15. Derek's Destiny

DEREK

14 Years Earlier…

Getting cuffed at sixteen should’ve scared the shit outta me, but it doesn’t. My only worry was that Des was cool, that the cops weren’t running their big mouths to her folks, and that she did what I told her—call my big brother, Ant. He was up at college, but he’d drop everything to come see about me. When they shoved the phone at me, talking ‘bout “call your parents,” I just stared at it. Hell nah. Destiny would call Ant. She got me like that.

“You hear anything I’m saying, you little shit?” Officer Bryant growled.

The precinct smelled like sour coffee and stale sweat, the kinda place that gets hosed down but never really clean. The walls were this sickly yellow, like they were stained by a thousand cigarettes, and the flickering lights buzzed overhead, making my head pound. Bryant looked like he was ‘bout two cheeseburgers away from a heart attack, his pasty face flushed tomato red. If he had to pass any kinda fitness test today, he’d fail, easy. Dude was still trying to catch his breath from dragging me in, thinking he was gonna punk me ‘cause I’m young. But I’m not scared of his old ass.

He slapped down a stack of photos on the table, and my eyes locked on them. A face twisted up, blood everywhere—like a horror flick set on pause.

Damn, shit looked crazy.

Apparently, I was the one who made it look like that. Honestly? I barely even remembered the fight. Gigi and her homegirl were talking mad shit, amping me up, and then I saw that fool put his hands on Des in a way that didn’t sit right with me. I saw red, and that was it.

I don’t remember nothing else until I was halfway to the pool with Destiny’s hands in mine, my knuckles busted and bleeding. Now, looking at these pictures… yeah, I did a number on him. Ain’t no denying that.

“He shouldn’t have touched my girl,” I muttered under my breath, lips curling into a smirk at my handiwork.

“What was that?” Bryant’s ears perked up, and he leaned in like he thought he could scare me with that raspy cop voice.

“Derek, don’t you say another fucking word!” A deep voice boomed through the room.

My heart jumped. My brother came into the room looking like he was ready to take on the whole damn precinct. Big as hell, all muscle from playing football up at Westonberry State. I knew he was supposed to be resting for some big game or whatever, but here he was, filling the room in his college shirt, basketball shorts, and slides, looking like he’d shake this whole shit up for me.

“You’re not supposed to be talking to a minor without his parents present,” Ant thundered, his voice shaking the walls.

Bryant, who was all big and bad a second ago, looked like he’d swallowed something wrong. Tried to stand his ground, but I could see it—he was a little shook with my brother towering over him by probably a foot.

“I gave him several opportunities to call your parents, and he refused,” Bryant sputtered, trying to keep his voice steady. But his eyes were on Ant, and you could tell he was calculating how fast he could get out of there if things went south.

Ant looked back and forth at me and the photos trying not to show any emotion.

“This is bullshit, D. Let’s go!” Ant snapped, his eyes cutting over to me like he was ready to tear the whole place apart to get me out.

“He’s not going anywhere!” Bryant barked back, shoving the photos into Ant’s chest. “Your brother took it too far this time. Almost beat this poor kid to death in front of a room full of witnesses. And his parents? They’re pressing charges, like they damn well should. It’s Friday, and he can’t see a judge till Monday. So, he’s sitting here for the weekend. At least.”

Ant’s jaw tightened, his eyes darting from the bloody pictures in his hands to me, then back again. He was trying to keep his face hard, trying not to show anything, but I knew my brother. And I could see it this was bad, real bad.

“Give me some privacy with my brother,” Ant ordered, his voice low and heavy, like he was daring Bryant to push back.

Bryant didn’t say a damn word. Just looked between us, sizing up the situation, then shuffled out like he was relieved to be done with me.

“Ant, thanks for coming to get—” I started, but before I could get another word out, Ant slapped the back of my head so hard I thought he might take it clean off. “Damn, Ant!”

“What the fuck you got into now, D? What the hell am I supposed to tell Mama and Daddy?” he snapped, dropping himself into the chair Bryant had just been in, his eyes drilling into me like he was trying to see straight through all my bullshit.

“Dude put his hands on Des—” I tried to explain, but he wasn’t having it.

“So you tried to kill him? At the function? In front of everybody?” His words came out sharp, like every one of them was a punch to the gut.

“He shouldn’t have touched her,” I shot back, my voice low but firm.

Ant just stared at me, eyes hard, lips pressed together, like he was trying to decide whether to shake me or hug me. He knew how I was. Knew once I saw red, there was no turning back. But still, I could see it in his face—he was trying to figure out how to fix this mess.

“You getting up there in age now, D. You gotta learn to control yourself,” Ant kept on, his voice like a hammer pounding a nail. “Having a juvenile record ain’t the way you supposed to be starting shit off. I’m not at home to watch you all the fucking time. And I know it’s Destiny who got you away from dude before he flatlined. You’d be looking at murder instead of battery if she hadn’t.”

I stayed quiet because he wasn’t wrong. If Destiny hadn’t been in my ear, tugging at my sleeve, I might’ve kept swinging until there was no coming back.

“Where she at?” I asked, cutting through the silence.

