Chapter 90: Crossed the Line

Nicki

I snuck back in the house hoping that Mylan wouldn’t be up. The last thing I needed was for her to start asking questions. I went into my room and the lights turned on. “Good morning Onika.” Nae sat on my bed with her arms crossed.

“Damn,” I mumbled.

“You got that right,” Jessi said walking out of my bathroom.

“What are you guys doing here?” I looked at them.

“Mylan called me because she was worried. She said it was three in the morning and you still weren’t home. She thought something happened to you,” Nae narrowed her eyes at me.

“You’re lipstick is smudge, you have hickeys, and your walk ain’t right,” Jessi pointed out. I groaned and knew what they were thinking.

“Can we not do this right now?” I pleaded. I didn’t need to be parented right now. I’m a grown woman and shouldn’t have to deal with this.

“You better have not slept with that man,” Nae cut her eyes at me. I ignored her and went to take my shoes off. They shouldn’t be all up in my business.

“You’re still fucking married Nic! Are you insane!?” Jessi looked at me as if I was crazy.

“I’m a grown ass woman,” I shook my head.

“A grown ass married woman. Why would you be out fucking a guy who isn’t your husband?” Nae looked at me with a mix of disgust and disbelief.

“He loves me,” I said softly. I didn’t expect him to say that last night but he did. I don’t know what happened but it just triggered me. It blocked me out from the rest of the world.

“Who is he?” They looked at me. I couldn’t tell them because I knew that I would be judged even more than I already am.

“If it’s Channing,” I stopped Jessi.

“Why is everyone threatening me if it’s Channing? Can I just live my life?” I snapped.

“If it’s Daven,” Nae started.

“If it’s Daven or Channing. Any more names you wanna call out?” I crossed my arms.

“I got a couple of names I’d like to call you but imma hold my tongue,” Nae shrugged.

“I’m living my life and I don’t need you two to be my parents. Let me do whatever the fuck I want to do.”

“Onika you,” Nae stopped talking and looked down at her phone. She groaned and stood up. “We’re definitely not done with this conversation,” she promised me before walking out the room.

“I’m questioning everything when it comes to you and some things with her. You’re hiding something and so is she. I know hers can’t be as bad as your but both of y’all know that everything is gonna come out,” Jessi eyed me.

“Whatever,” I rolled my eyes and went into my bathroom.

 

 

Mylan

“I’m too big for this thing Levi,” I told him but he shook his head.

“It’s fun see.” He hopped on the one next to me. Some of the things he talks me into. I don’t understand how he gets me to do certain things.

“Say cheese.” Dad pointed his camera at us.

“Oh come on,” I pleaded but he snapped the picture.

“I’m getting this framed,” he joked.

“Very funny.” I got up and we went to sit on the bench. Levi was too busy running around. “What will happen if you and Mom never get back together?” I questioned. I never wanted to think like that but after last night, I don’t think I have much of a choice. I can’t believe she would stay out all night with some guy. She could lie all she wants but I can see past all that bullshit.

“I don’t know My. Maybe I’ll move back to Canada to get out of New York,” he shrugged.

“So you’re just gonna leave us?” I turned and looked at him in shock.

“I would still visit and you’re gonna be in college,” he reminded me.

“Maybe I’ll go to college far away from here,” I mumbled.

“Don’t pick a college out of anger. You should go to Juilliard like you planned before all of this shit went down,” he encouraged me.

“You actually remember that? I thought you didn’t pay attention to what college I wanted to go to.” I looked at him a little surprised.

“I pay attention to a lot more things than you think,” he shrugged.

“Thanks for taking that box out of my room. I never got to thank you for that,” I smiled small.

“How’d you know it was me?”

“Mom would’ve thrown a fit if she saw it.” We chuckled together. “I just don’t want things to change.” I felt my eyes watering up.

“Come here.” He pulled me close.

“At first you were too busy for me now it seems like the roles flipped. Mom is acting differently and I’m scared. I can’t go through this again,” I sighed.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he promised me.

“If something happens can I live with you?” I’ve been thinking about this since last night.

“Why wouldn’t you want to live with your mom?”

“Like I said, she’s acting differently. I’m watching Levi more and she’s coming home at three or four in the morning.” I was worried all night about her. Dad looked down for a minute and I could tell that he was hurt.

“Let’s get something to eat.” He put on a fake smile.

“You don’t have to pretend with me. I know you’re hurt and I’m hurt too. Mom is stubborn and I wish she would just forgive you but she can’t if she’s distracted by some guy,” I shook my head.

“Things happen for a reason Mylan. Maybe we aren’t meant to be together.” My heart broke at that sentence.

“My! Daddy! Look!” Levi shouted before sliding down the slide.  

