1
Aaliyah’s POV
“Good morning, mama,” Dorian said as I climbed into the car.
Dorian is my boyfriend. He usually picks me up for school every morning and drops me off, too.
“Good morning, stink,” I said, leaning over with a smile. We kissed quickly before he pulled off. I’m almost always late for school because I have to wait for my parents to leave the house before he can pull up. They don't know he's the one driving me.
He’s 25 and I’m 18, and my parents can’t stand the age gap. They’re always talking about how he’s manipulating me, but he’s not. He’s actually a sweet guy, but they refuse to see that. They only judge him because he’s in the streets and has gun and drug charges. To me, that doesn't define who he is.
“I got dinner planned for us tonight,” he said.
“Oooo, yay!” I couldn’t hide my excitement. I didn't even have to worry about what to wear because I keep a stash of clothes at his place. “You know I love me some food.”
“More than me?” He pouted playfully.
“Of course not,” I said, reaching over to rub his face. I leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Actually, you could be my dinner tonight.”
He flashed a smile instantly. “You lucky I want your ass to finish school,” he laughed.
We finally pulled up to the front of the building. “See you later, bae,” I said, giving him one last kiss before heading inside. Just as I expected, I had to stop by the office.
“Late again, Ms. Aaliyah,” Mr. Jones sighed, looking up from his desk.
“It isn’t my fault,” I lied smoothly. “The bus comes too late and that’s my only way here.”
“I want to see you walk across that stage, so please try to be on time. If you keep this up, you’re going to fail.”
“Okay,” I muttered, heading off to class.
Dorian’s POV
After dropping my girl off, my phone started buzzing. It was my baby mother.
“What’s up, ma?” I answered.
“What you doing?” Angel asked.
“Just getting my day started. You?”
“Just dropped Dorian Jr. off at school,” she said. “Come see me.”
“You at the house?”
“Pulling up now.”
“I’m about to come through,” I told her. “Give me fifteen minutes. And put on something tight.”
“Fifteen minutes is too long,” she whined. I just laughed.
Aaliyah knows I have a son, and she’s seen Angel a couple of times. Angel hates seeing me with Aaliyah because she still wants me for herself. We can’t be together because we clash too much, so we settled on being friends with benefits. She can’t stay away, and a lot of times, I’m with her while Aaliyah is stuck in class.
Angel’s POV
I was sitting in my car scrolling through Instagram when a tap on the window scared the life out of me. It was Dorian’s fine ass. Sometimes I really wish we were still together, but the fussing was just too much.
I got out and we headed inside. He dapped up my brother on the couch before we headed upstairs to my room. He was already feeling on me before we even hit the steps. As soon as the door closed, the clothes started coming off.
Afterward, we cleaned up and Dorian sat on the edge of the bed rolling a blunt. I sat next to him, looking at him. I was still bitter that he was messing with that little girl. She’s still in high school; she can’t do the things I can do for him.
“You want a hit?” he asked, passing it to me. We sat there chilling for a minute, but then a memory popped up on my feed. It was a picture of us back when I was pregnant. We looked so happy.
“Look, Dorian,” I said, showing him the screen.
He barely glanced at it. “Don’t start that shit.”
I caught an instant attitude. “I’m not starting nothing. I’m just saying.”
“Then stop reminiscing. I'm not in the mood.”
“I just wish you weren’t with that little ass girl,” I snapped.
“Yo, I’m out,” he said, standing up.
“No, don’t leave!” I started pulling on his arm, trying to keep him there.
“You’re about to start geeking and I’m not staying for the drama,” he growled.
“I’m sorry,” I said, trying to kiss him, but he pushed me away. My temper flared. “Fine, get out then! Go wait for your little bitch to get out of school!” I reached out and mushed his face hard.
I started pushing him toward the door, talking shit the whole way, until he turned around and clocked me right in the face.
Dorian’s POV
Yooo, she always provokes me. This is exactly why we can’t be together. She starts arguments over nothing, then puts her hands on me, and acts surprised when I swing back.
“I’m sorry,” I sighed, pulling her into a hug. She was crying, holding her eye where I hit her.
“You’re not sorry,” she sobbed. “You’re always hitting me.”
“Mama, you were pushing me. What do you expect?”
She didn’t say anything else. She just pushed me away, went into her room, and slammed the door. I headed out. I figured she’d get over it eventually.
Aaliyah’s POV
At the end of the day, I waited for Dorian with my girl, Niya. Niya’s the one who actually set us up. Her man is older than Dorian, and her mom is totally cool with it. My parents are the only ones who are strict.
Dorian can’t even step foot in my house. We have to hide. That’s why I’m always at his place or hanging on the block with him. The only time I don't see him is when he has his son—I stay away then because I don't want drama with his baby mother. I'd really have to lay her out.
