Save Room For Us (18+)

Chapter 38: A Conversation Between Strangers, A Reunion Between Family

Chapter 38: "A Conversation Between Strangers, A Reunion Between Family"

Nevaeh

I stepped into the dimly lit living room of Maleek's home, feeling a little out of place. The hum of murmurs and soft voices filled the space as family and friends gathered for the memorial. The same thickness of grief remained in the air, but there was an odd sense of connection between us—though I didn't feel like I belonged just yet. I was still getting to know Maleek, and everything felt like an endless stream of new information.

Avril walked over to me, her presence somehow calming. She had been nothing but warm to me since I met her, though I still wasn't sure how much of that warmth came from her natural kindness and how much came from her desire to bridge the gaps Maleek and I had between us. I didn't blame her for it. I could see how much Maleek meant to her, and I knew I had a place in that equation now. Maybe that's why she seemed so intent on making sure I was comfortable, even in a setting that was as foreign to me as this one.

She smiled gently. "Nevaeh, I'd like you to meet my brother Quincy."

Quincy. The name hit me with a sense of familiarity, even though I hadn't heard much about him before today. As me and Avril were getting to know each other for the past hour in the guest room, she spoke highly of her brother—how he had always been there for her, how much he cared about his family. But now, standing across from him, I wasn't sure what to expect.

Quincy was taller than I imagined. He had a solid build, like someone who spent a good amount of time lifting weights or working on physical labor. His face was serious, sharp, like he had the kind of features that told you he didn't smile often. Dark eyes looked me up and down, guarded but curious. His lips barely curved into a polite smile when Avril introduced us.

"Nice to meet you," he said, his voice steady and low. He didn't extend a hand, just stood there waiting, as if measuring me up.

I could feel the weight of the moment. The way he looked at me was intense—almost like he was searching for something in my face, something that would make sense of all the reasons I was here. Maleek's daughter. The one he'd only just found out about. It was a lot to take in. I couldn't even imagine how Quincy felt about this new reality.

"Yeah. You too," I said, swallowing hard. I didn't really know how to respond to him, not after everything that had happened, not after the last couple of weeks. My head was still swirling with everything I had learned about Damon's family, the chaos, the drama. But I knew better than to bring any of that up now.

Quincy raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp. "So, what brings you to visit?"

I hesitated. The truth felt too complicated, too messy to put into words. I didn't want to dive into the entire whirlwind of discovering my biological father, of trying to fit myself into a family I didn't know, of navigating the weird tension that had existed between Maleek and his relatives before I showed up. No, I wasn't ready for all that. Not yet.

"I... I just wanted to get to know my dad," I said softly, glancing toward Maleek, who was talking to someone across the room. "It's a lot to take in, but... I guess it felt like the right time."

Quincy nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. He didn't say anything right away, and I got the feeling he wasn't one for small talk. His posture was stiff, and though he wasn't rude, he didn't seem particularly eager to engage in anything deeper. I figured it was probably a lot to digest for him too. I mean, Maleek's sudden revelation that he had a daughter out of nowhere couldn't have been easy on anyone.

Before I could think of anything else to say, Quincy's phone rang, cutting through the tense silence between us. He glanced down at the screen, his jaw tightening. Without hesitation, he swiped the call to answer it, his voice dropping low as he spoke.