Breathe

by Jessica Phoenix

  I finally find my voice and ask, “What about Erin? Do you still talk to her?”

  Kyle sighs heavily. “I tried to keep in touch with her. She’s still a grade A, first class bitch. She’s not changed much and isn’t willing to. Long story, we’re no longer part of each other’s lives. I would check in to make sure she’s alive now and then, but that’s it. After our last conversation though, I won’t even be doing that anymore. She moved to Philly with some guy a few years ago.”

  I nod my head absently before finally asking, “Lynn and…” I stop. His name gets caught in my throat unable to say it out loud.

  “I’ll never speak to either of them again as long as I live. Erin was the only one I even considered staying in touch with because I thought her getting out of Hamilton would open her mind. I mean she was a product of the same fucked up environment that we were. I thought she could change but she won’t.”

  I just nod again as words fail me. My mind continues to race when Kyle speaks again. “Georgie. I swore to myself I wouldn’t ask, but please. Please give me a chance to make it up to you. To be the brother, I should have always been. Please.”

  Ridding my face of my traitorous tears, I tell him, “Thank you…for saving me. Who knows what would have happened if you weren’t there.”

  “Of course. No thanks needed. You’re my sister,” he says.

  “And I appreciate your apology,” I go on. “I truly do believe you feel remorse for what happened back then. I know you’ve changed and I’m glad we got this chance to talk. It’s a little late though. There’s no reason for us to force this connection that was never there to begin with. I’m sorry Kyle, but this is the last time we’ll ever see each other.”

  Admittedly, this is breaking my heart. Even after everything, a twisted part of me just wants my big brother to be a part of my life. That part just isn’t big enough to overcome the part that wants to rid my life of any and everything that reminds me of Hamilton.

  I stand to leave, and Nathan mimics my actions when Kyle reaches in his pocket pulling out his wallet. He opens it and pulls a picture out. He smiles down at it for a moment before handing it to me. I don’t take it at first. Not until he says, “I have a daughter.”

  He smiles so brightly and proud that it makes me feel conflicted about walking away now. His eyes look at me pleadingly to take the proffered photo. Curiosity wins out getting the best of me, and I reluctantly take it. I look down at it, and I’m a little stunned by what I see.

  When I take in the picture of Kyle’s daughter, I see a beautiful baby girl no more than four or five months old. She has dark curly hair and big chocolate brown eyes. Her wide smile makes my own spread slightly.

  The thing that stands out the most is her beautiful caramel skin and the mocha beauty holding her.

  “That’s my wife Olivia with her,” he informs making my head snap in his direction, not sure if I heard him right. He chuckles softly at my reaction. “We met in college at a women’s rights rally, believe it or not. Been together ever since.”

  Wow. Seriously? Can’t believe Nate didn’t think to tell me that Kyle had a baby…or a black wife! He has some explaining to do.

  “Does she know about me? Your wife I mean?” I ask him curiously.

  “Yes. She does. She knows what a bastard I was to you too. She was disgusted by my actions. But she loves me anyway. She knows that’s not who I am. I haven’t been that person for a very long time. I’m pretty sure I never really was, but you know what we grew up with. Not that it in any way excuses it.”

  When I think about it, I do remember Kyle being hit himself from time to time by my uncle and grandfather. His torment wasn’t nearly as detrimental as mine, but he was still a victim of abuse none the less. I’m sure he just wanted to be accepted and did what he thought they wanted him to so he’d avoid the consequences. Just like me. The only difference is that no matter what I did, the outcome was the same.

  Not knowing what else to say I look back down at the picture I’m holding. “What’s her name,” I ask in a near whisper.

  Kyle clears his throat before answering. “Her name is Georgia Rose…After you.”

  My tears are instant. They cloud my vision to the point I can’t see her pretty little face anymore. Nathan wraps his arms around my shoulders. I’m certain he already knew this bit of information.

  “I’d like to meet her someday,” I eventually choke out, still not sure what that means for him and I.

  “You can meet her now,” he says eagerly.

  “What?” I ask once again trying to clean my face.

  “I didn’t want you to feel pressured by telling you they were here, but Liv wanted to be here for me and to meet you if you were up to it. I can get them now if you’d like,” he smiles hopefully.

  When I don’t immediately answer, he starts to ramble. “Or we can wait. I understand if you want to wait. Of course, you want to wait. This is too much. I’m sor-”

  “I’d love to,” I say cutting him off and shocking myself.

  His blue eyes connect with mine, wide with surprise. “O…kay. Okay! I’ll be right back!” He hurries off excitedly to presumably retrieve his family before I change my mind.

  “You okay?” Nathan asks.

  “I guess,” I breathe out. He kisses me gently on the temple pulling me closer to him. I rest my head on his shoulder briefly before we are rejoined by my brother, his wife, and…my niece.

