Caught Up...

Still Caught Up

2010-12-30T18:35:00.000-05:00

COMING SOON

2010-12-12T10:56:00.000-05:00

“Yeah...just leave me here…alone…by myself!” She slammed her hand down on the bar. She scanned the room fully with her back against the bar, examining every face around her, “Maybe this isn’t my night after all!” She turned back around signaling for a bartender. Today was special and needed to be celebrated even if she’d end up doing it on her own. As the bartender slid her the glass filled to the rim with a colorless liquid, a hand appeared from her left followed by an orgasmic British accent, “Please, allow me.” He smiled handsomely, as he paid the bartender for her drink then ordered his own. “Thank you, Prince Charming!” She raised her glass before taking a sip. He was handsome. Down right sexy. Everything from his dirty blond hair, to the obviously new pair of vans he wore on his feet. She was checking him out and wasn’t hiding it. She took another sip, returning her eyes to the rest of the room. “So do you buy drinks for every lonely ass woman sitting at the bar?” She took another sip, smiling behind her glass at her own label. “Only if they’re insanely gorgeous, like yourself.” He leaned against the bar with his elbow, staring her down just as she’d done him. “Sexy accent, generous, and smooth… aren’t you a great catch!” She smirked, finally turning to face him. His eyes were blue. Seductive and ice cold blue. She felt as if she was drowning within them or at least wanted to. “That’s funny,” He broke her train of thought, “I believed women only thought of a good catch as someone who maintained a boring 9 to5, and you know... dresses like an uptight bloke.” He chucked. “That’s because those women aren’t me! You only live once, why spending it living by the rules with some stuffed shirt tightwad that doesn't know how to have fun?” She retorted as she swirled the ice around in her glass with her straw. “Is that so?” He licked his lips, staring her down once again, “Then I suppose, you wouldn’t mind leaving this place with me?” He smiled as she looked at him with an unreadable expression then consumed the rest of her drink within seconds. Placing the empty glass on the bar, she roped her arm around his, following him out the door.

** With this sequel, I plan to touch on the lives of other characters and not just Naslie, hence, this little snippet that's not about her. Stay tuned...coming to a screen near you!

Ch. 20 Last Chance

2010-11-06T23:37:00.004-04:00

warning: may cause tears

Tony sat in the plastic chair, his head in his hands, heart full of pain and sorrow. They’d sat in the hall of the hospital, their arms around each other, crying, praying, and barely breathing. He replayed the events in his head, thinking of how the failed attempts by the negotiator to get through to the deranged woman who refused to inform them of Naslie’s condition, resulted in a raiding of the building after there was a large bang. They refused, Jace and Tony both, to stay put, wait for the woman to be apprehended before they entered. At the top of the mold covered concrete stairs, they saw a woman bleeding from a head wound caused by her own hand. Clenched in her hand, a photo, a couple smiling, their backs against a car, the sun shining brightly upon them. Pulling his eyes away from the woman’s soft facial features, he saw her, slumped over, pale, bleeding from her leg. Jace rushed to her side, his heart in his throat. Tony followed, placing his head on her chest, listening for a heart beat. It was faint. There but faint. Looking up from under his brows, his eyes said it all. They filled with tears, as they met Jace’s. Jace tapped her colorless cheek as hard as he could without hurting her, “Please don’t do this!” His voice cracked as he spoke, unable to hold back his own tears. “Please Naslie!” He scooped her into his arms, holding her tight as he laid his head against hers while his father nervously dialed her grandmother’s number. Tony turned, glancing at the officers examining the woman who lay dead on the other side of the room, and the blue uniforms rushing toward them with bags and a gurney. Looking back to his sister, he held her hand, gently rubbing it against his face as tears began to fall faster from his eyes. He watched her chest move slowly, in and out, in and out, in and out, until a small gasp escaped through her pale white lips. He jumped as her eye open slightly through the bruised lid; she lifted her head toward Jace than back at him, “Ton…” She whispered, her eye closing with each breath she struggled to take. He moved in, cradling her cheeks, “Yes, Nas!” His heart quickened. She looked up at Jace again then back to Tony, “I’m…in...trouble…aren’t I?” She cracked a dull smile, sluggishly moving her hand, resting it on Jace’s knee as she griped Tony’s hand, still against his cheek before her eyes closed once again. They remained closed the whole ride to the hospital and the week that they’d been there, in the hall, praying for a miracle.

On the first day, the doctor returned after Naslie’s surgery, detailing them on the extent of her injuries. As a result of not being treated right away, she’d developed an infection that’d spread through her whole body, currently being treated, the outcome, uncertain. While the bullet was being removed, she stopped breathing more than they liked. By the time they’d removed the bullet, she’d slipped into a coma, having to be revived on three different occasions. The doctors invited Jenette into the room, allowed her to watch them revive her, showing her they were doing all they could. She broke down, collapsed onto the cold linoleum floor, and was joined by Dana who attempted to pull her together.

