Chapter 98: One Last Sad Song

Blake

“I just wanna talk and I promise I’ll leave you alone afterwards,” I pleaded to Nae before she could leave Jessi’s room. After I heard what she said yesterday, it’s been bothering me. She stared at me for a minute then walked into the living room and sat on the couch. I followed and sat across from her.

“Well?”

“I don’t know how much Mere told you,” I started but she cut me off.

“She told me all of it.”

“In that case I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to apologize to Mere for a while now but she always shuts the conversation down,” I pointed out.

“Yeah I know she does. That’s her way of dealing with things; if you never bring it up then it never happened. You heard all I said yesterday and I don’t think there are any questions that I didn’t answer already.” She stared at me waiting.

“Have I changed that much to the point where you don’t even love me anymore?” That’s been on my mind since she’s gotten back. She’s been treating me like crap. She let out a long sigh before sitting up straight.

“Of course I still love you Blake. Once you love someone, you can’t stop. You’ll always love them in some type of way. At times it could be used against you,” she narrowed her eyes on me.

“I already apologized,” I huffed. I knew I had to talk to Mere so I didn’t see why she was bringing that up.

“Apologies are pointless to me but at least you’re acknowledging that you did something wrong. Any other questions?”

“Why’d you leave? I think I deserve to know. I woke up and you were gone. You didn’t answer any of my calls and texts. Do you know how much of a mess I was?” I crossed my arms.

“Yeah you probably were just as bad as Mere when she flew to Texas,” she shot right back. It’s like she always had a prepared response for anything I said.

“I’m gonna talk to Mere about that,” I sighed.

“You better.”

“Can you just tell me why you left?”

“Look I left for a reason. Aaron had been fucking with me and I had enough,” she started off with the conversation.

“What do you mean fucking with you?” I hope it wasn’t what I thought.

“No I didn’t mean sex wise. He’s dangerous and on some shit. I made some dumb mistakes in my past obviously and it caught up to me. Aaron threatened me and I ignored it. I never thought he would do something. Then I got a call saying that my mother was in the hospital from a fire at her house. They said if the firefighters didn’t come when they did, then she would’ve died. He was willing to kill her just to get back at me.

That’s when I knew that I couldn’t stay here. I went to my dad’s house and broke down telling him that I needed his help. I didn’t notice that Mere was in the room when I was there until she spoke up. She offered to help me and I was shocked. She’s my dad’s goddaughter and her dad was mine. They were best friends for years until he passed. She set me up to stay with Nessa and Nadia in Texas. It was far away from Aaron and I knew that he would never think that I was there. We also moved my mom back out to Cali. She moved to New York a couple of years ago but I thought it would be safer for her to move back,” she confessed.

“I don’t get why you couldn’t have just told me and not move that far away.” I didn’t understand it at all. I knew Aaron was not mentally stabled but I never thought he could do something so sick.

“Aaron is dangerous or well he was. He was doing some stuff and let’s say he wasn’t my biggest fan at the moment. It took a while but my dad finally got him locked up and that’s why I stayed here. I knew I was safe and so was everyone close to me,” she explained.

“And you didn’t at least keep in contact with me because?” I just needed to know that.

“I didn’t want to lead you into any shit that might have led to me. I just needed to push everyone close to me away. Mere saw me at my worst and that’s why we became so close. When you used her, I saw her at her worst. She’s someone I can confide in and vice versa,” she finished.

“Well thank you for telling me,” I thanked her.

“I owed you that,” she said simply. She looked at me for a moment before speaking again. “I’m sorry for the way I attacked you in Florida. I shouldn’t have done that,” she apologized.

“It’s fine. I should have never said that you were on drugs. That was way too far,” I apologized also.

“Now since I told you that, you have to answer this question,” she eyed me.

“What?” What question could she possibly ask me?

“What game are you playing with Mere?” She raised a brow.

“What are you talking about?”

