Page 45 of Lyric Squared

“You broke her heart, Laike.”

“I broke mine, too.”

“Like, really broke hers.”

“And I would’ve kept breaking it if I hadn’t let her go. It was for the best. She deserved better. I couldn’t give her that. Too young, too much money, and too many bitches ready and willingto do whatever I asked before the words could come from my mouth.”

Perched on the stool at the island, Laike explained himself.

“So, you’d rather I get with a man like that? Huh?”

“Naaaa,” he dragged as he said.

“Then, what are you saying because we both know I tried that route and it didn’t end well for me – for anyone. Especially Luca.”

Folding my arms, I stood next to him and waited for what was to come. You never knew what to expect from Laike. Luca was a bit more calculated and predictable. He was a very smart man so you could always expect him to move as such. Laike, he was just as wise as Luca. But the coolness and control over his actions that Luca possessed, Laike didn’t.

He reacted –and fast. He and Luca balanced each other so beautifully. They truly complemented one another. Their knowledge was incredible, unbelievable even. Luca was patient. Laike was precise. Often times, I wondered if it was why he was so in love with architecture.

“You need to get off that shit, Lyric,” he hissed, sounding just like the older one of us three. “Stop blaming yourself for the next nigga’s actions. It could’ve been a random nigga in the streets pushing the limits, and Luca would’ve done the same thing. If it was me that had pulled up, I would’ve done the same. Pops, too. Moms, too. So, let that shit go, sis.”

“It’s easy for everyone else to say but I’m good.” Shaking my head, I unfolded my arms and dropped them at my side.

“What was the point of Luca paying all that money for that fine ass therapist then?”

He was always thinking with his dick. That was part of his problem. If he could just put those thoughts behind him then he’d be much better off, in love, and giving me more nieces and nephews to spoil.

“She served her purpose. The guilt no longer lingers like it once did, but that fatal night will always have a voice of reasoning in the decisions I make when it comes to men. That’ll never change. If therapy didn’t do its job, then I wouldn’t be seeing Collin seriously.”

“Oh, so you’re seeing him seriously?” Laike cackled.

I punched him in his arm as I rolled my eyes.

“After today, I’ll be his girlfriend and you’re going to treat him with some respect.”

“That’s doable. I can respect the nigga but that does not mean that I have to like him. I don’t and won’t ever pretend that I do.”

“Whatever, Laike. Just behave. That’s all I ask.”

“I can’t make any promises.” Shrugging, he lifted his brows and kept them high with big arches.

“Laike. Do I need to tell Mom?” I countered.

“All you do is snitch.”

“Eggs, turkey bacon, and breakfast potatoes?” I asked, ignoring the little comment he’d made.

“Yeah. I want some oatmeal, too.”

“Alright, greedy.”

“I’ll be in the front. I need to keep the door open a little while to get this system up and running. Put on some damn clothes.”

Standing from the stool he’d been sitting on, Laike opened his arms for me to come inside. I obliged. Just like when we were kids, I loved hugs from him and Luca. They’re love was almost all the love that I’d ever needed. It was the reason I was never pressed for boys when I was a kid or men as an adult. The love that I was showered with was more than enough to keep me from seeking validation from anyone I was involved with.

“I have on clothes, and my neighbors are too far away to even see what I have going on at my house. That’s also why I have those tall ass bushes. For privacy.”

Stepping away and releasing myself from his embrace, I reminded my big brother.