“In the car,” Ant sighed, rubbing his temple like he was trying to rub away the headache I’d given him. “She didn’t want to go back to Gigi’s, even though the cops took her over there. Her folks ain’t home, so now I gotta figure something out.”

I could hear the stress in his voice, the weight of everything piling up on him. I knew he was juggling a lot—football, school, and now me and Des in the middle of all this bullshit. And I knew he was right; I was starting to stack up problems like bricks in a wall, and Ant was the one who’d end up buried under them if I didn’t get my shit together.

"She didn’t want to come in?" I asked, feeling that tight knot of worry twist a little harder in my gut. I needed to see her, needed to know she was okay.

“I wouldn’t let her,” Ant shot back, his voice firm, like he’d already made peace with the decision.

I knew what that meant. He didn’t want her to see me like this—hands cuffed, face all twisted up with anger and regret, trapped in this dingy-ass precinct with its buzzing lights and peeling walls. He was trying to protect her from the sight, from whatever might come next. Trying to keep her away from this mess I made.

"Tell Mama and Daddy you came and got me for the weekend," I suggested, trying to sound casual, like I wasn’t neck-deep in it. "We’ll figure the rest out Monday."

“Nah!” Ant shook his head, firm and final. “They need to know where you at.”

“Ant—” I started, but I could see his patience was paper-thin, stretched out like it was about to snap.

"Shut the fuck up, D," he cut me off, his voice low and hard, like he was done playing games. He looked tired—tired of my bullshit, tired of always having to clean up my messes.

I wanted to argue, to push back, but I knew when to keep my mouth shut. Ant wasn’t in the mood. Not today.

“I can’t get you outta this,” Ant said, leaning back in his chair, the weight of it all pressing down on him. “This ain’t no school suspension.”

“Fuck,” I muttered, feeling the reality of it settle in like a punch to the gut.

We sat there in thick silence for a minute, the buzz of the flickering lights overhead filling the space where our words used to be. Then an idea sparked.

“Aye,” I said, leaning forward, eyes on the mess of photos spread out between us. “Take your phone out and snap some pictures of these.”

“What?”

“Do it real quick before Bryant’s bitch ass comes back in here.”

Ant shook his head, looking at me like I’d lost my damn mind, but he still pulled out his phone and snapped a few shots of the bloody face before putting the phone back in his pocket.

“Send ‘em to Des. Tell her my song, ‘Break Em’, tell her upload it to SoundCloud with one of these pictures as the single cover,” I said, a smirk pulling at my lips.

“You’re a sick little motherfucker, you know that?” Ant chuckled, shaking his head like he couldn’t believe I was serious.

“Come on, man, just do me this favor. Who knows how long I’m gonna be sitting up here for?”

“You thinking ‘bout music when your freedom’s on the line…” He shook his head again, half-amused, half-exasperated, but I could tell he’d do it. He always did.

While the walls of that precinct felt like they were closing in on me, I couldn’t help but think that if I was gonna be stuck, I might as well get something out of it.

Bryant lumbered back into the room, his face flushed with an irritated look like he was sick of babysitting already. He glanced between me and Ant, eyes narrowing like he knew we were up to something but didn’t have the energy to call us on it.

“Alright, time’s up,” Bryant grunted, nodding toward Ant. “You gotta go. We’ll hold him here until Monday.”

Ant stood up, his chair scraping the floor like a warning. He towered over Bryant, who tried not to flinch. "You better make sure he’s alright in here," Ant said, his voice low and steady. “No bullshit.”

Bryant puffed out his chest a bit, but he wasn’t fooling nobody. “We got rules here, he’ll be treated like anybody else. Your brother stays outta trouble, he’ll be fine.”

Ant turned to me, his face a mix of worry and frustration. “Keep your head down, D. I’ll be back Monday morning.”

I nodded, trying to keep my face steady, but inside, my stomach was twisting up. “Thanks, Ant,” I muttered, watching him leave, my heart sinking as the door closed behind him.

The next couple of days dragged like years. The cell was cold and hard, the kind of place that gets under your skin. I tried to sleep, but every sound—the clanging of doors, the shouts, the low mutters of other guys locked up—kept my mind on edge. Time moved slow, like it was mocking me. I spent most of it staring at the ceiling, thinking about Des, about Ant, about the mess I was in.

Monday morning finally came, and they dragged me out the cell like I was dead weight. My whole body felt busted up, stiff like I’d been lying on bricks for two days straight. Eyes burning from two nights of no sleep, but I wasn’t about to let these fools see me weak. I kept my chin up, didn’t look at nobody as they marched me down that cold-ass hallway. The courtroom wasn’t no better than the cell—same vibe, dim as hell, with shadows crawling up the walls. The air was thick, smelling like old books and fear. It felt like a place that could eat you alive if you let it.

I scanned the room, eyes moving quick, and spotted Ant first. He was sitting on a bench, looking sharp in his button-down like he was ready for a job interview. But his face was hard as stone, no softness, just that look like he was bracing for impact. Next to him was Des, her eyes big and round, like she was one second from breaking down. What was she doing here? Seeing her hit me like a punch to the chest—part relief, like finding a life raft in the middle of a storm, but mostly guilt. I’d put that look on her face, all that worry and fear.