“Blakelynn I know why you got that tattoo. You know why you got that tattoo. We’re both on the same page so don’t try to bullshit your way out of this.”

“I’m not playing a game with her. She’s engaged in case you didn’t remember,” I rolled my eyes. I was sick of everyone thinking that I was playing games with her.

“You love her right?” I looked at her weird. That is so fucking awkward; admitting to my ex that I still love my other ex?

“Of course I do,” I nodded.

             “Then make a fucking choice. Stop messing with her mind. Either you’re gonna do something or you’re not. You have no right to fuck with people’s emotions. I just want her happy and I’ll be damned if I have you hurting her.”

“I’m gonna talk to her alright? I’ll try to make things right,” I promised. Mere has been holding off on this conversation for too long. It’s about time we’ve talked about that night.

 

 

Drake

“We’re back together,” I smiled at Shad and Mere. I’m glad that we worked through our problems and we can move on with our lives as a family.

“That’s great Aubrey,” Mere said but she looked distracted. She never looked this distracted so that made me question her.

“I know at this point that Cassie still has some type of feelings for me,” Shad grinned. He’s been trying to get Cassie back for years so maybe he’ll actually succeed this time.

“That’s great Shad,” Mere repeated while looking out the window.

“Okay what’s up with you?” I scrunched up my face.

“Nothing,” she sighed.

“Shouldn’t you be planning a wedding?” I raised a brow. She hasn’t mentioned the wedding in a couple of days now.

“I should but I just need a day off,” she shrugged.

“Something is still holding you back,” I looked at her and she nodded. I don’t know what it is but then something automatically clicked. “Is it Blake?” Just as I said that she tensed up.

“No! Why does everyone think it’s her!?” She snapped. She went from zero to hundred real quick. I didn’t think she would get that defensive but that just proved it.

“Because of the way you responded to that,” Shad pointed out.

“I just need time to myself,” she shook her head before getting up and leaving.

“Maybe it’s her time of the month,” I looked at Shad. Mere’s usually are hormonal during that time so I’ll blame it on that. I only know that because she used to live with me when I was younger. She would be in 9^th grade snapping at me for eating the last cookie.

“Ain’t she too old to be having her period?” Shad scratched his head. I looked at him like he was crazy but he wasn’t educated in this kind of stuff. He never was forced to live with a bunch of girls.

“She’s twenty-nine bruh. She ain’t even old yet,” I pushed him.

“So you really forgave Nicki after fucking him?” He eyed me.

“She ain’t fuck him,” I sighed. I didn’t like him being mentioned in conversations.

“I know you Drake and you usually don’t forgive this easily. I know you love her but I got a bad feeling about this.” I looked down and nodded slightly.

“I’m doing what I gotta do for my family,” I admitted. I knew the best thing to do would be to forgive, forget, and move on. I just wanted to erase this past year out of my mind.

“What about you? Did you really forgive her or are you just trying to do this for the kids? This ain’t gonna end well if that’s what you’re doing.” He gave me a knowing look.

“I haven’t seen Mylan smile the way she smiled when she saw us together in a while. Levi even looked happier. I know this is the best thing to do. It’s not like I don’t love her. I just gotta get through this,” I huffed.

“Alright but think about this man. Don’t lead her on and make her think that you forgave her when you really didn’t.”

“I forgave her alright? I ain’t trying to deal with all these questions right now.” I shut the conversation down.

Mylan

“Are you ashamed of me or something?” Ryan asked as we walked around the block.

“Of course not. Why would you even think that?” I looked at him weird.

“You refuse to tell anyone that we’re dating. I don’t want your dad finding out and thinking that we were trying to hide it from him,” he pointed out.

“I just don’t know how my dad will react. I don’t want him to chase you off,” I sighed.

“Mylan.” He stopped me from walking and wrapped his arms around my waist. “You love me right?”

“Yes I do,” I nodded.