Here they were, a week later, still together, still deeply saddened, sitting in the hospital hall with the addition of Brenda and Jael. Jace was hesitant to tell him, wanting to keep his heart free of the pain they all felt but he needed Jael to be prepared. Wanted him to see Naslie one last time before she passed. Her health had taken a turn for the worse. She was no longer breathing on her own, her skin was even paler than before, and her body was slowly shutting down. Brenda and Lando took Jael into the room. He draped his body across hers, crying for her to wake up, shaking her in hopes it would work until they dragged him out kicking and screaming “I want my mommy!” at the top of his lungs, initiating more tears from the others. Dana and Leyna followed, crying as they held hands, kissing her on her cheek and forehead, whispering how much they loved her. Tony walked in, his arm around Jenette. Seeing her there, barely alive, his heart shattered, the guilt burdened him. After Jenette gathered all the strength she had, she rubbed Naslie’s hands, brushed the hair out of her face, kissed her forehead sweetly, “I watched you come in, Baby Girl, your old Nan will be here when you…” She couldn’t bring herself to say it. The tears began again. Uncontrollably, she sobbed, hugging her only granddaughter, the young face that matched her own. Tony peeled her away, sitting her in the chair next to the bed. He looked down at his sister apologetically, “I’m so sorry!” He mumbled, forming a new set of tears that he allowed to flow even after their father entered the room. Sammie removed his hat, walking over to stand at Tony’s side. Tony shook his head, leaning into him as Sammie’s arm came around his shoulders. Jenette stood, unable to take it anymore, retreated with both men close behind her. The last to enter the room, Jace held his composure. He moved to the side of the bed, pulling the chair close as he took her hands into his. Despite the tubes going through her mouth and nose, she looked peaceful. Just as peaceful as the night they spent on the beach. That day, he’d imagined so much for them. Moving Naslie and Jael in with him, a wedding on that very beach, a bunch of beautiful babies that looked like her, and walking hand in hand in the park with heads full of gray hair and their grandchildren running circles around them. This was only a fantasy now. A dream that would never see the light of day. An aching in his chest grew stronger, triggering tears he was trying to avoid in an attempt to be strong for everyone else. He couldn’t do it! Couldn’t allow himself to believe everything was going to be okay. Couldn’t imagine life without her. He leaned forward, kissed the corner of her mouth gently, hesitating to pull away before removing a small box from his pocket. He plucked the gold ring from it, sliding it onto her left ring finger slowly. His chest moved quickly as he felt himself losing it. “I should have kept you safe that night! Locked my arms around you and never let go when I had the chance! I’d spend the rest of my life traveling to the end of the earth just to keep you happy if you’d just…” He paused, “stay!” He looked down at the ring he placed on her finger, regretting the fact that he’d missed the chance to do it properly. He leaned down and whispered in her ear “Please stay!” He begged, before planting another kiss on the corner of her mouth. “Just know… my heart will be wherever you are! I will never stop loving you!” He backed away, turning after one last look at her. He reached the door unable to accept it, to leave it at that. He took long strides back to her, needing to feel her skin against his one last time. Letting her curly locks run through his fingers, he brushed her cheek against his, hot tears slid between them. Jace pulled away, looking up to the ceiling then down at the machine next to her bed that’d begun to beep furiously. He panicked, scanned machine, trying to figure out what was happening when she finally noticed, Naslie’s eyes were open.

The End
For Now.

**If you haven't figured it out, in the end of chapter 19, Naslie wasn't shot a second time, she passed out as Larissa attempted to kill her, just minutes before the police arrived and tried to make contact with her. Naslie was right. Larissa was scared. Killing Naslie seemed like the best way to get her husband back but how would she do that with him dead? More importantly, what would she do once Naslie was dead? Lawrence was her purpose in life! The reason why she went through great lengths to keep him to herself. Where would life take hwe with both of them dead?

I hope ya'll enjoyed this! I never thought I'd see this ending even though I had it in mind when I started this nearly a year ago. I thank you all for sticking around and following these characters every step of the way! Please continue to stick around, I will be dropping small portions of the next half of this series every now and then.

Ch. 19 Breaks

2010-11-04T16:47:00.003-04:00

Warning: language, violence, no pictures

Tony pushed through the heavy door, greeted by the familiar faces of the bartenders he’d come to know so well. His heavy steps echoed throughout the nearly empty venue. The guilt he felt for what he had done and said to his sister the last time her saw her began to eat away at him as he thought about the call Jace received, accompanied by a loud bang and scream that he’d heard while standing a few inches away. He needed a drink. Wanted a drink. Anything to help ease this overwhelming feeling that he’d been everything but the brother she deserved.

He kept his eyes straight ahead as he followed the stairs toward an office that not many were allowed into. Without word to the receptionist, he pushed through the closed office door, causing her to spring from her chair to stop him. “Sir!” She jumped as he yanked his arm free of her grasp. “It’s ok, Claire!” Sammie spoke calmly motioning for her to leave them.

