Chapter 91: Something’s Gotta Give

Mere

I held my head down as everyone continued to watch. I already knew what was happening on the screen. Nae and I were making out for god knows how long. I took a glance at Blake and it looked like it was taking everything in her to just sit down and continue to watch.

“I promise you want to turn it off,” Nae told her but she ignored her.

“Blake,” Nicki tried but Blake wasn’t listening to anyone.

“I say let her watch,” Sage smirked at me. I rolled my eyes and tried to control my anger at her. I looked at the screen and finally saw me and Nae pull apart. We chuckled at the camera as everyone around us cheered.

“Did you catch all of that?” I asked Ryan.

“Every last minute of it,” he responded.

“It’s my munchkin’s birthday and we’re gonna turn the fuck up!” I smiled before wrapping my arms around Nae.

“Why do you call her Cheeks?” Ryan asked Nae.

“Cause she got baby cheeks on her face and fat cheeks on her ass!” Nae slapped my ass before laughing and everyone joined in. I whispered something to her and grabbed her hand. We walked away from the camera and I already knew what the girls were thinking.

“And there goes those two. That concludes Nae’s 27^th birthday party. Happy fucking birthday Nae!” The camera cut off and everyone’s eyes were on us.

“What the hell!?” Blake shot up from the couch.

“I told you that you didn’t wanna see that,” I winced.

“What the hell was that!? So that’s how you work now!? You ditch me and go off to Texas to hook up with my ex!?” She glared at us.

“It wasn’t like that,” Nae tried but Blake cut her off.

“And then you! Were you just playing me this entire time!? Are we even friends because I wouldn’t have done that shit to you!?” She yelled at me.

“Of course we’re friends Blakelynn. Why the fuck would I play you!? It looks worse than what it was,” I sighed but she just looked at us in pure hatred.

“You told me that you two never hooked up!” She looked at me and I recognized that look in her eyes. I looked away because I didn’t want to think about that.

“We didn’t hook up!” Nae cut in for me.

“Then what the fuck was that!?” She snapped.

“I gave her a birthday present!” I finally found my voice.

“Birthday sex,” Ciara started singing but Nae and I glared at her. “I was just joking,” she put her hands up in surrender.

“I can’t deal with this. You said you’ve only lied to me once. I guess there’s no point in trusting you if you’re just gonna lie to me. It’s funny how much you’ve changed for her.” She looked at us one last time before storming out with Sage right behind her.

“So are one of you gonna explain that?” Cassie looked between us.

“It wasn’t what it looked like. Well it sorta was. We were wasted and I mean wasted,” I spoke.

“Obviously but who does that?” Paris crossed her arms.

“It was a fucking bet we made at the beginning of the day. Ryan came up with it and we lost. That’s why I kissed her and why all of those people were around us. We weren’t gonna do it but then the drinks kept coming and well y’all saw,” Nae trailed off.

“But that wasn’t like a peck. Y’all were making out for who knows how long that was,” Nicki pointed out.

“She’s a good kisser,” Nae shrugged. I chuckled but the girls looked at us a little shocked. I got used to Nae’s bluntness over the last year but it’s clear that they forgot about it.

“It was a stupid bet and we were drunk as hell. And can I remind everyone that I’m engaged?” I reminded them.

“To a fiancé that you’ll never marry,” Ciara called out.

“Does Antonio know about the video?” Nicki asked.

“Of course he does. He was there and laughed because we were so wasted. Nae is not my type and I am not hers.” I wanted to make that clear.

“She also said that she loved you in the video,” Cassie eyed us.

“I do love Mere as a friend,” Nae narrowed her eyes on her.

“Why are y’all so close?” Paris questioned.

“We just are,” I huffed. They left it alone but I knew that the questions wouldn’t stop until the truth came out.

Drake

“So what are you gonna do?” Shad asked me. We were just sitting around my condo talking.

“I’on think I have a choice with anything. Nicki doesn’t want me so what can I do?” I shrugged.

“So what about that whole legal separation idea?”

“She gave me the papers a while ago just in case. I still don’t wanna sign them yet.” I still had hope but I don’t know why. I felt like an idiot for having hope.

“Y’all coming to Florida with us right?” He looked at me.

“Yeah we wouldn’t miss Alexis and Brayden’s birthday party,” I nodded. They decided to have a beach party in Florida since Alexis changed her mind and said she just wanted her family with her.

“Maybe you’ll have a real chance to talk to her,” he pointed out. I heard knocking and got up to answer it. Mere stood there with a pissed off expression on her face.

“Who got you mad?” I asked once I let her in.

“No one, what did you need?” She brushed it off.

“I just wanted to talk. Are you sure you’re okay?” I eyed her.

“Yeah just girl drama,” she nodded and I left it there. I let her in and she joined us in the living room. We were talking for a while but something was clearly on her mind.

“Okay what’s up Mere?” I spoke up.

“Nae and I kissed,” she said simply.

“Whoa what!?” Shad looked at her like she was crazy.

“We were wasted, it was her birthday, it was a bet, and I can go on from there,” she sighed.

