Page 75

Gianna scoffed. "You wouldn’t even have to worry about that if you just did what you were supposed to do and came home where you belong."

Creed sighed heavily. "Not this shit again."

"Yes, this shit again!" she snapped, her voice rising. "Creed, we have a son together. We’re supposed to be a family. This whole thing—this little fantasy life you’re playing house with—it’s not real."

I stiffened.

"Gianna, listen to me," Creed said, tone low, firm, unmovable. "You and I? We ain't been together in years. And we never will be again. You gotta stop holding onto this idea that we’re supposed to be something just because we got Gio. We co-parents, period. Nothing more, nothing less."

"But it’s not just co-parenting, Creed!" she pushed. "You and I have history. We built something together. You really gon’ tell me you love her more than you love me?"

Creed didn’t answer right away. "Gianna, I don’t love you like that no more. I mean, I have love for you as the mother of my child, but you gotta let this shit go."

A sharp silence followed. And it was at that moment, I realized…I shouldn’t be listening to this. I quietly stepped back, inhaling deeply, willing myself to forget everything I just heard.

But the truth was? I couldn't. Because I knew this wasn’t over. Not even close.

By the time Creed left the bathroom, I was sitting on our bed, scrolling through my phone, pretending like I hadn’t just heard his entire conversation.

He stopped when he saw me, tilting his head slightly. "You good?"

I nodded, avoiding his eyes. "Yeah. Just tired. Gio is finally sleep after making me read The Caterpillar three times."

He watched me, too closely, then sat down beside me, his hand resting on my thigh. "You sure?"

I finally looked at him, debating if I should just let it go. But that wasn’t me. I wasn’t about to sit here and pretend like I hadn’t heard his baby mama trashing me over the phone.

"Gianna still got a problem with me being around Gio?" I asked quietly. Creed exhaled, leaning forward, rubbing a hand down his face.

"She’s just insecure, SB. She thinks?—"

"She thinks I’m trying to take her place," I finished. Creed looked at me, hesitating before he nodded. I licked my lips, staring down at my hands. "Do you agree?"

"What?" His brows furrowed.

"Do you think I’m overstepping? That I should back off?"

"Hell no," he said immediately, his grip on my thigh tightening. "You love that boy. And he loves you. Ain’t no changing that."

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

"I just… I don’t want to make things harder for you."

"You’re not," Creed said, shaking his head. "Gianna just gotta get over it. This is our life. And you’re a part of it, SB. Whether she likes it or not."

His words soothed me. But deep down? I knew this wasn’t over. Not even close.

21

SERENITY

California felt like home, but it also felt like another lifetime.

It had been two years since I last stepped foot in L.A., and even though my family visited me often, I hadn’t been home-home in a long time. But today, I wasn’t here just for a visit. I was here for Sevyn’s birthday.

And despite everything that had happened, despite my complicated relationship with my mother, there was one thing I would never do—miss celebrating my brother.

"Gio, you want some more strawberries?"