TENACIOUS.

two.

"You good?" Darrin asked.

"Peachy." Kyra plopped back down on the couch.

There was a ringing tone. Everyone looked in the direction it was coming from; Darrin.

"Hello?...hey babe. What's wrong? Yeah, I already got it set up. I'll pick you up tonight. Make sure you're packed and the kids are packed. Love you." He hung up and slid the phone back into his pocket.

"Date?" Ray asked.

"Nah. She's coming to stay with us. I can't risk putting her or my children in danger." Darrin answered.

"How old are they?" Ej asked. Everyone focused on Darrin.

"My oldest, Tyreek, is seven. My baby girl, Allison, is three months." Darrin answered with a faint smile on his face. His eyes shone with happiness.

"I always wanted to have a boy first. To watch over his little sister and keep her safe." Kyra slightly smiled, looking at Carlos. Her smile slowly faded. "I wanna take a break from this for a while."

"Sure, sure." Darrin nodded, closing the book.

"Kyra, can I tall to you for a minute?" Prince asked, grasping everyone's attention.

She stared at him.

"Please." He lightly begged. She sighed before standing up and waiting for him to lead the way.

He walked into the back patio, closing the door behind them.

"What is it?" She asked.

"What's wrong with you lately? I know you're under a lot of stress, but something else is wrong and I need to know what it is."

"Prince-" She started to turn towards the door.

"I'm being serious, Kyra. I need to know." He cut her off, blocking the door.

"It's you." She shrugged.

"What did I do?"

"You're being confusing as hell. Some days, you want us to be a thing. The next day, you want to deny any feelings ever existing. I'm tired of trying to guess what you really mean. Tell me straight up." Kyra crossed her arms, shifting her weight onto one leg.

"I...I do want you." He hung his head down. "But-"

"And there it is. There is no but. It's a yes or a no. And if it's gonna be a yes, you better be certain with every fiber in your body. Stop leading me on if you're not going to be sure that you want to be with me. I understand your situation with your past girlfriend, but Jacob..." She called, causing him to look up at her. "I need certainty. I don't need you to play with my emotions." She stated before walking back into the house.

Prince stood there, thinking.

"Fuck." He mumbled under his breath.

Kyra walked back into the living room, scanning the room. "Where's Darrin?"

"He went to pick his family up. He should be back soon." Carlos answered.

Prince walked back into the living room, catching everyone's attention.

Everyone watched as he silently walked up the stairs. Once he dispeared, everyone turned to Kyra.

"Are y'all good?" Carlos raised an eyebrow.

"I guess it's whatever." Kyra shrugged. On the outside, she looked as if she could care less. On the inside, numerous emotions were jumbled around inside her heart.

~~~

"She's so cute!"

"Thank you." Jada, Darrin's wife, had smiled, holding her baby girl. "You wouldn't mind holding her while I go put stuff away, would you?"