Niya’s man pulled up, and Dorian was right behind him. I hopped in the passenger seat.
“Hey, daddy,” I said, leaning in for a kiss.
“Hey, mama. How was school?”
“It was cool. How was your day?”
“Chilled,” he said. “You better be ready for tonight. I’m tearing that ass up. Tell your mom you aren’t coming home this weekend.”
I pulled out my phone and texted her: Not coming home. Staying with Niya for the weekend. She replied “Ok” almost instantly. They don't question me when I'm with Niya. They hate Dorian, but they know they can't stop me from seeing him.
We got to his apartment and headed inside. We didn't even make it to the bedroom. He started taking my clothes off right there on the couch, but just as things were getting good, there was a loud knock at the door. I scrambled for my clothes and ran into the bathroom.
Dorian’s POV
“WHO IS IT?” I yelled, frustrated as hell.
“Me,” a female voice called back. Angel.
I opened the door and saw her standing there with our son. I stared at her face—I had definitely given her a black eye.
“You busy?” she asked.
“Yeah, I am.” I tried to keep her at the door.
“Well, I need to go to the doctor for my eye, and you need to keep him tonight.”
“You’re messing up my plans, Angel.”
“You messed up mine,” she snapped, pushing past me into the apartment. “You think I wanted to be walking around with a blac—”
She stopped mid-sentence when Aaliyah walked out of the bathroom with her arms crossed. They locked eyes for a second before Angel turned back to me. “Still need you to watch him.”
“I got him. Just go,” I said. She rolled her eyes and left. My son just took his tablet and went into his room.
“I guess dinner is canceled?” Aaliyah asked, looking disappointed.
“We can order in, mama, but please don’t leave,” I said, pulling her into me. I know she hates staying when the kid is there. “Please.” I started kissing her neck.
She finally smiled. “I won’t leave.”
“Good. Let me finish what I started.”
“Ok, daddy,” she said, jumping into my arms as we headed to the bedroom.
Angel POV
I don't understand why I can't let go. For seven years, I've endured his hands on me, yet I'm still here. I love him, and I don't know how to break the bond that keeps me tied to him.
I sat in the waiting room of the clinic, tilting my head down so the people passing by wouldn't stare at the purple bruising blooming around my eye. My face throbbed with every heartbeat. I looked at my reflection in the dark screen of my phone and felt a wave of disgust. Not for him—but for myself.
How did I let it get back to this?
We were supposed to be "just friends," but with Dorian, there’s no such thing as just anything. It’s always everything or nothing. It’s high highs and then crashing into the floor. I thought having a son together would change him, make him softer, but it only gave him another way to keep me on a leash.
My phone buzzed. It was a notification from Instagram. I clicked it without thinking and saw a post from one of the girls in the neighborhood. In the background of her story, I could see Dorian’s car parked at his apartment complex.
I knew Aaliyah was in there with him.
A bitter taste filled my mouth. She’s just a kid. She thinks those "sweet" words and the rides to school mean he’s her world. She doesn't know that seven years from now, she’ll be sitting in a clinic waiting room just like me, wondering where it all went wrong. Part of me wanted to warn her, to scream at her to run. But the louder part of me—the part that’s still addicted to him—just wanted her out of the way so I could have my spot back.
"Angel? The doctor is ready for you," the nurse called out.
I stood up, adjusting my hoodie to hide as much as I could. I had to get my story straight. I'd tell them I tripped, or I walked into a door. I’ve told those lies so many times they almost feel like the truth.
As I walked down the hallway, my mind was already spinning. I needed to go back and get my son later. I needed to see Dorian again. No matter how much it hurt, the thought of him being with her was worse than the pain in my face.
Aaliyah POV
I was just about to settle into the bed when the front door to the apartment didn't just open—it hit the wall with a bang.
"Dorian! I know you in here!"
My heart dropped. I knew that voice. It was Angel. I quickly pulled my shirt back on and sat up, feeling my face get hot. Dorian looked like he wanted to punch a hole through the wall.
"Man, this bitch is really tripping tonight," he muttered. He looked at me and pointed his finger. "Stay in here. Do not come out and give her the satisfaction."
He walked out and slammed the bedroom door behind him. I sat there for a second, but my blood was boiling. I’m not the type to just sit in a dark room while another woman is screaming in my man's house.
Angel POV
The doctor had given me an ice pack and a lecture I didn't want to hear. My eye was swollen shut now, a deep, ugly purple. Every time I blinked, I felt the sting of Dorian’s knuckles from earlier. I was supposed to go home, but the anger was bubbling up in my throat like acid.
The thought of that little girl in my spot, sleeping in the bed I used to pick out the sheets for, was eating me alive. I didn't even knock. I had a key—one he forgot I still had.
