BFF

Listen up

Tia POV

There was a bang on the hotel door.

Dave opened it—and standing there, flanked by hotel security, was his mother.

What the hell did she get into that fast?

"Mr. and Mrs. East," the taller security guard said, "we found this woman trying to steal from the register downstairs. She told us she was with you. Before we call the cops, can you confirm that?"

Dave stepped forward. "Yeah. She's with me. Thank y'all for bringing her up first."

"No problem, Mr. East," the guard nodded, and they both left.

Janet walked inside without saying a word and sat on the couch like nothing happened.

Dave looked at her, then back at me. "We heading back to Cali right now. I'm not about to let this keep happening." He left the room to start packing.

Janet crossed her arms. "I'm not going anywhere."

I sat across from her and leaned in.

"Listen to me—and listen good," I said, my voice calm but firm. "That man back there? The one you and Dee had no hand in raising? I love him with everything in me. All the way down to my soul. So the least you can do is try."

She stared at me, silent.

"You might think he don't mean much to you, but he means everything to me. And to our kids. He's a selfless man. A loving, supportive father. An amazing husband. A remarkable son. He would give his last to a stranger, and he'd give even more for the parents that did nothing for him."

I could feel the burn in my chest as I kept going.

"He dropped everything the minute he found out who you were. That man—he went looking for you. And when he found you, he didn't judge. He didn't walk away. He brought you back. And even though you were lost, he's still trying."

Her eyes started to water, but I didn't stop.

"You remember when you carried him? That place you were in back then—the part of you that stayed clean for nine months? Go back to that. Stay there. Push through. Try for him."

"I know you have a drug problem. But that can be fixed. We can help you fix it. Because me and that man? We're one. And we're not stopping until it's done. So do us all a favor..."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"...and try."

Janet didn't speak, but tears slid quietly down her face. I had to let it out—because I'm his wife. His protector. And if I can do anything to shield Dave's heart from more pain, I will. Always.

He walked back into the room just then, bags in hand.

"You ready, baby?" he asked.

"Yeah, babe. Just waiting on you."

To my surprise, Janet stood right up and followed us out the door.

Dave opened the back door for her, helped her inside, then placed our bags in the trunk. He walked around to my side and leaned in.

"I fuckin' love you," he whispered. "And whatever it takes to make sure you always know that—I'm gon' do it. I can't even explain it, but you everything, mamas. For real."

I smiled up at him. "I love you too, baby. That's on life. You don't even have to do much to show me—I see it all over you when I look at you."