Page 21 of Love Sanctioned

I nodded, looking at him. “And the Carters are aware of your disagreement with Pops and still gonna do business with you?”

He threw his head forward. “Shit yeah. I ain’t hiding that or anything to do with him, and from what I hear, your father is on his way to the outs with that circle. Too many escorts, not enough business being run.”

I cackled. “Nah that’s your daddy. Stop trying to hand his embarrassing ass to me.”

He waved me off. “That is your father.”

“Yours too.”

I closed my eyes, sitting back in my seat. “Don’t remind me. The last name is enough.”

He chuckled. “You seem tired, where have you been?”

“Carter estate, designing P’s dress for their gala.”

He threw his head back. “That’s your girl, huh?”

I nodded. “Her and Amethyst honestly.” It was crazy how in the course of a few years I had become close to them in the way I had.

“Purple hair with a nice ass shape, right?” he quizzed, a goofy grin on his face.

“Yes. Stop acting like you didn’t already know that. She has a boyfriend and she’s a really good friend of mine, Kolton.”

“Since when?”

“Since when what?” I was confused.

“Since when did she get a man? Lil Purp is always alone when I see her.”

“Since none of your business. She’s happy and definitely not the type you go for. She has class.”

My brother chortled. “You know what, I’ma let you have that, but I got class too. Way more than whatever she’s hiding. You never know, that would be a nice ass arrangement if your father finally rolls over and dies.”

Once again I was shaking my head. “You don’t even believe in arranged marriages, Kolton.”

“You right, I don't. It was just a thought.”

“One you should let go of.”

He waved me off. “Sure. But what’s been up with you? Are you good?”

I shrugged. “Actually, I am.”

“Got something to do with him, didn't it?”

I smiled widely. “Posydiann makes me happy, Kol. That’s all that matters, right?”

“It ain’t but I get it. I ain’t boutta give you no spiel about it. As long as he keeps you safe and out of his bullshit, I’ll stand to the side.”

I spent long enough with my brother talking back and forth before I decided to get pizza and go to Psy’s house instead of going all the way home to cook and leaving. I was thrown off a little since I hadn’t talked to him since this morning. I sent him a text to check in when I left my brother’s house, but got no answer. Earlier when I called he didn’t answer, but now he hadn’t even read my text. I was immediately worried because even though I wasn’t from his side of the city, I still knew who he was.

I stopped and got the pizza I ordered then went to his house. I had never popped up on him before, but seeing how we had plans, I figured it wasn’t really popping up… right?

I parked right out front and grabbed my gym bag from the trunk and the pizza from the passenger seat. I opened the gate and ascended the steps, knowing damn well I was gonna be pissed if nobody was here and I popped up on him. I was overthinking.

I rang the doorbell and stood there impatiently for what felt like an eternity, but it had probably only been like ten seconds. When I went to ring it again, the door was already opening. I was then met by Junior whose eyes were bloodshot, like he had been crying.

“Are you alright, sweetheart?” I asked as soon as he had both doors open.