Chapter 87: Love Sewn

Mylan

“A separation?” I scrunched up my eyebrows at Mom as we ate lunch. I can’t lie and say that I didn’t see this coming but I never thought she would actually go through with it.

“What’s that?” Levi looked up from his plate.

“It means Daddy won’t be around as much,” she told him. Levi made a confused face and thought for a minute.

“He’s never home,” he tilted his head.

“So it’ll be like it always is?” I questioned.

“I guess in a way yeah. He’ll get you guys for the weekends,” she informed me. I immediately put down my fork. He gets us for weekends? Why?

“Mom come on. Why do I have to spend a weekend with him? When would he even have time to spend a weekend with me? I’m already busy practicing for the showcase.” I had no time to entertain him.

“He’s still your father Mylan,” she sighed.

“If we’re being biological,” I started but she shot me a look. “Fine,” I huffed. I always pull that card every now and then but she would make me shut up fast.

“It’s not by choice,” she gave me a look of sympathy.

“How are you feeling about all of this?” I questioned. She didn’t seem overly depressed which made me question some things but I knew she would never admit to any of it.

“I’m just trying to make the best of things Mylan. I’m not gonna be sad and stay in bed all day. If this is how it’s gonna be for a while then I might as well get used to it. Like Levi said he’s never home. I’m used to that already,” she shrugged like it was nothing.

“Alright,” I brushed it off for now. “Can I see Auntie Nae?” I asked.

“Auntie Mere!” Levi bounced in his seat. I chuckled and wiped the sauce from his face.

“Sure,” she agreed.

 

 

Mere

“You’re really separated?” My eyes went wide. I wondered why Aubrey didn’t tell me. He usually comes rushing over here so that made me nervous. He hasn’t been like this since his mom passed away.

“Yeah I’m surprised he didn’t tell you,” she nodded.

“I’ll check up on him later,” I said as I rubbed Levi’s hair. He was sitting on my lap distracted by my phone. “Do you want to be married?” I didn’t know if she was doing this for real or just to test him.

“I don’t even know anymore. He’s just not the same man that I married. There are so many men who would treat me better than he has been for the past year,” she sighed.

“What do you mean by that? Is there another guy who was just waiting for him to slip up?” I questioned. She bit her lip and nodded slightly. I mentally groaned because it just made things worse. Aubrey was going to be a mess when he hears this.

“I didn’t expect for it to ever come to that point. He’s been there for me for the past year when Aubrey hasn’t. It’s not like I’m gonna go running into his arms. I’m still concerned about my marriage first,” she admitted.

“I don’t even wanna know who he is because I can’t promise that I won’t tell Aubrey.” I couldn’t keep many things from him. I am way too close to him to do something like that.

“I get it. He’s practically your brother. You’re always in the middle of things and I apologize for that.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” I shrugged. Aubrey’s been coming to me about his problems for years so I’m used to it. Nae helped me learn how to balance stuff out more so it’s not my main priority.

“So has Blake talked to you or Nae since the blow up?” She asked me. I felt my face move as my body tensed up at that question.

“Um no,” I shook my head.

“Okay what’s up with the face? You always make that face whenever I mention all three of your names in a sentence,” she called out.

“I don’t know.” I never realized I made a face until everyone started calling me out on it. Even Nae has called me out on it but she knows why. I need to learn how to stop making that face. It just brings more attention upon myself.

“I don’t know why you and Nae are so close and I’m not gonna ask but I can only imagine how Blake feels. She’s probably gonna get drunk or something to take the pain away.” I already felt bad and she’s making it worse. I knew she probably ran off to Sage and just wants to party the night away. I hope she doesn’t do something stupid.

“I didn’t mean for her to feel that way,” I looked down. I truly didn’t want her to take it the way she did. That’s a part of why I didn’t tell her. Who wants to hear something like that?

“Don’t make her feel like she’s in the wrong Nic. Blake owes her an apology not the other way around. And I told you to stop feeling sorry for that girl.” Nae came in with Mylan right by her side.

“You never talk about Blake like that. What changed?” Nicki looked at her weirdly. A lot has changed over this past year when it came to Nae.

“She changed,” she answered. That’s something everyone can agree on. She has changed and I can only imagine how much worse she gonna get knowing that Nae’s staying with me. “You’re making that sorry face,” Nae told me.

“I just feel bad for her. I can’t help but feel that way. I know I’m the weak one and I put everyone else over me but I can’t help it,” I sighed in frustration. This was a situation that I couldn’t put myself first on.

“I gotta pee!” Levi alerted us. He hopped out of my lap and looked up at Mylan.

“I’ll take him. Y’all obviously need to talk.” Mylan shot us a look and took him to the bathroom.

“She’s always in grown folks business but she’s about to be an adult so I don’t even bother anymore. She’s old enough to understand,” Nicki shrugged.

