The next day arrived and Kayla and Miss Sherri were out in the garden per usual. Kayla wiped the sweat from her brow, standing up straight as she glanced toward the unfamiliar women making their way onto the land. They were dressed in some of the fanciest clothes she had ever seen, their heels sinking slightly into the dirt as they walked with an elegance that didn't belong out here. Their presence alone made Kayla uneasy.

She turned to Miss Sherri, who had paused beside her, arms crossed over her chest as she let out a low sigh.

"Who are those women?" Kayla asked, curiosity and a slight edge of nervousness creeping into her tone.

Miss Sherri didn't answer right away, just shook her head like she already knew today was about to be filled with drama. "Those are the Washingtons," she finally said. "That girl in the middle? That's Dina, Tanya's childhood best friend. And that one to the left of her?" Miss Sherri exhaled through her nose. "That's Darling Washington. Tank's ex-girlfriend. And their mama, Dominique."

The moment Miss Sherri said Tank's ex-girlfriend, Kayla's stomach dropped.

Her eyes flickered back to Darling, really taking her in this time. The woman was stunning—skin like golden honey, long silky hair pressed straight down her back, a body that looked like it had never known struggle. She carried herself like a woman who had never been told no, like she was used to getting exactly what she wanted.

Kayla suddenly felt small.

She wasn't insecure by nature, but something about seeing Darling in the flesh made her insides twist. Even though Tank was obsessed with her—even though just last night he told her he loves her—Kayla couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, she wasn't good enough for him. Not when someone like Darling had come before her.

As if sensing her thoughts, Darling's eyes landed on Kayla.

And in that moment, Kayla felt like she was being sized up.

Darling, Dina, and Dominique Washington walked up like they owned the damn place. Their heels clicking against the dirt, their perfume thick in the air, their presence loud without them even speaking. Kayla kept her chin up, but inside, she felt like she was shrinking.

Miss Sherri stood firm beside her, arms still crossed, face unreadable, but Kayla could feel the tension rolling off her.

"Well," Dominique started, looking around like the land was beneath her. "Same old country shit, I see."

Dina snickered. "Mama, don't be mean."

Darling didn't say anything at first, just let her sharp eyes rake over Kayla from head to toe, slowly, like she was taking inventory of every flaw she could find. Then she smirked. "I see Tank's got himself a little country pet."

Kayla's jaw tightened, but she didn't let the words cut too deep. She had grown up around women like this—ones who looked down on other women just because they thought they were better.

"Where is Tank?" Dominique asked, completely ignoring Kayla now. "We came all this way, and he's nowhere to be found?"

"He's on the road," Miss Sherri said flatly, clearly unimpressed with the visit. "So whatever it is you came here for, you can take it right back where you came from."

Dina rolled her eyes. "Tanya said we should come by."

Miss Sherri scoffed. "Tanya don't run shit around here."

Darling, who still hadn't taken her eyes off Kayla, let out a soft laugh. "So, what's your name?" she asked, fake sweet.

Kayla didn't answer right away, didn't like the way Darling was looking at her like she was something to play with.

"Kayla," she finally said.

Darling smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Cute." Then she turned back to Miss Sherri. "You know, Tank and I have history. I'm sure he told you. We were supposed to be endgame."

Kayla felt her stomach twist.

Miss Sherri, however, didn't bat an eye. "And yet, you ain't."

That made Dina's face twist up, but Dominique placed a hand on her daughter's arm, stopping whatever nasty words were about to come out of her mouth.

"Tank don't belong to nobody but himself," Miss Sherri continued. "And if you think you can come here and shake this girl up, you got the wrong one. I don't tolerate disrespect on my land."

Kayla didn't know what to say. The Washingtons weren't outright aggressive, but the way they carried themselves, the way they spoke to her like she was some unworthy outsider, it stung. It made her question everything she thought she was secure about.

And Darling, she knew exactly what she was doing.

"Well," Dominique said, clapping her hands together. "It was nice stopping by. We'll be seeing y'all around."