I stormed in, heading straight for the hallway. Dorian came stomping into the living room, shirtless and looking mad as hell.
"Angel, what is wrong with you? I told you I got him tonight. Why are you back here?"
"I forgot his nebulizer, Dorian. You know his chest gets tight at night," I lied. I didn't forget a thing; I just needed to see what was happening behind that closed door. I tried to push past him, but he stepped in front of me, blocking the path to the bedrooms.
"Give it to me, I'll put it in his room. Then you need to leave," he said, reaching for a bag I didn't even have.
I laughed, crossing my arms, ignoring the way my bruised face throbbed. "Why you acting so nervous, D? Oh, wait... is the little schoolgirl here? You think you can just lay your hands on me and then go play house with her?"
"Angel, get the hell out of my house," he hissed, his voice getting low and dangerous. "My son is sleeping."
Aaliyah POV
I couldn’t take it anymore. I threw the door open and stepped into the hallway. "The 'schoolgirl' is right here," I said, staring her down.
When I saw her, I froze for a second. Her eye was a mess—swollen and dark. It looked painful, but I remembered what Dorian told me about her. He said she was always getting into it with people on the block and trying to pin her drama on him.
Angel smirked, though it looked more like a grimace with that eye. "Oh, she speaks. Does your mama know you're in a grown man's house at midnight?"
"My mama knows I'm with someone who actually wants me," I snapped, stepping closer to Dorian. "You're the past, Angel. You’re just using your son as an excuse to come here and act a fool because you can't accept that he moved on to something better. Look at you—you're a mess."
"A mess?" Angel stepped toward me, her voice trembling with rage. "I’ve been in this man’s life for seven years. I’ve been through the jail calls and the street drama while you were still in middle school. You think you’re special? You’re just a distraction. He’ll be back at my house the second you go back to class."
I looked at Dorian, and he just shook his head, looking at me with those "see what I have to deal with?" eyes.
"She's just bitter, mama," Dorian said, putting his arm around me. "She probably got into it with one of them girls down the street and wants to bring that negative energy in here. Don't even listen to her."
I nodded, leaning into him. I didn't believe a word she said. She was just a woman who couldn't let go, trying to ruin what we had with her lies and her drama.
"You need to leave, Angel," I said firmly. "Before you embarrass yourself any more than you already have."
Angel POV
I looked at Dorian, then at that little girl standing there with that "innocent" look on her face. The disrespect was sitting heavy in my chest. I didn't need to stay here and be humiliated in a house I used to call home.
"You know what? Fine," I snapped, wiping a tear before it could fall. "You want to play house with this child? Go ahead. But you aren't doing it with my son in the next room."
I pushed past Dorian, my shoulder hitting his chest hard. I went straight into the Dorian Jr’s room and scooped him up out of his sleep. He groaned, rubbing his eyes, but I didn't care. I grabbed his tablet and his bag.
"Angel, stop being dramatic, he's sleeping," Dorian said, following me into the hallway.
"I don't care! He’s coming with me," I yelled over my shoulder. I walked right past Aaliyah, giving her the most hateful look I could muster. "Enjoy him while it lasts, sweetie. You're just the flavor of the month."
I slammed the front door behind me so hard the frame rattled.
Aaliyah POV
The silence that followed the door slamming was loud. I felt a mix of relief and a little bit of guilt for the little boy, but mostly I just wanted to be back in Dorian’s arms.
"I'm sorry, mama," Dorian sighed, pulling me back into the bedroom. He sat me down on the bed and took my hands in his. "I hate that she acts like that. She’s just trying to break us, but she can't. I love you, Aaliyah. You’re the only one I want. Don't ever listen to her stories. She’s just trying to pull me back into that toxic mess, and I’m done with it. I’m with you."
"I love you too," I whispered, finally feeling the tension leave my body. We laid back down, and he held me until I fell asleep, feeling like nothing could get between us.
Angel POV
I cried the whole way home. My face was throbbing, and my heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. I looked at my son in the rearview mirror and felt like a failure. After seven years, how was I the one driving away in the middle of the night while she stayed in his bed?
When I got into my house, I tucked my son in and sat on the floor of my kitchen. I knew I should hate Dorian. I knew I should move on. But I couldn't. I pulled out my phone with shaky hands.
Me: I’m sorry for how I acted. I just love you so much it makes me crazy. I never want to lose you. Please don't be mad at me.
I stared at the "Delivered" status until my eyes went blurry.
Aaliyah POV (The Next Morning)
The morning sun was bright, and Dorian was in a great mood. "Get dressed, mama. I'm taking you to that nice breakfast spot you like. The one with the fancy omelets."
