Page 144 of Addicted

Everyone raised their glasses, echoing his toast.

I felt tears prick my eyes, and I reached over to squeeze Stone’s hand.

Aurora stood up next, grinning.

“Okay, my turn,” she said. “Indie, you my best friend. My sister. And I remember when you first told me about Stone, I thought you were crazy as hell.”

Everyone laughed.

“But then I saw the way he looked at you. The way he protected you. The way he loved you. And I knew you’d found your soulmate. Stone, you better than any nigga I ever thought Indie would end up with. ‘Cause, whew, Lord knows you done had some ain’t shit niggas,” Aurora said, looking at me. I laughed, shaking my head. She turned to Stone. “Stone, you take care of her, you take care of Ish, you take care of your babies. And that’s all I ever wanted for her.”

She raised her glass.

“To Indie and Stone. The realest love I ever seen.”

More cheers, more clinking glasses.

Then Ishmael stood up. He looked nervous, but he cleared his throat and looked at me and Stone.

“I don’t even know where to start,” he said. “Indie, you raised me. You sacrificed everything for me. And Stone, you gave me a life I never thought I’d have. You gave me someone to look up to.”

His voice cracked, and I felt my own tears start to fall.

“Y’all taught me what love looks like. What family looks like. And I’m grateful every single day that I get to be a part of this. So, thank you. For everything.”

He raised his glass, his eyes shining. “To the best brother and sister a nigga could ask for.”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I stood up and walked over to Ish, pulling him into a hug.

“I love you, baby,” I whispered.

“I love you, too, Indie,” he said.

Stone stood up and joined us, wrapping his arms around both of us. And for a moment, it was just the three of us.

The family we’d built from nothing.

Stone

After dinner, everyone moved outside to the backyard. The fire pit was going, music was playing through the outdoor speakers, and drinks were flowing. Italy and Maddox were running around with Kiana in Aurora’s arms, everyone laughing and talking.

I stood near the fire, a glass of Hennessy in my hand, watching Indie.

She was talking to Destiny and Tierra, her head thrown back in laughter. She looked so fuckin’ beautiful. So happy. And I’d done that. I’d given her this life. This family. This happiness.

Kenzo walked over, holding his own drink. “You good, bro?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “I’m good.”

He nodded, following my gaze to Indie.

“You still look at her the same way you did six years ago,” he said.

I smirked. “That ain’t never gon’ change.”

“I know,” Kenzo laughed. “I see that look in yo’ eyes, ole freaky ass nigga.”

I chuckled. “You already know what time it is.”