 

 

Drake

I dropped the kids back off by the house. I picked up Levi and walked to the door. I didn’t know if I should knock or use the key but Mylan shook her head at me and used her key. “We’re home!” She called out. Nicki walked out of the living room with Jessi behind her. “Jessi!” Mylan went to hug her. Levi rubbed his eyes and mumbled something.

“Here,” I handed him to Nicki. “I’ll call you later,” I told Mylan. She came and hugged me. “I love you baby girl.” I kissed the top of her head.

“I love you too Dad,” she said softly. I locked my eyes with Nicki and shook my head before leaving. A blind man could see her hickeys. The thought of her sleeping with someone else made me sick. I was the only man she ever slept with. We’re still married but she’s off doing god knows what. I can’t deal with this every day until she makes up her mind. I drove to Mere’s house and knocked on the door. She opened it and looked shocked to see me for a second.

“Hey Aubrey.” She hugged me and let me in.

“I fucked up.” I tried to contain my tears.

“What are you talking about?” She led me to the couch and we sat down.

“She’s sleeping with him. She had hickeys all over.” I closed my eyes and tried to get the image out of my head.

“Aubrey,” she sighed.

“She doesn’t want me. I don’t know what to do anymore. She’s done with me.” I felt tears coming down.

“It’s gonna be okay,” she moved and wiped my tears. I felt someone sit down on the other side of me. I looked over and Nae handed me a box of tissues.

“You’re gonna be fine,” she shot me a sad smile.

Cassie

I tried to leave after dropping off the kids but Shad grabbed my elbow. “You’ve been grabbing my elbow for years and I’m sick of it.” I turned and glared at him. He let go surprised by my outburst. I didn’t get enough sleep last night so I was beyond cranky.

“Why the hell are you so mad at me?” He looked desperate and I felt a little bad.

“I’m not mad at you Shad,” I looked down.

“Yes you are and I don’t want you to stay mad at me,” he sighed.

“I’m not lying when I say I’m mad. I’m just stressed out and I’m sorry for snapping at you,” I apologized.

“What’s going on with you Cass? You’re really starting to worry me.” He moved a little closer to me.

“I’m just exhausted and,” I felt myself getting choked up. “My dad found out he has ALS,” I finally said aloud. Shad made no hesitation wrapping me in his arms.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he rubbed my back. My parents weren’t the best parents in the world but at the end of the day, they’re still my parents.

“It just feels like everything is falling apart.”

“Come in,” he pulled away from me. I eyed him a little cautiously. “You need someone to talk to and I’m all ears,” he promised. I bit my lip contemplating before walking into his house.

Nicki

Paris invited all the girls over to watch Empire. I could use a good distraction after last night and today. Mylan is quiet around me and I know Aubrey knows something. It was Jessi, Paris, Ciara, Nae, Mere, Cassie, Blake, and me. Cassie looked happier than usual so that made me question some things but I kept my mouth shut. Blake somehow convinced Paris to let her invite Sage and that just made everyone annoyed. Nae kept looking at me weirdly as we waited for the show to come on. I was questioning what she was thinking. She shot up and grabbed my arm pulling me up. “We need to talk,” she said as she dragged me to the kitchen.

“What’s up with you?” I scrunched up my face. Why was she acting like this?

“You should really think about what you’re doing. Sleeping with someone while you’re still married is wrong and you know it,” she cut her eyes at me.

“Why is everyone all of a sudden on Aubrey’s side? I’ve put up with his shit for so long and I’m sick of it,” I crossed my arms.

“He came over to Mere’s house and he was crying Nic. You had that grown ass man in tears. He knows he fucked up and stringing him along is making it worse. If you want him then fight for it. If you don’t want him then let him go. What you’re doing right now isn’t just hurting him. It’s hurting Mylan too and I promise that this will only end badly if you keep this up,” she assured me.

“So what happened? While you were in Texas you flipped whose side you were on? I thought you were my best friend. I guess you switched to Aubrey’s side just like you switched to Mere’s side,” I snapped. There’s no denying that she switched to Mere’s side but I couldn’t believe she was switching to Aubrey’s.

“You don’t know why I did what I did and you don’t need to. I didn’t go there to switch sides but it seemed like you and Blake both changed. Y’all aren’t who you were before. I’m just learning to see both sides from situations. I went to Texas for my own reasons so don’t go thinking that I went off to switch whose side I was on,” she glared at me.

“Why did you go then?” I crossed my arms and waited. I don’t see why she won’t answer that question. She was “my” best friend after all.

“I honestly don’t need to answer that and I’m not going to. I’ll tell you why when I know who you are because I don’t know this girl standing in front of me. My best friend wouldn’t fuck with someone’s feelings. Maybe you and Blake have a lot more in common than you realize.” She turned and went to grab a water bottle. I rolled my eyes and walked back into the living room with everyone else.

