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They say love is supposed to feel safe. Like home. Like peace. But what if the person who makes you feel the safest is also the one who can break you the most?
Londyn never questioned her place in Ethan's life-until now. Childhood best friends, ri...
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Ethan Riley Reyes 'Notti'
Family time in my house wasn't really "family time." Ma was the only one actually paying attention. The rest of us? On our phones. Jay was scrolling through Instagram, Dd had his AirPods in, and Melz was holding Amiri, bouncing her leg while texting someone.
"Can we watch the news?" Ma asked, her tone making it clear it wasn't a request.
Jay and Dd groaned, both dropping their phones onto the couch. Melz sighed, grabbed the remote, and changed the channel.
"Breaking news out of Harlem—just moments ago, a driver returning from what appears to be the airport was shot at while on the road."
I barely looked up from my phone at first, but something about the way the reporter spoke made my stomach clench.
"Yo, turn that up," I muttered, sitting up straighter.
The volume increased.
"The victim has been identified as Lola Green."
My breath caught in my throat.
Lola Green.
The name echoed in my head like I had misheard it, like maybe the TV was playing some sick joke on me.
The reporter continued, but I could barely focus.
"The woman was struck while driving but is currently being hospitalized. We will keep you updated as we learn more."
The room went completely silent. The only sound was the faint noise of the TV and Amiri sucking on his thumb.
"Yo..." Melz started, shifting Amiri to her other hip. "Ain't that Londyn's mom?"
I didn't respond. I couldn't.
My phone buzzed.
Londyn.
I answered before the first ring even finished.
"E-Ethan!" Her voice was shaky, broken.
I gripped the phone tighter. "Lo, you good?" Stupid-ass question. I knew damn well she wasn't.
"I—I need you right now." Her voice cracked, and before I could even respond, the line cut off.
My heart slammed against my chest.
"WE GOTTA GO TO LONDYN'S, BRO!" I was already up, grabbing my hoodie off the couch.
"Jay, gimme ya keys," I demanded.
Jay barely looked up. "And let you wreck my car? Nah." He went back to scrolling like I wasn't even talking to him.
I turned to Dd, and he instantly knew what was up.
Before Jay could react, Dd lunged at him, tackling him onto the couch.
"Man, get off me, nigga!" Jay yelled, struggling.
Dd smacked his lips, covering Jay's mouth with his hand. "Shut up, nigga. This bigger than you right now."
I patted Jay's pockets, found the keys, and took off out the door without another word.
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The drive to Londyn's crib was a blur. My hands were gripping the wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. I barely even registered the stoplights, my mind running a hundred miles an hour.
When I pulled up, I didn't even think twice before reaching under the doormat for the spare key.
As soon as I stepped inside, the sound of crying hit me. Loud, broken sobs echoed through the house.
My chest tightened.
I took the stairs two at a time, following the noise until I reached the loft.
There she was—on the floor, hands clasped together, body shaking.
"Please, God, please protect her," Londyn pleaded through sobs. "I know she wasn't around much, but not her. Please, not her."
Hearing her like that did something to me. I swallowed hard, crossed the room, and dropped to my knees next to her.
Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms.
She didn't fight it. She just broke down completely, sobbing into my chest.
Her whole body was trembling. Then her breathing got sharp and uneven—too fast.
"Lo, look at me." I cupped her face, forcing her to focus. "Breathe, baby. C'mon, in and out." I took a deep breath, exaggerating it so she could copy me.
Her lips parted, but her breathing was still erratic.
"C'mon, ma. Just like me," I whispered. "Breathe in... and out."
She finally started to copy me, her breaths shaky but slowing down.
"There you go," I murmured, rubbing my thumbs along her cheeks. "Just like that, mama."
After a minute, her breathing evened out, and she gave me a weak, broken smile.
"I know it hurts," I said quietly. "But you gon' get through this. I got you."
She didn't say anything. She just leaned into me again, her grip on my hoodie tightening.
We stayed like that for a while.
Finally, I asked, "Where's Lay?"
"With my aunt," she murmured. "She left a few minutes ago."
I nodded. "You wanna go see her?"
She hesitated, then nodded.
I helped her up, keeping an arm around her as we went downstairs.
I opened the car door for her, making sure she was good before closing it. Then I slid into the driver's seat.
I didn't say anything. I just reached over and squeezed her hand before starting the car.
