by B. Love
They did, however, agree to move in with one another. Because of the later memories that they had created with Jason in her home, Makayla decided to sell it. His energy hugged, suffocated, her… the moment she stepped inside. Though his time there was brief… he’d had a monumental impact on all of their lives.
“You good?” Kannon asked, walking up behind her.
“Yeah. It just…” Her head shook and she smiled bitterly. “Hit me all at once.”
Kannon nodded as he looked around. “I understand. Austin is having the time of his life with Pops, so take all the time you need.”
“Okay,” she almost whispered, pulling her eyes away from the only picture of her, Austin, and Jason that she’d printed and framed. He’d made such a big deal about not being in any family pictures that they took some just to shut him the hell up. She’d gotten it blown up super big and he grinned when he walked in and saw it. The memory had Makayla smiling as she turned to face Kannon. “How are you holding up? I’m sure coming back here is hard for you too.”
Kannon sighed as he nodded and took her hand into his. “It is, but I’ll be straight. I believe he was at peace, and I have to be now too.”
Makayla agreed. If there was one thing she could never deny about Jason… it was his unwavering loyalty and commitment to take care of those he loved. She was sure, to him, dying in that warehouse for their freedom was an honor – even if it was his actions that landed them all there. But, as it had been between Kannon and Jason over the years, it was a circle that never ended. A circle of suffering and sacrifice that bound them to one another. Because had it not been for Jason taking that charge five years earlier for Makayla and Kannon, he wouldn’t have been in prison in the first place. But had Kannon not saved Jason’s life and lost his eye, Jason wouldn’t have been alive to take the charge.
If there was anything good that came out of this situation, it was the breaking of the toxic cycle that held them all prisoner to suffering and sacrifice… as it if was normal. All for the sake of loyalty and keeping it trill.
“Well… we best not stand around all day being sad. I want to have everything packed up by the end of the week so we can head to Nashville Saturday. It would be nice to spend a little time with Austin before I start work and he goes to school.”
“Let’s get it then.”
Makayla nodded and forced a smile as she watched him walk away. Her hand absently went to the scripted Trill tattoo on her wrist as thoughts of Jason consumed her again. Waiting for them in Nashville was a new director position at a head start for her while Kannon returned to school to get his degree. Surrendering to his love for music, Kannon was pursuing an A&R career. Until that happened, he’d already secured a space in Nashville to open a lounge where live music would be played and new talent would be showcased.
Even though they both had enough money to last them for a good long while, neither of them saw themselves not working because they had too much energy to just sit around.
As she inhaled a deep breath, Makayla listened for Jason’s voice telling her that he loved her and was at peace. A small smile spread across her face as she rubbed her hand against her heart. Finally… it was time for a fresh start.
63
Makayla
“Which one do you think?” Makayla asked, holding two dresses up for Sunshine to pick from. Facetime had been their main source of communicating and keeping in touch since everything went down. As Makayla promised, she hadn’t gone to her mother’s home or even called her since then.
Once, Gina called, but before Makayla could process it… Gina hung up.
Makayla often said to herself Gina was calling to yell at her for not stopping by and causing trouble but decided against it.
“Hmm I like the yellow one best. You hardly ever wear yellow!”
That was true, so Makayla chose the yellow midi dress for her first date with Kannon in Nashville. Every time she thought about what she was getting ready for, she’d smile. Makayla talked to Sunshine a few seconds more before getting off the phone to start getting ready. She cut a Memphis artists playlist on as she showered. When she was done, she opened the door to allow the steam to start flowing out.
As she oiled her skin down, she hummed to herself, smiling wide at the sight of Kannon leaning against the doorframe. Her eyes lowered to the tattoo of Jason’s face right under his collarbone. Though she wasn’t brave enough to get such a detailed piece, Makayla had gotten his name on the back of her neck. That way, in a sense, she felt like he was always protecting her – even when Kannon couldn’t… Jason would now always have her back.
“How did it go?” Makayla asked, referring to Kannon dropping Austin off with his sister, for the duration of their date.
“Cool. He just loved the fact that he had cousins over there he could play with.”
Makayla chuckled. “Figures. I’m sure he misses Sunshine like crazy even though they were years apart and she was more like a big sister to him.”
“Yeah. We talked about that. I told him to let me know whenever he misses them. I know this is a big adjustment for him, but he seems to like his new school and classmates.”
“He does. I’m just glad they took him even though the schoolyear is almost over. I didn’t want him just hanging around for the rest of the year before he started kindergarten.”
