13. Derek’s Destiny

DEREK

2 Days Till The Juniper Juneteeth Jubilee…

The sun hadn't even cracked the horizon, but I was already deep in it, locked away in my mobile studio parked on Ant’s property. I swore to myself I wouldn’t do any work while I was here besides getting ready for The Jubilee, not when my only goal was to win back my girl. And damn, that had been going better than I could’ve ever planned. Being wrapped up in Destiny felt like finding the missing piece to a puzzle I’d been trying to solve my whole life. She was my everything—better than any high I’d ever chased, better than anything I could’ve imagined. Destiny was enough.

But since the accident, something in me had started to shift. I could feel myself pulling away, and it wasn’t because I didn’t love her—God knows I did. It was just...the weight of it all. The guilt. The pressure. It was like carrying a boulder on my back, and the only place I could unload it was in my music. I didn’t want to drown Destiny in all this darkness, even though she’d made it clear she was ready to take on whatever I was dealing with.

Music was my escape, my therapy until I could get set up with someone real. Destiny was knee-deep in finding me a therapist I could trust, but I knew that was going to take time. And until then, the studio was my sanctuary. With just two days left before the Jubilee, I was pushing to finish two new tracks I wanted to debut. These songs were my heart on wax, and they needed to be perfect, so I called in my producer and engineer to come down to Juniper. I had to pour everything into this, or I was going to lose my mind.

“This is dope as fuck, Truth,” John Blaze said, nodding his head to the beat, the kind of nod that let me know he was feeling it. The speakers were vibrating with the weight of the bass, and I could see the words I’d spit hitting him like punches. But even with his approval, there was a heaviness inside me that wouldn’t budge.

I turned the volume down, running a hand over my face, feeling the roughness of my beard. “I’m trying, man,” I said, my voice low. “I need this shit to be more than just dope, though. I need it to speak, you feel me? This can’t just be another track. This gotta be something they feel deep in their bones.”

Blaze leaned back, studying me, reading the weariness in my eyes. “Truth, you know you got it. This right here? This is it. Whatever you’re going through, you’re putting it all in the music. They gon feel it.”

I nodded, appreciating his words, but they didn’t touch the part of me that was still raw, still aching. I knew I was pouring myself into these track, but there was a part of me that was scared—scared that no matter how much I put into it, it wouldn’t be enough to say what I really wanted to convey.

I glanced at my phone, seeing a message from Destiny. Just a simple “I love you,” but it hit me like a ton of bricks. I wanted to be the man she deserved, the man who could protect her from everything—including myself. Right now, the only way I knew how to do that was to keep some distance, to handle my shit on my own terms. And that’s what I was going to do. I’d finish these tracks, I’d get my head right.

“Let’s run it again,” I said, my voice firm as I went back into the booth, determined. “I need to feel it in my soul before we call it.”

Blaze nodded, knowing there was no arguing with me when I was like this. The music started up again, the beat pulsing through the room, and I closed my eyes, letting it wash over me.

Just as the beat began to build, Ant walked in, his eyes locking on mine. He didn’t say a word, just dropped down into a chair next to Blaze after dapping him up. I could see it in his face—whatever he had on his mind, it wasn’t something he should keep to himself. I sighed, knowing I wasn’t gonna get through this track until I talked to him.

If Ant was here, it meant something was up. He was supposed to be with Angel and Little Derek, not in the studio with me.

“Cut the music, Blaze,” I said, waving a hand. “Change of plans. We’ve been at it all night, man. Security is still outside with the truck. Go grab some breakfast, take a break.”

He yawned, stretching like he’d been waiting for an excuse to get out. “Ain’t gotta tell me twice,” he muttered, looking almost relieved to get away from me for a bit. I couldn’t blame him—I’d been relentless, pushing him past his limit.

As soon as Blaze was out the door, Ant turned to me, his eyes narrowing. “Did you even sleep next to your girl last night?” he asked, his tone more concerned than accusatory.

I shrugged, sinking into the chair next to him. “Not really. Had to come work,” I admitted, running a hand over my face. “What you doing here?”

“Mom and Pops went up to the hospital to stay with Derek so I could drop Angel off at her place to shower, came here to do the same. Gonna pick her up in a bit so we can head back up there.”

