Page 46 of Emani's Way

“I’m okay. Just tired. Ready for break.”

“Break? You just had off a week for Thanksgiving,” Zuri’s snide remark makes me inwardly groan.

Of course, I knew she was going to be here, but I thought I would have a little more time before I had to deal with her.

“Zuri, I didn’t see your car outside,” I remark instead of acknowledging her question.

“I caught a ride.” She smirks.

I frown because I don’t know what the little smirk is about, but I really don’t care anymore. I’m not about to fight with Zuri. I just want to suffer through this dinner as quickly as possible so I can get the heck out of here.

My Daddy excuses himself to go help Mama in the kitchen and leaves me and Zuri alone. I do my best to ignore her as I scroll on social media on my phone.I really miss Maddox.

The doorbell rings, and I tick my head to the side. “Why is Amari ringing the doorbell?”

“She probably forgot her key. I’ll get it.” Zuri gets up and strides out of the room.

“The door was unlocked. Just tell her to come in,” I holler out, but Zuri doesn’t answer.

I shrug and keep scrolling until I hear a voice that I know I must’ve hallucinated.I know you’re freakin lyin’!

“Hello, Emani. It’s good to see you.” Darrius walks into the room like he owns the place.

I side-eye his behind so hard that I almost give myself a headache. Instead of responding, I get up and go to the kitchen to ask my parents what the hell is going on.

“Emani! You are so rude. You know Mama and Daddy taught you better than to not speak when spoken to.” Zuri follows behind me.

“I’m not a child, Zuri. Or a puppet. I don’t have to talk to anyone I don’t want to talk to. Including you,” I say as I keep walking.

I don’t even stop or turn around to look at her to tell her off. She heard what I said, and I meant what I said. I’m not giving this man any energy. I was entirely too close to letting Maddox cash in a favor to get a restraining order. But I put the family first. It would’ve been a scandal if I had done that. My family is prominent in the black Christian community. We are held in high regard, and I didn’t want my actions to start any drama.

But my family doesn’t seem to be able to put me first, and it shows by them inviting this man into our home.Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions. I haven’t told them about his harassment. Although my Mama knows I’m not interested in Darrius, maybe I need to make myself crystal clear.

“What is all the yelling about? You girls know I don’t stand for that foolishness in my house,” Mama chastises in a stern tone.

“I apologize, Mama…”

“That’s Emani yelling, Mama. You know she acts like she doesn’t have any home training.”

We both speak at the same time, but I’m the only one who apologizes.Like always.

“What’s wrong, Emani?” My Daddy asks—the deep wrinkle in his forehead and his honey brown eyes laser in on my face.

“Why is Darrius here, Daddy?” I don’t even address my Mama because I know she will gaslight me.

“He’s my guest. I told you about being rude, Emani. It’s like we didn’t teach you anything. You’re such a disappointment,” my Mama answers instead.

The word daggers she throws lands directly where she intended. I can feel my heart breaking into a thousand pieces. I don’t know what else I can do to get my Mama to love me, but at this point, I believe it’s impossible.

“Heeey family,” Amari sings as she comes into the kitchen. We lock eyes before her gaze drifts around the room. I can tell when she sees Darrius because her bright smile morphs into the fiercest scowl I’ve ever seen her wear. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Amari! Watch your mouth,” my Mama gasps like she’s some southern belle in a theatrical rendition of aTyler Perrymovie.

“My question still wasn’t answered. You’ve been harassing my sister for months, and you have the unmitigated gall to show your funky ass up at our house for dinner. I think the hell not.”

I can’t choke down the smile that graces my face. Amari has always been my protector, and I’m so glad she’s here. She’s reminded me that I need to stand up for myself.

“Like your mother said, I was invited.” Darrius looks at me, and a smug smile crosses his face.