Page 3 of Love Me Now: Baltimore & Madelyn

“I don’t need a fuckin’ shrink, Adir!” I shouted. The fact that his ass even had a crisis counselor on standby was fucking ludicrous.

“I just wanna help,” Adir replied calmly. His face was void of emotion, and I wondered how the hell he was ever able to fall in love. Adir’s heart was colder than anyone I knew. That was including Duval.

“Then leave me the hell alone.”

Rounding the island to come stand in front of me, Adir peered down at the moisture in my eyes. “I’m not tryna hurt you. Neither do I want a Bell in the hands of someone who doesn’t carry his blood. He doesn’t even have a name.”

I closed my eyes against the urge to give a fuck that attempted to spark off inside my chest.

“He needs you,” Adir uttered.

Angrily, I threw the glass of water across the kitchen. The expensive instrument struck the cabinet, shattering into pieces.

“He needs me?” I questioned indignantly. “Do you hear yourself, Adir? What the fuck does Duval’s baby need with me?”

Ever the calm man that he was, Adir simply replied, “You, Auntie Maddie.”

Vehemently, I shook my head as tears finally broke free. “You can’t possibly understand what you’re asking of me,” I stated.

“I’m well aware of what I’m asking. I’m asking you to do something that I know will bring some healing to ya heart.”

Face scrunched up, I glared at my nephew. “If you think that, you’re even crazier than I thought.”

He smirked and shrugged his shoulders. “Will you agree?”

Sighing, I shook my head. “I can’t, Adir. I refuse.”

Adir ducked his head and said, “Aight. Fair enough.” He hugged me just as Cooley entered the kitchen. Instantly, my cheeks heated at the way his eyes briefly fell on me. Next, he peered at the mess the glass made. Without asking a single question, he proceeded to clean up the water and broken glass.

“I’m headed to the office,” Adir said. “I’ll check on you later, aight?”

“Okay,” I croaked.

As Adir passed Cooley, Adir mumbled, “She was aight, big dog.” Adir’s chuckle that followed was a rarity. Cooley grilled him and continued cleaning the mess I’d made.

“Let me help you with that,” I said to Cooley.

“Nah, I got this. Go have a seat and relax.”

“Unfortunately, I’m not sure if I can relax.”

He stood from the floor and discarded a wad of paper towels. His tall body was covered in tattoos, and I couldn’t help but notice how good he smelled or observed the way he walked. Suddenly, my throat went dry watching his slightly bowed legs move through my kitchen.

“Is everything alright, Mama?” Heir came into the kitchen and asked. Concern marred her face that was identical to mine. She’d caught me staring at Cooley. I hid my embarrassment behind a gentle smile.

“Of course, sweetheart.” Leaving Cooley to finish cleaning up, I put my arm around Heir’s shoulder and led her out of the kitchen. “How about the two of us go to brunch this morning?”

Heir made a face, and I knew that meant she was about to decline. Since losing her father and brother, and witnessing it all, Heir locked herself into a cocoon I desperately wanted to free her from.

It starts with you.

The thought gave me pause. If my daughter’s healing began with my own healing, then I was doing her a disservice. Bottling up everything that took place a few weeks ago didn’t make any of it go away. Pretending like any of it didn’t happen was foolish also. There was no true healing in compartmentalizing.

“I’m not really up to it,” Heir stated.

“We’ll make it quick. Let’s just get out of the house for a few minutes. Okay?”

She groaned a little but acquiesced. “Sure. I’ve been craving a steak omelet anyway.”