“Hhhmmm,” I smirked, unable to keep it to myself.

Ant’s eyes narrowed further. “What?”

“Nothing,” I lied, but the grin on my face said otherwise.

“Say it,” he demanded, not letting me off the hook.

“You and Angel spending so much time together,” I teased, my voice dripping with suggestion.

Ant rolled his eyes, but I caught it—the flicker behind them, the one I recognized all too well. It was that same look I saw in the mirror when I thought about Destiny, the one that haunted me in the dead of night, the one that reminded me of what I was fighting for. It was the same look our dad had when he talked about Mom, even after all these years. And damn, if we didn’t all look like triplets, just in different stages of life. Ant had me and Pops beat in height, though—standing tall at 6’6”, he slightly towered over our 6’4” frames. And while neither Dad nor Ant had the locs that I rocked, the way we carried ourselves, the weight of the world on our shoulders, it was like looking in a time-warped mirror.

“Yeah, we’re becoming really good friends. Just trying to make sure she feels supported with all that’s going on. She really ain’t got nobody else. You seen Carlos—he ain’t shit,” he said, shaking his head with disgust.

I nodded, my smirk fading. “I know. You’re doing a good thing, Ant. She needs somebody solid right now, especially with everything that’s happened. But you know… you got that look.”

Ant raised an eyebrow, but didn’t say anything, just waited for me to finish.

“That look you get when you’re starting to feel something for somebody,” I continued, my voice softer now.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck like he was trying to work out a knot. “It’s not like that, D. I’m just trying to help her out. She’s been through hell, and she needs somebody who’s not gonna let her fall apart.”

I patted his shoulder, feeling a strange mix of pride and concern for my brother. “You’re a good dude, Ant. Just remember, you can’t save everybody. But if anyone can make a difference in her life right now, it’s you.”

He nodded, and for a moment, we just sat there, the silence thick with all the words we weren’t saying.

Ant broke the silence first, his voice low but steady. “What you really need to be worried about is Des. The security cameras don’t lie. You’re always locked up in here—”

“Or I’m at rehearsal,” I cut in, a little too quick, feeling that defensive edge creep up in my tone. I wasn’t about to let him think I was neglecting my girl.

He raised an eyebrow, giving me that look that said he wasn’t buying the half-assed excuse. “Just be careful you don’t push her away, man. You know how important she is to you, especially right now.”

“Me and Des are good,” I insisted, though the words felt heavy in my mouth. “I’ve been talking more…opening up, letting her in. She knows I need this music right now. And I got some new shit I wanna drop at the Jubilee. But back to you, my boy,” I said, trying to shift the focus off me, flashing a smile like I wasn’t unraveling inside. He wasn’t about to Jedi mind trick me into staying on the hot seat.

Ant chuckled, but there was a weariness in it that mirrored my own. “Alright, alright,” he said, shaking his head at my deflection.

“Des was impressed with how you handled that Carlos situation,” I added, trying to bring some light into the conversation, even if it was just a flicker.

Ant’s expression darkened, his jaw clenching. “Carlos is a bitch,” he grumbled, and I could hear the fury simmering just beneath the surface, barely contained.

“Same thing I said,” I nodded, knowing exactly how he felt.

He let out a slow breath, his hands balling into fists as he spoke. “Angel…she’s been telling me things about him, how he treats her…” His voice trailed off, disgust and anger coating his words. “I don’t know how somebody could treat a woman like that, especially a woman like her.”

I could see the struggle in his eyes, the conflict between wanting to protect Angel and not wanting to overstep. But I knew Ant—when he cared, he cared hard, and it wasn’t in his nature to just sit back and let shit slide.

"Well, you told her you got her, and you do. We all do," I said, my voice steady, trying to remind him of the truth. "We’re gonna be there every step of the way, and whatever comes up for her and Little Derek during his recovery and after—man, you know that’s not an issue.”

Ant shook his head, that familiar look of understanding in his eyes, before he dapped me up. It felt good to be there for my brother the way he’d always been there for me. We’d been through our share of storms, but this was different—this was about stepping up, about being the men we needed to be for the people who counted on us.