Once the door closed behind her, he’d planned to give Tony a piece of his mind for bursting into his office in that manner but was met with something he wasn’t prepared for. “I thought you should know that your daughter is missing.” His voice calm, cold, and angry. He stopped mid-step as he turned to leave. Stricken by too many emotions to just let the words dancing around in his throat or be swallowed and forgotten, he peered over his shoulder, “If she dies before one of us has the chance to tell her who you really are, then you mind as well get a room built onto the back of this bitch because I’m not leaving!” He left Sammie awestruck as he stormed out of the office without waiting for a response.

________________________________

The ride home was a long one. He welcomed it; needed all the time he could get to think about what he could do to fix this mess that he felt responsible for. Closing the car door behind him, he felt his phone go off in his pocket. Pulling it out quickly, his eyes widened at the name on the screen. “Naslie!” He shouted fumbling to answer the call. “Naslie are you ok? Where are you?”
His heart began to race faster and faster as an unfamiliar voice spoke to him cheerfully, calm, and taunting, “Hello, Tony! I was feeling a little generous and thought I’d allow you to speak to your sister before she dies! Do you have a message you’d like for me to pass on, Pumpkin?”
“Look, Bitch-” He stopped as he heard it, his sister’s voice shout something that was broken up, “no man video?” He repeated to himself. The call ended abruptly. Tony jumped back into his car, dialing frantically as he sped out of the driveway, “Jace? See if you can find a place called ‘no man videos’ or something and an address for it, I’m on way!”

________________________________

Minutes earlier:

“You know, I’m feeling generous.” Larissa paced the rotten wooden floor, stopping in front of Naslie as she removed the phone from her pocket. “I’ll allow you one phone call before you die. Let’s see, iny…mini…miny…mo! Tony it shall be!” She hit the call button with a smile, placing the phone to her ear as she tapped her foot, humming the rest of the childish tone.
“Naslie! Naslie are you ok? Where are you?”
“Hello, Tony! I was feeling a little generous and thought I’d allow you to speak to your sister before she dies! Do you have a message for your sister, Pumpkin?”

“Nor…” Naslie’s voice called out barely above a whisper. She cleared her throat giving it once last try, “Norrdman Video!” She screamed as loud as she could, holding on to her bleeding leg as the pain surged through her body. She was growing weak. Too weak to plan a surprise attack and attempt to get the phone or gun away from Larissa and fight her way out. Those words had taken a lot out of her and left her breathless, wheezing like an asthmatic, coughing from the pain and strain of her voice reaching its highest point.
“You bitch!” Larissa ended the call, rushing toward her. She barely saw it, the heavy bottom of Larissa’s shoe flying toward her face. It connected like a lightening strike, knocking her out instantly.

_________________________________

“Are you absolutely sure that’s what you heard?” The male detective asked with a single thick eyebrow raised.
“Yes!” Tony exhaled sharply. She was in the background screaming so there is a chance I may have missed something but I am positive I heard that.”
“You do understand that that could mean anything, right?” The female detective sat on the edge of the desk, tossing her medium length brown hair over her shoulder. “It could be a reference, a place they passed, a code for something…”
“Well how about ya’ll get the fuck up and figure it out then!” Jace pushed out of the chair, nearly knocking it into the floor as he stormed over to the window. She’d been shot hours ago. He was sure of it. She was somewhere dying and he felt helpless. Felt as if his chest was tightening and his heart was beating slower and slower, somewhere dying with her.
“We’re trying help, Mr. Ortiz.” The female detective reply with a clam voice.
“No, you’re sitting on the damn desk, trying to silently seduce my married father!” He snapped.
“Eso es suficiente, Jace!” Lando matched his tone. “We understand that you’re upset but you need to calm down. They are trying!” Lando turned back toward the detectives, “If my memory serves me correctly, there was a video store near the state line, something close to that? Norman or something?”
“Norrdman’s,” The male detective replied, playing with his pen top as he turned his chair back and forth, “but it’s no longer there. I’m not sure it’s even there anymore. I believe they knocked those buildings down to build condos.” He sat up in his chair, typing something into the computer then reaching for the phone’s receiver, “Detective Price.” He answered, grabbing a note pad, scribbling something quickly before thanking the person on the other end and hanging up the phone. “Good news, a state trooper has located your vehicle and it is near Norrdman’s Video Store.” He paused, quickly glancing at his partner, “The officer who located the vehicle reported that he heard sounds coming from inside the building, so we have to go, NOW!” He yanked his jacked off the back of his chair and following everyone out the door.

