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I crossed my arms. “What about him?”

She set her papers down. “Averi, are you really dating him?”

I blinked before my face scrunched up in confusion. “What?”

“Several people have told me they’ve seen you around town together. And the internet seems to think you’re in a relationship.”

I exhaled sharply. “Ma, I’ve been trying to dispel those rumors for weeks, but they keep popping up.”

She pursed her lips. “It doesn’t help that he keeps posting you on his social media. And I’ve seen his little comments under your pictures.”

I clenched my jaw. Royal was doing that shit on purpose. Every time I posted, this man would be in my comments, dropping heart eyes, fire emojis, or some slick-ass remark just to piss me off. And clearly, it was working since the internet was buying it.

I sighed. “Ma, we’re just working together.”

Her lips pursed. “So, why does it look like more than that?”

“The internet doesn’t need facts to run with a story.” I reached for my drink. “And it doesn’t help that Royal thinks it’s hilarious to stir shit up.”

She arched a brow. “Hilarious?”

I scowled. “He’s being annoying on purpose.”

“And you’re allowing this?”

I stared at her, biting back the urge to curse. “I don’t control what he does.”

She leaned back in her chair. “Well, you should at least be controlling your own image. You should be more careful about the company you keep.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “You mean like how Candace married a barely graduated doctor at twenty-two just to fit into your idea of success?”

She narrowed her eyes. “That’s not the same thing.”

“Isn’t it?” I challenged.

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “I expected more from you, Averi.”

I sat up straighter, my blood boiling. “Oh, I know. You made that clear my entire life.”

Her eyes hardened. “I only wanted what was best for you.”

“No,” I corrected. “You wanted me to be your version of me.” A tense silence settled between us. I set my fork down and folded my hands in front of me. “This is exactly why I’ve been avoiding you. I’m tired of you being in my business. Tired of you trying to control me and my life.”

She exhaled, looking frustrated. “Averi, this isn’t about control. It’s about reputation.”

I laughed without humor. “No, it’s about you being embarrassed that your daughter isn’t playing by your rulebook.” She opened her mouth, but I kept going. “I left Atlanta to escape this shit. I didn’t want to be paraded around at country club brunches or married off to a man with the right resume.”

Her jaw tightened. “So, instead, you want to be seen with a thug?”

My stomach twisted and I sighed shaking my head, my fingers immediately going to my temples feeling the headache coming. “I can’t believe you just said that.”

She lifted a brow. “Why? It’s the truth.”

I clenched my fists. “You don’t know anything about him.”

She tilted her head. “And you do?”

I blinked, because yes, I actually did.

I’d seen glimpses of Royal that no one else had. We’d been getting on each other’s nerves these last few weeks since I got to Atlanta, there was no doubting that. But I noticed things about him that the world didn’t get to see.

The way he answered his little sister’s calls on the first ring and stopped in the middle of the session to get her whatever she needed.

The way he teased his mother but still hugged her tight before he left; I noticed that one when she’d stopped by the studio after a particularly long studio session where we were working damn near 24 hours straight.

She’d come in to bring us some food wanting to make sure her baby boy ate.

I also noticed the way he ran from nothing, even when the world expected him to fail.

I thought about how he got under my skin, how he looked at me like he could see through my bullshit and how his voice slid over beats like silk and smoke.

I hated that I wanted to defend him. But I did. “I know enough to say you’re wrong about him.”

Her stare was sharp, calculating. “So, you do care about him.”

I froze and she obviously took my silence as confirmation and scoffed, shaking her head. “Disappointing.”

My throat tightened, but I swallowed it down. I refused to let her see how much that hurt so instead, I grabbed my bag. “You know what? I’m done.”

“Averi—”

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t need this shit today. Not from you, not from nobody. I told you I wasn’t dating him nor am I fuckin’ him, not that it’s any of your damn business. I’ll see you later Ma.” I turned and walked straight out of her office.

I should’ve gone to the studio. But I wasn’t in the mood to deal with Royal’s bullshit after dealing with my mother’s. Instead, I drove straight home, kicked off my heels, and poured myself a large-ass glass of wine.

I was on my second glass when my phone vibrated. I sighed, knowing exactly who it was.

Royal: Where you at?

I stared at the message for a few seconds before typing back.

Me: Not feeling well. Can’t make it.

There was a long pause before he responded.

Royal: You good?

I hesitated, because no, I wasn’t good. But I wasn’t about to tell him that.

So, I just sent a simple “Yeah.”

He didn’t text again. I set my phone down and exhaled, closing my eyes. I didn’t know what bothered me more—my mother’s judgment or the fact that Royal actually cared enough to check.