“And I love you. No one can ever change that. Your dad could do anything under the sun and I would still be here. There is no reason to be scared,” he assured me.

“You’re not gonna run?” I raised a brow.

“Never.” He pecked my lips before letting me go.

“Then let’s head to my house. I think I have a boyfriend to introduce,” I smiled.

Nicki

I walked out of my room and went into Levi’s. Levi was sitting up on his bed with something in his hand. I was a little shocked that he woke up early from his nap. He’s usually out and it’s impossible to wake him up.

“What do you have in your hand Levi?” I asked him as I sat next to him. It looked like a picture frame.

“Auntie Mere let me have it. It was in her room.” He handed me the frame. I looked at it and it was a picture of them together. “I look cute,” he smiled.

“You do,” I rubbed his hair. I haven’t seen Mere look that happy in a long time. “Dinner is on the table,” I told him. His smile widen as he hopped up and rushed downstairs. I walked back into my room and saw Aubrey standing there. “Aubrey when’s the last time you’ve seen Mere smile like that?” I handed him the frame. He looked at it and scrunched up his face.

“Her birthday,” he said.              

“I don’t remember her looking like that.”

“Her 8^th birthday party. Her dad rented out the entire zoo. She was obsessed with baby jaguars so he let her see some. She adored her dad and he was more of a father to me than my own. That’s who I named Levi after. Her father’s name was Jaden so I made that his middle name,” he elaborated.

“Jaden?” He nodded and I finally got it. I just thought he like that name and I did too but now I knew that there was more thought into it. “They have a strange connection but it’s cute. He obviously adores her and I can see that it’s mutual,” I smiled. I went downstairs and saw Mylan helping Levi fix his plate. “Hey My,” I said. She turned and that’s when I noticed Ryan in the room.

“Hey Mom,” she smiled slightly. She looked a little nervous.

“What is Ryan doing here?” I raised a brow. I had a feeling that something was going on between them.

“I invited him for dinner,” she said. I heard Aubrey walking down the stairs and Mylan instantly tensed up.

“What are you doing here?” Aubrey asked Ryan.

“Mylan invited me for dinner sir,” Ryan answered. I’m pretty sure Aubrey and I were thinking the same thing; what happened to him? Ryan was never polite to Aubrey. We all gathered at the table and there was an awkward tension.

“So how was everyone’s day?” I asked trying to break the tension.

“I did the number two!” Levi smiled proudly.

“Ew,” My scrunched up her face.

“Good job Levi.” I shot him a small smile. It’s disgusting but he just looked so proud of himself. I turned to Mylan and she bit her lip. “What is it?” She looked at Ryan and he grabbed her hand.

“I’m dating Ryan,” she finally admitted.

“No boys!” Levi shouted. Aubrey dropped his fork and I saw his expression on his face change. I knew he was about to bust out into the overprotective father.

“That’s great sweetie,” I smiled at her and Ryan. I was happy for her unlike Aubrey. Ryan was a great guy even though he had his moments.

“What do you mean you’re dating Ryan?” Aubrey asked slowly.

“Um,” Mylan tried to figure out her words.

“Aubrey,” I warned him.

“We’re gonna have a talk after dinner,” he told Ryan.

“Yes sir,” he nodded.

Jaymie

“Is he asleep?” I questioned when Daven walked from the room Carson was staying in.

“Yeah he is. I think we need to talk.” He sat next to me.

“About what?” I scrunched up my brows. What do we have to talk about?

“You live in Cali,” he pointed out.

“Oh,” I nodded slowly. I had to go back home next week. “And you live here.”

“Then there’s Carson,” he sighed.

“I honestly don’t know how to solve this. Maybe visits? It’s not like he can hop on a plane.”

“I’ve been giving this some thought and I think this is the best idea,” he started.

“And that is?” I trailed off.

“What if I move to Cali?” I turned and looked at him like he was crazy.