Then I clocked my parents. Mama was gripping her purse so tight I thought she might rip it in half. Daddy had his head bowed, eyes locked on the floor like he was praying it would open up and swallow him. They looked...broken. Like all this shit had knocked the wind out of them, made them older, smaller somehow. That cut deep. Deeper than any cuff or any dirty look from Bryant’s punk ass. I could handle all that, but seeing them like that? That felt like I got stomped on.

I did that to them. Dragged them into this grimy-ass courtroom, got them sitting around all these people waiting to see what was gonna happen to their son. The shame was burning me up, hotter than any anger I had. Felt like it was sitting in my bones, cold and heavy. One thing to be down for myself, but bringing them into it? That was different. Standing there in those chains, I knew I’d crossed a line I couldn’t come back from.

Then the judge came in—an older Black woman with that don’t-play-with-me look, glasses low on her nose like she’d been through this mess a thousand times and didn’t have patience for none of it. She shuffled some papers, gave me a look that felt like a slap, then turned her eyes on Bryant, who stood there like he had this in the bag, ready to be done with it.

“This is Derek Harris, correct?” the judge asked, her voice steady but with an edge that let you know she wasn’t here for games.

“Yes, Your Honor,” a man in a wack-ass gray suit said, stepping forward like he was doing something special. “He’s charged with aggravated assault. The victim’s parents are pressing charges, and we have several witnesses from the scene.”

The judge nodded, her eyes shifting to me, sizing me up like she’d seen my type before. “Mr. Harris, you want to tell me why you nearly beat another boy to death at a party?”

“I—” I started, but my voice caught in my throat. I looked around the room, my eyes locking on Destiny. She was sitting there, looking at me with those wide eyes, like she was willing me to say the right thing as I stood there with my hands cuffed.

“The victim isn’t here because he’s in the hospital due to his injuries,” the man in the gray suit added, like he needed to remind everybody just how deep I was in.

I swallowed hard, feeling the heat of every stare in that room burning into me. My throat was dry as hell, but I forced myself to speak.

“He put his hands on my girl, Your Honor. Touched her inappropriately...at the party,” I said, the memory flaring up in my mind like it was happening all over again—his hands on Des, her face twisted in fear.

A murmur rippled through the courtroom like a wave of whispers and gasps, and the judge raised a hand to silence it.

“So, your solution was to nearly kill him?” she asked, her tone low but heavy, each word like a punch.

I hesitated, the words sticking in my throat like they were glued there.

“I just… I wanted to protect her,” I managed to say, my voice thick. “My Daddy taught me not to disrespect women, or touch them in ways like that… so when I saw him do what he did…I wasn’t thinking straight.”

The judge leaned back, her eyes never leaving mine. I could feel her trying to decide if I was just blowing smoke to get out of this, or if there was something real there, something she could work with. I stood there, waiting, feeling like the walls were pressing in closer, like my whole world was balanced on what she’d say next.

She sighed, leaning back in her chair. “That’s the problem, Mr. Harris. You didn’t think. You let anger take control, and now you’re facing serious charges.”

A man I didn’t even know, dressed in a wrinkled dress shirt and some church-looking pants that hung loose around his ankles, leaned forward from where he was standing next to me. His face was all tight and serious, like he was about to say something real important.

“Your Honor, Mr. Harris—he’s made mistakes, but he’s not a bad kid,” he started, his voice steady and sure, like he was reading from some script he’d memorized. “He just needs guidance. I’m asking you to give him a chance, let his parents handle this as a family.”

I glanced at him, my eyes narrowing. I didn’t even know this dude, but here he was, speaking up for me like he knew me. Maybe he was some kind of court-appointed lawyer or something, trying to make a case for me. His words hung in the air, and for a second, I could feel the weight of the room shift, like everyone was waiting to see what the judge would say.

The judge’s eyes softened just a bit, but her tone stayed firm. “You think he’s learned anything from this?”

“I know he has,” the man said, his voice steady. “And I’ll make sure he does.”

She glanced between me and the lawyer dude, weighing the options. “I’m going to set bail, but understand this, Mr. Harris—any more trouble, and you’ll be back in here, and it won’t be just for the weekend. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, my voice barely more than a whisper.

She nodded, tapping her gavel. “Bail is set at $5,000. Court dismissed.”

Ant exhaled like he’d been holding his breath the whole time, and I saw Des wipe a tear from her eye. As they led me out to sort the paperwork, I caught Ant’s eye. He nodded at me, a look that said, You got lucky this time. Don’t waste it.

They finally cut me loose, the cuffs coming off with a hard click that still felt like they were digging into my wrists. I rubbed at the sore spots, my body feeling heavy as I walked out of that jail. I should’ve felt relieved to be breathing in the outside air, but all I felt was the weight of what was waiting for me.

Ant was there with Mama, Daddy, and Des, all standing by the car. Mama looked like she’d been crying for days, her eyes red and swollen, while Daddy was stone-faced, his jaw clenched like he was holding back every word he wanted to say. Des stood off to the side, her hands wringing together, eyes darting between me and the ground.

