Page 17 of Follow Me to Your Heart

“Please, don’t start this shit again,” I mumbled to myself as I tapped on Cage’s contact. The phone rang five times, and he answered when I was about to hang up.

“Don’t be mad at me, baby,” he started.

I kissed my teeth and closed my eyes. “Cage.”

“I can’t get away. O’Shea has me running around with him today, and I thought we’d be done by now.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me earlier?”

Cage expelled a frustrated sigh. “I genuinely thought I’d be able to take you, KoKo. I had my whole day planned around taking you there, but shit isn’t working out how I need it to.”

I placed my phone on speaker and threw it on my bed.

With my hands on my hips, I paced back and forth in front of my bed, with Nema watching me closely.

“What am I supposed to do, Cage? I’m supposed to be meeting Sienna in thirty minutes, and you know it’s going to take a Journey longer to get me there. ”

“If you wait on me, ask Sienna to meet you later. I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I’ll try my hardest to take you.”

“Forget it. I’ll figure it out.”

“Don’t be like that, KoKo. I’ll order the Journey for you. Just let Sienna know you’re running a little behind. I’m sorry, baby. I swear, I’m going to make it up to you.”

Cage’s voice was low and sincere, tugging at my heartstrings. He always made it up to me, but when would he get tired of having to do so? Would it be before or after I was fed up with him choosing the streets over everything else?

I sat down next to Nema and placed her in my lap.

“Aren’t you tired of having to make it up to me?

To everyone? I mean, it’s been like this for years.

I assumed once we made it official and you told me you were working on a way out, things would change.

They’re not. You’re still putting work before everything else. ”

“You gotta give me more credit than that. I know the last two weeks have been different, but it’s only because O’Shea is changing things and has me shadowing him.”

“And why do you need to shadow him if you don’t plan on doing this forever?” His silence told me all I needed to know. Cage didn’t answer right away. He was mute for a good minute which meant he was struggling with whatever he needed to say. “Just say what’s on your heart.”

“I’m conflicted, that’s all. I’m working through shit. I need you to be patient with me. I’m a work in progress. We both know that.”

“Just . . . order my Journey, please. Send me the details.”

Cage released a defeated sigh and agreed before we ended the call.

I lay back on the bed with my eyes closed.

There was no doubt in my heart and soul that I wanted to be with Cage and stick things out, but my mind was fighting with them.

My thoughts were trying to convince me we’d be better off as friends.

That was a lie. I’d gotten so deep in experiencing Cage’s love in a different way that I’d never be the same again. A friendship wouldn’t satisfy me.

It was all or nothing.

Minutes later, my Journey information came through. It was set to arrive in twenty minutes, so I sent Sienna a text, asking if we could push the time back an hour. She agreed, informing me she was running behind as well. I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little better about it.

While I waited, I decided to call Taylor to see what she was up to and vent. I needed her reasoning to keep me from spazzing on Cage.

“Hey, boo!” She answered on the first ring in a chipper tone. “I was just thinking about you. Mind if I come through?”

“I’m about to head to Camden Cove to meet Sienna, but you can tag along if you want. I need you right now.”

“Say less. I should be there in five minutes.”

“Perfect.”

I cradled Nema in my arms and went to unlock my front door. Taylor arrived shortly after with the brightest smile. Her bubbly energy was rubbing off on me, exactly what I needed.

“What’s got you smiling from ear to ear?” I asked as we hugged.

“Keith, of course. He’s coming to see me tonight. It’s been two weeks since I last saw him, so I’m giddy as hell.”

“At least one of us is happy.”

Taylor stopped in her tracks and glared at me. “What do you mean?”

“I’m back to feeling like it’s the streets versus me.”

“Wait. I thought Keith and Cage had sealed the deal on their first house.”

“First house?” Her hands flew to her mouth as her eyes expanded. Slowly, she swayed her head from side to side, but it was too late. “Don’t get quiet on me now, Tay. What are you talking about?”

“Cage didn’t tell you?”

“Nope.”

Taylor’s head swiveled around as if she was making sure we were alone before leaning in and explaining.

“I don’t want to say too much, but from what Keith told me, they met with a broker to start flipping houses in the hood.

They don’t necessarily want to gentrify the area, but they want to rebuild for the women and people who can’t afford to leave the area.

