Page 26

26

Ace

My mother invited me over for dinner.

I should have known it was a setup the moment she called me for a same-day affair.

Angela Taylor doesn’t do casual invitations. She doesn’t do casual anything , not even with family.

But I ignored the red flags.

I pulled into the driveway behind Kam’s Rover, which was parked behind Vanessa’s Jag. Family dinner, I told myself, growing excited by the prospect. I walked up the driveway thinking damn, they probably planned a celebration for me about the article. That’s why Mama was so stoic in her response to it. She knew she had this planned.

I smiled walking in the front door, thinking I was about to get some acknowledgment, but the moment I stepped inside the dining room, I knew I played myself.

So here I am, the last one to join the party even though I’m five minutes early. Mama sits at the head of the table, a glass of wine cradled in her hand. Pop’s across from her, fingers laced together, expression unreadable. Kamryn’s sitting in front of the China cabinet, scrolling her phone. Vanessa’s beside her, looking like she doesn’t wanna be here.

It’s tense as fuck in here.

Nobody’s smiling.

Nobody even greets me.

And ain’t even so much as a piece of bread on the table.

I sigh, dragging a hand over my jaw. “What happened?”

Mama doesn’t even blink. “Sit down.”

I don’t, not yet. “I take it this isn’t about the article?”

Kamryn scoffs. “Yeah, no. We actually like that part of your life.”

Vanessa snickers as I pull out a chair and take a seat.

“This is about your girlfriend,” Mama says.

Of course it is.

I glance at Pop, but he just shakes his head like he’s been through this battle and already lost.

“What about her?” I ask.

Mama sets her glass on the table. “She didn’t go to Spelman.”

I know this already. I had actually planned to go by her place after dinner and break up with her.

But I don’t react.

Kam leans forward, resting her elbows on the table. “And that’s not even the worst part.”

I arch an eyebrow. “What else?”

She smirks like she’s been waiting for this moment her entire life. “I finally figured out where I’ve seen her before.”

I fold my arms, unimpressed. “Prison?”

Mama rolls her eyes.

“Ha ha,” Kam deadpans. “But, no. I saw her years ago. On TikTok.”

“Yeah. She has a channel.”

“Yeah. And guess what?”

She unlocks her phone, swipes a few times, and shoves it in my face.

It’s a screenshot from a comment section.

Kam’s profile picture is small, but the text is clear:

kammykins Girl, we saw your real face in that live. I’d be using five layers of foundation too if I had skin like a Nestlé Crunch bar. Keep lying to these people, though.

“Okay, so…you commented on her page?”

“Yes! And she blocked me.”

I shrug. “I mean, I would have, too. What kinda hatin’ ass shit is that?”

“You know me. I was just being a bitch.”

I nod at my sister. “You always were good at that. What’s your point?”

“Van’s not blocked. I went to Raya’s page from her account, and bay-beeee.”

My gaze shifts to Vanessa, who still looks like she’d rather be anywhere else.

Kam shoves her phone at me again, hitting play on a video. This time, Raya’s face fills the screen.

My baby.

Used to be, anyway. I shake that thought out of my head.

“People think they can talk to you crazy and nothing bad will happen. But actions have consequences, baby. You will pay for the shit you say to me.”

Kam fast forwards a bit.

“I never forget. Ever. Ask anybody who’s ever gotten on my bad side. If you can find them.”

Then she chuckles, and it’s menacing. My blood runs cold.

“Okay, but wait.” Kam scrolls again, then plays another video.

“Men are only as faithful as their options. And unfortunately for them, I’m always and forever the best option. So if I want your nigga, congratulations — he's already mine, bitch .”

I swallow hard. “How long ago was that?”

But Kam is too busy scrolling. Pressing play.

“I don’t argue with niggas. I train them. Ladies, pro tip: don’t get mad at a dog for barking. Teach it to sit.”

I’ve seen enough, but Kamryn has one more in the chamber.

“Men only get hard for two things: fear and obedience. So either he’s scared of me, scared to lose me, or he does whatever the fuck I say. Either way? I win.”

Kam stops the video, setting her phone face down on the table. “Is this your queen?”

Mama studies my face carefully. “That’s who you brought in this house.”

They all stare at me, waiting for my reaction. I give them nothing, because I have nothing. I feel empty as fuck inside.

Like any man, I appreciate a good seduction. It’s sexy. But seeing it all laid out like this, so publicly and so calculated, really makes me feel like I got played. Like it was just a fucking game to her.

Mama exhales sharply. “Ace, I don’t wanna sound melodramatic, but I really think this girl is dangerous.”

Kamryn nods. “At the very least, she’s deeply unstable.”

Vanessa says something quietly, but I don’t hear it. My wheels are too busy turning.

Maybe…maybe this’ll be the thing. I was gonna do it anyway, but they don’t know that. This is the one thing I know they— she wants, and if I do it, it may make her face relax. She might even smile. Tell me she’s proud of me for doing the right thing.

So I lean forward, plant my forearms on the table, and say, “Y'all are right.”

Kamryn rears back. “Damn. That was easy.”

Mama’s lips twitch like she’s trying to hide her satisfaction.

Pop finally speaks. “What are you gonna do?”

“I’ma cut her loose,” I say. “Can’t have somebody like that in my life.”

Mama nods, and I feel a twinge of relief.

I push back from the table, standing with a firm resolve. “I’ma handle it.”

Kamryn stares up at me, concerned. “You want some backup?”

I shoot her a look. “I wanna end a relationship, not start a war. Relax.”

Mama stands, too, and rounds the table. I stop and wait, surprised when she pulls me in for a hug—a warm one.

“Choices are important,” she says into my shirt. “You’re making the right one this time, Ace. I’m proud of you.”

It’s a rebuke wrapped in a compliment, but I’ll take it.

She answers the door in that black silk robe. My mind wants to go back to that night, but I fight every image before it comes into focus.

I have to do this.

Her hair’s piled up on top of her head, her lips glossed and pouty. She looks so soft . Touchable. Fuckable.

Focus .

Her eyes flicker over my face, studying me, then drop to my shoulders, assessing my posture.

She knows something’s coming.

“Hey baby,” she purrs, squaring her shoulders. “This is a surprise. Are you coming in?”

“Actually,” I say, my voice low. “We’re done.”

She tilts her head. “Oh?”

I exhale sharply. “I know you lied. You’re not a teacher. You never went to Spelman. You stay keeping secrets. I’m over this shit.”

She watches me for an indeterminable amount of time, her expression unreadable. Then, she smiles.

It’s not a normal smile, either.

It’s slow. Sinister.

And I hate that my dick twitches in response.

She leans against the doorframe, crossing her arms under her chest. “Okay.”

I blink a few times. “Okay?”

She shrugs. “Yeah. If that’s what you want.”

I expected a fight. Tears. Begging.

Not this weird, detached acceptance.

She steps out into the night, closing the door behind her. She reaches up to trace her fingers along my collar.

“You sure you’re done with me?” she murmurs.

I grab her wrist, holding it firmly, hating how delicate it feels in my grip, and the fact that I still want her.

“Yeah. I’m sure.”

Her eyes darken, but she doesn’t argue. She just…smiles again.

That same knowing, smug little smile.

Like she knows something I don’t. Like she somehow came out on top in this.

I drop her wrist and step back, trying to ignore the way my body still reacts to her. “Take care of yourself, Raya.”

She tilts her head, voice as soft as a lullaby. “Aww, babe. I always do.”

I turn and walk away.

I should feel relieved. But I don’t.

I feel like I just pulled the pin out of a grenade, and she’s back there behind me, smiling, waiting to go off.