I started walking over to them, but Ant stepped in front of me, his face serious. "D, we gotta talk," he said, his voice low.

“What now?” I asked, my nerves already frayed to the edge.

He handed me his phone, a tight expression on his face. "Somebody recorded the fight, bro. It's all over the internet. Thank God the Judge ain’t seen it."

My stomach dropped like a lead weight. I snatched the phone from him and saw a video clip, shaky as hell, but clear enough to see me wailing on dude. Blood on my knuckles, his face mashed in. The crowd screaming, some people trying to pull me off, others egging me on. The caption read: “Local SoundCloud Rapper Derek Harris Arrested for Brutal Beatdown at House Party” and a bunch of hashtags I didn’t even want to look at.

My heart started racing as I scrolled through the comments. People were going wild. Some were calling me a thug, saying I should be locked up, but others were hyping me up, saying I knew how to throw hands. And then I saw the other link—‘Break Em’ by D-Harris’ Blows Up on SoundCloud Following Viral Fight Video.’ Des really did it. She’d uploaded the track with one of those fight photos as the cover. And it was catching fire in a major way.

I pulled out my phone and typed my name into Google. Articles were popping up left and right—“Teen Rapper Arrested After Fight Video Goes Viral,” “SoundCloud Rapper Derek Harris Faces Charges Amid Rising Popularity”—it was all there, my name in bold letters, my face splashed across the screen. My notifications were blowing up—texts, DMs, mentions, all of it going crazy.

“Look at your streams, man,” Ant said, pointing at my phone. My song numbers were shooting up, thousands of plays stacking up by the minute. My social media was on fire too—people tagging me, talking about me like I was the hottest thing since last week.

Mama’s voice cut through the chaos. “Derek, get in the car. We’re going home,” she said, her voice shaking with anger and fear.

But I just stood there for a second, staring at the screen, feeling the rush of it all mixed up with the cold slap of reality. I was out of jail, but I wasn’t free. Not really. My whole life had just flipped upside down, and now everybody was watching to see how I’d land. I was out on bond but who knew what would come next and when.

I gave the phone back to Ant, took a deep breath, and walked over to the car. Des opened the door, her eyes searching mine, full of a thousand questions and worries. I slid in beside her, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on my shoulders. As the car pulled away from the curb, my mind spun, trying to catch up with all the shit that just went down and what the hell was coming next.

“Your parents know where you at?” I asked, keeping my voice low. I didn’t need Mama or Daddy hearing this right now as they stood outside the car talking.

“They think I’m at school,” she whispered, glancing out the window like she was scared they’d pop up any second.

I nodded, a bit of tension easing off my chest. “Thanks for putting up the track,” I said, my voice softer than I meant it to be. She didn’t have to do that, not with everything going on, but she came through, just like she always did.

“I got you,” she said, her voice steady, a small smile tugging at her lips. She wasn’t just saying it, either. I could see it in her eyes—she was in this with me, ride or die.

“Thanks for being here for me, Des. And I’m sorry you gotta see all this,” I said low, wrapping my pinky finger around hers. It was a small gesture, but it felt like an anchor in all this chaos, something to hold onto when everything else felt like it was slipping.

“It’s you and me,” she whispered, her voice barely a breath, but it carried all the weight and truth I needed.

“You and me, versus everybody,” I smiled, squeezing her pinky with mine, feeling that surge of connection, like the world could fall apart around us, but we’d still be standing.

She smiled, that soft smile that always calmed me down, and I could see she was about to say something when the car doors opened and my parents and Ant climbed in. Mama looked drained, her eyes still red from crying, while Daddy had that tight-lipped, focused look like he was keeping it all together with sheer willpower. Ant slid in next to me, giving me a quick nod like he was reminding me to keep it cool.

Des pulled her hand away slowly, and I could see that small moment of peace between us vanish, replaced by the weight of everything hanging in the air. My folks didn’t say anything, but I could feel the tension building, like everyone was waiting for someone else to speak first.

We sat there in silence, the car rumbling beneath us, Mama’s quiet sniffles coming from the front seat, Daddy’s grip tight on the wheel like he was fighting to keep himself from exploding. The streets blurred by outside, but my mind wasn’t on where we were going. It was on the fact that the whole world seemed to be watching now, waiting to see what my next move would be.

I had heat now, more than I ever had before. But was it the kind that could burn me up, or the kind that could take me somewhere? That was the question.

PRESENT DAY

I roamed the halls of the hospital on autopilot, my feet dragging me to Little Derek’s room like they knew the way by heart. When I finally pushed open the door to his suite, I caught sight of Ant and Angel laid up together on the couch under a thin hospital blanket. Her head was resting on his shoulder, both of them knocked out cold. It was almost midnight, and I guess the day had taken its toll on them. Ant’s head was tilted back, mouth slightly open, and Angel was nestled against him like she’d found the safest place in the world.