“Besides,” I added, trying to lighten the mood, “I’m gonna need you to keep looking out for my son while I’m out there grinding.”

Ant shot me that look, the one that said we’d been down this road too many times. “The boy ain’t your son, D. We’ve been through this.”

I met his gaze, the weight of my words hanging in the air. “You know what I mean, Ant. Blood don’t always make a family. It’s about who’s there, who shows up. And right now, that’s us.”

He didn’t argue, just nodded, the gravity of it all settling between us. We were more than brothers—we were the ones holding the line, making sure that the people we cared about were safe, even if it meant carrying them our backs.

“Him being your son is a wild take though,” Ant said, shaking his head with a smirk. “Wait till I tell Angel.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, but there was something more underneath it—that pride and that stubborn streak I was known for. “Go ahead, tell her. See if I care. I bet she’ll laugh right in your face. Everybody and their mama knows Carlos ain’t got an ounce of rhythm in his soul. Man couldn’t rhyme ‘cat’ with ‘hat’ if Dr. Seuss himself was whispering in his ear. That boy’s talent? That’s 100% certified Derek, like his daddy—me. Swab his cheek, I guarantee you’ll see my signature in the spit. If that boy ain’t mine, then my name sure as hell ain’t D-Truth.”

Ant let out a deep laugh, one of those rare, genuine ones that I hadn’t heard in a long time. I decided not to make a big deal out of it, knowing that if I pointed it out, he’d probably shut down. If being his insane little brother was what it took to keep his spirits up, then so be it.

I waved him off, still clinging to that stubborn streak that ran deep in our family. "Ya’ll don’t know nothing," I muttered, more to myself than to him, unwilling to let go of the feeling that I was right, even if it didn’t make sense to anyone else.

Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion hit me, heavy and unforgiving, like my eyes were fighting to stay open. Maybe it was because I’d finally sat down for more than a minute, letting the weight of everything catch up to me. It was like my body was reminding me that I’d been running on fumes for too long.

“Can you take me to Ruby’s real quick for some coffee?” I asked Ant, my voice heavy, that bone-deep tiredness settling in.

Ant shot me a look, skeptical as hell. “Yo ass don’t even like coffee. That’s how I know you in here overdoing it,” he said, shaking his head like a big brother does when he knows you better than you know yourself.

I shrugged off his jab, not in the mood to argue. Ten minutes later, we were stepping into Ruby’s, the familiar smell of grease and syrup wrapping around me. It was early, the kind of early where most folks are still rubbing the sleep outta their eyes, but Ruby’s was already buzzing with the regulars.

Althea looked up at me with those warm, brown eyes, her face framed by silver-streaked braids pulled back in that loose bun she always wore. She had that timeless beauty, the kind that didn’t fade, just got deeper, richer, like the caramel tone of her skin that seemed to catch the light just right. The lines on her face, carved from years of hustle and hard-earned laughs, only added to that vibe she gave off—like she’d seen it all and still had love to give. Her apron was the same one she’d been wearing for years, a little worn, but still spotless and tied tight around her waist.

She gave me a tired smile, but it was real, the kind that said she’d been up like me. “Morning, D,” she said, wiping her hands on that old apron as she slid behind the counter with that easy, familiar grace. “What can I get you?”

“Just a coffee to go,” I replied, trying to muster up a smile of my own. My mind was miles away, buried under the weight of all the shit I’d been trying to avoid dealing with.

As she turned to get my order, I felt it—eyes burning into my right side. It wasn’t the casual glance you get when folks recognize you from TV or the internet. Nah, this was different. This was personal.

I turned my head slightly, just enough to see where that heat was coming from. And there they were—Johnathon and Mr. Lyman, sitting in a booth near the window, mid-bite of their breakfast but their attention locked on me.

“Sup, Mr. Lyman…Johnathon,” I said, unable to help myself, greeting them both like I wasn’t already half-expecting some kind of bullshit to follow. I could feel Ant tensing up beside me, ready to back me up if anything popped off.

Mr. Lyman gave me that tight-lipped smile he always wore, the kind that never quite reached his eyes, the kind that told you he was always thinking three steps ahead. “Morning, D-Truth,” he replied, his tone dripping with that fake-ass politeness that made my skin crawl.

