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Lo had never felt this mentally exhausted in his life as he entered the hotel suite.

For most of the night, random people came up to him offering congratulations.

He understood they were attempting to be polite but he’d rather them leave him alone.

Then, Ada had to show her ass before leaving.

It was one of the reasons he didn’t want her to attend.

Despite the distance placed between them, Lo knew his mother.

She would never pass up an opportunity to be a bitch, and that’s exactly what she was to Maddy.

Their beef was more ruthless than the Crips and Bloods.

Between the twins lied a hatred so deep that not even God could mend their differences.

So much pain, evil words, and anger were bottled up between them.

They both had drank from the bottle and refused to put it down.

There was no waving of the white flag with them.

They were committed to hating each other.

The only way they could mend their issues was if one of them ended up in the grave.

“I’m exhausted,” Bria professed, kicking off her heels.

Despite his fatigue, Lo did enjoy looking at his wife for the night. She danced, drank, and smiled. She seemed happy and a part of him was relieved by that reality.

“Can you help me out of my dress?”

Lo tossed his phone and wallet on the table and walked over to her. Her back was turned, giving him the beautiful visual of her toned muscles. Her mahogany coating was supple and blemish free.

“You work out?” he asked, unfastening the top button.

“Yes… you?”

“Yeah.”

Lo unfastened the buttons all the way down to her bottom. The top of her thong peeked, giving him a small preview of her ass.

“Thank you.”

He nodded and walked to the bathroom. While inside, he undressed, brushed his teeth, and showered.

In spite of exchanging vows earlier, he didn’t feel anything different.

When his brothers got married, they expressed a change that flipped within them.

Lo had yet to catch that bug or maybe he was so numb that he couldn’t feel it.

After showering, he put on his boxers and walked out the bathroom. Bria cradled her personal items and clothes in her hands before making her way into the ensuite. While she was in the shower, Lo dialed Maddy.

“Hello?”

“What’s up, Auntie. Did you make it home safely?”

“Yeah, I did. I just got up in here. How are you feeling?”

Rubbing his eyes, he answered, “I’m tired.”

“I know you are, baby, but it was a beautiful ceremony. Everything was perfect until your raggedy-ass mama came to me with her bullshit. She’s lucky I didn’t wanna set it off today ‘cause her ass would’ve been grass.”

“That’s why I didn’t want her to come.”

Maddy scoffed. “Ada never act like she’s got some sense. Talking about I’m going to pay for what I did to her family. Bitch, please. I ain't scared of none of them.”

If Lo had to choose, it would always be Maddy. She had taken him in during his darkest hour. Nurturing him, loving on him, and instilling qualities that should’ve been given to him by Ada. She was a real one, a complete woman. Lo would forever love her.

“Be cool. You won’t have to see her anytime soon.”

“Good ‘cause I can’t stand her ass. How’s Bria? She’s so sweet. Lo, be nice to her please.”

He yawned. “Why would you think I wouldn’t be nice to her?”

“Because I know how you are. You can be very mean, and I don't want you to chase off that sweet girl. Did you know she’s a famous ballet dancer? I think that is so cute that you're married to a ballerina.”

Lo knew everything about Bria. He had done research so thorough that he knew what she ordered at her favorite restaurant.

“Yeah, I knew that.” He glanced over his shoulder as the shower turned on.

“Well, I think you two make a lovely couple. Remember to treat her with care, Lo. Don't shut her out like you do the rest of the world.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

That was a genuine question because Lo didn’t let anyone into his personal space.

His thoughts were his and he didn’t believe in sharing them.

His past was behind him. He couldn’t fathom forming the words to tell Bria how damaged he was.

Letting someone in was like telling Lo to stick his hand into a burning fireplace. It hurt too badly to do it.

“Let down your guard. You’ve had it up since you were thirteen years old. When she proves to be a safe space for you, share your true feelings. Love on her and allow her to love on you.”

All of that sounded like torture to Lo but he said, “Okay.”

“Well, I’m going to get out of this dress. Call me tomorrow, alright?”

“Yep.”

“Bye, boy.”

Lo ended the call and answered some text messages he had missed. Thirty minutes passed by before Bria exited the bathroom. Lo looked over his shoulder and noticed her dressed in a short, silk nightgown. Her muscular thighs flexed as she climbed on the bed.

“Do you wanna have sex?”

He resumed responding to text messages. “If I did, that would’ve turned me off.”