I couldn’t help but grin. I didn’t give a damn what Ant tried to say—he was feeling her, and it was pretty damn clear she was feeling him too. The way they were tucked up together, their bodies naturally finding each other even in sleep, said more than either of them ever could. They were always dancing around it, acting like they were just here for Little Derek, but I knew better.

Sure, the situation was fucked up, but they were spending a lot of time together these days. Ant didn’t have to be here damn near 24/7, and he definitely didn’t have to be doing all the extra stuff for Angel—driving her home, making sure she ate. He was choosing to, and I knew what that meant.

I cleared my throat, and they both shot up like kids getting caught doing something they knew they shouldn’t. Ant jerked awake, wiping his face, looking groggy as hell. Angel practically leaped to the other side of the couch, her cheeks flushed.

“Bro, what you doing up here at this hour?” Ant mumbled, sleep still heavy in his voice as he looked at the time on his phone.

“Wanted to check on my little man,” I said, nodding over to the hospital bed where Little Derek lay, hooked up to all kinds of machines, his tiny chest rising and falling so faint you’d miss it if you blinked.

Ant stretched, trying to play it cool, but I could see right through him. “Yeah, he’s been stable. Doctor said they’re gonna run some more tests in the morning.”

Angel shifted awkwardly, like she wasn’t sure whether to sit or stand. Her hair was a mess, her eyes red from either crying or lack of sleep—probably both. But she still managed a small smile in my direction. She was tough, that much was clear.

“How you holding up, Angel?” I asked, trying to gauge her.

“I’m okay,” she said quietly, but her voice was shaky. She glanced at Ant like she was looking for some kind of reassurance.

Ant put his arm around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. “We’re all hanging in there,” he said, trying to sound strong, but I could see the cracks. I knew my brother. He was wearing himself thin, trying to hold it all together for Angel.

I nodded, leaning against the wall, taking in the room—the soft hum of machines, the sterile smell of antiseptic, the low buzz of hospital life just outside the door. Little Derek looked so small in that big hospital bed, and it twisted something deep in my chest.

“I’m gonna go grab a sandwich or something,” Angel mumbled, her voice shaky as she got up and hurried out of the room like she was escaping from something.

The second she was gone, I couldn’t hold it in. I busted out laughing and dropped down into the chair next to Ant, still grinning.

“Man, y’all don’t need to front for me,” I said, shaking my head.

Ant groaned, rubbing his face with his hands like he was trying to wipe away the truth.

“What you talking about?” he muttered, shifting around, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.

“Y’all up here falling in love and shit,” I said, chuckling. “Ain’t nothing to be ashamed about.”

Ant sat up, trying to play it off, his face all serious.

“Her son is up here fighting for his life, ain’t no time for love,” he said, like he was convincing himself more than me.

“Derek gon’ be good,” I said, my tone softening as I glanced over at Little Derek in the bed, his tiny chest rising and falling under the steady hum of the machines. “And his mama needs to be good too. They both need a man like you.”

“I ain’t no—”

“Carlos ain’t doing right by them, and she keeps to herself,” I cut him off before he could toss out another excuse. “She needs someone solid, someone she can lean on. And Derek? He needs to see what a real man looks like. Boys need strong father figures around.”

Ant looked away, his jaw tight like he was chewing over what I was saying. I could see he wasn’t ready to admit it, but the truth was staring him right in the face. Angel needed more than just someone who showed up; she needed someone who stayed. And Little Derek needed to know what it meant to have a real man holding it down.

“Look, I ain’t saying you gotta play savior,” I continued, my voice calm but firm. “But if you feel something for her, stop acting like you don’t. ‘Cause she sure as hell feels something for you. And that kid? He could use a man like you around, showing him the way.”

Ant sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit. “I hear you,” he finally said, his voice low, like he was still wrestling with it all. But I could see the wheels turning.

He cared about Angel, probably more than he wanted to admit, and deep down, he knew I wasn’t wrong.

“You always tryna play matchmaker, D,” he said, shaking his head with a tired smile.

“Nah, I’m just calling it like I see it,” I shot back. “You been holding her up through all this. Don’t be scared to hold her a little closer, too.”

Ant didn’t say anything, just looked at Little Derek and nodded.

“Carlos did a number on her,” Ant admitted, his eyes locked on Little Derek, his voice low, almost like he was speaking more to himself than to me. “Like...I could really fuck him up right now if I had the chance,” he said, his jaw tightening, anger simmering just beneath the surface. “I’m feeling like...I think she’s into me, but she’s scared. And, of course, she got bigger shit to be worrying about,” he added, nodding toward Little Derek, lying there hooked up to all those machines, looking way too small for a fight this big.

“Understood,” I said, nodding, feeling the weight of what he was saying. Angel had been through hell and back, and now, with her son in this condition, love was probably the last thing on her mind no matter what she was starting to feel for my brother.

“But I’ll wait for her,” he continued, his voice steady but filled with something deeper, something that was more than just words. “Long as it takes.”

I could hear the conviction in his tone, the kind that comes from a place of knowing what you want and being willing to ride it out no matter how long. It wasn’t some half-assed promise; he was in this for real. I could see it in the way he looked at her, the way he looked at Little Derek—like he’d already decided he was ready to step up, no matter what came.

