Tareef (The Brothers Ali Book 4)

by Celeste Granger

  “I just need to stretch my legs for a minute,” Naomi reassured. “I promise I’ll be right back.”

  It was only then that Natalie relinquished her position, her eyes trailing her big sister as Naomi lifted her slender frame from the seat and moved away from her. When he saw Naomi moving towards the aisle, Malcolm moved as well, meeting her in the open space.

  “Thanks for coming,” Naomi managed as Malcolm entered into her space.

  “Any word?” He asked as his eyes studied her.

  “No, not yet,” Naomi sighed. “It’s taking too long.”

  Malcolm could see how concerned Naomi was, tiny lines etched against her otherwise smooth skin, her eyes glittering with fear and apprehension. He could tell she’d been crying. Knowing she was hurting pricked at his heart. Malcolm moved closer to her, lifting his steady hand to rest on the center of her back.

  “Hopefully, it won’t be much longer,” he offered.

  Malcolm wasn’t sure Naomi heard what he said as her eyes were distant, and her presence seemed faraway despite their physical closeness. He wasn’t sure what to do about that. This was not the time to put his own agenda before her emergency. But Malcolm was right about one thing. Naomi’s attention had been drawn away from him as in her periphery, she saw Tareef entering the emergency room. Even before she noticed him, Naomi felt his eyes on her as though he was immediately drawn to her. His recent behavior and consideration were so confusing, but it was not unwelcomed. She still had a soft spot for Tareef. Well, it was more than a soft spot. Yet, Naomi refused to be who she was to him in the past, to fawn over him every time she saw him, and she refused even in the current moment to allow her emotions to be eclipsed by his presence. Even though Tareef had an innately captivating presence, even though he had a monopoly on virility, even though his swagger was the stuff of legends, she held her resolve and allowed her eyes to fall away from him.

  Tareef did immediately see Naomi. Once again, he was struck with the magnitude of how he didn’t see her before, not in the same way. It was like her aura called to his; her presence commanded his full attention. Tareef’s eyes stayed fixed on her as he ambled down the hallway. Tareef didn’t notice when Khalid separated from him. Tareef didn’t care that Malcolm stood possessively next to Naomi. He didn’t care. He was there for her in whatever way she needed him. Malcolm, be damned.

  “Mr. Singleton?”

  An authoritative voice broke through the low-lying noise of the waiting room. Vance was quick to his feet, and everyone there on behalf of Ruby turned in the direction of the voice. Naomi broke from her position near Malcolm, her feet swiftly carrying her to her father’s side. Kent was right there with her. Naturally, Naomi looked to see where Natalie was. She remained in her seat; her knees pulled up to her chest with her arms wrapped tightly around them. Naomi wouldn’t push her sister. She just wanted to know that her mother was alright.

  “Yes, I’m Vance Singleton. How’s my Ruby?”

  “She’s stable,” the doctor replied.

  The sigh of relief that passed through their familial lips was audible. Naomi felt her father reaching for her hand, his calloused one’s trailing the length of her arm until they rested where her fingers were. She lovingly folded her hand into his as they listened to what the doctor had to say.

  “What happened?” Kent asked.

  “It appears Mrs. Singleton mixed alcohol with her prescription medication, causing her blood pressure to spike and her body to seize.”

  Naomi’s eyes trailed to the name on the doctor’s lab coat.

  “Dr. Murray, is my mom going to be alright? When can we see her?”

  “We need to keep her for a few days to run some additional tests,” Dr. Murray replied. “Mrs. Singleton is being transported to her room. You all can visit with her shortly,” the doctor continued. “She’ll be in room F432.”

  “Thanks so much,” Mr. Singleton smiled, reaching out to shake the doctor’s hand.

  “You’re more than welcome,” Dr. Murray said, reciprocating the handshake. “We’ll take good care of her.”

