Page 42 of Torch

She gestured to the couch and a garment bag. “Pierre just dropped off all the tuxedos. I came to bring you yours.”

Christian rubbed his hands together and unzipped the bag. “Okay, this looks good. Let me try it on, though.” He grabbed the bag, heading for the bedroom and then hesitated.

“Go on. I want to talk to Brittney alone and get to know her,” Crystal demanded. Once I nodded my head to him, he went into the bedroom. Crystal sat on the couch, waving her hand to the spot beside her. “Have a seat.” I sat down next to her, and she got right to it. “So, how are things going between you and my son?”

I tucked my feet under me. “Things are going great. He really is a wonderful man.”

Crystal beamed with pride. “You must be pretty incredible yourself. Christian has been hell-bent on avoiding relationships for as long as I can remember. You must be really special to make him dive in headfirst like this.”

My heart fluttered in my chest. I knew exactly why Christian was the way he was. After over a decade of avoiding calling someone his own, he chose me. It felt good to know our feelings for each other were mutual.

“What can I say? We’re special to each other. He treats me better than I could have ever wished for. I didn’t even know men like him still existed.”

“I’m glad to hear he’s treating you right. One thing I don’t play about is my boys treating their women right.” She paused for a moment, crossing her legs. “How does your family feel about everything?” I stared at her, trying to figure out if she was being sarcastic. Crystal's face filled with confusion. “Did I say something wrong?”

“Christian didn’t tell you anything about me or my family?”

Once she shook her head no, I began telling her everything. From breaking things off with Julian, my parents being pissed about it, and finding out Myron wasn’t my biological father. By the time I finished, she looked stunned.

“Whoa, that is a lot. And in such a short amount of time. I would probably lose my mind with all that.”

I nodded in agreement. “I probably would have if it wasn’t for Christian. He has truly been my peace bubble in all of this.”

“Well, I certainly understand where you’re coming from. When Paul and I got together, he had family members who openly expressed their disdain for us being together. They didn’t like that he was with a Black woman. A few of them actually called me the n-word.”

I gasped, my eyes wide. “Are you serious? What did you do?”

A giggle ripped through her. “After I slapped the taste out of their mouth, Paul and I cut them off. We were young, struggling with three tiny babies. We didn’t have the energy to focus on anything but them.”

I twisted my fingers together, remembering a conversation with Christian not too long ago. “Christian said the same thing to me. I don’t want to cut my family off, but I just don’t want to continue to fight with them about this.”

Crystal reached over and grabbed my hand. “And you shouldn’t have to. Don’t take this the wrong way, but your parents are being completely selfish. There is no way your love life should have been tangled up in Myron’s business. If he did his job right, who you date wouldn’t affect him.”

I had been telling myself this since I left Julian, but hearing someone else say it made me emotional. I knew I wasn’t wrong for choosing myself. But hearing my mom and Morgan constantly tell me I was wrong and that I was ruining everything for the family sometimes made me second-guess myself. I didn’t want to see them lose everything. I also didn’t want to compromise my happiness for them to maintain their lifestyle.

Crystal saw my eyes glaze over and swiftly pulled me into a hug. That made me break out in tears. It was the mom hug I had been needing for too long. “Shh. It’s okay, sweetie. You just gotta have faith that everything is going to work out in the end. And don’t be afraid to lean on your man when you feel like the outside noise is becoming overwhelming. That’s what he’s there for. To block out all the negativity and keep you happy. Understand?” She pulled away, staring into my eyes. I nodded my head just as the bedroom door opened.

“Ma, what did you do? I left y’all alone for five minutes, and you got my girl in here crying.” He came over and sat beside me, wiping my face.

I giggled, rolling my eyes. “She didn’t do anything, baby. We were just having a little heart-to-heart.”

Crystal rose from the couch, smacking her lips. “Let me get out of here. My son is about to jump down my throat.”

Christian grinned at his mother. “Mama, please. The second I jump, you would put me through the floor.”

Crystal smiled devilishly. “I’m glad you know it, son.” She turned to walk away and then stopped. “Oh, Brittney, do you think you will be available to join us this Saturday for a charity ball?”

I thought about it for a second and nodded. “Yes. I don’t have anything planned. I’ll just have to get a gown.”

Crystal clapped her hands, bouncing in excitement. “Great! Well, let me get out of your hair. I interrupted some grandbaby-making activities earlier, and I can’t have that.”

My mouth dropped open as Christian stared at his mother in disbelief. “Bye, Mama.”

She cackled while making her exit. Christian gripped my chin, pecking my lips a few times. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m great.” I finally took in his appearance, and my panties dampened at the sight of him in this tux. Christian had never dressed up in front of me. It was always jeans and a shirt. Sometimes he wore boots, and sometimes he wore expensive sneakers. I could definitely get used to seeing him like this. I loved that he could pull off both.

Christian caught the look in my eyes, and his eyes glazed over in lust. “You like what you see, baby?”