I wanted to look my best. I wanted to look like the woman Dorian deserved, not the high school girl Angel called me. I put on a tight, fitted black dress that showed off my figure and stepped into a pair of high heels. I did my makeup heavy enough to cover the tired eyes from the night before.
"Damn, you look good," Dorian said, biting his lip as I walked out.
We drove to the diner, and it felt like a real date. We sat in a plush booth, and for a while, we just talked about the future.
"I'm serious, Aaliyah. Once you graduate, we can move out of this city. Get away from the drama, away from your parents, all of it," he said, rubbing my thumb with his.
"I can't wait," I said, leaning forward. "I just want us to be—"
I stopped mid-sentence. My heart didn't just drop; it felt like it stopped beating altogether.
Walking through the front door of the diner were my parents. They were dressed in their Sunday best, probably coming from an early service. My mom was checking her purse, but my dad’s eyes were scanning the room for a table.
His eyes stopped on me. He saw the dress. He saw the heels. And then he saw Dorian’s hand on top of mine.
His face turned a shade of red I had never seen before. He didn't even wait for the hostess. He started walking straight toward our table, and I knew my life was about to change in about five seconds.
Aaliyah POV
I felt like I was suffocating. I wanted to crawl under the table and disappear, but I was pinned in the booth. My father reached the table first, his shadow falling over our plates. My mother was right behind him, her hand over her mouth, looking at my dress and then at Dorian like she was seeing a ghost.
"Aaliyah?" my father’s voice was low, vibrating with a type of anger that made the hair on my arms stand up. "What is this? You told your mother you were at Niya’s house."
I couldn't even get my words out. My throat was dry.
Dorian cleared his throat and sat up straight. He didn't pull his hand away from mine; instead, he squeezed it gently to settle my shaking. He looked my father right in the eye, but his expression was calm.
"Good morning, sir," Dorian said, his voice steady and polite. "I’m Dorian. I know we haven't officially met under the best circumstances, but I’d appreciate it if we could—"
"I know exactly who you are," my father snapped, cutting him off. He didn't even look at Dorian; he kept his eyes locked on me. "Aaliyah, stand up. We are going home. Now."
"Dad, please, we were just eating..." I whispered, feeling the tears start to sting.
"Eating?" my mother finally spoke, her voice trembling. "Aaliyah, look at you. Look at how you're dressed. You lied to us. You used your friend's name to go be with a grown man?"
"Look, Mr. Jackson," Dorian said, keeping his tone respectful. He put his other hand up in a peaceful gesture. "I understand you're upset, and I apologize for the deception. That was my doing, not hers. I just wanted to take your daughter out for a nice meal. I have nothing but respect for her and for your family."
"Respect?" My dad let out a harsh, dry laugh. "You’re twenty-five years old, son. If you had respect, you’d be looking for a woman your own age, not sneaking around with a girl who hasn't even walked across a graduation stage yet."
"I love her, sir," Dorian said firmly. He didn't raise his voice, but he didn't back down either. "And I treat her better than anyone else could. I’m not the person you heard I am."
"I don't care what you 'are,'" my father hissed, leaning over the table. The people at the next booth started turning around to whisper. "I care about my daughter. Aaliyah, I am not going to ask you again. Get out of that booth, or I will call the police and report that a grown man is holding a teenager against her will. Do you want that for him?"
I looked at Dorian. He looked back at me, his jaw tight. He knew he couldn't fight my father—not here, and not if he wanted to keep any hope of us being together.
"Go ahead, mama," Dorian whispered, finally letting go of my hand. "It’s okay. I don’t want no trouble for you. We’ll talk later."
I slowly slid out of the booth, my heels clicking on the tile floor. I felt so small under my father's gaze. As we walked toward the exit, I risked one look back. Dorian was sitting there, staring at his coffee, looking completely alone.
My father grabbed my arm as soon as we hit the sidewalk. "Don't you ever," he growled, "think for one second that you are going back to that man's house. This is over."
The car ride home was a nightmare. The silence lasted for about thirty seconds before my father started in.
"You want to be grown so bad, Aaliyah? Is that it?" he yelled, gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles were white. "You think putting on a tight dress and sitting in a diner with a man who has a criminal record makes you a woman? You’re a child! You’re a high school student!"
"He treats me good, Dad—"
"He treats you like a target!" my mother snapped from the passenger seat, turning around to face me. "You think he’s the first man to tell a young girl he loves her? What happens when you get pregnant, Aaliyah? You think he’s going to be there to change diapers and pay for formula? He’s going to leave you just like he did the last one. Or worse, he’s going to give you an STI or an STD that you have to live with for the rest of your life because you didn't have the sense to stay away from the streets!"
I looked out the window, my eyes burning with tears. They went deep, talking about his charges, his reputation, and how I was throwing my life away. They didn't even yell anymore; it was just a cold, hard lecture about how "no good" he was.