I nodded, my grin fading as I saw how serious he was. “I feel you, man,” I said. “She needs time, and she needs to feel safe. You already showing her that. Just keep being there, doing what you’re doing.”

Ant nodded back, still staring at Derek like he was trying to send him strength just by looking at him. “She don’t deserve what she’s been through. And neither does he.”

We both sat there for a minute, the weight of it all settling in. It wasn’t just about what happened before; it was about what came next. He was ready to hold her down, however long it took.

“You deserve to find your person and let them love you like how you love everybody else. You hold everybody down, Ant,” I said, thinking about all the times he’d been there for me, always the solid one, even when I was out running around, touring the world, living the dream while he stayed home and kept things together for the family. “As much as you hold her down, she’ll hold you down in other ways. Love you back.”

Ant smirked, shaking his head. “Got back with Destiny and now you a damn relationship guru and shit,” he teased, trying to keep it light. “Where’s Des anyway?”

“In a dick coma,” I said confidently, leaning back with a grin. “Had to drain that ice cream machine a couple times tonight.”

Ant groaned, throwing his hands up. “Ion wanna hear that shit—”

“I was backed up for a week,” I kept going, ignoring him, laughing to myself. I knew it was getting under his skin, but that was half the fun.

“Bruh, for real, keep that to yourself,” Ant said, half-laughing, half-disgusted.

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair, feeling a little bit of that tension fade away. Even in the middle of all this mess, it was good to just be brothers, to talk shit and joke around like old times. And I knew that as much as Ant tried to act like he wasn’t fazed, the thought of something real with Angel was in his head now.

“Aight, lemme stop, my son is in the room,” I joked, glancing over at Little Derek.

“Stupid ass,” Ant muttered, but I could see the corner of his mouth twitching like he was trying not to smile.

“So when you and Angel get married, you gon’ change his name to Harris, right?” I continued, grinning. “Then we’ll have another Derek Harris in the family.”

“Jesus,” Ant sighed, shaking his head. “I’d have to adopt him,” he said, half to himself.

“So do that,” I shot back.

“You skippin’ steps, man. Angel don’t even know I got feelings for her, and I probably won’t say shit. I don’t want her thinking I’m trying to take advantage,” Ant said, his face getting serious again.

“Your feelings been growing for her since—”

“I know, but—”

“It ain’t like you wanted her before and doing all this just to get the draws,” I cut in, trying to make him see it clearly. “This is organic, bro. Ain’t nobody forcing nothing.”

Ant leaned back, rubbing his hands over his face, looking tired but like he was listening. “I hear you, but it’s complicated. She’s dealing with so much. I don’t want her to feel like I’m just here ‘cause she’s vulnerable.”

“Nah, man, it’s more than that, and you know it,” I said. “You’ve been there for her, for Derek, through all of it. She sees that. She ain’t stupid. And when she’s ready, she’ll see what’s right in front of her—a man who’s got her back.”

Ant nodded, letting my words sink in, but I could see he was still turning it all over in his mind. He wasn’t the type to rush into anything, especially not this. But I had a feeling he was closer to making a move than he wanted to admit.

“Aight, let me head home, get back to my Destiny,” I said, standing up and reaching out to dap up my brother.

Ant gripped my hand and pulled me in for a quick hug. “Although I don’t wanna hear about y’all’s sex life, it’s nice seeing y’all work it out,” he said, his tone shifting to something more serious, almost like he was proud of me. “You more than doing right by her.”

“Took me long enough,” I admitted, feeling a little embarrassed. It wasn’t often we got sentimental like this, but I could feel the weight of his words.

“Nah, man,” Ant shook his head. “What matters is you doing it now. Ain’t nobody perfect, but you stepping up.”

I nodded, appreciating that. “Yeah. Just trying to be the man she needs, you feel me?”

Ant smiled, a real one this time. “I feel you.”

"I'm ready to really start my life with her, beyond Juniper. I'll fucking die if she ever leaves me again," I said, my voice low but dead serious. I'd been through enough to know what I wanted now, and it was her—no games, no bullshit.

“Don’t fuck up,” Ant warned, giving me that big brother look. The one that said he’d kick my ass himself if I screwed this up.

“She ain’t gotta worry about that,” I said, shaking my head. “I moved E’Lana around too.”

Ant raised an eyebrow. “E ain’t going down without a fight.”

“I know, man,” I said, half-laughing. “She’s tryna rub coochies with Des if it comes down to it.”

Ant burst out laughing, the sound filling up the quiet hospital room. “You live a wild life, dawg.”

“Nah, man,” I chuckled, the smile fading into something more serious. “I’m tryna be a husband and a daddy. Sit my ass down for real.”

Ant looked at me, and I could see the understanding in his eyes. “I get it. You ready for that next chapter. Just gotta make sure you play it right.”

“Already on it,” I said. “Ain’t no room for mistakes this time.”

With that, I gave him one last pat on the back and turned toward the door, feeling the weight of everything starting to ease up just a bit. But before I stepped out, something pulled at me. I paused, turning back to him.

