Page 52 of The Way Love Heals

“At least we know it’s not just you,” Pilar whispered.

I swallowed. “Do y’all have an idea as to where he could be?”

“If we did, we would’ve gone to find him by now,” Lela Mae replied.

“Nannie!” Brielle hissed.

With her hand on her hips, Lela Mae craned her neck back to where her face was toward the ceiling. She took slow, deep breaths, so I walked over to her and gently placed my hand on her shoulder. Tears stained her face. When she lowered her head, she gave me a small smile.

“I’m sorry, Brittish. My emotions are all over the place, but it doesn’t warrant my attitude.”

“No worries. I understand this is affecting all of us. Lord knows I miss him something serious.”

“Give him time. He’ll come back home,” Brielle spoke confidently. “Nyle has always been the type to go into a shell. What Renee did was absolutely disgusting, so I get it.”

Lela Mae huffed. “Don’t mention her name in my house. It pisses me off every time. I mean, I damn near hate my child, but the Lord won’t let my heart go there. My dislike for her is extremely deep, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to forgive her.”

Pilar chimed in. “That’s understandable considering everything she did and doesn’t feel bad about it. It’s gross, so you had every right to beat her ass.”

“And I’d do it again.” Lela Mae smirked. “Y’all go wash your hands so we can eat. Bri, call Naheem and see where he’s at. His ass is always late.”

Brielle showed us where the bathroom was. Pilar and I washed our hands and met them back in the dining room just as Naheem came swaggering inside. He appeared to be in a rush as he raced past us into the dining room.

“I think I figured out where Nyle is,” he announced, and all eyes were on him.

“Spit it out, Son!” Lela Mae exclaimed.

“Remember when we were teenagers and used to wonder where he would disappear to after his games, Brielle?”

Brielle’s brows dropped closer to her scrunched nose as she tapped her fingers against her chin. Her eyes ballooned, and she repeatedly snapped her fingers. “I do, but do you think he went back home after everything?”

“That’s the only place I can think of. It brought him comfort, remember?”

“Where is this place, and why aren’t we headed there?” Lela Mae all but yelled.

Naheem ran his hands over his face before turning to me. “I think Brittish should be the one to go get him.”

“Me? By myself?” I pointed at my chest.

“Yes, you. I know how Nyle feels about you. Anytime we talk, you’re a topic of conversation. If he needs anyone right now, he needs you.”

Without hesitation, I said, “I’ll go right now. Give me the details, and I’m on my way.”

Naheem asked for my phone and punched the address into it. It would take me a few hours to get there, but the travel would be worth making sure Nyle was good. Lela Mae fixed me a plate for the road and asked for updates. I promised them I’d keep in touch and left with Pilar in tow.

“Do you want me to come with you?” she offered.

“No, but thank you. I’ll text you when I make it.”

“Okay, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

We embraced one another and parted ways. I didn’t even bother stopping by my house to change clothes or anything. If Naheem was right and Nyle was where he assumed, I wanted to get to him as quickly as possible.

“I’m on my way, baby.”

When I woke up this morning, the weight I’d been feeling felt lighter. Light enough to the point I texted Dr. Morgan for an emergency session. I’d completely shut myself off to everyone, so the fact I had the desire to talk to her was a good sign. She texted back fast, letting me know she’d had a cancellation and was able to talk then. Even though I felt like talking, I didn’t feel like getting out the bed, so I grabbed my laptop and set it up.