_________________________________

Tiny beads of sweat began to drip down Naslie’s face as she forced one of her eyes open. The pain that once engulf her entire face was now replaced by a numb feeling. She could no longer feel the burning sensation in her leg, only the strain of her lungs begging for air, stripping her throat with each dry breath she took. Her lips were dry, white, cracking, and bleeding, shivering from the cold air that’d been blowing on her through the holes and cracks in the wall, and the lack of glass in the old windows. This was death, had to be death. She swore she could smell her own flesh rotting by the minute. She lifted her head slightly, examining her wound through blurred vision. The dry blood around it had taken on a black color as the wound itself held colors of blue and purple, obvious signs of infections. The dirt and mold in the air surely played a role in what appeared to be the rapid decomposition of her leg. If she’d survive this, she’d most likely lose it, be reduced to a plastic limb constructed with steel rods and bolts, and a life of limitations. She lifted her head slowly, watched Larissa pace the floor, mumbling like the loon that she was. Words she couldn’t make out. Words she didn’t care for. Larissa glanced at her then continued pacing, mumbling, and scratching her head. “What’s…wrong…” Naslie’s voice was horse as she stopped to take breaths between each word, “too scared…to…finish…me?” She taunted, stopping Larissa in her tracks.
“What did you say to me, Bitch?” She stooped down, lifting Naslie’s chin with the barrel of the gun.
“You…heard me!” Naslie coughed, “You’re…scared!” She gasped, feeling a lump forming in her throat.
“I’m not scared of a damn thing, you tramp!” Larissa retorted, pushing Naslie’s face with her free hand.
“Then…kill me!” A single tear ran from her eye as her emotions overwhelmed her. She’d given up. Mentally made peace with the fact that she would miss her baby’s 7th birthday which was only weeks away, miss the chance to allow something beautiful to grow between she and Jace, and miss the chance be a better woman. She said her good-byes, mourned her own death and prayed it would come quickly.
“Shut up!” Larissa screamed, trying to plug her ears.
“All this…over a man…that…didn’t want…you!”
“I said, SHUT THE FUCK UP!” She turned her back to Naslie, grinding her teeth at the painful memory of the beating she suffered.
“What are you…waiting for?” She allowed the hot stream of tears to connect with the cool beads of sweat underneath her eyes and continue its path down her face. “Do it!” She managed to scream, feeling her chest ache from the pressure. “Kill me…you…crazy bitch!” She coughed up a small amount of blood. Her soundless sobs blurred her vision further causing everything around her to go dark. She’d become lightheaded, dizzy, and weaker than before but she could still see it, the gun an inch away, pointed between her eyes and the angry expression its holder carried. Determined to go out with pride, Naslie put an end to her tears, lifting her head toward the gun. She closed her eyes and said one last good-bye before meeting total darkness.

**I hate that there are no pictures to this! I really tried to make it happen but it wasn't working! I just threw my hands up and posted this after letting it sit in word for too damn long!
My only RL friend who reads this told me she wasn't my friend anymore because I was ending this (LOL!) So I am pushing to get the second half up a lot sooner than I originally planned. After I told her that, she took it back and decided not to end alomst twenty years of friendship...what a crack up!

Ending (non-post)

2010-10-18T15:15:00.001-04:00

Due to the slow loading of this neighborhood mixed with my impatience and lack of time, I’ve decided that the next two updates for this story will be the last. I have not been able to get the neighborhood to work correctly since the last update. I’ve tried removing lots that aren’t being used and also lots that I don’t need at the moment. Still, no dice.

In fact, I am leaning toward making these last two chapters text only.

I know that there is a lot of questions that have not yet been answered so I am going make a part two (eventually) called: Still Caught Up. This second half will take place a year to the date of Naslie’s disappearance, focus on the past of all the living characters, and will be written in first person (sometimes). As of right now, I can’t say when this will begin because I need to clear out the hood and figure out what’s causing this long load time. If all goes well it will be up before the first of the year. Until then, I will continue to update Alani’s Quest and Colorblind so feel free to read those when you miss me :).

I apologize for this abrupt ending!

Ch.18 Wrath

2010-09-11T18:12:00.004-04:00

warning: language,violence, blood

Naslie turned over on the cool linoleum floor. The thought of her hands touching the dirty mold covered floor turned her stomach as she slid on the floor, trying to add distance between them.

“Aren’t you going to ask me why?” Larissa paced the floor, tapping her lips with the tip of the gun. “Why I brought you here? Why I’m doing this?” She stopped to look at Naslie. “Pick a question! I promise I’ll answer truthfully.” She spoke calmly, still pacing.
“What the fuck do you want with me?” Naslie shouted, hoping someone passing by would hear her.
Larissa laughed, “Silly goose! That wasn’t one of the questions I offered but that easy! I want you to pay!” Her voice took on a childlike tone. “And so you shall!” She winked at Naslie before pacing the floor again. “For getting into my husband’s head and changing him! Turning him into the monster he was!”
“Was?” Naslie’s lip quivered.
“He’s dead now.” She shrugged speaking quickly, careless, and as calm as possible. “This leads me to the answer of why you’re here in this dirty, disgusting, abandoned building. I learned the hard way, that it’s not easy to move a body. Dead weight is much heavier than a fully functional, living being. So I figured with you, I’d make you walk to your final resting place and drop you there! Easy as pie,” She snapped her fingers, “and no clean up!”
Naslie’s heart sank into the pit of her stomach. All this time she’d been focusing on Larry and what he might do. Never once had she considered Larissa or what she might be capable of. “I told you before; we ended a long time ago!”
“Just because you closed your legs to him doesn’t mean shit!” She screamed. “You got into his head and made him think you were more important than me! His wife! The woman he fell in love with in high school and took vows with! He was good to me once! Perfect even! At one point, as long as we had each other, that’s all that mattered! I loved it that way! I didn’t want to share him with anyone! I refused to share him! So when he began to talk about wanting children, I avoided it! Picked fights to keep us apart so there was no chance he could get me pregnant but as fate would have it, I was already pregnant! Not with one baby… two! Twins! That sly motherfucker knocked me up with twins! I couldn’t have that! He was mine! Before he had the chance to figure it out, I found a nice little clinic two towns over that took care of that for me! After that, I made up a story about not knowing I was pregnant and miscarrying. He was so distraught! Even more when I threw on a set of fake tears and told him I couldn’t have children anymore. For a while, he stood by me and everything was great again. Then he started sleeping with other women, telling me it was for us!” She smirked making air quotes with her free hand.