  No sooner had the doctor walked off did Naomi reach for her father, hugging his neck tightly. Relief was an understatement as the course of adrenaline that flooded her system started to dissipate. Natalie saw the exchange between her sister and father but wasn’t sure how to interpret it, whether it was good news or not so good news. Nobody was crying, though, as the family walked back toward where they were sitting. She hoped that meant her mother was okay. It wasn’t that Natalie didn’t love her mom; she did. Fear kept her from being with Ruby. Fear of ending up just like her mother made Natalie isolative, but that didn’t stop her from caring.

  “Is mommy, okay?” She asked, as soon as Naomi was within earshot.

  “She is.”

  There was another wave of relief as Natalie and family friends heard the good news. When Naomi saw her sister’s eyes well up with tears, she made her way to Natalie, sitting down next to her and wrapping her arms around her.

  “I was just so scared,” Natalie uttered between snatched breaths as tears poured from her amber eyes. “I was just so scared, Na,” she repeated.

  “I know, sis,” Naomi replied, brushing a curl of Natalie’s tresses behind her ear. “But she’s gonna be okay.”

  Natalie found some solace in her words even though her tears continued to spill. She was inconsolable for the moment, and that was okay with Naomi. There were times she felt inconsolable, too.

  “I’m going on up,” Vance said, getting his eldest daughters’ attention. “Ya’ll come when you get ready.”

  Naomi nodded acknowledgment as Kent and her father started towards the elevators. Racquel felt the weight of Naomi’s words as a wave of ease rushed over her. The same hadn’t been true in her situation. There had been no relief, no break from the sadness. But that didn’t keep Racquel from being happy for her best friend. She made her way down towards the two sisters, taking a seat across from Naomi. Her extended hand was met with Naomi’s as the friends conveyed silent messages of understanding. They had been in this place together before. There was a shared recollection and a shared appreciation for better news.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The waiting room at the end of floor F was filled with those concerned with the welfare of Ruby Singleton. Although Naomi desperately wanted to see her mother, to see with her own eyes that her mom was okay, she waited, giving her father a chance to spend time with his wife. Once they arrived in the waiting area, Natalie took her position closest to her sister. Even though she’d been told their mother was okay, Natalie still struggled. She felt guilty for not being there as much as she probably could have while the other voice in her head reminded Natalie of why she stayed away.

  There was a weird dynamic in the space. Malcolm was there. Tareef was there. Naomi was there. Khalid and Racquel being in the room kept the space from feeling completely awkward. Their conversation precluded silence from being pervasive. After a while, Natalie and Kent made their way to visit their mother. Malcolm seized the opportunity, taking up residence next to Naomi.

  “I was glad to hear your mother is doing okay,” he offered as he draped his thickly corded arm around the back of her chair.

  “Yeah, me too,” Naomi replied.

  “Did they say what happened?” Malcolm hoped his genuine curiosity read as concern. He cared about Naomi. What bothered her bothered him as well.

  Naomi didn’t immediately respond; instead, adjusting her position in the seat so she could look into Malcolm’s eyes.

  “My mother is mentally ill.”

  Naomi paused, allowing her words to resonate. She watched closely to see his response; not what he would say, but the tale-tell giveaways of what he wouldn’t say. She took note of the slight lift to Malcolm’s brow.

  “I didn’t know,” he replied. Her eyes stayed fixed on his otherwise handsome face. The conversation before reared up in Naomi’s soul again.

  “I know how you feel about the
mentally ill,” she continued.

  This time, Malcolm was the one to see the slight pitch to Naomi’s brow. He felt her ease further away from him, as far away as the seat would allow.

  “Or are you going to tell me that this somehow is different, right?”

  “Naomi.” Natalie calling to her sister from the door interrupted their conversation.

  “Excuse me,” Naomi uttered as she lifted herself from the chair and crossed the waiting room.

  “Mommy’s asking for you.”

  The sisters walked together until they reached their mother’s room. Natalie pushed the door open, and Naomi followed her in. Even though the doctor said their mother was okay, Naomi felt the pit of her stomach tighten as her mother’s hospital bed came into view. Looking across the room, both Naomi’s father and brother sat on the couch. Her father looked noticeably relieved. His body was relaxed as he and Kent engaged in conversation about whatever was happening on the television. It was only when Naomi saw her mother sitting up did another wave of relief spill over her. The machines that sat near the head of her mother’s bed faded to the background. The tubes attached to her mother’s wrist didn’t seem as prevalent. When Ruby smiled and waved her daughter into the room, Naomi found herself smiling in return.

