Page 18 of The Way Love Heals

As if she knew we were talking about her, my phone vibrated in my pocket to see it was Brielle calling. I silenced it before sending her a text, letting her know I’d call her back in a little, but she said we needed to talk right then.

Sitting up, I said to Brittish, “Let me call my sister right quick. Something’s wrong.”

“No worries. Do you need me to step out?”

“Nah, you can stay.” I pressed Brielle’s contact, and she answered on the first ring. “You good, Bri?”

“I am. I’m here with Nannie, and . . .”

“And what? Spit it out before I come over there. Matter of fact, I’m on my way.” I got off the chair and was about to walk out until Brielle demanded I don’t.

“No, no. Stay where you are, Nyle. We’re good, but she showed up here.”

“Who is she?”

“Renee.”

My entire world stopped. I could feel myself instantly start drawing into a shell I’d been able to stay out of for years. Renee hadn’t come around since I turned twenty-one. She showed up at Nannie’s trying to see me, but Nannie almost beat her ass again. We hadn’t heard from her since, so what was she doing in Maven Falls?

“Nyle? Nyle, are you okay?” Brittish’s gentle touch to my arm startled me. I snatched away, almost knocking over her stand. She stepped back with her hand over her heart. “I’m sorry.”

“No, no. My bad. You just caught me off guard.” I ran my hand through my hair and expelled a breath. “Can I touch you?”

Brittish nodded, and I laced my fingers with hers. Instantly, my heart stopped racing. My breathing evened. My nervous system was regulating from a simple touch. Her simple touch. Only my family could do that for me, so it spoke volumes.

“Are you okay?” she asked again.

Brielle interrogated, “Who is that, Nyle?”

“It’s my friend, Brittish,” I replied to Brielle, then gazed at Brittish. “And yes, I’m okay.”

“Is she only a friend?” Nannie yelled, and I chuckled.

“Yes, she is. Her son is actually on my travel ball team. Are you okay, Nannie?”

Nannie kissed her teeth. “Now, you know I’m good. I’m just worried about you.”

“As long as I don’t see or hear from her, I’ll be fine. Did she say what she wanted?”

There was an awkward silence before Brielle responded. “She was looking for you.”

“Of course, she was.” I released my hand from Brittish’s and dragged it down my face. My chest was beginning to tighten, so I had to take slow, deep breaths.

Brittish stepped in front of me, eyes filled with concern as she studied my face. “Do you want to talk about it? You know, since we’re friends getting to know one another.”

I chuckled. “That worked on me.”

“I’m glad it did.” She winked. “But seriously, I’m here if you need me.”

“We’ll let you go, Nyle. I’ll stop by later, okay?” Brielle expressed.

“Okay. I love y’all.”

We ended the call, and I shoved my phone in my pocket, trying to wrap my head around everything. Being with Brittish was helping me, but I needed something else to clear my mind as well. She still stood in front of me, so I held my hand out, and she took it without hesitation.

“Can you get away for a little?”

“I can. I don’t have any clients today, so I’m free.”