Johnathon, on the other hand, didn’t bother with the pleasantries. He just stared at me, his jaw clenched, his eyes full of the kind of hate that only grows from a place of deep jealousy. I could see the way his hand tightened around his fork, like he was imagining jabbing it right into my throat.

Ant stepped a little closer to me, his presence a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone, but I didn’t need the backup. I wasn’t about to let these two see me sweat. Not after everything that had gone down.

“You boys enjoying your breakfast?” I asked, my grin widening just a bit, pushing the line without stepping over it. I wasn’t in the mood for a fight, but I damn sure wasn’t gonna back down.

Mr. Lyman nodded, but there was no warmth in it. “Just discussing some business, as usual. How’s everything going with the Jubilee preparations? I hear it’s going to be quite the event.”

There it was. The bait. The setup. Mr. Lyman’s voice was like the smooth edge of a blade, sharp enough to cut deep if you weren’t careful. He was daring me to slip, to give him something he could use against me, something he could twist to make me look bad. But I wasn’t playing that game today. Not with everything on the line.

“Going great,” I replied, keeping my voice steady, controlled. I wasn’t about to let him see even a flicker of doubt. “It’s gonna be a real celebration for the whole community. Something positive for Juniper. You know, the kind of thing we need more of around here.”

Johnathon, who’d been sitting there with that smug look on his face, finally spoke up, his voice low and slick, like oil on water. “It’s a shame what happened at your toy drive.”

His words hung in the air like a bad smell, the kind that gets under your skin and stays there. He knew exactly what he was doing, bringing up the accident like that. Trying to remind me of the guilt I’d been carrying around since that day. Trying to twist the knife.

“Yeah,” I said, my voice flat, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

He leaned back in his seat, his eyes never leaving mine, the corners of his mouth curling up in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s nice how you’re taking care of everybody though. Putting your time and money where your mouth is.”

The words caught me off guard, coming from him of all people. For a split second, I wondered if there was something more behind it, another angle he was playing. But I didn’t have time to figure it out, and honestly, I didn’t care to.

“I know how to do the right thing,” I said, my voice firm, almost defiant. I wasn’t about to let him or his father make me question that.

But even as the words left my mouth, I could feel the undercurrent of anger bubbling up inside me. The anger at myself for not being able to prevent what happened, for not being able to protect those kids. And the anger at them, for sitting there, so damn smug, like they hadn’t been the ones stirring up trouble in the first place.

I locked eyes with Johnathon, letting him see the fire behind my gaze, the fire that was burning to do right by my people, to stand tall no matter what they threw at me. He held my stare for a moment, but then he looked away, breaking the connection, like he knew he couldn’t match what I was bringing.

Althea came back with my coffee, breaking the tension for just a moment as I took it from her with a nod of thanks. I could feel her eyes flicking between me and the Lymans, sensing the undercurrent of hostility but knowing better than to say anything.

“Thanks, Althea,” I said, handing her a few bills before turning back to Johnathon and his father. “Ya’ll have a good one,” I added, my tone casual, like I wasn’t walking away from a ticking time bomb.

Ant glanced over at me, his expression unreadable, but I knew he’d seen what had gone down in there. “You good?” he asked, his voice low, like he was trying not to stir up more than I was ready to handle.

“Yeah,” I said, but the word felt like it was made of lead, dragging me down with every syllable. “I’m good.”

Ant looked over at me as we slid into the car, the doors closing with a soft thud that felt louder than it should.

“Proud of you, D,” he said, the words simple but heavy, cutting through the noise in my head.

I turned to look at him, the corner of my mouth twitching up in a scoff, but the truth was, hearing that from Ant—it meant more than I could say. He wasn’t the type to throw compliments around, so when he did, it hit different. It wasn’t just words; it was him letting me know that he saw me trying to be a better man.

For a moment, I didn’t know what to say. I nodded, the gesture small but enough to let him know I heard him, that I appreciated it more than I could put into words.

“Thanks, man,” I finally muttered, my voice rougher than I intended. “That means a lot.”

Ant just nodded, not needing to say anything else. We both knew what was unspoken between us—the bond that held us together, that kept us standing even when everything else was falling apart. We didn’t need to talk it out; we just knew.

