Chapter 82: Shameless

Three Months Later

Blake

“So where’s Mere?” I asked as we all sat in Nicki’s living room. Nicki actually let me bring Sage and everyone kept their mouths shut. That was nice of them for once.

“By her niece,” Cassie shrugged. She’s been over there a lot and it’s like she’s barely over here anymore. It’s almost like she’s avoiding New York. I would know because she’s avoided me way too many times this past year.

“Yeah her niece huh?” Jessi still didn’t believe that and I was starting to question it too.

“How’s it going with My?” I asked Nicki. I was truly worried for her because I don’t want the same thing happening to her that happened to her.

“She still worries me but she seems better. I still don’t believe it because Nae seemed better that night after she was drunk from that party,” Nicki pointed out and I immediately tensed up and the girls noticed.

“What happened that night Blakelynn?” Jessi smirked but I glared at her. The girls held in their laughs while I felt like choking each and every one of them. Maybe bringing Sage wasn’t the best idea. I’ve chosen not to tell her a lot because I never wanted to get into stuff like that.

“Who’s Nae?” Sage asked the question that I never thought I would have to answer.

“That’s a good question. Do you know who Nae is Blakelynn?” Paris smiled at me.

“No one important,” I mumbled to myself. “She was just Nicki’s old best friend,” I brushed it off while everyone looked at me like I was insane. It’s not like I’m lying, she really was Nicki’s old best friend.

“Nicki’s old best friend huh? I mean she was your best friend too.  Well I guess y’all were more than that,” Ciara butted in and now I was officially annoyed. I was gonna disown all of my family at this point.

“So who is she?” Sage looked around at us. I looked at all of the girls and gave them a warning look but Cassie sent me a smile.

“She’s Blake’s ex. She was in the love triangle between Blake and Mere,” Cassie shrugged like it was nothing. And right then and there I felt like slamming my head against a brick wall. Why did she have to mention Mere’s name?

“Wait what love triangle between Blake and Mere?” She turned and looked at me. I knew that I should’ve told her that but I didn’t think that it mattered anymore. I mean it’s just Mere and it was three years ago.

“Did you tell her about any of your exes?” Nicki looked at me confused.

“You dated Chimere?” She looked at me in disbelief and I groaned. Mere didn’t like her and she didn’t like Mere. That’s another reason I kept my mouth shut.

“I did three years ago but it doesn’t even matter. She’s engaged and I’m way over her,” I quickly said. Paris gave me a knowing look but I shrugged her off.

“Bullshit,” she mumbled but I kicked her with my foot. She looked up at me and glared. I gladly returned it and warned her to shut up.

“Shut up,” I mouthed to her.

“How many years did you and Mere date again?” Paris smirked at me.

“You dated her for years?” Sage looked at me like I was crazy.

“She dated Mere for a good six years,” Nicki nodded.

“What the fuck Blake!?” She snapped.

“Can somebody please pass me some popcorn?” Jessi sat back and grinned. Sage stood up and headed for the door. I hopped up and glared at the girls.

“Fuck all of y’all!” I snapped and chased after Sage. “Wait,” I grabbed her arm when she reached her car. She turned around and glared at me.

“You said that you never had a serious relationship and then I find out you had two serious relationships not to mention that one of them was with Chimere!? What the fuck!?” She shook her head.

“Mere and I are just friends Sage. That was three years ago,” I pointed out.

“Three years ain’t that long when you dated her for six years. Who stays in a relationship that long?”

“It was complicated but believe me when I say that I’m over her. We’ve put that part behind us and we truly are just friends,” I pleaded.

“What about Nae?” She crossed her arms.

“What about her?”

“Where is she?” That’s a damn good question but no one had the answer to.

“I don’t know but I truly don’t care. She left a year ago and never looked back. She could be dead for all I know.” I used to be hurting from it but now I don’t give a fuck. She’s probably better off dead because if she was alive I’d kill her myself.

“Alright but stop with the lies. I ain’t trying to deal with all of that. That whole Chimere thing was definitely the biggest shock but I’ll get over it,” she sighed.

