Off Script

Let them Talk(MBJ POV)

We stood there in silence until her breaths weren't so jagged, until I felt her weight lean more into me than against me.

Then my phone buzzed again. Loud. Persistent.

I almost ignored it—until I saw the name.

Ryan.

I sighed, brushing a kiss over Mina's temple.

"It's Ry," I said low. "Let me take this, baby. Just a sec."

She nodded, eyes still glassy, and I hit accept.

"Yo," Ryan's voice filled the line, no hesitation. "Man, tell me you seen it."

I exhaled slow. "Yeah. We saw."

On screen, Ryan's face was lit up by his phone, brows tight.

"They got Mina and J.C., bro. The whole internet spinning. You good?"

I glanced down at Mina, tucked into my chest, her fingers still gripping me like I might vanish.

"I'm holding her," I said quietly.

Ryan blew out a breath, shaking his head. "Knew this day was coming, Mike. Just didn't think it'd be like that. Shit looks like somebody set y'all up."

My jaw flexed. "That's exactly what it feels like, and I think I know who it was."

Ryan raised his brows. "Who?"

I exhaled slowly, glancing down at Mina tucked into my chest before answering.

"Haven. The angle of that picture? Lines up too perfect. And bro—J.C. called her out during shooting. Said she was pointing her phone right at us. But we didn't have proof."

Ryan cursed under his breath. "Damn. That makes sense. She likely been shady from the jump."

Mina shifted at the sound of Haven's name, her body tensing in my arms. I angled the phone so Ryan could see her.

"Mina," I said softly, brushing my thumb across her arm. "Ry wants to check in."

Her tear‑stained eyes lifted, hesitant, but she leaned closer into view.

"Hey," Ryan said, his tone steady. "I'm sorry, sis. I know you didn't sign up for this."

Her voice cracked, raw. "I just... I don't know how to breathe right now. My baby's face is going to be out there, Ryan. He's six. He's supposed to just be a little boy, not a headline."

Ryan nodded slowly, his eyes kind. "You right. And you got every reason to feel like that. But hear me—none of this changes who you are to him. J.C. don't care about no blogs, no cameras. He care about you. And you the same mama tonight that you were yesterday, picture or no picture."

Ryan leaned in closer on the screen. "And you got Michael. He told me what J.C. said earlier, calling her out. Kid's sharp. That tells you everything. You think Mike gon' let Haven or anybody else play with y'all? Nah. Not him. Not us."

"Thank you," she whispered.

Ryan gave her a small smile. "Anytime. You family now, whether you like it or not. So lean on him. And if you need more? You call me. Zinzi too. We got y'all."

I kissed the side of Mina's head, murmuring, "Told you."

Ryan smirked then, his voice lightening a little. "Now Mike, keep your head straight when you go back to set. Don't give nobody the satisfaction of seeing you slip."

"Always," I said, jaw tight. "But if I find out Haven really pulled this shit? I'm done being polite."

Ryan gave me a look—half warning, half respect. "Handle it smart, brother. 'Cause you're already winning where it counts."