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“I know, Momma.” She tried to keep her voice steady. “Just been busy. Sorry.”

“Too busy for your own mother?

God ain’t pleased with that.”

“Ma, please.”

“Okay, okay. Sister Patterson was asking about you at the prayer meeting. I didn’t even know what to tell the ladies at church, you just up and neglected your responsibilities.”

“Momma, can we talk tomorrow? And before you ask, nothings wrong. You caught me as I was about to head to bed. Long day at work with me training.” She couldn’t handle her momma fishing for answers right now.

“Tomorrow?”

“Yes, momma tomorrow. I may even come by.”

“I’m going to hold you to that. Bye sweetie, I love you. Oh, and don’t work too hard ok.”

“Yes ma’am and I love you too momma.”

After ending the call, she unmuted the TV and went back to her thoughts of Brooks. She was curious as to what was up with him and why he was suddenly interested and sharing his feelings. And what did it all mean?

The more she thought about him the more her thumb hovered over his number. She exhaled, shaking off the nerves, then typed out a message before she could talk herself out of it.

Taylor:You still up?

Brooks:Yeah, you done running from me?

Taylor:Brooks, please relax.

Brooks:My bad, you right. What’s up Tay Marie?

Taylor paused. “Tay Marie,” she whispered. The nickname caught her off guard. It felt personal; she didn’t even know he knew her middle name. She sank further into the couch, realizing that for all the chaos in her life, this felt oddly familiar like high school flirting. And she wasn’t going to address it. It didn’t need to be.

Taylor:I need a favor. Can you help me install security cameras? Like a Ring or something.

She wanted to say more.

Wanted to tell him that Tyree had been there.That he’d waited in the dark, drunk and bitter, slurring about what he still thought he had a claim to. That for a split second, she’d felt, fear. But she didn’t. Because she knew Brooks wouldn’t take that well.

If he knew Tyree had shown up, lurking, hiding in corners he didn’t belong Brooks would feel the need to handle it. And as much as she wanted to pay him back, teach him a lesson, and she wasn’t sure she could carry the weight of what that might mean.

She inhaled deeply, forcing her fingers to stay still, to not type anything else.

Then three dots appeared and disappeared before his response.

Brooks:Damn girl another favor. I thought you didn’t want my help, nah my services.

Taylor:Did I say that?

Brooks:You didn’t have to. You ran up outta here, that said enough.

Taylor:Brooks, I really need it up.

Brooks:What you not telling me? That nigga been over there bothering you?

Taylor:Brooks!

Brooks:On one condition.