I pulled out my phone, hiding it low near my lap.
Me to Niya: Omg girl my parents caught us at the diner. They going crazy right now. My dad almost fought Dorian.
I was in the middle of typing more when the phone was snatched out of my hand so fast I gasped. My mother was glaring at me.
"Since you want to be grown and ignore everything we are saying, then you can handle grown-up responsibilities," she said, her voice like ice. "We are no longer paying your phone bill. If you want to talk to that man or your friends so bad, you find a way to pay for it. Until then, I’m keeping this."
I sat back in the seat, feeling completely stripped of everything. No phone, no Dorian, and a house that felt like a prison.
Dorian POV
I sat in that diner for a long time after they left, feeling the heat of everyone’s stares. I was heated. I tried to be respectful, I tried to show them I wasn't what they thought, and they still treated me like a dog.
I pulled out my phone and saw the text from Angel.
I’m sorry for how I acted... I never want to lose you. Please don't be mad at me.
After the morning I just had, Angel felt like the only person who actually understood me. She was the only one who didn't judge me, because she was right there in the mess with me. I didn't even reply. I just started the car and headed to her spot.
When she opened the door, her eye was still looking rough, but her expression softened the moment she saw me. I didn't say a word; I just walked in and pulled her to me. We didn't need to talk. The makeup sex was a release for all the frustration of the last twenty-four hours. For those moments, everything with Aaliyah and her parents felt a million miles away.
Afterward, we laid there for a minute, the tension finally gone.
"I'm sorry about her, D," Angel whispered, tracing a tattoo on my arm. "I just don't want to see you get caught up in her family's drama."
"I know, ma. I'm over it," I said, sitting up and reaching for my clothes. "Where's my son? I want to take him out. Let’s go do something fun, get his mind off last night."
Angel smiled, looking truly happy for the first time in days. "He's in his room. Let's go."
I spent the rest of the day at the park and the arcade with Dorian Jr., laughing and playing like I didn't have a care in the world. I didn't think about Aaliyah once. I didn't think about how she was probably sitting in her room crying, or how I had just promised her a future that felt a lot less certain now.
Aaliyah POV
I waited until I heard my father’s heavy snoring and the house went completely silent. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would wake them up. I didn't care about the phone bill or the lectures anymore—if I stayed in this house, I felt like I was going to suffocate.
I grabbed my large suitcases and packed every pair of sneakers, every dress, and every scrap of clothing I owned. I wasn't just visiting; I was leaving.
Sneaking out the back door with two heavy bags was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The air was freezing at 2:00 AM. Since I didn't have a phone to call an Uber, I had to walk ten blocks to the bus stop. I sat there shivering, looking over my shoulder every time a car passed.
It took me three different buses and two hours of traveling through parts of the city I usually only saw from Dorian's passenger seat. By the time I reached his apartment complex, my arms were sore and my eyes were burning.
I dragged my bags up the stairs to his floor and knocked softly. No answer. I knocked again, louder this time. Silence.
I checked my watch: 4:15 AM. Where could he be? He told me he was staying in tonight. I sat down on the cold, hard floor of the hallway, leaning my head against his door. I told myself he probably just went to the store or was at a friend's. I was so exhausted from the stress of the day that my eyes eventually closed. I fell asleep right there in the hallway, huddled between my suitcases.
Dorian POV
The block was hot tonight, but the money was moving. I had been out with the boys since midnight, making sure the packs were moving and the cash was straight. My mind was on the grind, trying to make up for the drama with Angel and Aaliyah’s parents. Money was the only thing that didn't talk back or cause a scene.
By 5:30 AM, the sun was just starting to think about coming up. I was tired, my sneakers were scuffed, and I smelled like weed and the streets. I just wanted to crash.
I walked up the stairs to my floor, jingling my keys in my hand. I turned the corner and stopped dead in my tracks.
"What the...?"
There was a pile of luggage blocking my door, and slumped over one of the bags was Aaliyah. She looked so small, shivering in her sleep, her hair a mess. She had really left her house. She had really come here with everything she owned.
A flash of guilt hit me, followed by a rush of stress. I had just spent the afternoon making up with Angel, and here was Aaliyah, bringing all her problems—and her bags—to my doorstep.
I reached down and shook her shoulder gently. "Aaliyah? Mama, wake up. What are you doing here?"
Aaliyah POV
I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder. My neck was stiff and I was freezing, but as soon as I saw Dorian’s face, I didn't care. I stood up and threw my arms around his neck, nearly knocking him over.
"You’re here," I whispered, my voice raspy from sleep. "I thought you weren't coming back."
"Mama, what is all this?" He gestured to my suitcases, his voice sounding tired. He looked stressed, and I could smell the faint scent of outside and smoke on his jacket.
