Chapter 95: Let Love Bleed Red

 

Drake

I laid back and took another swig from my bottle. Mylan was somewhere around here since she refused to go back to the house. I’ve been like this for the last couple of days. I heard the door being unlocked and looked up. Mere took one look at me and sighed. She walked in and Nae closed the door. She hesitantly took the bottle out of my hand.

 

“I got it.” Nae took it from her and put it in the kitchen.

 

“I haven’t touched a bottle in a while,” she told me as she sat next to me.

 

“I’m going talk to My,” Nae said before going upstairs.

 

“How are you?” I looked down and shrugged.

 

“I’m still living.”

 

“I meant how are you handling this? You look like you haven’t slept in ages and it’s only been two days,” she eyed me.

 

“I haven’t slept. Every time I close my eyes, I see her with him. I can’t take those thoughts,” I shook my head.

 

“Aubrey.” I couldn’t look at her because I knew she was feeling sorry for me.

 

“I know I made mistakes but did I really deserve this?” I questioned.

 

“I don’t even want you thinking that. No one deserves this. Y’all are married and she had no right to be sleeping with anyone.” I laid back a bit and just looked at the ceiling.

 

“Do you know how she’s doing?” I’m pissed as hell at her but she’s still my wife. Her health comes first.

 

“Cassie said she hasn’t been sleeping or eating. She’s been over there helping her take care of Levi,” she informed me.

 

“I ain’t ever thought about getting a divorce but how much more shit does it have to take? We’ve been going back and forth for too long. We’re grown and we have kids to worry about. Our marriage shouldn’t be this fucked up,” I huffed.

 

“Are you serious about divorcing her? I know you Aubrey and I know there’s a part of you that might regret this.” She grabbed my hand and gave me a knowing look.

 

“I don’t know but I do know that I need some space. I just need a break from all of this shit.” I was tired mentally and physically.

 

“You and me both,” she sighed again and laid her head against me.

 

“How are you doing?” I asked her. I knew shit went on for her too.

 

“Between Blake, Nae, and Antonio, I’m just so tired.”

 

“He ain’t put his hands on you right?” I lifted her face and examined her but she shoved my hands away.

 

“No he hasn’t Aubrey. I told you that he has changed,” she rolled her eyes at me.

 

“What’s up between you and him?” They looked fine when we were in Florida.

 

“He’s just questioning some things,” she look down and bit her lip slightly.

 

“Like your tattoo?” I raised a brow.

 

“Don’t start,” she gave me a pleading look.

 

“I thought you didn’t even like tattoos?” She’s always been scared of needles.

 

“I wanted to do something I normally wouldn't do. It was just a very complicated situation,” she summed it up.

 

“I’ll drop it.” Nae walked back downstairs with Mylan.

 

“I gotta head to school,” she grabbed her backpack. “I’ll see y’all later.” She kissed my cheek and hugged Mere and Nae before leaving.

 

“She’s still avoiding Nicki?”

 

“Yep,” I nodded.

 

“Hey where’s your bathroom?” Nae questioned.

 

“Down the hall to the right,” I pointed. She walked away and Mere had this weird look on her face. “What’s with the face?”

 

“I still need to talk to her about Florida,” she noted.

 

“Why did she attack Blake the way she did?” I was a little shocked at how all of that went down.

 

“Shit from Texas that I should have never told her about,” she frowned a bit. Nae walked out and she locked her eyes with me. She gave me a look as if to say that she’ll address something later. I could be mistaking but I think she had something in her hand.

 

Paris

“Stop avoiding this conversation.” I pulled the covers back and Blake groaned. She’s been holding off on this conversation since I found out about the tattoo.

 

“It’s not a conversation that’s important.” She tried to pull them back up but I held it down. Not important my ass.

 

“You have matching tattoos with Mere? She’s engaged and y’all been broke up.” I shook my head confused. Why would she have matching tattoos with Mere? That doesn’t make any type of sense in my head. She huffed before she sat up and looked at me.