“The other whores weren’t like you though. He was never stuck on them like he was with you. I mean, you’re cute and all but I don’t see anything special about you!” She crossed her arms, her hand tightly clenching the gun. “I don’t know why anyone would want to be stuck with you! All you have is a drunken brother who doesn’t know how to close the door behind him as she staggers in, pulling his clothes off and vomiting where he stands and a bastard child.” She smiled as Naslie’s eyes widened, “Yes Darling, I have been watching! I also know that you have a lot of fans…in fact…one is calling you right now!” She held up Naslie’s phone as it vibrated in her pocket. As soon as the screen revealed “1 Missed Called.” She placed it back into her pocket. “Don’t worry, they’ll call back! I’m sure of it!”

She rolled her eyes, pointing the gun at Naslie’s head. She watched Naslie’s eyes fill with fear as her breathing grew heavier. “Pow!” She broke into laughter, dropping the gun to her side before pacing the floor again.
____________________________________________________
hours later...

“Whose Jace? Is he someone else’s husband too?” She waved the phone in the air before answering it. “Naslie’s Phone…”
“Who I am is of no importance, Sweetheart! I am merely a woman who has been scorned and is out for blood. Blood of a certain curly haired cutie that sits before me as we speak but I guess that’s why you’re calling! You want to know if she’s alive, right? Hold for a second… I’ll get her for you!”

Larissa held out the phone as she squeezed the trigger, sending one burning hot bullet into Naslie’s thigh. Her blood curdling scream gave her a rush. Filled her with much more excitement than she’d anticipated. She wanted to squeeze off a few more rounds but fought the desire, wanting the excitement to last a little longer. She ended the call with a huge smile. “Wow!” She panted, amazed by all the blood, “You have no idea how great that felt!”

Ch.17 Trying

2010-09-08T16:28:00.002-04:00

warning:language, violence

As everyone arrived and filed into the house Jace sat on the stairs, alone, angry, lost in his thoughts. It was too soon to get the police involved and too late to stick a tracking device in her purse. He knew it. Felt it as he held her. She couldn’t stay away. She cared too much for her brother to allow things to sour in such a way. He picked through his brain for a clue. Something she said about Larry and his wife that might lead to where she could be.

“Jace,” A gentle voice from behind him broke his concentration, “you’ve been out here in the same spot for about two hours now. You want me to bring you something to eat?”
“No Thanks, Nan.” He forced a weak smile.
“Well if you need anything…”
“I’m sorry, Nan! I should have protected her better!” He turned his head to avoid her eyes as her sadness became evident. She smiled, crossing her arms as she took in a breath of cool autumn air.

“My granddaughter… has a lot of her mother in her. She doesn’t listen. Even if you’d chained her to a wall, she would have found a way to get loose. I know you love her. I’ve always known! Don’t beat yourself up over something that was beyond your control. I don't blame you ans neither does anyone else! You tried...” She ended as Tony drew closer to the house. She watched the two exchange looks before Tony greeted her with a kiss on the cheek.
“How are you, Nan?” He spoke in a low tone, obviously still dealing with his hangover.
“I’m...ok.” She smiled, eyes glossed over. She looked over at Jace, “It's late, I’ll go get dinner started.” On her way up the stairs, she rubbed Jace's shoulder to comfort him.

Jace stood with his up against the plant. He knew Tony wasn't above a cheap shot and he wasn't about allow Tony the chance to hit him back.
“Jae,” Tony rubbed the back of his neck, “I’m…sorry. I…just… kept going back to how hurt she was when Angelo screwed her over. I didn’t want her to get hurt ag-”
“I’m not Angelo!” Jace snapped.
“I know!” He threw his hands up. “I know...I was just trying to protect my sister. Just like you would do with Ley! I went about it the wrong way and I’m sorry! You have been there for my sister and my nephew when I wasn’t and for that I owe you. I do want you both to be happy and if that means being together, I won’t stand in your way.”

Jace said nothing. He allowed his face to soften and the tension in his shoulder fall.
“Good," He mumbled "kicking your ass is too easy. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life doing that.”
Tony laughed pulling a cigarette from his pocket, “Yeah well I could handle it. You hit like a bitch anyway.”

“That’s not what your lip says.” He pointed to cut in the corner of Tony’s lip.
“Yeah yeah!” They briefly smiled.
“So what’s going on? Are the police doing anything?” Tony patted his pants in search of his lighter.
“We have to wait til she has been gone for 24 hours but I reported my truck stolen. Hopefully if they find the truck they'll find her too.” Jace pulled his phone from his pocket. Even though he felt it was pointless, he dialed her number, one last time.