“After all that Blake has done to you, you still feel sorry for her? When are you ever gonna feel sorry for yourself?” Nae came and sat on the other side of me.

“I know I’m missing something but it’s okay if y’all don’t want me to know,” Nicki spoke up. I shared a look with Nae and let out another sigh.

“It’s really complicated and I can’t even explain it,” Nae spoke for me.

“I’ve already forgiven her. You’re holding onto something that’s not even about you. I should’ve never told you. Maybe then you wouldn’t be mad at her,” I sighed. I partially blame myself to why Nae can’t stand Blake so much.

“It’s not your fault I’m mad at her. It’s hers and I don’t want you blaming yourself for that. Blake is a grown ass woman who made some dumb ass mistakes. She can honestly kiss my ass and you need to toughen up,” she grabbed my hand.

“I know,” I nodded.

“Whatever Blake did to y’all can’t be so bad to the point where you don’t want anything to do with her,” she looked at Nae.

“I don’t want anything to do with her and it’s as simple as that,” she dropped the conversation much to my relief.

 

 

    
   Cassie    

“Who do you want at your party?” I asked Alexis as she sat next to me and Shad. Brayden was on the floor playing with a toy car.

“I want Sarah, Trina, Kelly, Raven, Damien,” she called out names.

“Hold up! Did you just say a boy’s name?” Shad eyed her.

“He’s my friend Daddy. Boys have cooties,” she scrunched up her face.

“Alright,” he relaxed.

“What about Leah?” I questioned because they were super close.        

“Nope she’s a hoe,” she shrugged.

“Did you just call her a hoe? Did Mylan teach you that?” I groaned. Mylan stills teaches her stuff she doesn’t need to know but I thought she has gotten better.

“No,” she looked at me a little confused.

“Who did you hear that from?” I couldn’t think of anyone else who would’ve said that around her.

“Daddy,” she pointed at Shad. I looked at Shad like he was crazy. What was he doing teaching our daughter that?

“Oh she must have heard my phone call,” he sighed.

“Who would you call that?” I didn’t know who would get him that angry.

“I was talking about CeeJay. She cheated on Kev and he was getting in his emotions. She is a hoe and I didn’t have any problem reminding him,” he shrugged.

“She’s dating your cousin? I guess y’all keep it in the family,” I mumbled.

“Cass you know I only slept with her once when I was high as fuck. She was only over when you came to tell me that you were pregnant because Kev was over here. I guess I just wanted to make you think that I was sleeping with her to see your reaction. It was childish,” he explained.

“Damn right it was childish,” I rolled my eyes. He always played these childish games and I honestly sick of it. I have more important things to do in my life than to worry about him.

“Look I’m sorry,” he apologized.

“It doesn’t matter anymore Shad. It’s been three years and I’m over it. I gotta get home but I’ll see you later.” I got up and got the kids ready before leaving.

 

 

 

Blake

“I’m gonna have the worst hangover tomorrow,” I laughed as we left the club. I could already feel my head spinning.

“Hey it helped get your mind off things,” she shrugged.

“I hate those two,” I slurred as she drove to my house. I was drunk as hell but she was sober for the most part.

“I’on know Nae but I don’t like Chimere,” she curled her lip.

“I don’t either. They both can kiss my ass. I don’t even need them in my life anyway. All I need in life is alcohol, hookahs, sexy clothes, bad ass lesbians, and sex. Is that too much to ask for?”

“Not when you’re with me,” she smirked.

“Stay the night,” I bit my lip. She looked over and gave me a teasing smile.

“Sure.” We got to my house and hopped out. “Careful there rocker girl.” Sage helped me stand up right. We walked in and I saw Paris standing by the stairs with Jessi. It looked like they were talking about something but we interrupted them.

“Are you wasted?” Paris eyed me. Wasted was an understatement.

“Fuck those two! They can kiss my ass!” I exclaimed.

“Who?” Paris kept asking questions while Jessi just leaned against the wall and watched.

“I should get some popcorn,” she grinned.

“Mere and Nae can burn in hell. Come on Sage I want some head,” I pulled her to my room.

“This is pretty entertaining,” was the last thing I heard Jessi say before I shut my door.

Drake

I looked out at the sky and wondered what Nicki was thinking right now. I wish I was back at home but I understand. I’ve been the worst husband and I never wanted it to come to this point. “Hey,” I heard from behind me. I turned and saw Mere.

“Hey,” I looked down. She walked towards me and pulled me into a hug.

“It’s gonna be okay,” she whispered.

“I don’t think it will be this time.” I fucked up. She let me go and eyed me.

“I’m sorry Aubrey.”                                        

“I did this to myself. I had so many opportunities to fix this but I was too oblivious.” I was ashamed of myself. I never wanted to become this type of person. “Just tell me, is there someone else?” I glanced at her. She bit her lip and that’s when I knew there was. “I just lost the best thing that I ever had; my family.”