 

“It wasn’t like I planned on getting matching tattoos with her. She was gonna get a tattoo and I found that quote and showed it to her. She liked it and went to get it so I went with her. She decided to get it in Italian and that made me want to get it. We thought it was stupid to get the same thing so we split it in half. We also weren’t completely sober and that probably helped my decision,” she finally explained. When I heard the word sober, it started to make sense. Sober or not they still got that tattoo. They had to have known what they were doing. Now I wonder if it stopped at the tattoo.

 

“Is that all you did that night?” I eyed her.

 

“What are you implying?” She gave me a warning look. I knew that she knew what I was implying but I’m still gonna say it.

 

“Blake you just said y’all weren’t sober. I mean it could’ve led somewhere,” I shrugged.

 

“It didn’t lead anywhere. I went home and so did she. Why do you gotta start unnecessary drama?” She groaned.

 

“Nae’s been mad at you since she’s been back. Was it whatever went on that night? That would make a lot of sense,” I was connecting the dots.

 

“None of that really matters Paris. I already told you about the tattoo so can that be it?” She pleaded and I decided to stop questioning.

 

“Fine. I’ll let it go for now but can you at least tell me what her tattoo says?” Blake sighed before looking at me.

 

“But how much you prove that it’s true,” she mumbled.

 

“It’s not about how much you say I love you but how much you prove that it’s true,” I slowly put the two together. “Why would you get a tattoo saying that of all things?”

 

“Drop it Paris. I answered your questions.” She laid back down and I let her.



Mylan

“You do know that you’re gonna have to face your mom at some point right?” Dad reminded me. I turned the TV off and looked at him. He knew that I didn’t want to go back to my house until I absolutely had to.

“Why would I want to do that?” I haven’t seen her since the whole beach thing. It’s been a couple of days and nothing has changed. Everyone just couldn’t get over that blow up. No one expected her to be sleeping with him.

“Because she’s still your mother and she’s probably worried sick.” He gave me a look and I just wanted to ignore it.

“She’s probably with him,” I mumbled.

“Levi probably misses you,” he pointed out. Levi was the only down side of not seeing Mom. I knew that he missed me and I probably shouldn’t have left him alone.

“I needed to grab more clothes anyway. I’ll be back.” I grabbed my keys and drove off. I finally got my car fixed so that was one good thing. When I opened the door, it was quiet. Then I heard little footsteps running towards me.

“My!” Levi ran to me.

“Hey.” I picked him up.

“Where were you?” He pouted.

“I was by Dad.” I walked to the living room.

“No leaving me.” He pointed his little finger at me.

“Okay,” I chuckled. “Where’s Mom?” I looked around but didn’t see her.

“I don’t know. Auntie Cassie helps me.” He motioned to the kitchen. I walked over and saw Auntie Cassie making dinner. Why is she here and not Mom?

“Hey Auntie Cassie,” I smiled. She turned and smiled at me.

“Hey Mylan,” she hugged me.

“Where’s my mom?”

“She’s in her room. I’ve been trying to get her to eat more but I’m having a hard time,” she sighed. I knew that she was probably feeling some type of way after everything went down. I might be mad at her but her health came first. I don’t need either one of my parents dropping dead at this moment.

“I need to talk to her anyway.” I put Levi down and walked upstairs. I walked into Mom’s room and the lights were off. “Mom?” I called out. I flipped the lights on and saw her curled up in her bed. I walked over and sat next to her. “This isn’t healthy.” She looked at me and it seemed like she hadn’t slept in days.

“I’m fine,” her voice came out strained.

“Why’d you do it Mom? I just don’t understand why you did it.” I didn’t want to be mad at her but it was hard.

“It’s complicated.”