“You’re serious? You would leave everything in New York just to move to Cali?” Why would he want to do that?

“Jayms I’on got that much in New York. This city is just filled with bad memories. I wouldn’t mind a fresh start. My heart will be in Cali so I might as well follow it,” he shrugged.

“You’re heart?” I looked at him weird.

“You and Carson are my heart. I know you probably can’t stand a bone in my body but I love you Jaymie and I always will. You were the love of my life but now you’re also the mother of my son. You are the only person I could ever see having my child. I know I blew all of my chances with you but I want a chance with my son,” he admitted. I sat frozen for a minute. Obviously I didn’t expect him to say all of that.

“Daven,” I sighed.

“You don’t have to say anything Jaymie. I just wanted to get that off my chest,” he stopped me.

“Why did you go to her?” I closed my eyes and felt tears falling down.

“Jaymie,” he started but I held up my hand.

“Why do you continuously go to her when we have problems? Instead of trying to fight for us, you went to her. She always got in the way,” I shook my head.

“I’m sorry Jaymie and if I could change everything then I would,” he assured me.

“Right now I just want to focus on Carson.  I’ve had enough for today.” I got up and went to the guest room. I sighed when I saw Carson sleeping peacefully. He’s the only good thing that came out of messing with Daven. I needed someone to vent to who wouldn’t judge me. I knew Kolbie was hard because Daven is her brother. I grabbed my phone and started texting.

Aubrey: Up to listening to me vent? I could use someone to talk to.          

Mere

“You know one day you might kill yourself from drinking this much alcohol.” Nae walked and sat next to me on the balcony.

“I just might,” I mumbled.

“Don’t say shit like that.” She reached and grabbed the drink out of my hand. I focused my attention on the moon. My dad used to tell me that he loved me to the moon and back. I wish I could hear him say that one more time. Words can’t explain how much I miss him. I miss him so much. “What’s bothering you? You know that I hate seeing you like this,” she reminded me.

“Antonio, my dad,” I stopped before finishing my sentence.

“And Blake?” She raised a brow.

“I wish I could go back nine years ago and never got with her,” I sighed. I’ve been feeling like that for this last year.

“Sometimes I feel like that too. She’s too complicated but you can’t help who you love. I love her, you love her, and she loves us,” she shrugged.

“We all know she loves you more.” I gave her a knowing look.

“What would make you think that?” She scrunched up her brows like it wasn’t obvious.

“She has known you longer and she has been in love with you longer.” I didn’t get why she was confused.

“That’s your logic?” I nodded and she let out a dry chuckle. “I always felt like she loved you more. Even when I was dating her, she was always with you. I never knew what it was about you that drew her in but now I know.”

“And that is?”

“Mere you’re an amazing person and you have a heart of gold. You care about everyone more than yourself. You put your all into everything including your relationships. You somehow see the good side of a person when no one else can. You forgive people easily and you feel like everyone should have a second chance. I don’t think you even realize how amazing you are. I can see why she dated you,” she admitted.

“It was always supposed to be you and Blake. I’ve known that from the beginning yet I still got with her. I was stupid back then and if I could take it back I would,” I shook my head.

“I always thought the same too but then you came along and made me nervous. You bring out the best in her, you always have. I know there’s this stupid love triangle but you’re the only one who could break it. I’m not telling you to dump Antonio and get with Blake but I’m not telling you not to do that. I just want you happy and I want you to stop drinking.” She let out a small smile.

“Thanks,” I pulled her into a hug.

“You know you’re gonna eventually have to talk to her right? You need to settle that night once and for all instead of avoiding the topic,” she said once we pulled away.

“I know,” I sighed. I’ve been avoiding this conversation for far too long but I just didn’t want to get into that. I guess it’s about time I do.

“You’ll be fine.”

“Why couldn’t we be this close years ago?” I chuckled.

“I know right.”