As the car started up, the hum of the engine filling the space, I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes for a moment. When I finally opened my eyes, staring out the window as Juniper passed by in a blur, the town that had given me everything and taken just as much. And I knew, no matter what, I wasn’t going to let it break me. Not with people like Ant in my corner. Not with Destiny waiting for me at home. Not with the Jubilee right around the corner, a chance to show everyone that no matter how hard life hit, I could hit back harder.

I might’ve been carrying a lot, but I wasn’t carrying it alone. And that—well, that was something I could be grateful for, even on the hardest days.

Freedom Park buzzed with life as the final touches on my stage came together like a puzzle falling into place. Hands buried in my pockets, I felt exhaustion weigh heavy in my bones, the kind no coffee could shake off as evening crept in. This stage wasn’t just wood and steel—it was a monument to everything I’d clawed my way back to Juniper for. My roots, my people, my story, all etched into every beam and bolt, pressing down on me with every breath.

The stage towered over the park, a giant in a town that had never seen anything like it. As I watched the crew hustle under the relentless sun, pride mixed with a deep, gnawing weight in my chest. This wasn’t just about the music; it was about reclaiming everything I’d lost, about proving I was more than my mistakes, more than my past.

But standing there in Freedom Park, where the accident had flipped everything upside down, the weight felt heavier. Memories of that day clawed at my mind, threatening to pull me under. I could almost hear the screams, feel the chaos, and the guilt that had been gnawing at me since then. The urge to drown it all out with a drink was strong. But I couldn’t give in. Not now. Not when I was so close to everything I’d been working toward.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay grounded, to keep my mind clear. I couldn’t slip. I pulled out my phone, needing a distraction, and couldn’t help the small grin that tugged at my lips as I typed out a message.

Me: 👀 So…don’t think I didn’t realize your ice cream machine’s been working again since the day before yesterday…

Princess Destiny:
😳 Derek, you better leave me alone. I’ve got work to do.

Me:
Oh, is that right? Just checking in on you…making sure everything’s running smoothly. You know I got a sweet tooth.

Princess Destiny:
🙄 You’re too much. Seriously, I’m busy.

Me:
Aight, keep playing with me. We’ll see who’s really in charge of that ice cream machine tonight.

Princess Destiny:
Boy, if you don’t… I’m trying to focus! 😅

Me:
Focus on what’s coming later. You know I like my dessert right when I get home. 😏

Princess Destiny:
🙈 I can’t with you! But… maybe you’ll get a taste if you’re good.

Me:
Oh, I’ll be real good, Princess. 😈

Soon as I hit send, Hakeem’s voice cut through the air like a rusty blade, ruining the vibe I was trying to set for when I got out of here.

“So, you mean to tell me, the ice cream machine wasn’t real this whole time? It’s some kinda freaky shit between you and Destiny?” he asked, his tone all desperate, like he was about to cry over it.

I turned around, my face twisted in confusion. “Bro, why you behind me all up in my phone screen?” I snapped, not even trying to hide my irritation.

Hakeem’s eyes were wide, pleading. “Man, just tell me… Is there an actual ice cream machine at that house or not?”

I shook my head, trying to process how the hell this man got so twisted over something so simple.

“Look, man, there’s an ice cream machine for real,” I said, my tone deadly serious. “But here’s the thing—only I can use it. And tonight, when I get home, I’m eating from it all night. So if you don’t wanna hear that shit, I suggest you find somewhere else to crash.”

Hakeem blinked, looking like a kid who just found out Santa wasn’t real.

“Man, that’s cold,” he muttered, shaking his head as he backed off.

“Yeah, well, so is ice cream,” I fired back, not missing a beat. But deep down, I knew damn well tonight I was gonna be diving in so fast I’d risk a brain freeze. But that wasn’t about to stop me.

I sucked my teeth, and refocused on my phone, ready to keep pushing my luck with Destiny.

Me: You better have some non-slip socks ready for tonight. Don’t want you slipping and sliding while I knock that thing out the frame😏

Me: Maybe Angel has a pair you can borrow

Me: She said they went to the trampoline place last month

Princess Destiny: 😳 Derek, please!

Me: U know I love when you beg, Princess.

Me: Make sure you do those stretches too.