“So why are you so mad?”

“Blake’s little bitch found a video footage of it and all of the girls saw it, including Blake.” We all got quiet for a minute.

“So she’s pissed huh?”

“Yeah but I don’t wanna think about that anymore. Distract me with your problems,” she joked.

Nicki

 

“Mylan, can you watch Levi?” I asked her. She lowered her headphones and looked at me for a second.

“Will you stop seeing him if I say no?” She raised a brow. I immediately felt like I was getting a headache. Why is everyone just interested in my love life?

“You should just stay out of it,” I told her. She’s a kid and she doesn’t need to worry about any of my business.

“No, I’m not gonna stay out of it. I’m not fourteen anymore. I’m about to be an adult so when are you gonna start acting like one?” She crossed her arms.

“You better remember who you’re talking to,” I warned her. This girl has been getting braver and braver as the days go by but I was not about to have her disrespect me.

“I’m not sure if I’m talking to my mom or older sister,” she eyed me. I’m not gonna lie and say that didn’t hit me hard but I didn’t have time to think about that.

“Can you just watch him?”

“Whatever go out and fuck whoever you want,” she mumbled.

“You have absolutely no right to talk to me like that,” I snapped at her. Who did she think she was talking to? I am not one of her little friends.

“And?”

“Listen little girl I’m still your mother at the end of the day and you’re gonna show me some damn respect.” I put her in her place.

“Yes ma’am,” she said dryly. I took a deep breath and left. First Nae and now Mylan. I wish they would just let me live my life. I drove to his house and let myself in. He was in the kitchen cooking.

“Hey baby,” he smiled.

“Hey,” I let out a tired one.

“Who yelled at you now?” He gave me a knowing look. He knows how many people are against me seeing him but I didn’t care.

“Nae and Mylan. They just want me back with him,” I sighed.

“Do you want to go back to him?” He questioned.

“I don’t know. I’m less stressed without him but now other people are stressing me out. He’s my first you know it’s hard to let go. That’s why I put up with his shit for so long,” I looked down. If he didn’t mean so much to me then I would’ve been kicked him to the side.

“I get it,” he nodded. He could understand how I felt and that’s something that I loved about him. He doesn’t pressure me into anything.

“I never could see myself loving someone other than him but then you came along.” I locked my eyes with him.

“I told you that I’ll always be here for you as a friend or more,” he rubbed my cheek.

“And if I wanted more?” I gave up thinking because I wanted him. It just seems like we’re in our own little world.

“All you need is to say is the word baby.” I bit my lip and contemplated what I was gonna say. I knew what I wanted to say but I also knew that this was about to cross a major line.

“I love you,” I said the three words that I held in for so long. He smiled at me before repeating it. I moved in and kissed him. “I should’ve given you a chance nine years ago,” I whispered.

“Better late than never.” He picked me up and walked to the bedroom.

Mylan

“What do you want to eat?” I asked Levi. He climbed into his seat and thought for a minute.

“Pizza!” He beamed. I nodded and grabbed the box. I heated it up in the oven and sat at the table. “Boo-boo came back,” he pointed. I looked at the inside of my thigh and saw blood leaking out. I sighed and grabbed a napkin. “My?” He called out.

“Yes Levi?” I sighed again.

“No more boo-boo please,” he looked up at me.

“What?” I scrunched up my brows.

“No more okay?” I let out a small smile.

“Okay,” I kissed his head.

“Yay!” He clapped his hands. I grabbed my phone and called Auntie Nae.

“Hey Mylan,” she answered.

“Can you come over? Mom isn’t here and I could really use someone,” I sighed.