Setting her primer down, Makayla’s head shook as the thought of, “My baby is about to start kindergarten this fall,” settled within her spirit.
Kannon slowly walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. “Can you believe it?”
Her head shook as she chuckled. “We kept a whole mini human alive and well for almost five years. We gotta turn up for his fifth birthday this summer.”
“I’m with that. He loved the waterpark. Maybe we can make a weekend out of it. Take him and Sunshine there Friday, have a party at the house Saturday, and do something laidback as a family Sunday.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Makayla smiled. “That sounds perfect. I can’t thank you enough for stepping up for us the way you did. I know I could have done it without you, but it was a blessing to not have to. Having your help provided such peace.”
Kannon licked his lips and swallowed as his grip around her tightened. “I appreciate you letting me be there. Letting me have the family I thought I would never be able to have because of my lifestyle. A nigga felt like all he had to offer was sex, but you showed me I had more to offer and that I deserved more than that.”
“The dick is good… like… really good… but I never wanted you to think that’s all you could give a woman. That or money. So it was my honor. I just prayed one day you’d choose you and your desires and have a family because of how good you were with Austin.”
“Well…” Kannon shrugged. “It seemed like alls well that ends well.”
“I think so too.”
After rubbing her nose across his and pecking his lips, Makayla shooed him out of the bathroom so she could get ready. She was looking forward to their time out, since it would be the first time they’d been able to do so since they arrived. Between her getting settled at the new school and Kannon working on getting his lounge together, when they were together, the last thing on their minds was going out. Tonight would be special, and it was the perfect start to the rest of their lives together.
64
Kannon
Kannon was nervous as fuck. Even though he knew Makayla would say yes, that didn’t stop his palms from sweating. Releasing his hand from hers, Kannon rubbed them down his cream linen pants and inhaled a deep breath. The sun would be setting soon, so his frazzled nerves would have to be pushed to the side.
As they reached the bonfire, Kannon took Makayla’s hand into his and stopped her walking. She turned to face him, face glowing more than usual because of the baby growing in her belly. Now six months pregnant, Makayla was just a little ways away from giving birth to their daughter – Macon Kendall Campbell. Though Kannon had adopted Austin, h
e’d given him Jason’s last name as well to honor him. Austin Weaver-Campbell was excited more than him and Makayla about being an older brother. But before Macon made her arrival… Kannon was determined to give her mother his last name.
Pulling her into his arms, Kannon smiled as she looked up at him. She looked like an angel in her flowing, loose fitting cream dress and sandals. Her wavy hair was blowing in the wind, and the setting sun and crashing ocean waves created the perfect ambiance.
“I promised to protect you and Austin. Always keep you safe. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, too. I promised to care for and love you both, and now, that promise extends to our little girl…” Kannon paused and licked his lips, and as soon as he began to lower to one knee Makayla gasped and covered her mouth as her eyes widened. Pulling the ring out of his pocket, Kannon chuckled in nervousness and amusement as she gave him a soft shimmy. “Makayla Harris… it was always you for me. Though our journey to this destination may not have been the most traditional, this is the most right thing I’ve ever done. I love you with my whole heart, and it would be my greatest honor if you would be not just the mother of my children but my wife as well. Will you marry me?”
When her body swayed, Kannon was sure she was going to topple over onto him, but she didn’t. Nodding rapidly, Makayla giggled quietly before almost humming, “Yes, Kannon. Yes!”
Taking her hand into his, Kannon slid the gold band onto her finger before lifting her into the air and wrapping her legs around his waist. She squealed and kissed him, making him laugh as he slowly spun her around. And Kannon couldn’t help but recall the moment that made this moment possible…
It had never been his intention to break the code. Shit. It had already been broken the moment Jason snitched. Whether it was on a friend, a fellow runner of the streets, or a crooked cop… you never folded. By doing so, Jason had opened a portal for all of the hell they’d avoided over the years to break loose. Bodies were dropping left and right… and Kannon knew he had to uphold his promise – he had to protect Makayla and Austin at all costs… no matter what it took.
He reached out to Smith to get an idea of what he wanted and needed for the bloodshed to stop after Makayla’s family was targeted. Smith made it clear that he wouldn’t stop until Jason was dead or he recanted his statement and agreed not to testify. Kannon knew neither of those would happen… not without Jason doing everything in his power to remain in control. The only way to get Jason, was to get Makayla.