  “Hey, daughter of mine,” Ruby sang as Naomi drew closer. Her mother’s voice was weaker than Naomi was accustomed to, but hearing it was such a sweet sound, nonetheless.

  “Hey, mommy,” Naomi answered, her feet carrying her to the side of her mother’s bed. She had to touch her, feel her to make sure she was okay. When she did, Naomi’s eyes filled with tears. She hugged her mother, and Ruby hugged her daughter in response.

  “You scared us,” Naomi whispered in her mom’s ear as the two parted.

  “I’m sorry about that,” Ruby replied as she reached up and wiped the tears that spilled on Naomi’s cheeks. Her mother’s warm touch warmed Naomi’s heart.

  “I called myself being on my p’s and q’s for your big day,” she explained as Naomi took the seat closest to the bed. “I know you think we didn’t care, but we are so proud of you, having your own business and making your mark in the world,” Ruby explained.

  “I wanted you to be proud of us, too. So, I took my medication,” Ruby continued, adjusting the white sheet that covered her. “You’re always the one telling me, reminding me that I need to do what I’m supposed to, so that’s what I set out to do.”

  “That was a good thing,” Naomi replied. Yet, she couldn’t unhear her mother’s motivation, though.

  “But I think I took too much,” Ruby admitted. “Trying to make up for the days I didn’t do right.”

  Naomi resisted her primal instinct to chastise her mother. This was not the time.

  “I’m just glad you are okay, mom,” Naomi smiled, gently touching her mother’s arm.

  “Me, too.”

  After spending some time with her mom, Naomi stepped back into the hallway. Her eyes trailed first one direction and then the other. She paused, surprised by what she saw. Naomi didn’t stare, but she was certainly intrigued. Pivoting on her heels, she walked in the opposite direction, resisting the urge to look over her shoulder. However, when she entered the waiting area, Naomi made sure to take a seat that kept her view into the hallway unobstructed. She watched as Malcolm and Tareef stood in the hallway, engrossed in conversation. There they were. Two incredible specimens of masculinity. Both intelligent, both charming, both wealthy, both desirable. She wondered what they were talking about.

  Malcolm was the first to move in Naomi’s direction. Crossing her legs, Naomi awaited his approach. He lowered his frame while simultaneously inclining himself to her.

  “We didn’t finish our conversation,” Malcolm suggested. He had some time to think about why Naomi would have responded to him the way she did. It was their conversation about the clemency case, the things he said about mental illness.

  “What more is there to say,” Naomi challenged. She didn’t incline herself in his direction, keeping her posture straight in her chair.

  “There’s a lot more to say, Naomi,” Malcolm reasoned, lifting his hand to her chin, encouraging Naomi to look in his direction. Her eyes were the last thing to find him even when she faced Malcolm directly.

  “Like what?”

  The defiance in Naomi’s voice was unmistakable.

  “I think you took what I said out of context,” Malcolm reasoned.

  “No, I don’t think I did,” Naomi countered, her voice rising in pitch and volume.

  He didn’t want their private conversation to be overheard by the other people in the waiting room. Reaching down, Malcolm took Naomi’s hand. Standing up, he lifted her with him until she stood alongside him. Naomi didn’t snatch away, but she made sure her resistance was evident as her feet moved slowly while Malcolm encouraged her into the hallway with him. When they were alone, Malcolm positioned himself in front of Naomi, commanding the fullness of her attention.

  “I don’t want to fight,” Malcolm suggested as he still held her hand. “It’s not the time nor the place. You’ve been through enough already today. Let’s not do this now, okay?”

  “You asked, Malcolm,” Naomi replied, her eyes entirely focused on his. “I was merely answering your question. Is that fighting?”

  He searched her eyes. This time he didn’t find enchantment there. Naomi’s eyes were more formidable than they’d ever been before.

