Page 13 of A Major Love

I sighed again as I pondered my father’s words. As much as I hated to admit it, he was right.

“I hear you, Daddy, and I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask. Other than that, how’s everything else?”

“Mama didn’t tell you about Jordan asking me to move in with him?”

“Contrary to what you and your brother believe, we don’t share all the conversations we have with you with each other.”

I smacked my lips. “Yeah, sure.”

“Now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m all ears.”

My father and I talked for about ten more minutes as I updated him on my life. I didn’t talk to him as much as I talked to my mother and brother, because he worked long hours as a freelance graphic designer. I went to bed with a lot on my mind and prayed I’d wake up with answers.

It had beena few days since Brax informed me that Dynastie wasn’t interested in co-writing my memoir. I knew asking her was a long shot, so I wasn’t surprised by her denial, but I was disappointed and hurt.

Honestly, I had no right to be either. Had I been man enough, years ago, to own up to my fuckups, we’d probably be in a much better place. I basically ghosted her for six years, and now, I had the nerve to have my fucking manager reach out to her.

“You’re quiet,” my father, Godfrey, said.

I’d come to their house to pick up my daughter, Maja, who had begged to spend the night with Nani and Papi last night.My parents loved being grandparents and demanded that I bring her over immediately.

My mother, Marjorie, had taken Maja to the mall to get something I was sure my daughter didn’t need. While I waited for them to return, I joined my father in his man cave.

“I got a lot on my mind.”

“Are you having second thoughts about retiring?”

“Nah. I’m actually excited to focus on my art. I already have several pieces in mind that I want to show first, and a few ideas I’ve sketched.

“Really? Are you ready to show the world the person behind the canvas?”

“I will be when it’s time.”

“If it’s not retiring that’s on your mind, what is it?”

“It’s not what, it’s who.”

“In that case, I don’t even have to ask who because there’s only one person who puts you in this mood. Have you talked to her?”

“No, but I had Brax reach out.”

“You had Brax reach out to Dynastie?” I nodded. “Son, why the hell would you do that? You haven’t talked to her in years, and you sent your friend and manager? Yeah, retiring is a good move because, clearly, you’ve been hit in the head a few too many times.”

“It was business-related,” I defended.

“I don’t give a damn what it was. Regardless of your romantic relationship, she was your best friend. What made you think it was a good idea to have Brax reach out to her after all this time instead of doing it your damn self?”

“I don’t know, Pops. I guess I was afraid of being rejected, which is exactly what happened.”

“Boy, you beat people up for a living. You got no business being afraid of a little rejection.”

“When it comes to Dynastie, all that tough guy shit goes out the window.”

“The only business you should be trying to do with her is fix what you messed up.”

“I planned to, if she’d agreed to write my memoir.”