Shad

“What time is your mom coming to pick you up?” I asked Alexis as I helped Brayden clean up his room. I don’t know how he managed to make this much of a mess.

“I don’t know. She said she had to meet with Kyle,” she shrugged and continued to brush her doll’s hair.

“Since when have you called him Kyle?” I scrunched up my face. They used to call him their dad, much to my disliking.

“A few months now. Mommy told me to so I did,” she said. A few months now? Cassie told them to call him Kyle? None of this was adding up.

“Does he still live with you guys?” I questioned.

“Nope, he moved out a while ago. Mommy is already changing our last name again to just Moss. She needs to stop because I will forget my own last name,” she pouted.

“So your mom hasn’t been with Kyle for months?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Yep,” Alexis nodded. Why didn’t she tell me? Does this mean that I actually have a chance?

 

Drake

“What are you doing?” I heard Levi ask.

“Shh,” I heard Mylan snap. I sat on the couch with Ryan in front of me. I knew Mylan was listening in on our conversation but I didn’t mind.

“So you’re dating my daughter?” I questioned him.

“Yes sir,” he nodded.

“You can cut all of this sir crap. I know you’re not like this Ryan,” I told me. I’ve known this boy for years but he’s acting completely different.

“Things are different now. Before you were just my cousin’s best friend. Now you’re my girlfriend’s father. I automatically have respect for you just because you raised her. You’re the number one man in her life and I just want to prove to you that I’m good enough for her,” he said.

“Why didn’t you guys tell us sooner?”

“Mylan was nervous about telling you. She didn’t want me running off if you intimidated me,” he answered.

“You’re not planning to run off are you?”

“You couldn’t even pay me to run away from Mylan. With all due respect, I love your daughter with all of my heart and I promise to continue to treat her like the princess she is,” he assured me.

“Unbelievable. It’s like I’m looking at an entire different boy. Nah, you’re a young man now.” I looked at him in shock. He definitely grew up.

“I’m a young man who’s just asking for you to give me a chance. That’s all I’ll need to prove to you that I’m good enough for her,” he promised me.

“You better not break my baby girl’s heart,” I warned him.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“Then you better prove it.” I thought about what Jaymie said and it’s about time I let Mylan make her own decisions.

“Yes!” I heard My say.

“You can come out,” I called out. She walked in and Levi was right next to her.

“Sorry.” She blushed out of embarrassment.

“No boys,” Levi crossed his arms.

“Can I please date your sister?” Ryan bent down to his Levi.

“You no hurt her right?” He eyed him.

“Never,” he shook his head.

“Okay,” he nodded. Ryan stood and Mylan smiled.

“Thank you,” she mouthed to me. I nodded and let her spread her wings. She’s about to be an adult and it’s about time I started treating her like it.

~~~

“I’m so proud of you,” Nicki said as we laid in bed.

“It was hard but she’s a young woman now. I don’t really have any control over her decisions. He’s a decent guy and I know that he loves her. As long as he doesn’t hurt her then we won’t have a problem,” I smiled.

“I’ve missed this,” she sighed into my chest.

“I have to,” I nodded slowly. Shad’s words ran through my mind but I fought them off. I looked at my phone and saw I had a message. I grabbed my phone, read it, and responded.

Jayms: I’ll be over in a minute

            “Imma head to Kolbie’s for a minute. I’m sure Mylan would love to see Nyra and I gotta talk to Jaymie about something,” I told Nicki as I got up.

“Oh,” I could hear the jealousy in her voice.

“Do not start that,” I warned her. She had absolutely no room to talk after all that she did.

“I wasn’t gonna start anything. I’ll see you when you get back,” she brushed it off and turned on the TV. I sighed and went to put my shoes on. We still had a long road ahead of us. I just had to try and erase this past year from my mind. I knew it was gonna be hard but I had to do what I had to do for my children. I just hope that Shad wasn't right.

 

Next Chapter Tomorrow