  “Georgia, this is Liv. My wife,” Kyle introduces. The pretty woman smiles brightly and pulls me in for a hug.

  “Oh!” I shriek caught off guard.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just so good to finally meet you,” she says kindly.

  “It’s nice to meet you too,” I say pulling back.

  “And this, this is Georgia Rose. Your niece,” Kyles says holding the beautiful bundle of joy that’s my namesake. “It’ll be confusing for a while I guess. With you two having the same name,” he laughs softly.

  “No, it won’t. The name is hers. I go by Gia now anyway,” I say gently.

  Kyle nods a little sadly but in understanding.

  “Can I hold her,” I ask.

  “Of course,” he says with his smile returning.

  Olivia steps back as Kyle places little Georgia in my arms. I look down at her little face, and she smiles up at me, cooing and reaching for my face. The waterworks start again as I smile down at her. Basking in her baby smell and softness.

  “Hi Georgia,” I whisper. She smiles back at me like she’s known me all of her short little life.

  At that moment, my heart completely thaws. In the eyes of this precious baby girl is hope. Hope for a new beginning. Hope for forgiveness, love, and healing.

  She doesn’t know this, but with one look she has opened my heart and restored the possibility of having a relationship with my brother. For her.

  Chapter 33

  Nathan

  I watch Gia get ready for her shift at Ralph’s. Looking at her always makes my heart race out of control just like it did the first night I laid eyes on her. She’s gorgeous.

  I’m already dressed and ready to go to watch her at the club. Hearing her perform is still mind-blowing. Tonight’s going to be her last official night there, although she did agree to be a guest performer from time to time.

  It took a lot of convincing, but she’s taking an internship at Triple Threat Entertainment with Noah. Noah wants to offer her a recording contract instead. However, she repeatedly declines.

  She hasn’t completely ruled out recording one day, but Gia wants to work behind the scenes. She wants to make the music not be the face of it. I’m sure some degree of recognition will come with the territory though. Not just from her talent, but from being Noah Evans’ daughter alone. She’s already experiencing it a bit.

  Gia doesn’t want any special treatment for being the boss’ daughter either. She insists on working her way up from the bottom just like any other
intern would. She says she has a lot to learn and wants to earn her way. She’s amazing.

  It’s been a few weeks since our meet up at the park with her brother and my old friend.

  Her relationship with Kyle is still rocky, at best, but she’s making an effort so she can have a relationship with little Georgia. Kyle assures me that he doesn’t care how long it takes, but he’ll never give up trying to earn her trust and will be patient with Gia.

  She and Liv have really hit it off though. Most of her communication about the baby has been through her sister in law. It makes her brother a little jealous.

  Kyle and Olivia got a sitter for the night so they could see Gia perform since they never have. As a matter of fact, the whole clan is coming out including Gia’s grandma Patrice and my sister Kate.

  Kyle had no idea that his sister could sing. He recalls her writing in that same tattered notebook she still carries all the time but had no clue what she was writing in it. He has no idea what he’s in store for. It’s almost overwhelming how talented she is.

  “You about ready, babe,” I shout from down the hall.

  “Yeah. Almost.”

  Moments later, she steps out of the room in a floor-length strapless, black gown. A daring split runs up the right side, exposing her sexy leg up to her midthigh.

  Her hair is down and flat ironed straight reaching her waist and styled with a side part. Her eyes are smoked out with dark eye shadow, making those spellbinding grey eyes all the more piercing, and her pouty lips are painted with a nude gloss.

  “Damn,” I breathe out.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” she smolders.

  “Yeah, we better get going before you miss your own performance. You look amazing Gia.”

  “Thank you,” she says blushing. It’s still baffling how she can go from vixen to shy girl in the blink of an eye.

  “Shall we?” I ask, holding out my arm that she takes while grabbing her coat.

  “We shall.”

  Ralph’s is packed. Between Gia’s followers and people hearing that Noah Evans has been frequenting, the little jazz club is overflowing with bodies. Had our seats not been reserved, we’d be standing or outside in line with the people desperate to get inside.

  “Wow,” my sister Kate says taking in the scene. She was excited to get out and come to the city to hang out with us tonight.

  “Tell me about it. Is it always like this?” Liv asks looking around.

  “It stays pretty packed since Gia started performing, but this…this is extreme. Guess everybody wants the chance to see her final performance as a regular here. I hate to see her go,” Jake the club owner says setting our drinks down. It’s so full in here that he had to step in and help wait tables.

  I look up to see Noah, Keith, Ayana, and Quinn come in with Grandma Patrice. They take their seats at the table that’s been pushed up against ours.

  Kyle tenses some next to me. Gia warned him that Noah wasn’t too keen on him coming tonight, but Kyle was determined to support his sister and didn’t want to miss it. Noah didn’t want to risk pissing Gia off, so he agreed to behave.

