𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐄

IV

" hmm? Yeah, I'm good " she chuckled, as she forced a smile.

" look at me," Bryce said as he lifted Janien's chin. " everything gone be igh, you can talk to me " he assured her, as Janien eyes began to water.

Bryce's kind words comforted her, It made her feel safe. Bryce rubbed the falling tear from Jensen's cheek. He then rubbed the side of her face, as the two stared into eyes of each other.

Janien couldn't help but smile. His eyes were mesmerizing Carmel brown. Bryce licked his lips before his thumb glided across Janien's bottom lip. Her body began to get overheated, from noradrenaline buildup within her body.

Bryce peeked at her lips, as he tugged on her bra strap. The sound of Janien's phone rang, causing Janien to pull away.

" Saved by the bell," she thought to herself, as she grabbed her phone from under her thigh, it was August.

" Where the fuck are you, Grandma done cooked, and dinner starts in an hour! " August semi-yelled through the speakers, as Janien sighed.

" I forgot we had Easter Dinner today " Janien spoke, as August Smacked her lips.

" well, this is your reminder " August retorted, as she hung up the phone.

" damn, you didn't tell me you had Easter dinner today? " Bryce questioned, as Janien shook her head in disbelief.

" can't believe I have forgotten about it, I will make it up to you " she promised. A smirk appeared on Bryce's face, as he grabbed the keys to his car on the sofa.

" come on ma, I don't want your folks being mad at ya," Bryce said, as he stood from the couch.

•
Bryce pulled into Westbrook, searching for Janien's grandmother's house as she slept the 30 min car ride.

After two minutes of riding down Westbrook, he then spotted August chatting up in the yard with Lynn.

" ma wake up" Bryce shooked Janien, as the car came to a complete stop on the opposite side of Her grandmother's house.

Bryce watched as two elder men sat on the porch puffing on their cigars and drinking a bottle of Whiskey.

He couldn't help but think, which one was Rev. Joshua's father. Bryce heard a lot of things about Joseph, and how he use to run the streets back in the day... he hoped one day Joesph could put him on game.

" see you later " Janien smiled at him before she got out of the car and shut the door.

" call me later, be safe ma, " Bryce said, as he rolled his driver's window down and watched Janien walk to her grandmother's house.

He made sure to make eye contact with the men on the front porch as he kept one hand on the steering wheel and his arm rested on the window, He then nodded his head before pulling off once he has seen Janien waving bye to him.

" I don't want you talking to that boy, Niennie " Grandpa Joe said, as he took a puff from his cigar. " he a bad influence on this neighborhood and you " Janien knew her grandfather was as just as overprotective as her father, she respected his wishes, but Janien wanted to do her.