Page 11 of Love Me Now: Baltimore & Madelyn

“Of course, sweetheart. I’m all ears.”

Heir blew out a deep breath and said, “I thought I wasn’t going to be able to do it, but I think I need to. I want to go back to school.”

On the inside, my heart burst with excitement. On the outside, my eyes watered.

“Heir, baby. That’s the best news I’ve heard in a while.”

Relieved, she smiled. “You’re not upset? Especially since Genesis will be here?”

“Of course, not, baby girl. I’m so proud of you for going down your own path. I will never, and I meannever, stop you from doing so. No matter what I have going on, don’t let that keep you from living your life. Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am,” she stated as she wiped her eyes. “I was so scared to tell you,” she confessed with a giggle. “But if I’m going to get out of this funky state I’m in, I have to find some normalcy. School was my normalcy away from Bell Estates.”

“I understand,” I assured her. “I’d rather you find you than to lock her away. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t, Mama. I promise.” She went back to eating and seconds later added, “Besides, you and Cooley need some space to do grown folks’ stuff.”

Outdone, I burst out laughing. Finally glad that she was able to slide Cooley into the conversation, Heir threw her head back and cackled. It was a sound that swelled my mama’s heart with joy and pride.

After Heir and I cleaned the dishes, she retired to her room. I poured myself a glass of wine and retreated to the patio and tried not to venture upstairs to check on Cooley. Jahdi and Stacy were on shift, so that left Cooley by himself.

Now that I was bringing Genesis into my home, my focus shouldn’t have been on what was potentially budding between me and Cooley. High hopes for a healthy relationship were crazy considering my position and past. Still, as I sipped my wine, I couldn’t bring myself to not think about Cooley and whether he was up those stairs thinking about me.

It was close to midnight when I finally broke down and checked on Cooley. I walked into the room stunned to see that it was almost complete. Three of the walls were painted pale green, and one wall was blue. Someone had painted a mural of sea animals on the blue wall, making my mouth drop in awe.

“Who did the painting?” I asked.

“Jahdi,” he stated. “He surprised the fuck out of me too.”

We both chuckled.

“I know you wanna stand there and ask to help. I’m gon’ tell you no, so gon’ and go to bed, lil’ baby.”

Giggling, I said, “Iwasn’tabout to ask if I could help. I was just checking on you. Did you eat?”

“I’ll eat when I’m done. This is the last thing to put together.”

He was right. All the furniture was put together and centered far enough from the walls until the paint completely dried.

“It looks amazing in here,” I praised.

“Thanks. Now go to bed.”

Chuckling, I said, “Good night, Cooley.”

“Night, mama.”

As I walked away from the door, I smiled hard as hell. Cooley was working on that room as if Genesis was his own son.

Thursdayarrived,andIrealized I wasn’t prepared to face the Graces. My mind had been wrapped up in Cooley. He worked well after midnight to ensure Genesis’s room was perfect. He dusted, vacuumed, organized Genesis’s clothes, stocked Genesis’s closet, and everything. I didn’t have to lift a finger. Smitten by how he took charge, I was lost in his world.

Here I was today, gulping every five minutes just to release the clog in my throat. Seeing Gensen again caused a twinge to squeeze my heart. She and Genika looked almost identical. With haughty expressions, the Graces didn’t even speak as we entered the courthouse.

That was fine with me. My focus shifted to Genesis, whose pouty lips and red eyes looked as if he’d just finished crying. He appeared well taken care of, but my mama’s spirit caught on and latched onto the fact that he wasn’t being loved. Eager to get this over with, the nerves I possessed on the ride here fled.

Adir, Dothan, and Cooley flanked me and Heir as we entered the courtroom where our case was to be heard. Ten minutes into waiting for the judge, Genesis began to cry. Glancing over at the Graces, neither attempted to calm him. Gensen appeared bothered and even rolled her eyes at him.

Dothan’s hand stopped me from standing.