27

Giovanni Haynes

I stood outside the hospital room for what felt like an eternity. Ciara was right; I had to try to put this behind me. What would my future look like if I continued to live in the past? For most people, it might seem too soon, but I couldn't imagine a day without Ciara, without hearing her voice or feeling her presence. If I continued to hold grudges and refused to forgive, it might drive her away. I needed to regain her trust completely, and I believed the first step in doing so was to show her that Jasmine meant nothing to me; she no longer had any hold over me.

“Cousin, you have to go in there sometime,” Mateo said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Bentley stood quietly on my left, his hands in his pockets as he stared ahead.

"He's right, brother; it's better to just get it over with," Bentley added.

"Don't be a pussy. The man is dying, and after knocking that bitch up once, he only tolerated her because of their son; it's not like he can st