“Then break it down for me. I’m sick of you just saying that. That’s a coward response. Just tell me why because that’s the only way I can move forward and forgive you,” I told her. I don’t care how old she thinks I am in her mind. I’m about to be eighteen and I think I have a right to know after everything that’s happened. She sat up and eyed me.

“Alright.”

 

 

Cassie

“Can we talk?” Shad asked as soon as the kids ran into his house. I wasn’t trying to deal with this today. I had way too much on my plate. I had to meet with my lawyer yet again because of Kyle’s demanding ass and then I had to get back to Nicki.

“I have to go Shad.” I turned to leave but he grabbed my elbow.

“Please Cass,” he pleaded. I turned and looked at him and saw a look in his eyes. The last time I saw him look at me like that was back when he was pleading for me to stop being mad at him nine years ago. “Look I know I’m probably the worst guy on the earth in your head,” he started but I had to cut him off.

“I don’t think of you that way,” I shook my head. There are a handful of guys in front of him on that list. He’s not even on that list. Kyle is definitely number one.

“If you were feeling some type of way you would tell me right?” He eyed me. I shifted my attention to the ground and stayed quiet. “Cass,” he moved my head so I could lock eyes with him. “I’m not trying to ruin your perfect marriage. I just wanna know if you still feel something and then I’ll leave you alone,” he held his hands up in surrender.

“Shad it’s been nine years since we’ve ever been in a relationship. I would’ve thought that this could’ve been dropped years ago. Why do you keep trying Shad? Why try when you have no chance?” I just didn’t get him. He hasn’t stopped for the past three years.

“I’ll always try Casandra. There’s no one who could ever replace you and I’d do anything to get you back. I know that impossible but I just like showing you what you’re worth. Kyle shouldn’t slip up because they’re many men who would try to take his spot and I’ll be first in line. I’ll never give up Cass,” he shook his head.

“I have to go,” I sighed and went to my car. I hate when he does shit like that. I can’t go back down that road with him. I promised myself to be stronger and that’s exactly what I’m gonna be.

 

 

Nicki

“It wasn’t something that just came out of the blue. Daven and I have always been close for years. He’s been there for me when your father made me feel unimportant. He gave me the attention that I needed. He’s always been there when I felt unimportant,” I started off.

“He was the one you kissed when Dad kissed Jaymie,” she connected the dots.

“How do you remember that?” She was seven or eight when that happened.

“I remember bits and pieces from what went on,” she shrugged.

“Yeah he was the guy I kissed. It was to get even with your father but it turned into something more. I’ve always had feelings for him but your father outweighed those feelings. Now it’s just complicated,” I sighed.

“Do you love him?”

“Yes I do love him but not the same way I love your father. I loved the way Daven made me feel. He made me feel like there was no one else around,” I admitted.

“So are you gonna be with him now?” She looked down.

“No I’m not. Daven knew that I couldn’t do a relationship so he took what he could get. He was just there for me when I needed someone. He’s always been there for me since I was eighteen and vice versa. Jaymie left him and he had no one around. When two people are lonely and have feelings for each other, it can get pretty messy,” I explained.

“So what happens now?” She questioned.

“I don’t know. I need to talk to your father but I’m not sure if that’s possible,” I shook my head.

“Let me handle that.”

 

 

Mere

“I’m sorry but I’m not apologizing for something that I’m not sorry for.” Nae shrugged and laid her head on Nessa’s lap.

“You shouldn’t have hurt her. That went too far,” I sighed.

“Oh come on Mere. I could’ve done a lot worse so she should be thankful you were there to stop me.”

“You’re mad at her for something I should be mad at her for. I’m not mad so I don’t understand why you still are.” I’ve tried to talk her out of being mad at Blake but it’s somewhat hard to erase the memory from her mind. Nae sat up and glared at me.

“You could’ve died,” she reminded me.

“You’re over exaggerating the situation. It wasn’t anything like that,” I huffed.

“Actually she’s kind of right Mere. You’ve never drunk that much in that short period of time. That scared the life out of me,” Nessa agreed with her.

