bodies were barely an inch apart, but neither thought to put space between them because it felt so natural.
“What do you need?”
“You. I’m tired of talking to my fake ass family. I haven’t seen most of these people since my mother died.”
“Excuse me, I’m Cornell.”
Lynx finally realized there was another person present.
“Do I know you?” he asked. Fateema could’ve sworn he tightened his hold on her.