“Ant,” I called out, my voice a little softer, carrying more than just the usual banter. He looked up, his eyes meeting mine, curious.

“I love you, man. Real shit,” I said, the words hanging in the air between us.

Ant’s expression softened, the tough, older brother exterior cracking just enough to show what was underneath. “Love you too, Lil Bro,” he replied, his voice steady but warm.

I nodded, feeling that bond between us tighten up, stronger than ever.

As I walked out, a sense of peace settled in. Maybe it was because things were starting to feel like they were falling into place, or maybe it was just knowing that, at the end of the day, we had each other’s backs no matter what.

When I got home, Des was knocked out cold, in a dick coma for real. I couldn’t help but stare at her like a damn creep for a few minutes, just taking in her features. Her soft, relaxed face, the way her lashes rested against her cheeks, and that slight pout on her lips. She was so fucking beautiful, so peaceful-looking when she wasn’t cursing me out.

I watched her chest rise and fall with each steady breath, her hair fanned out across the pillow like a halo. It was in these quiet moments I felt it the most—how lucky I was to have her back, to see her like this, wrapped up in our bed, in our life.

The past couple weeks had been so crazy, but it only confirmed what I always knew—Destiny was the one for me, and I never wanted to be without her. I don’t know what I would have done if she rejected me when I came back, but I was glad I’d never have to find out.

On the nightstand, I saw the damn birth control pills she finally picked up. I sucked my teeth at them like they did something to personally offend me. I know I told her to get them, but, fuck that.

I stripped down to my boxers and slid into bed over her sleeping body. I planted kisses on her face, her neck, and her shoulders, and she squirmed a little in her sleep, her body instinctively leaning into my touch. I slowly moved the blanket down, exposing her bottom half, that ugly cotton nightgown scrunched up around her waist. I don’t know why, but something about her in that thing always got me going. Her panties were in my way, so I slid them to the side and gently kissed that clit that was crying out for me, like it always did.

Maybe I didn’t actually hear shit. Maybe it was all in my head, but I was hooked, addicted to her in a way that didn’t make sense with anyone else. The way she smelled, the way she tasted—it was like she had put some kind of root on me, and I couldn’t shake it. Almost like her essence was some kind of elixir I needed to make it through the day.

If Des said I could eat her in public, right there in the middle of Ruby's during lunch hour, I’d do it. No hesitation. I just had to have her, needed to feel her come alive under my tongue, every damn time.

I buried my face between her legs, kissing, licking, and sucking like I didn’t just have her hours ago, like I needed this to breathe. Greedy. She stirred again, a soft moan escaping her lips as her body responded, still half-asleep but already starting to melt for me. I could never get enough of this—her taste, her heat, the way she reacted to every little thing I did.

“Derek…” she whispered a few seconds later, her voice breathy as she woke up to me having a midnight snack between her legs. “Baby…”

“I love you, Princess,” I murmured between my tongue working her over slow and deep.

“I love you too,” she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep as her hand found its way into my locs, tugging gently.

She was already so relaxed and half out of it, she found her release in no time, her breath coming in heavy, soft whimpers escaping her lips. She was quiet, which was unusual for her, but I’d worn my baby out good. After we laid in bed talking earlier, I’d gotten back on her and made her cum a few more times before she finally went to sleep. As much as I wanted to slide up in her right now, I knew she had to be sore.

I kissed up her belly, trailing my lips up her soft skin until I let her taste herself on my mouth. She groaned, her eyes finally fluttering open to meet mine, heavy with a mix of exhaustion and pleasure.

“You always up to something,” she mumbled, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips.

“Can’t help it,” I whispered back, brushing my lips over hers again, slow and teasing. “You’re my favorite something.”

She smiled, her eyes half-closed, and I could see the love in them, clear as day.

"Don't take them pills, Princess... please..." I heard myself beg as I looked down at her, the words spilling out before I could stop them, raw and desperate.

"What?" she asked, her voice still laced with confusion, her brows knitting together as she tried to understand what I was saying.

“Let’s just see what happens," I whispered, my voice breaking. It felt like I was losing it, like something deep inside was clawing its way out of me, something I couldn’t hold back anymore.

"Derek," she breathed, her eyes widening as she tried to process what I was saying, her mind catching up with the wave of emotion crashing over both of us. She looked torn between what was logical and what her heart was screaming for.

"Please," I begged again, and damn if I didn’t feel a tear slide down my cheek.

What the fuck was going on with me? I’d never felt so exposed, so raw. But Destiny always pulled feelings out of me just by being there, by existing in my world and flipping it on its head.

She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine, wide and vulnerable. And I could see the way my words were hitting her.

“What you scared of, Des? Tell me,” I pleaded, my voice thick with emotion. I needed to know, needed to understand what was holding her back.

She looked up at me, searching for words she couldn’t find. Her eyes were glossy, and I could see the battle going on inside her—wanting to trust, to believe, but still caught up in her fears.

“I haven’t proven myself enough?” I asked, my voice almost breaking. “What else do I need to do to show you I want us, I want this, I want a future with you, a family with you?” More tears slipped out, my face hot with them, but I couldn’t stop. I didn’t even care. I needed her to feel how deep this ran for me.