After three rings he heard a voice. “Who is this?” He was caught by surprise when a woman cheerily answered, “Naslie’s phone…”

The woman rambled, on and on until there was a loud bang followed by a scream.
“Naslie! Hello?! Hello?!” He screamed into the phone, recognizing her voice in the background before the line went dead.

Ch. 16 Awaken

2010-09-06T14:47:00.010-04:00

warning: language, violence, not perfect spanish!

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The buzzing of his cell phone against the titled bathroom floor woke him from a deep sleep. The smell of alcohol induced vomit infuriated his already pounding head. He remembered bits and pieces of the night before last. Jace had him by the throat as his sister rubbed her head, fighting back tears for whatever reason. What was said or what caused the rift between the two was as foggy as the early morning sky. He’d gotten a ride home from someone, staggered through the door, dropping his clothes along the way as he tore them from his body. He needed a smoke. Pulled the burnt out cigarette from his pants pocket before he let them fall to the floor, sparked it and instantly gagged when the smoke he inhaled tickled the back of his throat. How he made it up the stairs and into the bathroom was also a mystery. All he knew at this point is that he phone was ringing and he had the mother of all hangovers.
“Hello…” He sat up, snatching the phone from the floor as he rubbed at his head to ease the pain. He pulled it away from his ear realizing he’d already missed the call.

Two hard knocks at the front door ripped through his skull like a hammer, “What the fuck!” he groaned, holding on to the toilet seat to get to his feet. Stumbling down the stairs, he cursed himself for drinking to that point. His stomach turned, threatening to spill whatever was left over.

“Buenos días, Antonio.” He was greeted by a smile and a scowl. “May we come in and talk?”
Tony moved to the side, allowing enough room for them to step in. His eyes barely open, he didn’t pick up on the look he received from Jace as he entered the house. “I’m sorry we woke you but we have a problem.” Lando kept his voice low, sensing Tony was nursing a hangover. Jace stood behind his father fuming with anger.
“What’s wrong?” Tony finally spoke, wincing at the pain that his own voice caused him.
“What’s wrong?” Jace stepped forward, “What’s not wrong, Tony! While you’re sitting in the fucking bar mourning a relationship that you didn’t put any work into, your sister was being stalked, your nephew was almost taken, and now she’s missing!” He stood in front of Tony, his eyes burning with rage as Tony showed no sign of emotion.
Panic silently began to set in as he tried to force his eyes open fully, “Wait, she what?” As If he had hit a button, he was knocked to the floor.

“Let me recap for you, you selfish motherfucker!” He knelt down over him, ready to deliver another punch.
“Jace!” His father called out to him.
“You came to my house the other night, drunk out of your fucking mind ready to fight and in very few words, called your sister, your baby sister, a whore! You knocked her into a wall, trying to get to me and you didn’t even give a damn if she was hurt! Through all that she wanted to check on you! Risked her safety because she wanted to fix things with you and now she’s gone! You asked me then and you didn’t get an answer but yes Tony… I’m fucking your-“
“Jace!” Lando placed his hand on his shoulder, “¡Sea tranquilo mi hijo!”
Jace let go of Tony, causing his head to hit the back of the couch. He straightened his clothes as his father helped Tony from the floor. “I never planned to choose between our friendship and my love for your sister, but you’ve done it for me.” He huffed in a calm but stern voice, “Let’s go, Pop… my son needs me.”

Jace stormed out of the house, allowing the door to slam hard against the glass window. Last night had brought him a long awaited union and this morning had awakened a side of him he didn’t like to show. Only in front of Jael would he smile and pretend that things were peaceful, and normal. Alone, there’d be no eating, no sleeping, and no peace. Until she was found without so much as a hair missing, he wouldn’t rest and nothing in the world would stop him from searching.
________________________________________

“Scared yet?” Larissa snickered as she jammed the gun into Naslie’s back. “You should be!” Her voice took on a demonic tone. “In there.” She pushed Naslie into an abandoned video store, up a flight of mold and dirt covered concrete stairs. At the top of the stairs, the scent of a decaying animal followed a breeze into Naslie’s nose. “Oh God!” She covered her mouth, looking down at a huge hole in the floor. “Go!” Larissa pushed her pass the hole, snatching her purse off her arm.

The sound of her body hitting the cold linoleum floor bounced from wall to wall. “Make yourself comfortable down there!” She laughed once again, “You won’t be going anywhere anytime soon!”

** Sea tranquilo mi hijo = Be quiet my son

Ch.15 Out of the flame...

2010-09-02T11:49:00.004-04:00

warning: nudity, language, weapon

The day had quickly reached its end as Naslie laid in the bed alone, staring out the window. Their small early morning discussion had weighed heavy on them both, leaving no words for them to share. Only apologetic stares and an occasional smile on Jael's behalf. She'd spent the whole day thinking about what he said and how he said it. Those three words were not needed. She could feel it, hear it in his voice when he spoke to her, and taste it in the kisses that he gently placed upon her lips through the night as she pretended to sleep.

