Chapter 15

Kiara

Trey's words are filled with such passion and sincerity that I almost believe he wants me.

I belong to him? Isn't he the one who left me hanging that night and then casually just dropped me off at my apartment the next morning? Also, who the fuck does he think he is manhandling me like this?

I push hard on his chest, but he doesn't budge. "Get away from me before someone sees us!" I hiss.

At the sound of heels clacking against the floor, he creates distance between us, smirking while he sucks his fingers into his mouth.

Fuck, that was hot!

I'm almost disappointed that he couldn't finish, I was on the brink of an amazing orgasm.

"Ki, is he bothering you?" Candy demands, planting her hands on her hips.

"Uh no-"

He cuts me off. "Of course not. Am I not allowed to speak to your friend? You did invite her here, I thought we could get to know each other," he replies calmly and collectively.

"Oh, don't worry, she knows everything she needs to know about you." She promised me she would give him a chance to explain himself, but her harsh tone doesn't reflect that.

She grabs my hand and suddenly I feel like a shiny, new toy they're fighting over. Just imagine how shit would blow up if she knew he already won the game.

"Dinners ready, let's go." She drags me over to the table and I sit down beside her. Everyone else sits on the other side. There's a variety of meats, veggies, and desserts in front of us. "Wow, thanks for inviting me, Maggie, everything looks amazing!" I gush.

"Yep, no thanks to this amazing cook right here." She grins, patting Trey's shoulder. He flashes a smirk at me.

Just imagine if before today, they would've told me Trey was a chef or that he looks completely different from his siblings. That would've saved me from the embarrassment and shame I'm feeling right now.

Every time I asked Candy what Trey went to school for, she always said she didn't know. I don't know if she didn't care enough to ask her mom, or she just didn't want to speak about him.

We eat in silence for a while before Trey suddenly stands up. "Speaking of cooking, I have a big announcement! You know how I told you guys that I got a big job...well, y'all are invited to my opening night tomorrow evening. On the house!"

There's a unified look of confusion between us. "Son, what do you mean? Your boss allowed that?" Maggie asks.

"Yes, I'm the boss! Mama, remember that dream of generational wealth? We've got it now!"

His eyes hold that same fiery passion, just like when he cooked dinner for me. It's surprisingly admirable, despite him being an egocentric asshole.

"Y'all, that's just amazin'! I'm mighty proud of ya, Trey!" she gushes, giving him a tight hug.

Candy scoffs beside me. "Selfish asshole," she says loud enough for the entire table to hear.

His head snaps in her direction. He raises an eyebrow, reminding me of a disappointed father. I should know, I've gotten that look plenty of times. "What did you just call me?" he asks calmly, but there's a menacing edge to his tone.

"You heard me. You blew all of your money on a stupid restaurant, leaving Mom high and dry while I I've been helpin' her with the bills since I was 16!"

This is starting to turn out like one of my family's dinners. Maybe I should leave, this seems like a private moment for them, but I also want to hear his side of the story.

"What the fuck are you talking about, Candis? I've been sending Mom $2000 every month without fail since I left, and the first year that was my entire paycheck," he fires back.

Her eyes go wide. "What?"

They both look at Maggie while I silently wish I could just disappear from the room. She has guilt written all over her face. "Listen y’all, my addiction was a little out of control back then, but now I'm in AA and not drinkin' and smokin' as much."

"I'm out of here," Jeremiah says, standing up from the table. "I'll be at Kelvin's house if you need me, Mom." He storms out, leaving behind a tense silence and the resounding slam of the front door.

Maybe I should high tail it out of here too.

Trey opens his mouth to speak, but Candy responds first, "Are you kidding me? Mom, I've literally been busting my ass working so we don't fall behind on the mortgage and bills, and you've been spending $2000 a month on cigarettes and alcohol for the past four years?"

"What do ya want me to do? Pay it back?" Maggie yells in frustration.

Candy throws up her hands. "Pay it back? Is that supposed to make up for the two years I couldn't play basketball because I had to work after school every day? You ruined my chance at a scholarship, Mom!"

Maggie winces as if she's been shot. "Candy, let's go for a drive and talk, 'kay?" she pleads softly.

I feel bad for her, but she needed to hear this. I also completely understand where Candy is coming from. I've watched her stress about her mother's bills for the longest, a burden I don't believe any child should bear. All this time, they had money to be stable and her mother spent it irresponsibly.

"I don't have anything to say to you!" she shouts, standing from the table.

"Hey guys I'm feeling sick, I'm going to run to the bathroom," I rush out, running out of the room. I can feel a heated gaze on my back, and I'm sure I know who it is.

I run upstairs to the bathroom and lock myself inside, breathing a sigh of relief.

I hope I didn't draw too much attention to myself. They need to focus on their family issues, and I need a break from the suffocating tension in the air.