"Personally I think he’s the only man that ever deserved you. But he’s also the only one that can truly break you. So, what’s the play, Sis? You trying to live for real, or you trying to keep playing it safe?"
"I love him, Nel," I admitted, the words feeling heavy as they left my throat. "I’ve loved that man since we were kids. That’s why I’m so damn terrified. Loving him feels like handing him the match to burn my whole life down."
Nel didn't judge me. He just reached over and squeezed my hand, his grip solid and grounding. "Then you just have to keep an open mind, Nique. If you’re really gonna do this, you have to actually forgive him. You can’t keep a suitcase full of old shit by the door ready to unpack it every time he clears his throat the wrong way."
He paused, his eyes turning serious.
"And you definitely can't bring up Amina every time you get mad. You can't argue with her, and you can't let her pull you out of your character. At the end of the day, there is a child involved. That little girl growing up seeing nothing but toxicity between the adults in her life is not healthy. It’s not fair to her, and it ain't gonna be good for you."
I looked out the window, feeling the weight of his words. He was right. Being with Dex wasn't just about the chemistry in the shower or the way he looked at me. It was about the reality of his life.
"You're right," I whispered. "I have a lot to consider before I really agree to be his girl again. I told him I wanted us to take it slow for now."
"That’s best," Nel nodded, leaning back. "Take the pressure off. Just see how it feels to breathe for a minute."
Neither of us said anything and it wasn't awkward. The low hum of Usher filled the gaps. The energy in the car shifted. Nel went quiet, his posture stiffening just a fraction. He cleared his throat, a nervous habit he’s had since we were kids, and adjusted his phone in his lap.
"Speaking of forgiveness and keeping an open mind," he started, his voice a little too careful. "I want to go ahead and let you know... I also invited Stella to dinner tonight."
The air left my lungs instantly. It felt like the SUV had just driven off a cliff. I turned my head so fast my neck popped, staring at my twin like he had just admitted to a murder.
"You did what?" I whispered, my voice trembling with a mix of shock and pure, unadulterated betrayal.
"Nique, listen—"
"No." I shook my head, my vision blurring as the walls of the car felt like they were closing in. "No, Nel. Tell me you didn't."
I had spent the last few hours feeling like I was finally finding my footing, finally finding a piece of happiness with Dex andwith one sentence, my brother had dropped a bomb that leveled everything.
I leaned my head against the cold glass of the window, my heart sinking into the pit of my stomach. The night that was supposed to be my escape had just turned into my worst nightmare.
Chapter twenty-six
The Deep
I leaned against the smooth stone of the resort’s pick-up counter, checking my watch as the minutes dragged. I was waiting on the food Amina had been nagging me for. It was nearly closing time, leaving the dining area unusually quiet, the high-energy dinner rush replaced by a low-key, end-of-the-shift hum.
The only sounds were the faint, murmured conversations of the kitchen staff and the steady, rhythmic clink of silverware as the waitresses wrapped up for the night.
"Thought you’d be halfway to the strip by now," a voice said, cutting through the quiet.
I turned to see Eli stepping up to the counter.
"Just grabbing a to-go order," I said, nodding toward the kitchen. "I thought you and London would be headed to the clubs with the rest of the crew."
"Nah," Eli responded, leaning his elbows on the counter. "We’ve just been chilling. Catching a vibe at the villa."
I looked at my cousin for a long second. We’d grown up side-by-side, and I could read his energy like a book. Something was definitely weighing on him. "You aight? You ain’t getting cold feet, are you?"
Eli let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. "Man, hell nah. It ain't that."
"You just look like something's bothering you," I pressed.
Eli looked around the near empty restaurant, making sure we were out of earshot. "I wanna tell you something, but you can’t tell nobody. For real."
I leaned in, lowering my voice. "Man, I been keeping your secrets all my life. You know how I play it."
"Yeah, but I don’t need you pillow talking with Nique either," he countered, giving me a pointed look.