“So we’re good?”

“Just get in the fucking car rocker girl,” she smirked. I grinned and kissed her before we hopped in the car.

Nicki

“She’ll get over it,” Cassie shrugged. It was just her and Jessi left. The other girls left about an hour ago after we joke about Blake. I was doing a good job of hiding my baby bump but I knew it was only a matter of time before everyone finds out. It's starting to be noticeable yet Drake notices nothing.

“That was so entertaining,” Jessi chuckled.

“I need to wake up Levi so he can eat dinner,” I told them. I got up but immediately got dizzy and fell back.

“Nic! Are you okay!?” Cassie was quickly by my side. She helped me sit up as I tried to get my sight back. Everything was just in slow motion.

“Have you eaten today?” Jessi asked and I nodded slowly.

“Then what’s wrong? Are you sick?” Cassie questioned.

“I’m pregnant,” I groaned and held my stomach in pain.

“Oh god, let’s get her into the car!” Jessi hopped up and they helped me stand to my feet.

“What’s going on?” Mylan looked at us.

“We need to take her to the hospital. Can you watch Levi?” Cassie asked.

“Yeah of course,” she nodded and they got me in the car. I prayed on the ride to the hospital that everything is fine with this baby.

~~~

I laid in the hospital bed in silence. I couldn’t even think at this point. Everything was just crashing down. “I’m sorry Mrs. Maraj-Graham,” the doctor said before leaving me and Jessi alone.

“Are you okay?” Jessi checked with me.

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” I slowly shook my head. I looked up and saw Drake rush in. I mentally rolled my eyes as he came next to me.

“Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me that you were pregnant?” He sounded angry and that just annoyed me further. I kept my mouth shut and he looked at me weird. “Are you really playing these childish games?” He sighed.

“Is he bothering you?” Jessi looked at me and I nodded. “You need to leave,” she told him.

“I’m not going anywhere she’s my wife,” he stood still.

“Look you are stressing her out. She already lost her baby because of the amount of stress you gave her. Do you really want her to affect her own health?” Jessi crossed her arms.

“You lost our child? What did you do? Were you not eating?” Of course he goes and accuses me.

“Don’t you get it? You caused her to lose the baby and you’re about to lose her too. Leave before I make them kick you out,” Jessi glared at him. He shook his head and left. I waited until he closed the door to break down and cry. “It’s gonna be okay,” Jessi pulled me into a hug.

“He made me lose my baby,” I cried.

Drake

I got home and just laid in my bed trying to think back at all the things I’ve done wrong. Mere’s words stuck in my head. Would your mom be proud of you right now? She would be absolutely disappointed in me. She would yell at me just like Mere did. Mere only yelled because she cared about me. I called her over and over these past few months but she never answered. Anytime I would stop by her house she was never there.

It seemed like she made sure to stay in Texas as much as she could. She really is done with me and it’s like I just lost my little sister. I am an asshole and I need to make things right. I told myself to not fuck up and I did it without even knowing. I don’t know how I became this blind. My daughter hates me, my wife won’t even talk to me, and now I made Nicki lose our baby. I have no idea what to do anymore. I called Mere again and expected it to go to voicemail but was shocked when she actually answered.

“What do you want?” I heard her ask in an annoyed voice.

“She lost the baby,” I choked up. I couldn’t believe that I stressed her out to that point.

“Who lost the baby? Nicki was pregnant?” She instantly questioned. It seemed like she immediately snapped out of annoyance.

“She was pregnant and she lost the baby because of me. I stressed her out.” I felt tears sliding down my face.

“I’m sorry Aubrey,” she sighed. “I know how hard that is for you to take in. I might be pissed as hell at you but I know you need someone on your side right now.”

“I’m sorry for everything Mere. You were right and I’m not making my mom proud. I’m the biggest disappointment there can be.”

“I only said that out of anger Aubrey. Don’t take that shit to the heart. Yeah you fucked up but at least you’re realizing it now. You need to fix this,” she told me.