"I left, Dorian. I couldn't stay there. They took my phone, they were saying all this stuff about you... I’m done with them. I’m staying with you now."
He didn't look as happy as I thought he would. He looked over his shoulder at the empty hallway, then quickly unlocked the door. "Get your stuff inside. Hurry up."
Dorian POV
I dragged her heavy bags into the living room and shut the door, locking it behind us. I looked at her, then back at the suitcases. She really did it. She chose me over that house, over her parents, and over everything they tried to tell her.
"I didn't have anywhere else to go, Dorian," she said, her voice small but steady. "You said you wanted us to be together. I’m done hiding."
I felt a surge of pride. I reached out, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her flush against me. "You did the right thing, mama. I told you I got you, and I meant that. This is your home now."
I sat on the couch and pulled her onto my lap. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a thick roll of cash, dropping it on the table like it was nothing. I wanted her to see that I could provide for her better than her father ever could.
Aaliyah POV
I stared at the money on the table. It was a thick stack, and it made everything my parents said about him being "up to no good" feel irrelevant. To me, that money represented a life where I didn't have to ask for permission.
"Where were you?" I asked, tracing the line of his jaw. "I waited so long."
"Making moves, baby," he said, his voice deep and calm. "The streets don't stop for nobody, but I'm back now. And I’m glad you’re here. Don't worry about your parents or anyone else. As long as you're behind this door, you're straight. Nobody is coming in here to get you."
I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I wasn't hiding; I was being protected.
"I don't even have my phone," I told him. "My mom took it."
Dorian just laughed and kissed my neck. "Forget that phone. I'll get you a brand new one tomorrow. Better than the one you had. Anything you need, you just ask me. I want you comfortable."
Dorian POV
I looked at her, and she looked so beautiful even after being out in the cold all night. I wasn't worried about the door being kicked in. I had the block on lock, and everyone knew not to mess with my spot. My only real thought was making sure she knew I was the man she could depend on.
"You hungry?" I asked. "I can't take you back to that diner, but I can get whatever you want delivered right here."
"I just want to be with you," she whispered, leaning her head on my shoulder.
"We got all the time in the world now," I said, rubbing her back. "Go ahead and get comfortable. Unpack your things, put them in my closet. This is your space too."
I watched her start to unzip her bags, looking around the apartment like she was seeing her future. I knew there’d be drama eventually—Angel wasn't going to like this, and her father was definitely going to be looking for her—but in this moment, I felt like I had everything under control.
"I love you, Dorian," she called out from the bedroom.
"I love you too, mama," I replied, leaning back and lighting a blunt. I felt like the man. I had my girl, my money, and my pride.
Aaliyah POV
The next afternoon felt like a dream. Dorian stayed true to his word. He didn’t want me feeling like a prisoner, so he told me to get fly because we were going out. I put on one of my favorite outfits I’d managed to pack—a clean white tracksuit with some fresh Jordans.
"You ready, mama?" Dorian asked, jingling his keys. He looked good, smelling like expensive cologne and success.
"Ready," I said, beaming.
We headed to the mall, and the first stop was the phone store. Within thirty minutes, I had the newest iPhone in my hand. Dorian didn't even blink at the price; he just peeled the bills off that thick roll he had. I felt like a queen. No more "grown" lectures from my mom, and no more being tracked.
As we were walking through the mall, I spotted a familiar head of hair near the food court.
"Niya?" I called out.
Niya turned around, and her eyes nearly popped out of her head. She was with her man, Ty, who was one of Dorian’s close friends.
"Aaliyah! Girl, your mom called my house three times this morning!" Niya hugged me tight. "I told her I didn't know where you were."
"I moved out," I said, a proud smile on my face as I tucked my new phone into my pocket. "I'm with Dorian now."
"Period!" Niya laughed, dapping me up. "Well, since we all here, let’s get into some trouble. Ty was just about to take me into the jewelry store."
Dorian POV
It felt good to see Aaliyah happy. Seeing her with her girl made her look more comfortable, and me and Ty were just chopping it up about the block while they looked at clothes.
But my pocket wouldn't stop vibrating. I knew exactly who it was without even looking. I finally pulled my phone out and saw 15 missed calls and a string of texts from Angel.
Angel: Where you at? I’m bored.
Angel: Dorian pick up the phone. I know you ain't with that girl.
Angel: Come through... I got something for you. I know you want this.
Angel: Stop playing with me D. I'm waiting.
I rolled my eyes and hit the silence button. Yesterday was yesterday, but today I was with my girl. Angel always thought she could just call and I’d run, but she was starting to get on my nerves with the constant thirst. I shoved the phone back in my pocket and focused on Aaliyah.
"You like that bag, mama?" I asked, pointing to a designer tote in the window.