She felt the bed dip as he sat down and moved in close to her. He placed his arms around, planting one of those gentle kisses on her shoulder.

Without words he turned her to face him. Their eyes connected as if they were both apologizing before their lips moved. “I’m sorry.” She whispered sliding out of his arms, walking over to the window to add distance between them.

Mimicking her steps, he ended her hopes of escaping him. “I’m lost, Jace!” She began to sob when she felt his hands grip her arms. “Had you been any other man, you would have let go the first time I pushed you away. Left me alone when you found out I was pregnant. You would have been disgusted by the way I use men to shield myself. Why?"

Her sobs grew louder as she turned in his arms to face him. “Why did you have to come back and do this to me? Before all this, I knew who I was and what I wanted! Now..." She paused, pushing back tears, "You made me love you all over again and I hate you for it!” Naslie laid her head against his chest, no longer able to fight it.

Jace held her face, forcing her to look at him. He heard her loud and clear, heard words that he thought he’d never hear her say. “You’re wrong. You’re not lost. You’re where you’re supposed to be. Where you should have been long ago!”
“You don’t want me! I'll only bring you problems.” She cut in, shaking her head between his hands, looking down to avoid his gaze. He ducked his head, catching her eyes just as the filled with fresh tears. “Yes I do! I want you so bad that it hurts! If I didn’t already know your answer, I’d ask you to marry me right now!”
Naslie’s eyes widened as shock engulfed her. It was confirmed. He loved her. Loved her more than she expected and more than she thought she could handle. "You're crazy!" Her watery laugh brought a smile to his face. “Crazy for you!” he lowered his hands and pulled her closer, “I’m not my brother. I’m not going anywhere! Promise me you'll try... with me...and I promise to always be by your side.”

________________________________________

Naslie jammed her key into the door quickly, hoping to be in and out before Jace noticed that both she and his truck were gone. Though tired and weak from what seemed like hours of heated passion that’d returned her hair to it’d curly state, she managed to take a quick shower, slip out the bed and out of the house. He was right, it wasn’t safe for her to go home but with the condition Tony was in the night before; she had to at least make sure he was still breathing.

The house was quiet, dark, and cold. A draft carrying the stale scent of cigarettes, gin, and vomit hit her causing her to gag. “That can't be good!” She began to panic with each quick step she took toward the kitchen. "Tony?" She called out quickening each step.

He didn't answer. The smell grew stronger as she neared the dark kitchen where she saw part of his shoes.

Stopping mid-step, she felt something hard shoved deep into the side of her purse.

Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach as she realized what it was.
"Men!" Larissa grinned as she pointed at the pile of Tony's gin soaked clothes and shoes in the middle of the kitchen floor, "Always leaving us to clean up their shit!"

**After letting this entire chapter sit as a draft on blogger for about 2 weeks, I finally decided to publish it! Thanks Val!

Ch14 .Cutting Loose

2010-08-09T12:05:00.005-04:00

warning: violence

"Babe" She walked into the kitchen as he cracked 2 eggs and tossed the shells into the sink. She hated that. Just as much as she hated what she had to do. "Can you stop for a second so we can talk?" She asked with a calm smile. "What do you want?" His voice crept upon her with visible irritation tensing his shoulders.

She took a breath, deeply inhaling with a slow release, "I know you think a child will help heal some of our wounds but I think we can fix our marriage if we just work at it. The two of us. No outsiders. What do you say?"

Lawrence looked up from the stove with narrowed eyes and an obvious frown. He opened his mouth to speak then closed it to form a smirk. Returning his eyes to the stove he finally spoke, "It's... cute... that you want to try to fix something we haven't really had in years but this is not up for discussion. I'm going to have a child. Get used to it."

Larissa closed her eyes to take a calming breath. Mumbling under her breath, she said a prayer. Prayed that he'd he walk over to her, take her into his arms and tell her she was all he wanted and needed. When she opened her eyes he was still in front of the stove and ignoring her. Pulling her hands from behind her back, she raised her arms with a sharp knife tightly clintched in her hands. A tiny ray of light reflected off the blade, catching Lawrence as she slashed at his neck. "Wait! WAIT!" He screamed as he tried to block the blows. The blade sliced through his arm causing him to let down his guard. Jamming the knife into his ribs, she backed up and watched him slide down to the floor. His eyes locked in on hers as he tried to hold his wound closed. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she watched him struggle to keep his eyes open and his breathing slowed.

She quickly brushed away her tears with the hand held the knife, his blood dripped down the handle of the blade and onto her sleeve. "I asked you nicely!" She whined, her chest moved with heavy sobs. "Had you said the right answer, I would have left the little bitch alone but don't worry she'll be seeing you soon." She blew him a kiss and watched his eyes close for good.