  “I’m glad your mom is okay,” Malcolm crooned. “I’ve got to go, but I’ll talk to you later?” He asked, leaning in and kissing Naomi on the cheek. “Okay?”

  “Mmhmm.”

  Her response was non-committal and stayed with Malcolm as he walked away.

  Naomi didn’t allow her eyes to linger on his departing figure.

  “Hey babe,” Racquel said as she made her way over to Naomi. “Mom doing good?”

  “She is,” Naomi replied.

  “Thanks for being here with me.”

  “Where else would I be,” Rocky scoffed.

  “You don’t have to stay, though,” Naomi replied. “Nat and Kent are here, so I won’t be by myself.”

  “Tareef is here, too,” Rocky said, turning in his direction.

  “I just figured he came with Khalid, like a package deal.”

  “Seriously, Naomi?”

  “Well, yeah,” she quipped, resting her back against the hallway wall.

  “Well, no,” Racquel corrected. “He’s here for you.”

  “I’m not sure why.”

  “Trust me, he is.”

  Naomi heard what Racquel said, but she found it hard to believe.

  “Khalid and I are gonna take off, but if you need anything,” Racquel began.

  “I know,” Naomi smiled and accepted the hug Racquel offered. “I’ll call you. Thanks again, Rocky.”

  “No need. I’ll call to check on you and mom later.”

  Khalid and Racquel left. Tareef had been distant, but after saying goodbye to his brother and sister in love, he made his way towards the waiting room. He wanted a chance to speak with Naomi to check on her to make sure she was alright. Naomi had found a different seat, no longer facing the hallway. But as Tareef stood in the entryway, Naomi wasn’t hard to find. He stood there for a moment, gauging her responsiveness to his presence. Naomi’s eyes found him, but she turned away from Tareef’s penetrating gaze. It was still too much for her heart, especially if he was going to disappoint her again. His presence confounded Naomi. She had heard what Racquel said but remained unconvinced. Their history said so. Yet, he strode toward her, directly. Naomi was tempted to look around to see if there was someone else who gained Tareef’s attention, but she was the only one there. And he confirmed she was the one he sought when he sat down in the seat directly across from her, making it difficult to avoid looking in his direction.

  Tareef didn’t say anything right away. He wanted to give Naomi a chance to get used to the idea of him being there. If being in his presenc
e was something she didn’t want, Tareef expected Naomi would make it known. So, he sat there, quietly, his posture open, and his mind receptive. But his being there made Naomi uncomfortable. She was confused by Tareef, this shift in his positioning. Before, Naomi would have been so excited to be around him, so enamored by him, she would have proceeded with allowing herself to be receptive to whatever Tareef offered. But she’d been burned by her willingness once before. Naomi vowed she would never allow herself to be that vulnerable to Tareef again.

  “Are you okay?” He asked, breaching their silence.

  “Yes, my mom is doing okay,” Naomi answered.

  “I’m glad to hear that your mom is doing okay, but are you okay, Naomi?” Tareef repeated.

  She answered without fully hearing his question before. Under the circumstances, Naomi expected the inquiry to be about her mother. That’s why they were all there because her mother had fallen ill. But when Tareef leveled the question again, taking the focus off her mother and placing it on her, Naomi’s brow furrowed. He was asking about her.

  “I’m not sure why you’re here.”

  Naomi’s intonation was flat, absent any reflection of emotionality. Yet, her words were weighty in their own right.

  “I can respect that,” Tareef began, “and I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”

  “Why are you here, Tareef?”

  “Because I care,” he replied. Naomi tried desperately to ignore the velvet of his voice that once made her melt on the inside. “I care about you. I care about what happens with you.”

  “Why, though,” Naomi continued to challenge. “At one point, I might have believed that, but now, I’m not sure I do.”

  “And I take full responsibility for that,” Tareef said, easing his elbows down his legs, coming to rest on his knees as he leaned into the conversation, closing the distance between them. “It was my mistake. And when the situation is more appropriate, I would like the opportunity to make it up to you.”