Page 5 of Follow Me to Your Heart

Symone’s jaw dropped. I laughed at her dramatic self. She knew I wouldn’t do that. I wasn’t about to go back to every store she dragged me through. She would never let me hear the end of it.

We pulled into Korren’s apartment complex, and Symone hopped out before I could fully get the car in park.

All I could do was shake my head. I loved their bond.

Korren was three years older than Symone at nineteen, so Symone tried to mimic everything Korren did.

The only thing I needed Symone to mimic was going to college and making something of herself.

Money wouldn’t be an issue for whatever she desired to do.

I’d been saving for her since I stepped foot in the streets.

Once I got out the car, I popped the trunk, grabbed the Louis Vuitton bag, and headed inside.

When I walked in, Korren and Symone didn’t pay me any mind as they continued their conversation.

I let them be, dropping the bag by Korren’s side and pecking the top of her head before going to relieve my bladder.

“Oh shit!” I croaked when I opened the door, and Korren jumped into my arms. “You gotta warn me first, KoKo. I almost dropped your ass.”

She kissed my cheek and ran her finger over the glossy mark she left. “You wouldn’t do that, but thank you so much for my purse and wallet. It’s the set I’ve been eyeing.”

“I remembered. You were scrolling the other day when we went to Fatty’s, and I saw it. It’s another gift to let you know how proud I am of you. You’re doing great.”

“I appreciate you, Cage. How was your day? You look tired.”

“I am. How long is it going to take you to do her nails?”

Korren twisted her mouth and shrugged. “I don’t know. Depending on what she wants, but I’m thinking about two hours. You know we’re going to be talking which will take me longer.”

“I’m cool with it. I’m about to go lay across your bed and take a nap. Wake me up when you’re done.”

“Okay.”

We went our separate ways. In her room, I spread a separate blanket across her comforter and lay on it.

The fan blowing provided the coolness I needed to knock out.

Just as I was dozing off, my phone vibrated against my chest. Lorie was calling.

She only wanted one thing, and I didn’t have the energy to give it to her.

I ignored her call and closed my eyes, only for her to call again.

“What, Lorie?”

“Damn. That’s how you answer the phone now?”

“I’m trying to take a nap. What’s up?”

Her voice changed as she whined. “I’m stuck on the side of the road and need you to come help me.”

“Call one your messy ass homegirls or one of your brothers, man. I’m not trying to deal with all that.”

“Oh, wow. It’s like that, Cage? You act like you don’t want to see me.”

I rubbed my eyes with my free hand and released an irritated groan. “If I wanted to, I would. The best I can do is call some help to come to you.”

“Please, Cage. I’m on the corner of Peterson, next to the corner store.”

“You better be glad I’m around the corner. Here I come.”

“Let me guess . . . You’re at Korren’s?”

I smirked. “Aren’t I always?”

My friendship with Korren was one of Lorie’s biggest insecurities when we were together a year ago.

She didn’t like how close we were and always accused me of sleeping with Korren.

I got tired of trying to show Lorie I was fully in it.

As badly as I hated to admit it, I even fell back from Korren for a minute to prove my loyalty.

Lorie still wasn’t happy, so we ended things, and I worked my ass off getting back on Korren’s good side.

“You know what. Fuck it. I’ll get one of my men to come scoop me.”

“Cool. Should’ve done that in the first place.”

I hung up on her and tossed my phone onto the pillow. Ten minutes passed, and I couldn’t fall asleep. Lorie had ruined my nap, so I got up and went to check on my girls.

“I thought you were taking a nap,” Korren stated without looking up from Symone’s nails.

Symone chimed in. “Yeah, what happened? We’re nowhere near done.”

“Lorie called and messed my nap up.”

Korren snorted and shook her head but didn’t say anything. She never cared for Lorie, especially after she felt like I chose her. I could admit that Korren tried to like her for me, but the two bumped heads. Their attitudes didn’t mesh well.

“You’re still talking to her?” Symone inquired, turning around to glare at me.

“Only when she hits me up. I never reach out to her.”

“Do you give her what she wants when she reaches out?”

My eyes went to Korren as her head shot up to glare at me.

She tipped her head to the side with her arched brows raised toward the curls brushing her forehead.

When I didn’t answer, she rolled her eyes and continued working.

She whispered something to Symone, who giggled like it was the funniest thing.

“Say it with your chest, KoKo.”

“You’re going to fuck around and catch something messing around with that girl, and don’t come crying to me when you do. I know she comes first.”

Her statement irritated me. I jumped up and stormed over to her. She tried to push me away when I gripped her chin.

“Move, Cage. I’m trying to finish Symone’s nails.”

“Look at me.”

“No.”

“Look at me, Korren.”

It was rare I called her by her name, but that was the only way she would know how serious I was.

Korren set her tools down and peered up at me with misty eyes.

I hated how that situation still bothered her at times.

She swore up and down she was over it, but anytime Lorie’s name was brought up, Korren said something about it.

I sighed and kissed her forehead, trying to simmer her down. Her light skin was red all over, making her freckles stand out more.

“Don’t do that to me. You know no one comes before you outside of Sabrina and Symone. They are the only two people who have my heart like you do. They are the only two people I love like I love you. You gotta stop holding that against me.”

My thumb swiped away a tear as it cascaded down Korren’s cheek.

“I’m sorry. I guess I’m still a little hurt by it.”

“And you have every right to be.” Symone gave her two cents.

I was about to say something, but she held her hand up and continued.

“And before you get in your feelings, I was about to let Korren know there’s not a girl in the world who can come in between what y’all have.

Your bond is special. It always has been.

The love the two of you have for one another is something I want to experience one day. ”

Symone winked at me and tapped her nails against the table.

I released Korren, processing what my sister said.

If anyone knew me, it was her. Even though Keith was the only person I’d expressed my feelings to about Korren, deep down, I felt Symone knew it too.

She wouldn’t talk about it until I did, but her coded words were a way for her to let me know she was ready whenever I was.