With that, the Washingtons turned and strutted back toward their Range Rover, leaving nothing behind but the strong scent of their perfume and the lingering weight of their presence.

Kayla exhaled.

Miss Sherri, watching them go, clicked her tongue. "Messy ass women."

Kayla swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way Darling's words had settled deep inside of her. Because no matter how much she wanted to brush it off... it still made her feel small. Before the Washington women were able to open the door to the truck, Tank pulled his rig up, his body heavy with exhaustion. But his heart light knowing he was home. His first thought wasn't about food, sleep, or even a damn shower—it was about Kayla.

He barely threw his truck in park before hopping out, his eyes immediately locking on her standing in the yard. His woman. His peace.

A slow grin spread across his face as he walked toward her, but he barely got a step in before he caught sight of the three unfamiliar figures standing by a blacked-out Range Rover. He squinted, recognizing them a second later. Darling. Dina. Dominique.

He damn near rolled his eyes.

Tank didn't stop, didn't hesitate, didn't acknowledge them beyond a glance. He walked right past their little spectacle like they were just part of the damn scenery, his focus entirely on Kayla.

"Hey, baby," he greeted, voice thick with fatigue but dripping with affection. His large hand cradled the back of her neck as he bent down and kissed her, right there in front of everybody.

Kayla melted into him, but she still felt the burning gaze of Darling behind her.

Tank pulled back, resting his forehead against hers for a brief moment before looking her over. "You good?"

Kayla nodded, but Tank didn't miss the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. That's when he knew. These bitches had said something.

Still ignoring the Washington women completely, he turned to Miss Sherri. "Mama." He hugged her briefly before wrapping an arm around Kayla's waist.

Miss Sherri smirked, clearly entertained by the whole situation. "Son."

The Washington women were still standing there, waiting, as if they expected something different.

Darling finally cleared her throat. "Tyler."

Tank barely glanced her way, his expression blank. "What?"

Darling's face twitched. She wasn't used to being dismissed so easily. "We were just stopping by, catching up with your family."

Tank nodded like he couldn't care less. "Alright." Then he turned back to Kayla, completely uninterested in whatever Darling thought she was doing.

Dina scoffed, but Dominique, ever the composed woman, took the moment for what it was. She smoothed a hand over Darling's shoulder. "Come on, girls. We've wasted enough time."

Darling didn't move right away, staring at Tank like she was waiting for something—anything. But when he didn't even give her another glance, she finally huffed and turned toward the car.

The Washingtons climbed into their Range Rover, the engine roaring to life.

Tank, still holding Kayla close, kissed the top of her head. "Whatever they said, don't let that shit get to you," he murmured.

Kayla nodded, but deep down, something about Darling still sat heavy on her chest.

His lips brushed against the side of her face, and even though it was just a small, gentle kiss, it felt like everything to her. He kissed her again, this time on her temple, his breath warm against her skin.

"Don't worry about them, baby," he murmured. "They don't know shit about you." His voice was deep, very calm, as he wanted to reassure her.

Kayla felt the weight of his words, his assurance. She wanted to believe him. She did. But there was something about Darling's presence, something about her polished, perfect exterior, that made Kayla feel—well, less than.

But Tank wasn't having it. He tightened his grip on her, pulling her even closer, as if he could shield her from all the insecurities and doubts that crept into her mind.

"You're the one I want, Kayla," Tank continued, his words a promise. "You. Ain't nobody ever gonna change that."

She leaned into him, needing that reassurance, feeling the safety in his strong hold. She knew he was right.

Tank kissed her again, this time on her lips, a slow, deep kiss that left her breathless. He didn't care about anything else in the world. Not the women who'd tried to tear them apart, not the history that came with their baggage.

His love for her was all that mattered.

He pulled back slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. "You know I love you, right?" he asked, his voice low and raw.

Kayla nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She'd never felt so wanted, so needed.

"I love you, too, Tank," she whispered.

They reached the door, and without a second thought, Tank pulled her inside, closing the door behind them. The world outside, the drama with the Washingtons, all of it faded away. All that remained was the two of them, together.