It’s really dope, honestly. Keith said it was Cage’s idea. ”

Cage and his big heart. I loved it so much. The idea was amazing. They could truly change some lives, but I wondered why he didn’t want to tell me about it.

“That’s dope as hell. I had no idea, Taylor. Cage told me he was working on something, but he didn’t want to go into detail about anything until it was set in stone. I’m guessing with the way he’s been moving lately, it’s not set.”

“I don’t think it is. Keith did say Cage left the meeting early to handle something when O’Shea called.”

I scoffed and shook my head. “Of course, he did. That’s his problem now. That’s why I’m pissed with him. He was supposed to take me to meet with Sienna, but he’s with his boss.”

“Don’t hold it against him, Korren. I know you. Cage is trying. I imagine it can’t be easy for him to give up all he knows for something that isn’t guaranteed. Be patient with him. Encourage him. He’ll get it together.”

Leave it to Taylor to take Cage’s side. I did agree with her, but it was a lot easier said than done.

The Journey arrived, so I put Nema in her kennel, and we left.

I opened the door to climb inside the car to see a bouquet of white lilies.

My phone chimed. It was a text from Cage, apologizing again and promising to make it up to me.

I glanced up at Taylor who winked at me.

I texted Cage back, letting him know I loved him.

The ride to Camden Cove was quick. Sienna and I were meeting at her favorite coffee shop. I figured she’d be a little upset seeing Taylor with me, but Taylor promised to sit at a different table to give us privacy.

Sienna was there waiting for me when we arrived. Her smile quickly faded when she noticed Taylor trailing in behind me. Taylor waved at Sienna then went to place her order.

“Hey, Sienna,” I greeted and sat across from her.

She slid an iced caramel macchiato over to me and smiled. “Thanks for meeting me, Korren. I didn’t know we’d have company.”

“No need in worrying about Taylor sitting with us. I asked her to tag along because I needed her, but she’s not sitting in on our conversation.”

“I guess you don’t need me anymore, huh?”

I jerked my head back and frowned. “Excuse me?”

“She’s always around. It seems as if you’ve forgotten about me.”

“Says the girl who left me hanging when I could’ve easily been raped.

Taylor was there trying to defend and help me while you’d drunkenly left with someone you didn’t even know.

Even after finding out what happened, you never reached out to make sure I was good, Sienna.

You kept shit short and cute, so don’t try to throw all this on me because Taylor has been a true friend.

The last thing I expected was to come here and point fingers, but if that’s what you want to do, I’m out. ”

The heat coursing through my veins had my entire body hot. The audacity of Sienna to throw Taylor in my face as if she was the problem. I snatched my coffee off the table and took a big gulp. It needed to be something stronger for me to deal with Sienna.

Sienna wet her lips and bowed her head. When she lifted it, tears stained her cheeks. It didn’t move me. She could save them.

“I’m sorry, Korren.”

“Are you? Because there’s been something off with you lately.”

“Everything in my life is changing, and I don’t know how to take it.”

“Everything in my life has changed too, Sienna, but I’ve tried. I’ve tried to keep our relationship the same. I’ve tried talking to you despite the distance. This rift in our friendship didn’t happen overnight. It started when we went our separate ways.”

“Because I felt like you replaced me with Taylor. I noticed how quickly the two of you got close, and I was jealous. The only thing I could do was push myself away to avoid being hurt. Regardless, it didn’t give me the right to treat you how I’ve been treating you or anyone else, but .

. .” Sienna’s voice trailed off as she opened her phone and slid it over to me.

I almost choked on my coffee. If my mouth hung open any lower, it would be on the ground. “When did you find out, Sienna?”

“A week ago. I’ve been trying to process it since.”

Her hands covered her face, and Sienna broke down. I scooted my chair closer to hers and engulfed her trembling body in my arms. “Being pregnant isn’t going to stop you from doing anything you’ve set your mind to. Life doesn’t stop because you’re bringing a baby into the world.”

“Then why does it feel like it?”

“Because you’re still in shock and can’t see the path ahead. That’s perfectly fine too. Have you told your parents?”

“Yes. They’re extremely disappointed in me, but they told me giving up on school wasn’t an option. They’re going to help me.”

“See. I will too, Sienna. You know it. What about the child’s father?”