Even though I don't look up right away, I feel him. His presence shifts the air, makes it heavier, like the sky right before a storm. A shiver runs down my spine, but I shake it off. I can sense he's here to handle our unfinished business, and I know he won't hold his tongue this time, not without our audience from earlier to keep him in check. "Why yuh really come back Jodie?" He's blunt, as always, and I can tell he's revving up for a fight. Him lucky. "I love Ms. Iva and I respect her for what she does, but dem neva send yuh gah school fi sell yam dung a market...Why'd you leave Kingston?" "I told you already, I'm using my PTO Knox" I dispose of the water into the grass, setting the wash basin up against the tank. He scoffs. "Liad, yuh done tell dah one deh already, betta yuh come up wid a next one." His eyes are daring, challenging me to come clean, but I can't. "Why you cyaa juss believe me? What's so suspicious about me needing time away from work?" I push past him, not yet ready to dive so deep into the unknown. He grabs my wrist, pulling me into his chest and trapping me there. The warmth of him seeps into me, setting off a fire under my skin. He doesn't ease up, but the pressure does something to me that I can't shake. I tell myself to take a step back, create some space, but I don't. I won't. "Because me know yuh, Jodie. Better than I know myself. I know you..." He presses his index fingers to his heart, his breath shallow as it cascades across my collarbone. "I thought we were better than this, I thought we could tell each other anything" I shake my head, my eyes closing as I inhale his scent, it's uniquely him. It's dangerous how familiar it is, how it makes my chest ache. I hate him for making me feel like this, I hate myself for wanting to be even closer than we are now.

"Move from in front a mi," I say. But it comes out softer. Weaker. More honest than I intended. I'd be on the first plane out of here tomorrow. Nothing that we've said in the past twenty minutes would matter once I am on that plane. We are tied to each other, and our pasts don't have to intertwine any more than they already have. He doesn't move. I step sideways. He mirrors me, like he's tethered to the same gravity. "Kymani-" "Selah" My name in his mouth feels like a dare. A part of me wants it to feel like a promise. I shake the thought. After what feels like a standoff written in the marrow between us, he finally exhales and steps back. Barely. But enough. I don't waste it. I slip from his hold, my heartbeat pounding in my throat, in my ears, in the soles of my feet as I bolt toward the door. I leave him there. Leave the house. Leave the heat still burning between us. And I run. Fast, desperate, the same way I did the first time I left this place. The same way I survived. I don't look back. Not at him. Not at the house. Not at the version of myself that's still trembling inside those walls. Not anymore.

A JAMAICAN COMING-OF-AGE ROMANCE.

EST. 2024 JAMAICAN STORY🇯🇲 The story of 21-year-old Talia Rainford, who left her abusive boyfriend and believed she was done with relationships, only to encounter the don who made her reconsider. In order to find out how she overcome the obstacles she faced in life, read on.

❝Baby I don't need a man, I need Dinero & a tan!❞-Taj Romaé *** "...if yuh nuh name Dinero den mi nuh want yuh,"I say sassily. He chuckles. "Den how you a pree me so?" his husky voice ask as he makes slow strides towards me. "You're in my personal space," I snap and he seems to be impressed by my attitude. I feel my knees weaken as he approaches me with lustful eyes. Then he leans down closing me in as he rest both hands beside me. His hot breath tickles the side of my neck as he whispers, "Nuttn' nuh wrong if we get personal b." *** Get ready for this heated romance, I'm ready. Are you? #1 Caribbean #1 Boujie #1 Youngwitersprize #1 Materialism #1 newwriter #1 jamaicanwriter #1 Fancy #2 Jamaica

Italia Reimagined Trapped in a toxic marriage, Italia finds unexpected love and healing in the arms of Dyani-a man who shows her what real protection feels like. But as passion and danger collide, she must fight for her future, her daughter, and the freedom to start over. Set in Montego Bay, this is a gripping tale of survival, love, and second chances.

"Comm check... Testing, one... two... Kwes Boaz speaking. ...you a hear me? Ah. You ever wake up and feel like something's...missing? That's my life. Seven years after. Now I'm back, but nothing's the way I left it. Not even me. Amnija happened right after. Or at least, I think she did. She slipped through the walls I built around my mind-how she even do that? Bagga ray she gwaan wid. Afi' give har, ar' props. She a live her life now still, but all I'm trying to do is find my way in it. Yaan'dastan? Yuh feel she can make some space fi mi doh? Yuh feel e' g have a chance? Jah... We're about to take off. Buckle up. Guess we're about to find out." Ranking🥇 #1 in St. James #1 in matrimony #1 in young author #1 in youngwriter #1 in youngwriterspize

Here Gutta Lies in 'Angle'... I hit someone and jerk back. "Shit," I gasp. It's him. I immediately don't feel bad. I just know he did this purposely. "A wahm to yuh bredda?" "Yuh cya drive?" he ask intimidatingly. I don't even shake. "Yuh nav yiy?" "Yuh nuh see a 21st century we inna?" he ask looking at the paper. "How that a affect yuh?" I kiss my teeth. "Man, see da gyal ya and lowe har yer?" I push off the trolley and feel him slap my ass with his big hand. I look down at his fingers sinking in my pants. Then up at him not pleased. "Me and the girl a fren so dis naggo work." "So who you fe tell me wah naggo work?" **************************************** A captivating tale of love and deception, centered around a complicated love triangle. The story revolves around Jaden also known as Gutta, a charismatic but troubled 'bad boy' who finds himself torn between his long-time girlfriend and her friend. As Gutta falls for his girlfriend's friend, he attempts to maintain both relationships by weaving a web of lies. However, the question remains: how long can he keep up this charade? When his girlfriend is seeking genuine love? And his newfound sweetheart is desiring more from him? Find out in "Angle." # 1 in Jam🥇 # 1 in gunman🥇

She had her life in order, A nurse🩺 with a purpose, And a new beginning. But all it took was one night... One reckless decision... ...to change everything. She's now in debt with the Fierce. And with this debt came Addiction. Obsession. Risk. Will they choose each other in the end, or let the weight of it all tear them apart?

Armanii is Jamaica's newest dancehall star lighting up the charts and your TikTok feed, but don't get it twisted, he's over the "internet artiste" label and dead serious about proving he's the real deal. Behind the hype, the chains, and the stage lights? A man dealing with the cold, quiet side of fame. Then boom! Alisa Miller enters the chat. Straight out of New York, privacy and unbothered girl in her own lane. Love? Not on her to-do list. She's focused, intentional, and allergic to drama. So how do they end up next to each other on a flight to Jamaica? One little seat mix up and suddenly it's vibes, side-eyes, and unexpected sparks. She's not here for the noise, but Armanii? He's intrigued. One missed DM, one flight, and suddenly he's chasing more than just hit songs. Thing is, Alisa's quiet life and Armanii's loud world? Oil and water. Paparazzi, secrets, temptation, and trust issues? That's just Tuesday. But maybe, just maybe, the right kind of chaos can make the sweetest music. So buckle up because this love story is messy, magnetic, and way too real. And yuh see Armani and Alisa? Dem might just be each other's favorite Rough Patch.