"It's cute, but it's expensive, D," she said, though her eyes were sparkling.
"I didn't ask the price. I asked if you liked it," I said, pulling her toward the entrance. "Let’s go."
Aaliyah POV
We spent the whole afternoon together. It was a double date I’d always dreamed of. We went from the mall to a high-end sneaker shop, and then we all went to a lounge to get some food and drinks.
Sitting there with Niya, sipping on a mocktail while Dorian and Ty talked business, I felt so far away from my parents' house. I felt like I had finally grown up. I looked at Dorian, and for a split second, I saw him check his phone and catch an attitude before putting it away.
"Everything okay?" I whispered, leaning into him.
"Yeah, baby," he said, turning to me and kissing my temple. "Just some background noise. Don't worry about it. You having a good time?"
"The best," I said. And I meant it.
Angel POV
I was sitting on my bed, fully dressed in the lace set I knew he liked, staring at my silent phone. I had been texting him for three hours. He wasn't even reading them.
"This is how you want to play?" I muttered to the empty room. My eye was still tender, a constant reminder of the chaos we always shared. He couldn't just ignore seven years like it was nothing. He couldn't just replace me with a girl who still had a curfew.
I knew he was out with her.
"Fine," I said, standing up and grabbing a hoodie to cover my outfit. I headed for the door. If he wasn't going to answer his phone, I’d just have to find him. Ty’s girl, Niya, was always posting on her story—it wouldn't take me long to figure out where they were hanging out.
Aaliyah POV
We pulled into the apartment complex, the trunk full of bags and my heart high from the shopping spree. But as soon as the headlights hit the front of the building, I saw a familiar shadow.
Angel was standing right by the stairs. She didn’t have Dorian Jr. with her this time—no 5-year-old dragging on her arm, just her, looking like she was ready to explode.
"Stay in the car, Aaliyah," Dorian said. His voice wasn't worried; it was just that deep, annoyed tone he got when he was dealing with a headache he couldn't get rid of.
"Dorian, I’m not gonna just sit here while she—"
"I said stay in the car, mama. I got this," he said firmly. I bit my tongue and stayed put, watching through the windshield, my heart starting to race.
Dorian POV
I slammed the car door and walked up to Angel. I was heated. I had just spent all day spoiling my girl, and here Angel was, trying to ruin the mood.
"What is your problem?" I barked. "I told you I was busy today. Why are you at my front door?"
"Busy? You mean busy spending money on that little girl in the car?" Angel stepped into my face, her breath coming fast. "I’ve been calling you all day! I texted you apologizing, telling you I love you, and you ignore me for her? After seven years, Dorian?"
"Because she doesn't bring me no drama, Angel! She’s a breath of fresh air, and you’re a constant headache! Go home!"
"I’m a headache?" She was shaking now, her voice cracking. "I’m the mother of your son! You think you can just replace me?"
"I don't love the person you're being right now," I said coldly.
That was it. Angel snapped. She swung, her fist catching my shoulder, and then she started raining blows on my chest and face, screaming and crying. I grabbed her wrists, trying to pin her down without being too rough, but she was geeking, throwing her whole weight into it.
Aaliyah POV
I saw her put her hands on him. I saw her swinging like a wild animal on my man, and I didn't care what Dorian told me to do. I wasn't gonna sit in a car and watch another woman beat on him.
I threw the car door open and was out of that seat in a second. I stepped up behind her and caught her right in the jaw with a solid swing that sent her stumbling back.
"GET OFF HIM!" I screamed, standing my ground.
Angel gasped, her hand going to her face as she looked at me with pure shock. She looked like she wanted to charge me, but Dorian moved fast, his large frame stepping right in between us.
"Aaliyah! Go inside! NOW!" he roared.
"But she was hitting you—"
"I said go inside! I’m not telling you again!"
I huffed, grabbed a couple of my new shopping bags from the back seat, and stomped up the stairs. I slammed the apartment door and watched from the window. After a few more minutes of him talking low to her, she finally got in her car and peeled off.
Dorian POV
I walked into the apartment and saw Aaliyah standing in the kitchen, her knuckles red and her chest heaving. I sighed and walked over, taking her hands in mine.
"Mama, look at me," I said, my voice softening. "I know you were trying to hold me down. I appreciate the loyalty, I do. But you cannot be fighting her."
"Why not? I'm not gonna just watch that, Dorian!"
"Listen to me," I said, pulling her close. "Angel is hurt and she's bitter. But she's also the mother of my son. If y'all start fighting, the neighbors call the police. If the police come, they start snooping around. I got too much going on to have the law at my door over a catfight. Plus, you’re too classy for that. Let me handle her mess."
Aaliyah finally calmed down, leaning her head on my chest. "I just hate her, Dorian."
"I know. But you're the one in here with me. That’s all that matters."