She was my everything, and I’d be damned if I didn’t lay it all out for her right now.

“You won’t hurt me again?” she asked, tears slipping out as she looked up at me, her grip on my forearms tightening, holding on to that last bit of uncertainty that I put there. My fucking fault.

“Destiny, if I hurt you... I’d be killing myself,” I said, my voice raw, every word coming straight from my soul. “I’ll never hurt you again. All I want in this life is you. You never have to worry, on everything. You can walk this earth knowing I only have eyes for you, that no other woman can say shit about your man, ‘cause I don’t play about you. I’m a man now. Your man.”

“Don’t say this shit if you don’t mean it, Derek,” she whispered, her voice trembling with hope and fear, her tears flowing harder now. I could see the walls she’d built up for so long starting to crumble.

“I mean every word, Des,” I continued, my own eyes burning with unshed tears. “I wanna be the father of your children. Your provider, your protector.”

Her breath hitched, and she closed her eyes, letting out a shaky sigh as she tried to take it all in. I could see the change in her, the moment she realized I wasn’t just talking. I was here, ready to build a life with her, ready to be the man she needed.

“Have my baby, Destiny…babies…a whole house full. Destiny and Derek’s Dozen,” I chuckled through the tears, my voice catching in my throat.

She chuckled through her tears as well, her smile breaking through the tension, and it was the most beautiful thing I’d seen in a long time.

“I’m not having that many kids, Derek,” she said, still laughing as I reached down to wipe her tears away with my thumb, the warmth of her skin grounding me.

“How many kids do you want with me, Destiny?” I asked, searching her eyes, wanting to know what she dreamed of, what she pictured when she thought of us.

She paused, thinking it over, then said, “Two or three,” her voice soft but sure.

“Then I want two or three,” I said, my smile growing as I saw the certainty in her gaze. “However many your mind, heart, and body can handle, I want that too. I want what you want.”

She nodded, the tears still falling but her smile brighter now, the fear slowly giving way to something deeper, something stronger. She leaned up, her lips brushing against mine.

“What about when I get all big and swollen?” she asked, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips, testing me.

“I can’t wait to see it, Princess. Im’ma kiss your big belly and rub your swollen cankles,” I said, smiling wide. Just the thought of her carrying our children had my heart feeling like it might burst.

She laughed, a real, genuine laugh that made her whole face light up.

“And change shitty diapers... discipline them as they grow? They’re only babies for a short time,” she said, her eyes narrowing like she was trying to see if I’d really thought this through.

“I want to raise children with you that love us so much that even when they’re big and grown like us, they still wanna be around us,” I said, holding her gaze. “Just like you, me, and Ant are with our folks.”

She looked at me, her eyes softening, and I could tell my words hit home. I wanted us to be that kind of family—the kind that sticks together, that’s always got each other’s backs, no matter what. I could see it all with her—Sunday dinners, kids running around, all of it. And for the first time, it felt real, like something that could actually happen.

Her hands reached up to my face, pulling me closer, like she needed to feel the truth in every word I was saying. I felt her surrender, her trust falling back into place, piece by piece. And right there, I knew she was mine, the way I was hers—completely, forever.

“And marriage?” she asked, her voice steady but soft. “I want to be married before I have children, Derek.”

“I know that...I know you...I got you,” was all I offered, my forehead pressed against hers, feeling the weight of her words. “You riding with me? Marriage, babies, houses, vacations, y’all touring with me sometimes... Please tell me you want it all with me, Princess.”

Her eyes searched mine, and I could see she was weighing it all—the past, the future, everything in between. I held my breath, waiting, hoping she could see I was ready to give her everything.

She sniffled, her body softening beneath mine, and I could feel her letting go, trusting me, trusting us. “I want that, too,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I want it all with you, Derek.”

Hearing her say that made my chest swell with relief and love so deep it almost hurt.

“Then it’s you and me,” I said, sealing it with another kiss, slow and tender, letting her feel every bit of what I meant. I wanted her to know that I was all in, that this was it for me. No doubts, no hesitations.

“You and me,” she repeated softly against my lips, her voice trembling with emotion, but there was strength there too. A quiet kind of certainty.

I pulled back just enough to look at her, to take in the way she was looking at me—like she finally believed we could do this, like we could face anything as long as we had each other. Her eyes shined with a mix of tears and hope, and in that moment, everything felt right. The past didn’t matter, the mistakes didn’t matter; all that mattered was this, was us.

“Always,” I whispered, my forehead resting against hers, our breaths mingling in the small space between us. She nodded, and I could feel her heart beating as fast as mine, both of us holding on to this moment, knowing it was the start of uncharted territory.

We were stepping into something new, something we’d never done before—trusting fully, loving without fear. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once, like standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to jump, knowing you’re not alone.

Her fingers tightened around mine, a silent promise the way we always did it, a mutual understanding that no matter what came our way, we’d face it together. This was us, venturing into the unknown, but with each other, nothing felt impossible. We were in this, ready to figure it out one step at a time, hand in hand, heart to heart.