“I was wasted,” I said in my defense.

“There’s a difference between wasted and bordering killing yourself. I can’t imagine what would happen if you would’ve drunk more that night,” Nae cut in.

“It was a while ago. Why do we have to keep bringing that shit up?” I was so done with the conversation.

“Why don’t we talk about your little tattoo?” Ryan suggested.

“Leave it.” I shot him a look. That tattoo was the last thing I wanted to think about. I should think about how much it would cost to get this tattoo removed. I don’t even care about the pain at this point.

“Fine, so when are you getting married Mere?” Ryan smirked at me. He just brings up touchy subject after subject. Why does everyone want to know the answer to that question?

“Yeah when are you?” Nessa scrunched up her face.                  

“Why do y’all constantly rush me? Antonio doesn’t rush me so I don’t see the point. I’ll get married when I’m good and ready,” I shrugged. Can everyone just let me do whatever I want to do?

“What’s stopping you?” Nessa looked at me.

“I don’t know. It’s something holding me back.” I couldn’t express the feeling. I couldn’t say I do without getting that feeling. I didn’t want to regret getting married so I wanted to wait until the feeling went away.

“Something or someone?” Nae narrowed her eyes on me. She has been saying that for months and I told her to stop.

“Shut up,” I gave her a warning look.

“Is it Blake?” Nessa asked.

“No it’s not her,” I rolled my eyes. Why does everyone want to think that she has anything to do with why I don’t want to get married yet? Not everything is about her.

“Y’all got matching tattoos,” Nae pointed out.

“I already explained that story,” I sighed. That’s a story that only has to be explained once and then get buried with the rest of them.

“If she’s not the reason then what is?” Nessa sat up and eyed me. They all thought it was her and I’m sick of this. If they want me to get married so bad then fuck it.

“You know what?” I hopped to my feet and went upstairs. Antonio was on the bed watching football. I climbed on the bed and straddled him.

“What’s up babe?” He looked at me.

“Let’s plan a wedding,” I smirked.

 

 

Jaymie

“I’m not doing it.” Aubrey shook his head and looked at me like I was crazy.

“Don’t get me wrong, I can’t stand her at all, but I think you should hear her out. She’s your wife Aubrey. That’s a pretty big title and I think everything should be put on the table before you think about getting a divorce,” I suggested.

“She sure ain’t act like a wife. She fucking him of all people,” he mumbled.

“I don’t really like the situation either but it’s about more than you. You have two children and they deserve a mother and father both in the same household. After everything Mylan’s been through, I think you should try just for her. All you need to do is hear her out,” I shrugged.

“You talking about a mother and a father but what about you? Last time I checked, Carson only has a mother,” he flipped the script.

“Fuck Daven to be honest,” I rolled my eyes.

“It’s more than just you Jaymie,” he threw my words back at me.

“But it’s different.”

“It’s not different Jaymie. You guys need to put y’all drama aside and be parents. Do it for Carson. You don’t want him growing up thinking his father didn’t love him when he didn’t even have a chance,” he gave me a knowing look.

“I hate you sometimes,” I huffed with a playful smile.

“So how long are you staying up here?” He questioned.

“Just a couple of days. I have some dance stuff to handle up here before going back to Cali. Kolbie said I could stay at her house for as long as I want. I think they might kidnap my baby though,” I joked.

“Are you gonna talk to Daven?”

“I’ll think about it. Are you gonna talk to Nicki?”

“I’ll think about it,” he teased.

“Do it for Mylan and Levi.”

“Do it for Carson.”

 

 

 

Drake

“Thank you,” Mylan said as she opened the door. I nodded and walked inside the house. I didn’t want to talk to Nicki but I knew we had to talk.

“Ain’t making no promises baby girl,” I told her. I can’t guarantee that we’ll be together after this because I’m fed up with everything at this point. I’m starting to think that everything would be easier if we do split up. Maybe that’ll help our family not have so much stress.