Aaliyah POV
We relaxed for a few hours, letting the adrenaline die down, but once it got dark, it was time to move. Dorian threw on his dark hoodie and checked his "work" phone.
"You ready?" he asked.
"Always," I said.
This wasn't my first time on the block with him, so I knew the drill. I grabbed my jacket and we headed down. The night air was crisp, and the streetlights were buzzing. As soon as we stepped onto the corner, the energy changed. The guys dapped Dorian up, showing that quiet respect they only gave to him.
I leaned against the brick wall next to him, watching his hands move as he handled business. I felt like the First Lady of the block. I didn't care about the cold or the danger; as long as I was standing right there with him, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.
Angel POV
I sat in my car around the corner from the block, my jaw still throbbing where that little girl hit me. My eyes were blurred with tears of pure rage. Seven years I gave that man, and he’s letting a high schooler put her hands on me?
I picked up my phone, my fingers trembling. I knew everyone on that block—I spent half my life standing right where she was standing now. I dialed the non-emergency line, but my voice was cold and sharp.
"Yes, I want to report a disturbance on 5th and Main," I told the operator. "There’s a man out there, Dorian Vance, selling drugs. And he’s got a little girl out there with him—she looks like a minor. She just assaulted me, and he’s holding her there. He’s a black male, about 6'2", heavy build, wearing a black hoodie. You need to get down there before he hurts someone else."
I hung up and leaned my head against the steering wheel. If I couldn't have him, I was going to make sure his night was a living hell.
Aaliyah POV
The block was buzzing like usual until the vibe suddenly shifted. The lookouts at the end of the street whistled—a long, sharp sound that meant only one thing: Blue and whites.
In an instant, the crowd scattered. Guys I had been laughing with seconds ago disappeared into alleys and side streets. Dorian didn't run, but he stepped back, putting several feet of distance between himself and the "work" hidden under a loose brick in the wall. He kept his eyes on me, his body tense, making sure he was close enough to protect me but far enough not to get caught with anything on him.
Two squad cars pulled up, their blue and red lights painting the brick walls. Two officers stepped out, their eyes landing straight on us.
"Everything alright here?" the older officer asked, walking toward me while his partner kept an eye on Dorian.
"We're just chilling," I said, folding my arms. I wasn't going to let them see me sweat.
"We got a call about an assault," the officer said, looking at a notepad. "A woman claimed a 'little girl' put her hands on her out here."
I felt my blood boil. "First of all, you can tell whoever called that I'm not a 'little girl.' I’m eighteen years old. In this state, that’s an adult. So she can stop with the nicknames."
The officer raised an eyebrow. "Eighteen, huh? What’s your name?"
"Aaliyah Jackson."
The officers swapped a look. The younger one pulled out a tablet. "Aaliyah Jackson... yeah, here it is. Your parents put in a missing persons report this morning, Aaliyah. They’re worried sick."
Dorian POV
I stayed back, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had a "listening ear" on everything they were saying, but I kept my hands visible. I saw the officer show Aaliyah the screen of the tablet.
"The report says you might be found with a 'Dorian Vance,'" the officer said, cutting his eyes toward me. "Black male, 6'2", known to frequent this area. Sir, you need to step over here."
I walked over slowly, keeping my face neutral. "I'm right here, officer. She's eighteen. She's here because she wants to be. There’s no crime in standing on a public sidewalk."
Aaliyah POV
The officer looked from the report to me. "Since you're eighteen, Aaliyah, we can't force you to go home. This is just a welfare check now. We have to confirm you’re safe and not being held against your will."
"I'm perfectly safe," I said, stepping closer to Dorian. "I’m exactly where I want to be. You can tell my parents I’m an adult and I’ve made my choice."
The officer sighed, closing the tablet. "We’ll put it in the system that we made contact and you’re unharmed. But Aaliyah, look at where you are. This report says this man has a history. Your parents just want what's best for you."
"My parents don't know what's best for me," I snapped. "Dorian does."
The cops hung around for a few more minutes, checking Dorian’s ID and running his name for warrants. My heart was in my throat, hoping they wouldn't find a reason to take him. Finally, they got back in their cars.
"Stay safe, Ms. Jackson," the older one said before they drove off.
As soon as the tail lights disappeared, the block started to slowly come back to life. Dorian let out a long breath and pulled me into his side, his arm heavy and protective around my shoulders.
"Angel," he spat, his voice full of venom. "She’s the only one who would’ve described me like that to the cops. She’s really trying to play with my freedom now."
"I told you I should have hit her harder," I muttered, leaning into him.
"You did enough, mama," Dorian said, looking down at me. "But you see how it is now. It's us against everybody. You sure you're ready for this?"
I looked at the dark street, then back at him. "I've been ready."