  Kyle tries to take the high road and introduces himself.

  “Mr. Evans. It’s really nice to meet you. I’m Georgia’s brother Kyle, and this is my wife, Olivia.”

  I stifle a grin when I notice Noah has a similar reaction to Gia’s when he lays eyes on Liv, but he quickly recovers. “It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Olivia,” he says reaching across the table to shake her hand.

  “Likewise. I’m a huge fan of your work,” she says. He bows his head graciously in appreciation. He doesn’t offer Kyle a glance though, as he moves on to shakes my sister’s hand next.

  Liv gently rubs Kyles arm while Keith snickers at his expense. Quinn and Ayana exchange worried glances.

  Grandma Patrice stands up and makes her way over to Kyle. “Where are you going, momma?” Noah asks looking after her.

  Patrice doesn’t answer him. She leans down to wrap her arms around Kyle, startling him a bit. “Thank you for sending and saving our girl,” she says softly. He closes his eyes and returns her embrace. I can tell he’s fighting back the tears.

  When she releases him, Patrice pats his cheek then takes her seat again. Noah’s lips tighten. He finally makes eye contact with Kyle and offers him a single nod which is more than we could ask for after the tirade he went on the other day when Gia told him he’d be here tonight.

  The house lights flicker, warning us the band will soon start the show. After a few minutes, the entire room goes completely black. Then suddenly a single light flashes on.

  The stage is dark with only a soft glow shining in the background when a lone, sexy as hell silhouette moves to take center stage. The loud talking in the audience starts to simmer down giving my girl their undivided attention.

  Once she’s satisfied with the decrease in volume, the sexy silhouette, I know is mine, steps up to the mic. The club is so quiet you could hear a pin drop as the crowd awaits the powerhouse they all came out to see.

  The spotlight shines, illuminating the beauty that is Gia Davis. My Gia.

  She flashes her killer smile and begins to sing the first verse of Whitney Houston’s ‘I have nothing’ acapella. Raw. Flawless.

  My heart soars when her eyes meet mine, and she winks and smiles. Knowing how she connects with the lyrics probably more than the music itself, I listen as she recites, “Take my love, I’ll never ask for too much…”

  What she doesn’t seem to understand is there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. She could ask me for the world, and I’d die trying to give it to her.

  When she gets to the chorus, there’s a dramatic pause and the crowd's hoots and whistles urging her to continue. She gives the audience a sly smile and walks backward before turning to take a seat at the piano. When she opens her mouth to sing this time, the band joins her and all the lights onstage come on at once.

  Cheers ring out at the bridge of the song. I look to my left and see Liv mouth “Wow!” as she watches her sister in law. Kyle just looks on in bewilderment.

  I look to my right where Grandma Patrice is sitting next to me, looking at her granddaughter with tears in her eyes. It’s not the first time she’s heard her sing, but it is the first time she’s seen her on stage.

  I just smile. The rest of us have seen her repeatedly now and are none the less blown away. The woman is mesmerizing.

  Her following here at the club have quickly turned into full-fledged fans. They’ve helped give her this confidence that she lacked when I first met her. She’s still feisty as hell, but that anger and small insecurity she carried is gone. She’s free.

  It’s the evolution of her life. She was drifting before. Now she has something driving her. Her love of music.

  My girl grew up alone. Never feeling like she belonged. She had a shitty excuse for a family and made terrible choices for friends.

  Now, she has a real family. She has a doting father and a loving grandmother. Cousins that she both loves and fights with like their eight, especially Keith.

  She has a best friend that’s become her sister, a pretty little niece and a sister in law she gets along with famously. Even her relationship with her estranged brother is slowly mending. They may never be as close as what Kyle hopes, but at least there’s that…hope.

  Lastly and certainly not least, she has me. A boyfriend who’s beyond crazy about and would do anything for her. I love Gia like I never loved anyone in my whole life. I don’t want to waste any time where she’s concerned.

  And if she accepts the ring that’s burning a hole in my pocket right now, I’ll be a crazy in love fiancé, then a devoted husband, not soon enough after.

  Chapter 34

  Gia

  Eight months later…

  “How about if we take it up an octave? Even a half step will make a difference and show some range.”

  “Okay, Gia. I’m down. Let'
s give it a try,” Dante says.

  Dante is one of the labels biggest R&B recording artists. And I’m working with him. It’s surreal.

  He heard that I was the one who wrote and produced a song for one of Triple Threats up and coming artists, the only artists interns are allowed to work with if you can convince one of them to give you a chance, which I did.

  Well, that song shot straight to number one on the charts and is now up for a Billboard Music Award.

  Even though he has some of the industry’s best working on it, Dante begged Noah to let me help work on his new album.