Me: Don’t want you tapping out early…and get ready to lick this 🍦

Princess Destiny: I’m going to block you!

Me: I’m the headliner for your big event, communication needs to be open…like those legs.

I stared at the screen, waiting for her reply, but the dots kept teasing me, appearing and disappearing like she couldn’t decide whether to cuss me out or keep the game going. I could practically see her sitting there, biting her lip, trying to stay focused on whatever she was working on, but I knew I had her attention.

Me: Don’t go shy on me now, Princess. You know I’m just getting started. 😉

Princess Destiny: Derek… 😑

Princess Destiny: I’m only letting you get away with this because I know you’ve been stressed. But I swear, Derek, if you make me slip…

Me: If you slip, I’ll catch you. You know that.

There was a pause, longer than before, and I felt the shift in her response.

Princess Destiny: I know. I love you, D. Now let me finish this up so I can give you my full attention later.

Me: That’s what I’m talking about. Love you too, Destiny. Now, go get ready. Cause I’m coming for that ass tonight!

Princess Destiny: OK BYE!

Me: 1...2...I'm thinkin' of you…3...4...I'm cumin' for more. 😈

Princess Destiny: SHUT UP!

Me: 5...6...better not resist…7...8...don't make me wait. 😏

Princess Destiny: 9...10?

Me: Better stretch now 'cause you won't get a break again. 😎

I watched the bubbles dance on the screen, teasing me with the promise of a reply, only for them to vanish just as quickly. I chuckled, knowing I had her flustered. Destiny liked to play tough, but I knew how to get under her skin, make her stumble over her words. I decided to give her some space, let her collect herself. But the thought of what was coming later had me grinning like a fool, anticipation curling in my gut.

Before I could pocket my phone, it started buzzing again. This time the screen lit up with a familiar name—E’Lana. My grin faded, replaced by a deep sigh. I knew I had to handle this, stop dragging it out like a coward. Last time I ignored her, she sent that damn picture to get my attention, and my ass ended up getting put out. I wanted to make sure Destiny didn’t knock my head off, I was gonna have to deal with this now.

“E,” I answered, finding a quiet spot away from the chaos of Jubilee preparations.

“Oh, so he finally knows how to answer a phone,” she shot back, her voice dripping with that sultry tone she always used to get her way.

“What’s up?” I asked, keeping it dry, my eyes scanning the movement around me, the stage crew, the preparations—everything I was working toward.

“What’s my problem? You’ve been distant for months, then you go home, ignore me completely, and suddenly you’re talking about a girlfriend on social media and in the press—what’s all this?” Her tone was sharp, a mix of anger and hurt.

“E, I made it clear—” I started, but she cut me off.

“To who? You never had a real conversation with me,” she snapped.

“I don’t owe you a conversation, E. I’m not your man. We don’t even check in like that. You hit me up when you wanted dick. Don’t act like it was deeper than that,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, even though I knew this wasn’t going to be easy.

“You know it’s deeper than that,” she said, her voice dropping, softer now, trying to pull me back in.

“It’s not,” I said firmly, but the conviction in my voice wavered for just a second.

“It is for me,” she whined, that vulnerability creeping in, the one that used to break down all my defenses.

But not anymore. Not this time. I couldn’t afford to slip now, not with everything I had on the line. Not with Destiny waiting for me, trusting me. I had to put an end to this, once and for all.

“E, our teams put us together, it was all business from the beginning. Shit was fake from the jump,” I reminded her.

“You know I have feelings for you, D. Don’t act like I don’t mean anything to you,” she shot back, her voice a mix of anger and desperation that made my chest tighten.

I squeezed the bridge of my nose, trying to keep my cool. This conversation was spiraling into places I didn’t want it to go, but I had to stay on track.

“E, we had fun, and yeah, you mean something to me as a friend. But my girlfriend? She means everything to me. I’ve been in love with her since before I even knew what love was. I wanna spend the rest of my life with this woman.” The words spilled out of me before I even realized what I was saying, raw and unfiltered. And once they were out there, I couldn’t take them back. I didn’t want to anyway.