“It doesn’t mean that it’s too late,” she tried to convince me.

“I think it is. I’ve screwed up one too many times,” I shook my head. “Do I even wanna know who it is?”

“I didn’t ask her who he was. I knew that I wouldn’t have been able to keep that from you. So now that you know, what are you gonna do about it?” She knew me well enough to know that I wouldn’t sit here and let it happen.

“Honestly Mere I’m all out of energy. I put her through hell this past year. Someone obviously was there to help her. I put my whole family through hell. I fucked up everything and maybe I deserve this shit,” I admitted.

“You have to be insane to think that. No one deserves that especially when you two are still married,” she argued.

“I think she divorced me in her head a long time ago. I always fuck shit up. I should’ve listened to you when you snapped at me. I should’ve listened to everyone but I didn’t. I was delusional and this is the result of it. I don’t understand why you feel sorry for me. I’m getting what I deserve.”

“You’re starting to scare me Aubrey. You never act like this and the last time you’ve talked like this was when,” she trailed off and I knew what she was gonna say.

“I practically killed my mom and I destroyed my family,” I spoke up.

“I thought I told you years ago to stop saying that? You did not kill your mom. A drunk driver did and you need to stop going back to that dark place. I don’t want to see you back in that mindset Aubrey. You still have a family worth fighting for,” she grabbed my hand.

“Is she even gonna let me fight for it?”

“I can’t answer that but don’t give up okay? Even if you give up on your marriage don’t give up on your kids. Mylan needs both of her parents and so does Levi. Be the father I know you can be and if Nicki allows it then be a good husband too. You’re still married whether either of you realize it or not. Marriage isn’t a game and now is not time for mistakes.  Just give it your all,” she told me.

“I’ll try my best,” I promised. I just hope it’s not too late.

 

 

Nicki

 

I walked in the house and smelled food. I went into the kitchen to find him turned away from me cooking. “Hey,” I called out as I hopped on the counter. He turned around and smiled.

 

“Taste this,” he held out the spoon to me. I leaned in and he fed it to me.

 

“This is delicious. How did you make it?” I chewed the pasta. He really was a good cook when he had the extra time.

 

“Secret recipe,” he shook his head.

 

“Of course you would say that. You used to always tell me that,” I chuckled.

 

“Years change a lot of things but this ain’t one,” he grinned.

 

“I told my kids about the separation,” I told him. I’m surprised they’re taking it as well as they are but I think we all have reached that point with Aubrey by now.

 

“How did they react?”

 

“Levi was acting like it was normal which in some ways it was. He’s never home so it’s like normal. Mylan didn’t really care but she’s mad that she has to spend the weekends with him now.” I knew she would have to suck it up.

 

“How is he reacting with this whole separation thing?”

 

“Aubrey’s giving me the space I asked for so I’m thankful for that. I just don’t know what I want anymore,” I sighed. He moved and wrapped his arms around me.

 

“Just follow your heart Nic. Don’t focus on anything else but what your heart wants,” he whispered.

 

“Can I stay the night?” I wrapped my arms around his neck.

 

“You know you don’t even have to ask.” He kissed my forehead and went back to cooking. I grabbed my phone and called Mylan.



Mylan

“Hello?” I answered my phone.

 

“Hey sweetie I need you to watch Levi. I’m gonna stay with Jessi tonight.” I heard something in her voice that made me question her.

 

“Alright,” I told her. Levi wasn’t hard to take care of.

 

“I’ll see you in the morning. I love you,” I repeated it before hanging up. She sounded like she was lying and that made me feel uneasy. Where could she be if she’s not by Jessi?

 

“If she’s out here fucking someone else,” I mumbled. I walked downstairs and saw Levi sitting on the couch in deep thought. “What’s wrong with you?” I questioned.

 

“Mommy is gone and so is Daddy. Are they gone together?”

 

“No Mommy is with someone else and Daddy is at his other house,” I clarified.

 

“Mommy not with a boy right?” He looked at me like he was getting defensive.

 

“No she’s with Jessi,” I told him the lie she told me.

 

“You don’t lie to Levi,” he shook his head.

 

“You read me too well,” I sighed. “I don’t know Levi. That’s what she told me and that’s all I know,” I shrugged. I pulled out my phone and called another number.

 

“Hello?” Auntie Nae answered.

 

“Can you come over? Mom is apparently staying with Jessi and I really don’t wanna be home alone tonight,” I admitted.

 

 “I’ll be over in a few minutes,” she promised and we hung up. At least there’s someone who I can still count on. I don’t know what Mom is up to but I’m sure gonna find out. This family isn’t going down without a fight; not on my watch. I can promise you that.