“I know but she’ll never forgive me for making her lose our baby. I wouldn’t even forgive myself,” I shook my head as if she could see me. She was silent for a second and I knew right then and there that I fucked up. I talked to her for a few more minutes before we hung up. I sat up in the bed and then Mylan stormed in my room with Levi right behind her.

“No no My!” Levi shook his head at her.

“Stop Levi,” she hissed before cutting her eyes at me. “You caused Mom to lose the baby?” She asked slowly.

“Look I didn’t kno,” I started but she cut me off.

“It’s a yes or no question.”

“They said it was due to stress,” I admitted.

“Do you even feel bad? You caused my mother to lose her baby. Or do you not care about your kids in general?” She crossed her arms.

“Mylan.”  I was about to say something but she started coughing. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I eyed her suspiciously because I knew how her asthma attacks came and that usually happened right before it. “Do you still have your inhaler?” I questioned her.

“I don’t need it. I haven’t had an asthma attack in years. I’m fine but I’m going take a nap,” she turned and quickly rushed out of my room.

 “No no My!” Levi said once again.

“What’s wrong buddy?”

“My have boo-boo again,” he sighed.

“Huh?”

“Nyra?” He pointed to my phone.

“You want to talk to Nyra?” I checked to make sure. He nodded and I punched in her number before handing the phone to him.

“Nyra! Boo-boo come back!” He walked out of my room and continued his conversation as if it was his phone. At least one of my kids seemed fine.

 

Mere

“You should have seen what Nadia said to Ryan at the,” she stopped talking when she saw me. “Mere,” she groaned and plopped down next to me on the couch.

“I already know what you’re gonna say,” I spoke up in hopes that she won’t say it.

“Since you already know what I’m gonna say then you should have no problem with me saying it again. You look stressed as hell. What happened to focusing on yourself?” She gave me a knowing look. I let out a sigh and laid my head against the couch.

“I just got off of the phone with Aubrey. Nicki was pregnant but she lost the baby due to all of the stress she was dealing with,” I explained.

“Damn is Nic okay?” She questioned worriedly.

“I don’t know but I hope she is.  Aubrey has been fucking up too much and I don’t know how he’s gonna fix it this time,” I shook my head.

“He has been fucking up and if he truly wants to save his marriage then he has to do something to fix this. I know Nic and she’s probably down to her last straw. She’s gonna shut him out and deal with this situation her way,” she pointed out.

“I just don’t want him to get back to that place where he was after his mom died. Nicki was the best thing that could’ve happened to him and he’s about to lose her.” I felt bad for him. He was so depressed before he started coaching the dance team. It was sad to see and I knew there wasn’t anything I could do about it. His mom meant the world to him and he blamed himself for so long.

“Everything will work itself out in the end. How are you feeling though?”

“I’m fine but I just feel exhausted. Flying back and forth is hard enough. I just think everything is worth it when I come down here. There’s no drama and it’s peaceful,” I smiled.

“It’s all because of me right?” She smirked.

“Of course,” I playfully rolled my eyes. “But for real you are the reason. You somehow know how to talk me into taking care of myself. I tend to forget about doing that.” I put everyone over myself but she's helping me stop.

“I don’t wanna see you stressed out about everyone else. I told you that you’re way too nice. If I was you then I would tell everyone to fuck off when I got shit I need to deal with,” she spoke carelessly.

“This is exactly why you aren’t me even though it seems like we’re just alike,” I chuckled and she agreed.

“I’m serious okay Mere? I want you to focus on yourself. Yes you can help others when they need help but don’t invest all of your time into them. Learn how to balance that out.”

“I know and thanks for continuing to remind me every second you get.”

“I just want to make sure you’re okay and that you aren’t stressing out. I know you would do the same for me,” she sent me a soft smile.

“I would do that for you. I love you Munchkin,” I smiled.

“I love you too Cheeks,” she let out a grin.

“Nae you ruined it!” I playfully pushed her.

“You love that nickname. You’ll admit it one day!” She seemed so determined.