When Gina awoke from her coma, Kannon did what had to be done. He told Smith that he was sure Makayla would show up, and if she did, that she would be the only bait to bring Jason out of hiding – with the condition that she and Austin not be harmed. As Kannon suspected, when Jason found out Makayla was taken, he willingly surrendered himself to the fate of a snitch. Though it hurt Kannon to his core to see his friend’s life fading from him… it had to be done. Had it not, they all would have spent the rest of their lives running because of the choice Jason had made. Makayla would never have to know, and it was a choice and secret Kannon vowed to take to his grave. They promised to keep it trill, and Kannon had done just that… even if it meant forcing Jason to make the ultimate sacrifice…
Epilogue
“Okay. They are okay. You see that now. Can we go?” Chyna asked, wrapping her arms around Jason.
He didn’t answer her right away as he watched Kannon slowly spin Makayla around. She’d said yes to his proposal, as Jason suspected she would. Ever since he was shot and almost killed, he’d been keeping tabs on them just to be sure they were safe. Jason wouldn’t have been able to truly move on and live his life until he was sure.
When Smith shot him, his pulse was so faint before he made it to the hospital they all thought he was dead. And… he did die—twice. The last time Jason was resuscitated, he was awake long enough to tell his doctor about the note in his pocket. It said that if he were to make it out alive, to not announce it to anyone that had come to the hospital with him before speaking to Kingston.
Jason walked into that warehouse expecting to die, but on the off chance that God decided to show him a little mercy and let him live… Jason wanted to make sure those around him would be able to do so too.
The last time he was resuscitated, his doctor called Kingston, who made it clear that Jason’s life and safety depended on the world believing he was dead. With the police commissioner hand delivering a court order from Judge Hampton, Jason’s doctor had no choice but to help him fake his death. For visitation and his funeral, he was given medications that severally slowed his heart down and paralyzed him. They needed to make sure no one would ever question if he was really dead or not. After the funeral, Jason flew out to London to link up with Chyna while he waited for everything to unfold.
Smith and his men thought everything had returned to normal, but exactly one year from the date of his presumed death, they were all going to be arrested, tried, and eventually convicted for the crimes they’d committed. Jason’s testimony had already been signed, sealed, and hidden from public record.
Kannon, Makayla, and Austin were living a life of peace in Nashville as they waited for the new baby’s arrival.
Ariel was still in hiding and Carmen was serving seven years. Makayla wasn’t speaking to her mother, but she and Sunshine kept in contact. Her head start in Memphis was back up and running, but she’d hired someone else to run the place on her behalf. As Kannon promised, he quit the business and went legit, leaving everything to Nathan and Marco – who were quickly becoming the beta version of Jason and Kannon to the city.
From his communication with Kingston, Jason was able to keep tabs on them without having to blow his cover, but when Kingston told him that Kannon planned to propose… he had to see it for himself. At first, Jason was hurt and upset over their union… but he realized… they were made for each other. While he and Makayla were now opposites that were once trauma buddies, she and Kannon had so much in common from the way they thought to the way they loved and expressed themselves. He would have been doing the two closest people to him a huge disservice if he returned to their lives and forced them apart.
Not having access to his son hurt Jason most. Some weekends, when they would visit and Jason knew Austin would be with Kingston and Tracy, he’d sneak to their home just to be in the same space as Austin… but he never let him see him. Jason knew… it was best for everyone if he remained hidden.
Would he stay away forever?
Jason didn’t know.
A part of him wanted to pop up in five or ten years just to see their faces, but he knew they would feel more pain and anger than they would joy and surprise. So, he’d become content with the idea of never interacting with any of them again.
“Jason,” Chyna called, turning him in her direction. “We have a flight to catch.”
Before she could walk away, Jason was pulling her back to him by her waist. “I need you to catch this nut first.”
With a smile, Chyna fell to her knees before him.
Really, Jason just needed the distraction.
He’d be spending the rest of his life in China and Peru working with Chyna and her father to create the dynasty he’d always wanted to have. Love… marriage… babies… that had never been his desire. Jason belonged to the streets, and it would forever be that way. Would it have been nice to have Makayla and his son? Hell yeah. Would it have been dope as fuck to build this shit with his brother? Absolutely. But it took a certain kind of soul to accomplish what Jason had in mind… and they just weren’t cut from the same cloth.
It took a brave motherfucker to choose to not mold themselves and conform to the roles crafted for them by others and instead walk down their own path, and Jason was committed to doing just that.
He’d set Kannon and Makayla up to have the desires of their hearts – a life of normalcy with one another – and for that… Jason would always be the trillest of them all…
The End!
Aahhh! Can
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