Blake

Nicki stormed out of the kitchen and plopped down on the couch. I looked at her confused but she just stared at the TV. “Can you get me a water bottle?” Sage asked me.

“Sure.” I wanted one anyway. I got up and went to the kitchen. Nae stood there looking like she was trying to calm down. I cleared my throat and she looked up.

“Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse,” she mumbled.

“I don’t know what your problem is but I am so sick of you treating me like I did shit to you. I didn’t do anything to make you act like this,” I snapped.

“You didn’t do anything? There you go playing the perfect angel,” she chuckled.

“I’m not playing a perfect angel but you sure aren’t either. Just say what you really want to say instead of talking around shit,” I crossed my arms.

“You want me to say what I really want to say?” She raised a brow. I nodded and she was about to say something but then Mere walked in. She looked between us and made that damn weird face that she’s been making for far too long.

“I’ll come back,” she turned.

“Nah you should stay since you’re obviously involved in this too,” I stopped her.

“Blakelynn,” she pleaded but I just stood there and stared at them. Nae shared a look with Mere and she mumbled something to her. “Nae.” She gave her a warning look but Nae ignored it.

“How much did you think you would get away with?” She questioned.

“Get away with? What the hell are you talking about?”

“You are so lucky I made a promise because if I didn’t then I wouldn’t hesitate kicking your ass right now,” she huffed and walked out of the kitchen. Mere groaned as I eyed her.

“Blakelynn it’s,” she started but I cut her off.

“Complicated. You say that same shit every time. What’s really going on between you two?”

“It’s on!” Paris yelled. Mere sighed and walked into the living room. I followed but I was still stuck on everything. What the fuck did I do?

“Ha!” Cassie laughed as we watched Empire.

“I swear I love Cookie,” Jessi smiled.

“Jamal can get it any day he wants. He can definitely be my baby daddy,” Paris leaned back and stared.

“You are so thirsty. He’s gay on the show and in real life,” Ciara hit her.

“I’m just honest,” she held up her hands in defense. Suddenly the show was cut off and the screen went black.

“Shit,” Nae mumbled. I eyed her and saw her share another look with Mere.

“Is your TV broken?” Cassie turned to Paris.

“No,” she scrunched up her face. A video popped up and it was paused.

“Someone press play,” Ciara said. I had the remote so I grabbed it.

“You don’t wanna play that,” Nae spoke quickly. I looked at her weirdly because that was the first time she said something without glaring at me.

“What is it?” I asked cautiously.

“Blake I promise you that you really don’t wanna see that,” Mere sighed. I ignored their pleads and pressed play. Ryan’s face appeared on the screen and it looked like a party was going on in the background.

“Wassup I’m Ryan and we’re at Nae’s 27^th birthday party!” He smiled. He spun the camera around and showed a crowded venue.

“Happy birthday Nae!” A girl blew a kiss at the camera.

“Happy birthday Jazzy Nae!” A guy smiled.

“Happy birthday bad bitch!” A girl winked. We all looked a little closer at the girl and I scrunched up my brows.

“Is that Jaymie?” Nicki looked at Nae.

“Yeah that’s Jaymie. Clearly not in Germany,” she smirked at her and I saw Nicki tense up. A bunch of people said happy birthday and I was confused why it was on my TV. What else was there to see?

“Happy Birthday Auntie Nae! I love you and I baked you cookies!” Nadia smiled at the camera.

“Happy Birthday girl!” Nessa waved.

“Where is the birthday girl?” Ryan walked further into the place and saw a bunch of people crowded around an area. Ryan moved through them and pointed the camera on Nae. “Get it birthday girl!” He shouted.

“Is that Mere?” I heard Ciara question. Ryan moved the camera and we got a clear view of Nae and Mere dancing. I felt my jaw clench as I watched them grind all over each other.

“You really should turn it off,” I heard Mere plead one last time.

“You don’t want to see this,” Nae said. I continued to stare at the video. They were dancing for a little bit and then Nae turned around.

“Got a good view Ry?” She asked him.

“Perfect view!”

“It’s my fucking birthday!” Mere chuckled as Nae said more stuff to the camera. “You see Cheeks?” She pointed at Mere. Ryan turned the camera on her.

“Happy birthday Munchkin,” Mere smiled.

“It is now that you’re here. I fucking love this girl!” She shouted at the camera.

“Turn it off,” Nae snapped at me.

“Maybe you should listen to her Blake,” Paris eyed me but I refused to tear my eyes from the screen.

“Please turn it off Blakelynn,” Mere spoke up. I looked at the TV and even more people crowded around them. Nae smirked at the camera before she turned around and kissed Mere. I heard the girls gasp as I stared in shock. What really pissed me off is when I saw Mere pull her closer and kiss her back.