“Of course, I’ll be over in a few minutes,” she promised before we hung up.

~~~

“Why’d you do it?” She rubbed my back as I tried to stop crying.

“I just can’t take it anymore. At first it seemed like Dad didn’t want me and now it feels like Mom doesn’t want me. I’m sick of feeling like this,” I cried.

“Your mom needs a lot of sense talked into her,” I heard her mumble. “You can’t shut everyone out. There are many people who care and love you. Your mom is just going through something just like your dad did,” she said.

“No one can see how broken I am. Everyone thought I was better and they wanted to believe I was better. I’m not better and I feel like I’m just gonna get worse,” I admitted.

“Look at me.” She moved my face so I could lock my eyes with her. “I can see you. I know exactly how you feel and it’s hard to truly get better. I still have my days when I wanna go back to the old me but I look back at how far I’ve come. It takes time to get better and you need to have people supporting you. You can only have more people behind you if you open up. You need to tell your dad how you feel,” she gave me a sad smile.

“You’re right,” I nodded.

Paris

“I hate them. I absolutely hate them,” Blake told me as she paced. I sat on her bed unfazed because she’s been doing this for about two hours.

“Blakelynn chill you’re banging Sage,” I said.

“That doesn’t have anything to do with this. They are my exes and they kissed each other. That is absolutely fucked up and you know it,” she snapped.

“At least they didn’t hook up. They were drunk and even if they weren’t they would make a cute couple,” I shrugged.

“I hate you,” she rolled her eyes.

“Just admit it and I’ll stop picking their side,” I smirked as I filed my nails.

“I have no idea what you what me to admit,” she scrunched up her eyebrows.

“Yes you do but if you want I can just go over to Mere’s house,” I looked at her.

“Fine I’ll admit it. You’re right,” she kept it short.                                                 

“No I want you to say the whole thing,” I said slowly.

“Why are you making me do this?” She groaned.

“Because you won’t believe it until you hear yourself say it.” I gave her a look.

“Okay I’m still in love with Nae even though she’s acting like a total bitch,” she admitted.

“And?” I raised a brow.

“And I’m still in love with Mere,” she sighed.

“Perfect,” I smiled.

“That is not perfect.” She plopped down on the bed dramatically.

“No it is because now you can calm your jealous ass down. You just don’t like the fact that they’re close. You wanted them to yourself and you thought that you could hop in between them forever. Newsflash Mere’s engaged and Nae looks like she could care less about who you’re dating. You’ve been hopping in between Mere and Nae for years. They’re both sick of it and it looks like you lost both of them. You’re mad because they’re moving on. When are you going to?” I didn’t care if I hurt her feelings. She’s my twin and I had to keep it real with her.

“You’re right.” She looked hurt but she knew it was true.

“So about that tattoo, is it a matching tattoo with Nae?” I smirked.

“No it’s not,” she snapped.

“She knew exactly what it said and she doesn’t speak Italian,” I pointed out.

“Can’t I just get a tattoo? It’s not matching,” she huffed.

“You’re tattoo doesn’t sound right by itself. It’s not about how much you say I love you. It feels like there should be a but at the end of that sentence.” I wasn’t buying this.

“There isn’t,” she denied.

“Well Alexis and Brayden’s party is coming up and it’s a beach party in Florida. I’m keeping my eyes trained on Nae’s waist,” as soon as I said that she looked at me almost scared.

“It’s a beach party in Florida?” She gulped. I nodded with a smirk.

“Do yourself a favor and ditch the bitch. Sage set that up. She was smiling the entire time the video was on. I told you that I never liked her ass,” I scrunched my face up.

“Fine. It's about time I ended things anyway. I was just using her because I couldn't have who I wanted. It's childish and I'm done with the games.”

Drake

I knocked and Nae opened the door. “I think I can take it from here,” I shot her a small smile.

“You’re a good father Drake. Don’t let anyone take that title from you,” she assured me.

“I know,” I hugged her and walked in as she walked out. Mylan sat on the couch biting her lip nervously. I went and sat next to her.

“I’m sorry,” she choked up.

“Why are you sorry?” I looked at her in concern.

“I blamed you months ago but it was partially my fault too. I never opened up because I didn’t want anyone knowing. I wanted everyone to think that I was fine but I wasn’t and I’m still not fine. I need help Dad.” She broke down and I pulled her into my arms.

“Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you,” I kissed her head.

“I think that I should see a therapist,” she admitted.

“I’ll set up an appointment with one,” I told her.

“And I wanna stay with you tonight. I can’t handle being alone,” she looked up at me.

“You can pack a bag in a little bit,” I rubbed her back.

“Promise me that you won’t change. I can’t have both of my parents not wanting me,” she cried.

“No matter what happens, I’ll always want you and I know Nicki feels the same. I know at times it’s hard to tell but I don’t want you to ever think that.” I heard the door open and figured that it was Nicki.

“What’s going on?” I heard her ask.

“Go pack a bag,” I whispered to her. She nodded while getting up and ran up the stairs. “Mylan is spending the night with me.” I got up and turned to her.

“Why?” She scrunched up her face.

“Because my daughter needs me and I’m gonna be there for her,” I told her.

“And were you gonna ask for my permission?” She crossed her arms.

“I didn’t think you would be back. Do you want me to take Levi while I’m at it, you know, just so you can run out at three in the morning?” I offered.

“Is this what it’s about? You have to be kidding me,” she shook her head in disbelief.

“I love you Onika but it’s clear that you don’t love me,” I admitted what I never wanted to say.

“Aubrey,” she started but I shook my head.

“If you want to get a divorce then I won’t object. It’s obvious that I fucked up one too many times,” I sighed.

“Don’t say that,” she spoke softly.

“Then what do you want me to do Onika? You’re not helping me out at all.” I was exhausted of the back and forth.

“I don’t know,” she looked down.

“When you figure it out, you know where I’m staying.” I eyed Mylan as she walked down with Levi right next to her.

“He wanted to come,” she told me.

“Sleepover!” He beamed.

“Alright.” I looked at Nicki one last time and walked past her.

“Bye Mommy!” Levi hugged her and followed behind me. Mylan walked straight pass Nicki and went to my car. We went to my house and talked for while before I put the kids to bed. I was sleeping for a while until I heard my door open.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah,” I called out.

“Can I sleep with you?” I heard Levi whisper. I pulled the covers back and he hopped up quickly.

“There were monsters,” he said softly.

“There are no monsters in this room,” I promised him. I pulled my son close and fell back asleep.