Page 95 of Lyric Squared

“Oh my God. Thank you guys so much,” Baisleigh chanted, standing up and wrapping her arms around Ever’s neck and then standing in front of Luca, who was still holding her cake.

“Make a wish, birthday girl,” I encouraged.

Closing her eyes for a split second, Baisleigh made a wish before blowing out her candles. She returned to her seat and Luca placed the cake out of the way on one of the many counters in his kitchen.

“Where’s my gift, Laike?” she asked as soon as she sat down comfortably. One thing about Baisleigh, she didn’t let up when it came to my brother. She made him own up to his shit and keep his word.

“In my car.” He chuckled, probably thinking the same thing that I was.

“You got me one for real? Seriously?”

“Don’t I each year?”

“I don’t consider money a gift. There’s no thought put into that.”

“Well, good thing I didn’t get you money this year,” with a shrug, he told her.

“Ok, so go get it,” she instructed.

“Come with me,” he insisted.

Without hesitation, Baisleigh scooted her chair back and stood again. Laike followed suit, tossing his dinner napkin on the table and leading her out of the room. While everyone watched them exit, my eyes found Keanu’s again. Although he was only a few feet away from me, I still felt like I missed him dearly. I couldn’t wait for the moment we were alone, again.

“She’s over that nigga and he doesn’t even realize it.” My father grunted, “Hmph.”

“Oh, I think he is well aware. I’m happy she has put all of that behind her,” my mother followed up with.

“I think there’s still something there,” I opposed.

“A little,” Ever agreed, “but, definitely something.”

“If he got his shit together and stayed on her long enough, she’d finally give that nigga another chance. But he ain’t going to do that. It’s too much like right.” Luca shrugged.

“When it’s all said and done, he’s going to get her,” Keanu finally spoke.

Everyone had their own opinions about the two that had exited and returned ten minutes later. When Baisleigh sat backdown, she was not empty-handed. The iciness of her wrist caused chill bumps to rise on my skin due to the sudden change in the temperature.

“Ok, money,” I joked.

“Isn’t it lovely?” She held her wrist in the air, twirling it so the diamonds could hit the light.

The AP that Laike had blessed her wrist with resembled mine. So did the rope around her neck. Laike had dropped a bag on Baisleigh for her birthday, and I wasn’t mad about it.

“It is.”

“Reparations,” she laughed, “reparations.”

“I know that’s right,” I agreed. “I know you said you don’t consider money a gift, but it’s about all I’ve got on me right now. Maybe this can help get your truck started with renovations.”

I stood, walked over to the counter that my purse was sitting on and removed the nine thousand dollars that Keanu had given me before he left this morning. It was supposed to go into my bank account, but I had other plans. I’d replaced the money, but for now, it was Baisleigh’s.

“That’s nine.”

I handed her the large stack of money before taking the seat beside her.

“I’ll transfer that back into your account,” Laike suggested.

“I think you’ve spent enough,” I reminded him, pointing at Baisleigh’s wrist.