Page 7 of The Way Love Heals

Days later, the first man who’d touched me was found dead. The other two followed shortly after. Twenty-three years later, and their murders were still unsolved. Deep down, I knew Nannie and Uncle Benard were behind them.

Brielle arrived just as Nannie finished cooking. Naheem and I set the table and said grace over the food. Despite the start of my day, spending time with my family always healed something in me.

“Happy birthday, Zaina!” We all screamed when she stepped onto the party bus looking good as ever.

The gold, shimmer dress clinging to her curves complemented her warm brown skin. Her hair was bone straight, stopping right above her ass. She smiled so big as she looked at everyone. She took the time to come around and hug each one of us.

“Thank y’all so much!” Zaina gushed and took a seat in the middle of us. “I’m so excited to have this night out.”

Before the bus doors could close, AJ came running onto it and straight into my arms. I squeezed him tightly. He stood up straight and looked me up and down.

“You look pretty, Ma,” he complimented, then went over to Zaina and gave her love. “Y’all be good. Don’t get into any trouble.”

Zaina and I shared a look as her friends started laughing.

“I could’ve sworn we were the parents, Zaina.” I snickered.

“Me too, girl.”

“Y’all are, but y’all know how I am when it comes to y’all. I love y’all.”

“We love you too,” Zaina and I replied in unison. We watched until he made it back onto the porch with Asher.

Different conversations started around me as the bus pulled off. I slightly felt out of place being with Zaina and her friends, but I wasn’t about to flake on her. She’d shown up for me and AJ numerous times, so it was only right I did the same for her. If anyone deserved to be celebrated, it was her.

One of her friends, Maya, came and sat next to me, offering me a shot. I happily accepted it, and we toasted. Seconds later, Zaina joined us. She looped her arm in mine and smiled.

“I’m so happy you agreed to come, Brittish. I know this may seem weird to some people, but you’re a big part of my life too.” Zaina’s eyes were low, and she kept swaying from side to side. When she kissed my cheek, I playfully wiped it off.

“Girl, I know your lips have been on Asher.”

“As if yours weren’t on him before mine.”

My eyes ballooned before we fell out laughing. One thing Zaina loved to do was remind me I had Asher first anytime I complained about him. It was a running joke between us.

“Whatever.” I waved Zaina off and softened. “But seriously, thank you for inviting me. If I’m celebrating anyone, it’s you. You’re my son’s second mother. I would be crazy not to be here for you.”

“You know AJ is my whole heart. He had me wrapped around his finger from day one. We really have a good, sweet kid, Britt.”

“We do, and you’re drunk as hell, aren’t you?”

Zaina brushed her bangs from her face and nodded. “On my way to being white boy wasted. Asher made me take a few shots with him before the bus came, and you know I’m a lightweight.”

“I am, too, which is why I’m pacing myself.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m going to make sure you catch up with me. I need all of us to be stumbling out the club when the night is over so we can go get some good food to soak it all up.”

“What’s up with you and Pilar wanting to get me drunk?” I said more to myself than Zaina, but she heard me.

“We just want you to let loose and have a good time. You’ve been working so much, Brittish. All you do on top of being a mom, I know it can be draining. AJ is with us for the summer, so I think you need to pop out more. Meet someone new and go on a few dates. Fuck a few people. Do you.”

I side-eyed Zaina. “Now, what would you know about poppin’ out?”

“Oh, don’t let married Zaina fool you,” Maya chimed in. “She was a wild one before she met Asher.”

“Not my sweet Zaina.” My mouth dramatically hung open as I lowered my eyes at Zaina. “Tell me more.”

She playfully flitted those hypnotizing amber eyes and snickered. “I haven’t always been innocent, girl. I had a time before I became a wife.”