“Who knows? Maybe when my shit is sorted. You know I can’t leave until I have my own marker repaid.”
“I’m learning.” I sigh. “From all of this, I’ve learned love isn’t about owing or owning. Love, life, and relationships aren’t checks and balances. I don’t know what they are exactly, but they’re not being someone’s possession. Hold on to that, Jamie, and hold on to the beautiful woman you are inside.”
“Love you, Hailey.”
“Love you too, babe. I’ll phone when I land tomorrow.”
Ending the call, I feel sad for my friend, but apart from that, I feel excitement. My future is in front of me, and for the first time ever, it’s looking bright.
Lying down, I wait for Morrison to come to bed. He doesn’t.
When morning comes, I make my way to the kitchen to find him standing with his brothers around the island.
“Good morning,” I say to the room, barely above a whisper.
“Morning, Hailey,” both Hendrix and Jagger greet. Morrison merely studies me, saying nothing.
“Gonna get our shit ready,” Jagger states as he grabs a cup of coffee and exits. Hendrix nods and does the same.
“Did you sleep well?” I ask nonchalantly.
“No.”
“You could’ve come to bed.”
“Hailey, I’m not gonna use you like that. You’re free, and you’re gonna get used to feeling that before I climb back in bed with you. It’s gonna take every bit of self-control I don’t have to stay away, but I’m going to give you this space.”
I don’t know what to say to him, so I ask the question that has been in the forefront of my mind since last night. “Why aren’t you coming home with us?”
“Giving you space, little momma. Get home to your girl. I’ll be there tomorrow. I have some shit to sort here, anyway.”
Cautiously, I make my way over to him, and when I am right in front of him, I look into his blue eyes, which seem to be covering up a slew of emotions.
“Is it safe for you to stay behind?”
“You worried?”
I bite my bottom lip. “Yes,” I whisper.
He looks over my head to the wall behind me as he contemplates my answer. “You don’t owe me, Hailey. Do you understand that? There is no obligation.”
“I know that, Morrison.” I blink back tears as all kinds of emotions fill me. “I don’t . . . I don’t . . . what . . . how . . . ? I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I sigh, unable to get the words out right.
He simply looks at me, trying to read me.
“Morrison, I don’t know if I could’ve done any of this without you.”
He wraps his arms around me and holds me close to him, not saying a word as we just live in this embrace.
“I’m gonna give you space, little momma, but I’m never far away.” He leans back to reach up and tip my chin to him, then brushes his lips against mine. “I’ve always got your back. You need a little room, but I’m still here. I just gotta give you time for you to make some choices for yourself.”
He’s always got my back.
Choices. I have choices, and he’s letting me make them. This all feels good . . . too good.
Chapter Fifteen
It was tough putting them in a cab and saying goodbye. I made Hendrix promise to text when they were boarding the plane. When he did, I was throwing a few things in my suitcase, getting ready to head out myself. But first, I had Wheels and my attorney stopping over.
Needless to say, Wheels was stoked when he saw the place, while my lawyer told me I was an idiot, that no ass was worth this. So, I told him like it is.
I came here to find a new life, strike gold, and become a better man than my father. I was leaving for a new life, a much better man than that fuck. I got what I came for, and now it is time to go home. Hell, Detroit is different now. There is good there. Fuck gold! I have platinum.
Wheels extended an open invitation and even told me that after sleeping on it he didn’t feel right about this whole thing. I told him to shut the hell up and be happy. The kid smiled and nodded, and then we settled up everything we could. Whatever else needs to be done can be done through the mail.
He’s okay with me leaving Hailey’s car till I can get it back to Detroit. I was gonna let her decide if she even wanted the thing back, but I may just have him pawn the title and walk. That way, she’ll have some cash toward one that is suitable for Ris Priss to ride in. Besides, the kid looked good in the Escalade, and she should always ride in style like that.