I could practically hear E’Lana’s shock on the other end, the silence between us thick with disbelief. This wasn’t the kind of talk she ever expected from me. Hell, with all the wild shit we got into, with all the lines we blurred, I know I never gave off the vibe that I’d be the kind of man to settle down, to commit to one woman.

“You liking other people has never stopped anything between us before,” she pushed, her voice harder now, trying to claw back some control.

“This isn’t about liking someone else, E,” I said, my voice solid, even though I knew what I was saying was cutting deep. “This is me ready to commit my life to Destiny. This is me choosing her, choosing us. And that means I’m done with everything else.”

I knew I was hurting her, bruising her ego, but I couldn’t let that sway me. Destiny was my future, and I wasn’t about to mess that up by holding on to anything—or anyone—from my past.

"You don’t mean that,” she said, her voice softer now, like she was trying to find a crack in my resolve.

“I do, E,” I replied, trying to keep my tone as gentle as I could without wavering.

Silence hung between us, heavy and charged, before she finally broke it. “So what happens when you want to scratch that itch? Will you call me then?”

I knew exactly what she was hinting at. With E’Lana, I’d discovered sides of myself I didn’t even know existed—kinks and fantasies that I’d explored in the privacy of our arrangement. As celebrities, we lived in a world where anything was possible, where the line between curiosity and indulgence often blurred. We’d done things just to see if we could, to push the boundaries of what we knew. But could I see that kind of life with Destiny? Probably not. And honestly, I was okay with that.

“If my girl ever decides she’s into girls, you’ll be the first one I call,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood, even though I knew the chances of that were slim to none.

“Maybe I can be her wedding present,” she teased back, a hint of that old spark in her voice. It made me feel a little better, hearing her go back to the playful tone that had always defined us. “Who wouldn’t want to be slutted out by the hottest rapper and an international pop star at the same time? We know girls love that.”

I couldn’t help but shake my head, a chuckle escaping my lips despite myself. That kind of life wasn’t in the cards with Destiny, and I was more than okay with that. Ain’t no way in hell I’d drag her into that world, even if it had its thrills.

“I gotta go,” I said, feeling the weight of the conversation settle in my chest. “I’m at the venue, about to do soundcheck.”

E’Lana sighed, a sound that carried more frustration than defeat. She wasn’t used to being told no, and I knew this was a hard pill for her to swallow. But when it came to what I was building with Destiny, there were boundaries that needed to be set, period. No exceptions.

"Alright, D," she finally said, her voice laced with a resignation that couldn’t fully mask the defiance simmering just beneath the surface. “But don’t forget what I told you. I’m here, waiting, if you ever decide you need something different…if you ever change your mind. I’m here for you both…if that’s what it takes to get you back.” The words hung in the air like a challenge, one last attempt to pull me back into the life we used to live, the life I was trying to leave behind.

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “Take care, E.”

And with that, I hung up before she could say anything else. But deep down, I knew I’d made the right choice. Destiny was my future, and no temptation from my past was worth risking that.

I slid my phone back into my pocket and took a deep breath, turning my attention to the scene around me. My team was everywhere, moving like a well-oiled machine—Marcy barking orders, the publicists fine-tuning last-minute details, my stylist fussing over wardrobe choices, the sound and stage crew making sure everything was perfect. It was surreal, seeing all these people here in Juniper, the place that had shaped me, the place I’d fought so hard to escape, only to come back and claim it as my own.

This was bigger than me, bigger than just a concert. This was about showing Juniper what we were capable of, what I was capable of. But even with all the excitement, there was a weight on my chest, a quiet voice in the back of my mind reminding me that everything could change in an instant.

I looked around, taking in the faces of the people who had been with me through thick and thin, who had believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. They were here, in my hometown, helping me pull off something monumental. But all I could think about was Destiny—how she fit into all of this, how she’d been there for me in ways no one else could.

As I walked over to my team, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was it—the calm before the storm. Everything was about to come to a head. And whatever happened, I knew I needed to be ready. Not just for the Jubilee, but for what came after. Because this wasn’t just about a performance. This was about setting the stage for the rest of my life.

© 2024 J.T. Westonberry. All rights reserved. This chapter is a work of fiction and is protected under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. No part of this chapter may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, J.T. Westonberry, and Urban Love Stories. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author is strictly prohibited.