“We’ll see,” I let out a teasing smirk.

 

Nicki

I got home late the next day and went to my room but sighed when I saw Drake there. “I’m sorry it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have stressed you to that point and I didn’t even know that I did it. I’m so sorry Onika,” he let tears fall down his face.

 

“Stop apologizing because that will never make things right,” I shook my head.

 

“You’re not wearing your rings,” he finally noticed. It took him three months to notice. How pathetic is that? It took me losing our baby for him to actually open his eyes.

 

“I took them off three months ago because they mean nothing to me anymore. This marriage means nothing to me anymore.” I needed him to hear the truth. I felt trapped in this marriage at this point and I can’t change it.

 

“What do you mean by that?” He looked worried and he should be.

 

“I’m saying that I fell out of love with you Drake. I don’t feel the same about you that I did the last two years. This year has been hell thanks to you and now my baby is gone. I don’t know if I can ever forgive you for that,” I cried.

 

“Please don’t leave me. I can’t have you leave me Onika. Tell me anything that I have to do and I’ll do it. I’ll do whatever it takes,” his voice cracked and I knew that this would be one of the hardest decisions that I ever made in my life.

 

“Give me some space. I need time to think if this is truly what I still want,” I spoke honestly. He nodded and grabbed some stuff.

 

“I’m sorry and I promise that I’ll change,” he promised.

 

“You say that every time Aubrey. I need you to prove it because you’re chances are getting lowered by the minute.” He walked out but I knew he was going into one of the guest rooms. I changed my clothes and pulled on my shoes. I dialed a number and waited.

 

“Hello?” He answered.

 

“Get me the hell out of here for tonight,” I pleaded.

 

“I’ll be there in five minutes,” he promised. I waited and received a text that he was out front. I grabbed my stuff and rushed out to his car. I climbed in with tears running down my face.

 

“I lost the baby,” I cried.

 

“I’m sorry Onika,” he pulled me into a hug.

 

“He made me lose my baby. I didn’t want to be pregnant but I never wanted to have a baby taken away from me like this,” I shook in his arms.

 

“Shh,” he ran his hand up and down my back.

 

“I just wanna leave for the night,” I said.

 

“Alright,” he released me and pulled off.

 

“Thanks for being here,” I shot him a sad smile.

 

“I got you Nic,” he nodded.

Nyra

I kept thinking about what Levi said. He doesn’t make sense sometimes but I made out most of what he said. If Mylan is having trouble breathing it makes me wonder what the hell she is taking. “Nyra make sure you put your clothes out to be washed!” I heard Mom yell from downstairs.

“Okay!” I walked over to my pile of dirty clothes but my foot stepped on something. I looked down and saw a pill on the ground. I looked at the pill in my hand closely. Mylan must have dropped one. I went over to my desk and observed it. I wanted to know exactly what they were. I saw something on it and then typed it in on my computer.

I looked at what’s in it and my eyes went wide. That explains everything and I bet Mylan doesn’t even know what she’s taking. I hopped up and rushed next door. For all I know she could’ve taken four of these. I quickly knocked on the door and impatiently waited for someone to answer it. It took too long so I started pounding on the door. Uncle Drake answered the door and looked at me strangely. “What’s with the pounding?” He questioned.

“I really need to see Mylan. Can I please come in!?” I asked quickly.

“Yeah.” He moved out of the way and I rushed in. I ran up to her room but the door was locked.

“Of course it would be locked,” I mumbled. Mylan wouldn’t be stupid enough to leave it unlocked.

“What are you doing?” He questioned.

“How do you unlock this door?”

“There’s a key,” he reached above the door and grabbed it. “Don’t you think you should wait? I think she was taking a nap,” he told me.

“I promise you that she’s not taking a nap,” I grabbed the key and unlocked the door. “Shit,” I rushed over to the floor and shook My. “She’s out cold. Call 911!” I called out to him.

“What’s wrong?” He walked in and froze at the sight of My.

“Call 911!” I snapped. He quickly pulled his phone out and called. “Come on My,” I mumbled as she laid lifeless on the ground. I am so gonna kill her for this later.