“Alright,” she sighed as I walked up the stairs. I opened the door and saw Nicki curled up under her covers.

“Onika,” I called out. She moved and sat up. She looked exhausted but I guess that makes two of us. I haven’t slept in a while but I’m used to this by now.

“Aubrey.” My name slipped from her lips.

“We need to talk,” I told her and she nodded.

“I’m sorry,” she said. That’s something I’ve been saying for the past few months so it sounded weird coming from her.

“I know.” I went and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry for kissing Jaymie. That was childish but I honestly was fed up and wanted you to feel how I felt.”

“Where do you want me to start?” She questioned.

“From the beginning.” I didn’t know if I could handle it but I needed to hear it.

“You knew that we were always friends. I went to him to talk about our problems just like you went to Mere,” I stopped her.

“Mere is a lesbian. There wasn’t any possibility that she was gonna make a move on me,” I cut in. She knew that Daven had feelings for her. That is a completely different situation than what mine is.

“She’s engaged to a guy,” she pointed out.

“The only guy she’s ever been attracted to.” Mere has never liked any other guy besides him and she has said that she’s attracted more to his mind than his body.

“Are you gonna let me finish or are you gonna keep cutting me off?” She crossed her arms getting a little attitude.

“Go on.”

“He helped me and encouraged me to fight for this marriage. It’s when I started breaking down in his arms did he realized that he still had feelings for me. He was going through the break up with Jaymie and I was going through this with you. We were both emotional and looked at each other for some type of comfort. It was nice to just have somebody who cared and wanted to listen to me. He was always there and easy to run to,” she looked down.

“Just like last time,” I mumbled. She always ran to him when we had problems and I guess years didn’t change that.

“No, it’s different from last time. Last time it was just some silly crush but this time,” she trailed off.

“Do you love him?” I didn’t even wanna hear the answer.

“Yes.” I had enough of this conversation. I stood up and tried to walk away but she grabbed my arm. “Just listen to me,” she pleaded. I turned and she stood in front of me.

“Why should I? You went off and fell in love with someone else,” I shook my head. What’s the point of fighting for this marriage if she’s in love with him? There’s absolutely no point in fixing this.

“It’s a different type of love. I don’t love him the way I love you,” she tried to convince me but I wasn’t buying this bullshit.

“Obviously you do if you go around fucking him when we’re technically still married!” I snapped.

“I never slept with him!” She snapped back.

“You could’ve fooled me.” I remembered all those hickeys and the way she was walking.

“I never said I was innocent but I never slept with him.” She sat back down.

“What are you talking about?” I finally forced myself to calm down.

“I couldn’t do it. I wanted to but when I looked up all I saw was you. I can’t have sex with someone who isn’t you. I never could and I don’t think I 'll ever be able to.”

“Why did you keep quiet when I asked if you fucked him?”

“I don’t even know. There were just so many emotions going through my head and I couldn’t even think. It’s not like I didn’t do other things with him so a part of me felt guilty."

“I don’t know if we can move on from this.” I couldn’t even bear the thought of her doing anything with that nigga.

“I’m sorry Aubrey. I really am sorry,” she cried.

“For now I gotta watch out for our kids. Mylan wanted me to get her a therapist and I did. She recommended family counseling for the first session just to get an understanding of our situation. I wanna make our kids my main priority. So do you think we can try that for one day?” I looked at her.

“Yeah,” she said softly.

“Alright.” I turned and walked out of the room. I don’t know what’s gonna happen between us but I know no matter what I’m gonna be there for my kids. I’m never letting them go through anything alone ever again. I went home and wanted to clear my mind for a minute but I heard a knock at my door. I walked downstairs and opened the door. Nae stood there with her arms crossed.

“We need to talk about your little friends.” I looked as she lifted up her hand and dangled a bottle of pills in between her fingers.