Curves 2

Chapter 1

*Note: Unlike my Trappers books I will not post the last chapter of the previous book. We're diving in head first. I suggest you read the first book before this one or you'll be confused. If you already have and do not need a refresher by all means enjoy 😉.*

Monique

*

The ride back was quiet and full of tension. Cadie has been playing on my phone but fell asleep shortly after we started driving. I'd periodically glance over at Zy. He was pissed to say the least. I would be too. His exe ran off to get married to none other than his brother. That's low, even for someone like Shandra. It's obvious she wasn't very faithful to Zyshonne when they reconnected after his release if she had been dating his brother since she was eighteen.

My mind jumped back to that time. I was eagerly outside waiting on Zyshonne to be released with the rest of his family. I wanted to be the first person he saw when he was free. And I was. I thought it meant something. But it wasn't long before him and Shandra got back together. I felt betrayed and that's when I figured those feelings I had were one-sided and to avoid the pain, I shut them down. I told myself so many times we were best friends and best friends only that I convinced myself the feelings weren't real.

It took a very long time for me to get over it. So long our friendship was strained very much. I barely called and talked to him when I went off to college. Barely visited home for fear of running into him. It wasn't until a year later that I saw him again and he forced his way to see me. Questioning me and demanding to know why I've avoided him. I lied and said I was busy with tests. He was still with Shandra and constantly tried getting me to go out with them. My feelings went from sad to mad in a split second.

I did whatever humanly possible to avoid them both. I took summer classes, went abroad, traveled. I did everything a college student should do. Stayed active in many clubs and made many friends from all over the world. Eventually, the facade faded away and I was actually enjoying myself for a while. Zyshonne and I would text and talk on occasion but it wasn't how it used to be.

We really didn't get back right until he called me in a panic about a baby being left on his doorstep. Cadence. Much like how I used to do, I dropped everything to be there for him and his time of need. We stayed at the hospital all day waiting on news about her. She had been barely breathing when he brought her in. He had a storm of emotions on his face that night. Fear, disbelief, anger, even some sadness in there too.

After an endless day and night of anxiety and fear we were finally told Cadence was alright and stable. They were still running tests so we were given about ten minutes before seeing her. Zyshonne told me what was written in a note that Shandra had left. She apologized and said it wasn't going to work. Left Cadence for him to deal with. They had been having problems for almost a year and I had no idea. Shows how fast our 'thick as thieves' friendship had fallen. When we finally did see her in an incubator I saw his eyes ignite with passion, love, determination but mostly fear. I knew he knew nothing about kids or how to take care of them but he was willing to learn and try.

I guess that's when I came to my senses. Realizing that our drift was my fault. It was my fault we weren't best friends anymore. It was my fault for not speaking up sooner and warning him about Shandra. So I offered to help. And I did. We became best friends again. Everything was how it should be.

But all of that is about to change. After fixing our broken friendship it might've all been in vain. Shandra is back and hell bent on being Cadie's mother again and...I doubt Zyshonne would stop her. I can't help but think that. I'm afraid that as quickly as I became Cadie's mom all of that could be taken away.

My thoughts took up most of the drive time and it was like I blinked and we were suddenly back at his apartment. Zyshonne got out and without waiting on if he'll open my door I opened mine. He picked up a sleeping Cadie and cradled her in his arms. I watched them as this overwhelming feeling took over me. I suddenly felt like I was...intruding.