“Why?”

“Because asking it like that makes it too formal. There was nothing sexy about it.”

She snickered. “I mean, I wasn’t sure if we were or not. Are we?”

“No.” He placed his phone on the nightstand. “I ain't ready.”

“You're not ready?” She was stunned. “Why not? You don't like me?”

Laying back on the bed, Lo rested one hand behind his head and the other on his abdomen.

“It has nothing to do with that.”

“Then, why you don't wanna have sex?”

He turned his head toward her. “You sure you're a virgin?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

He looked forward. “I just wanna get to know you a little better before we take it there. Is that gonna be an issue with you?”

“…No.”

“Cool.” He turned over and closed his eyes, hoping she wouldn’t press the issue any further.

2004

Lo walked into the house right behind Devyn and Meco and threw his book bag on the ground.

It was the last day of school, and the Crown brothers were ready for the summer.

Rushing to the kitchen, he went straight for the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

He guzzled it down before throwing the bottle in the trash.

“Boy, close my damn fridge. I hate when you stand there and leave it open,” Ada fussed, sitting a bouquet of roses on the island.

“Who sent you that?” he asked her.

“Who you think?” she sassed. “My man.”

“Aye, Ma, can I use the car tonight? I wanna go to the skating rink,” Devyn asked.

Ada spun toward him. “Did you do your chores?”

Devyn gave her a knowing look, causing Lo to crack up.

“We got a maid. I don't need to clean up,” he explained.

“Bullshit,” she griped. “Y’all lazy asses ain’t about to be putting y’all dirty-ass rooms on that lady. Go clean your room, then we can talk about you getting the car.”

Devyn grumbled under his breath before walking out the kitchen. Meco sat at the island, opening a container of turkey meat. He stuffed it inside his mouth and turned to Ada.

“Ma, Lo got invited to this smart people camp.”

Lo cut his eyes at his twin, loathing how he had opened his big-ass mouth about the invitation he had gotten earlier.

“What smart people camp?” she inquired.

“Nothing,” Lo quickly shut down.

“Don’t tell me ‘Nothing’. Meco ain’t said that for no reason, so what is he talking about?”

Lo mean-mugged Meco once again then looked at Ada. “It’s something my teacher nominated me for, but I don’t wanna go.”

“Did she give you some information?”

He nodded. “Yeah, she gave me an envelope.”

“Go get it.”

Lo groaned and made a begrudging trek toward his backpack.

Lo had plans to throw the envelope away so Ada would never find out.

However, leave it up to Meco’s chatty ass to spill the beans.

When he walked back into the kitchen, he opened his book bag and grabbed the envelope.

Ada took it from him and pulled the letter out.

While she read it, Lo made him a sandwich.

“Kylo!” she gushed. “Baby, this is a big deal. It’s a program for gifted children. If you go to this camp, you’ll graduate early, and they’ll pay some of your tuition.”

“I don’t wanna go.”

Ada gawked at his declaration. “Why not?”

“Because I’m tired of school. It’s the summer, and I wanna be with Meek and Dev.”

“Lo, they’ll still be here when you get back. It’s not for the entire summer.”

He shook his head. There was no amount of reasoning with Lo that would persuade him to leave home for six weeks.

“I don’t want to.”

“I think you should do this. You know how much of a big deal this is. They said in the letter that only fifty kids are invited a year.”

“Well, it’s gon’ be forty-nine ‘cause I’m straight.”

Meco tipped his head back and cackled. Lo smirked before biting into his sandwich.

“You think you’re so damn funny but you’re going.”

It was his turn to gawk at her. “Ma, why?”

“Because I think this will be good for you.”

“No, it won’t. I’m not trying to graduate early, and I don’t need money for college. Pops gon’ pay for it.”

“He won’t need to pay if you go to this camp. I think this is such an honor and you wanna piss it away because you wanna run the streets with your brothers.”

“Send Meco. They won’t know the difference,” he shot.

“Nigga, I ain’t going to that lame as—I mean, I don’t need to go. You’re the genius, not me.”

Lo hated how he downplayed his intelligence. Meco was just as smart as him, but he didn’t do his work. He only did enough to get by and while Lo did the same, somehow, his star shined a little brighter than his twin’s.

“See, Ma, it’s lame, and I don’t wanna be with other lames. Can you please not make me go?”

Ada adamantly shook her head. “This is a big deal, and I’m not about to let you miss out on it because you don't wanna go.”