** I really didn't feel like playing with photoshop over the weekend so here you go!

Ch13 .Eye of the storm

2010-08-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

warning: drunken rage, lacking pics, language

A loud bang broke them from their embrace, A bang that could only be a fist against the fragile glass of the wooden door. "You hear that?" Naslie pulled back, pressing her hand against his chest."
"No." He quickly whispered as he pulled her closer and took her lower lip into his mouth. The trail of kisses he left across her jaw line burned as she pulled away once again. "Seriously! I think someone is at the door."
Jace buried his face into her neck with the release of a deep groan. "Will it make you happy if I check?"
She quickly nodded, slipping out of his arms and rushing to the door.

They could see a head pressed against the glass as the banging continued. "Open this fuckin' door!" A voice followed one large bang that cracked the glass. "Now dammit!" He grew louder.

"What the hell, Tony!" Naslie frowned at the heavy scent of alcohol that followed a breeze into the house. Tony dropped to her feet with the opening of the door. He looked up through blurred vision, she was here, so close to midnight, and with him. "What the fuck is this!" He pulled himself up off the ground as Jace walked up behind her. It burned. Burned like a four alarm fire. He was standing so close to her. Too close. Without another word or warning he rushed past
Naslie, knocking her into the wall, a loud bang echoed through the house as her head hit the wooden door frame. Jace caught his fist as he aimed for his face, flipping Tony onto his back.

Tony squirmed underneath him. "Calm down! You'll wake Jael!" Jace screamed, holding him down by his chest. "What the hell is wrong with you, Tone!"
"Get off me! I'm not even mad at you Jae!" He lied. He managed to get his arm lose and attempted to throw another punch. Jace blocked the punch with his arm, placing his hands tightly around his neck. "Calm the fuck down!" He could no longer control his anger. He quickly peaked over his shoulder, she was still on the floor. "You ok, Peach?"
"Is she ok? That's what is was, man? All those years you just kept this friendship so you could be around her? We were like brothers! Me, you and, Angelo and she fucked that up for us!"

"Ton-"
"What the fuck! She had a fuckin' baby by your brother, man! Not your boy, your baby brother and you still want her?"
"Tony, you're drunk! You're talking about her like she is some trick off the street and not your sister!" He peaked over his should again to see Naslie rubbing her head as she eased up off the floor. "We can talk about this but you have to calm down! I'm going to let you go."
Tony watched as Jace released his neck and rushed to Naslie's side. He brushed stray hairs from her face as he felt the back of her head. "Are you ok?" He watched her eyes fill up with tears as she nodded.

"I had to fight one of my best friends because he did you wrong so I asked you, Naslie, to stay away from my friends from that point on! Date who you want but stay away from my boys!" He inched forward on wobbly legs, "If being with my sister means more to you than our friendship, Jace, then fuck you! Fuck both of you!" Tony stormed off, staggering down the stairs and driveway.
**************************************************

Warm rays from the rising sun shined through the glass warming her back. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking twice at the pair of eyes and gentle smile smiling back at her. "Morning." She whispered matching his smile. "Good Morning." He repeated with a contented sigh. "Do you always wake up smiling?" She giggled as she moved closer to him.
"No, I'm surprised to see you. I expected to wake up and find both you and my truck gone."
Naslie giggled again, "That definitely crossed my mind!"
She ran the tips of her nails across his arm, tracing his tattoo up to his shoulder as her smile slowly dissolved. "Do you think Tony meant what he said?"
"I don't think so." He slipped his hand underneath her to caress her back.
"You think I should go and talk to him?"
"As drunk as he was, it'll probably take a few days for him to sober up but talking to him isn't a bad idea. I don't think you should go over there to do it since that Lawrence character might be watching the place."
"Well I have to go over there and get clothes anyway. Don't worry, everything will be fine.

"What is it going to take for you to understand that things have grown beyond your control? How is everything going to be fine when we have no clue what his real name is, where he is, or what he might be capable of? What do you think he would have done if Jael had gone with him? Do you think you could just snap your fingers and he'd give him back?"
"No, Jace! I just don't think-"
"Then why do you keep trying to venture off on your own like you're untouchable? Have you even thought about what he might do to you if he catches you by yourself?"
"He wants me to have his child. He is following me around town trying to convince me to do it. I don't think he'll hurt me if he wants a child as bad as he claims!"
"You don't think! He is going to get fed up eventually. You think he won't hurt you then?"
His voice broke off with a light tap on the open bedroom door.

"Guys, my tummy hurts!" Jael whined. "I think I need some pancakes!"

Ch12 .A break in the clouds

2010-07-27T19:48:00.004-04:00

warning: language

The ride to his house had been quiet. Unusually quiet. Even Jael’s attempts to sing went without the usual giggles and cheers he was used to. Entering the house, he carried the now sleeping song bird to his room, changing his clothes without waking him. When he returned, he walked up to her as she stood with her foot up on the wall, eyeing the beautiful red rose that she assumed was for her earlier in the day.
“I’m sorry I yelled at you.” He finally broke the silence with a calm voice and arms pressed tightly across his chest.
“Good! You embarrassed me and I don’t appreciate being yelled at in front everyone!” She pushed off the wall and stormed toward the chocolate brown sofa. “You…” He chuckled shaking his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “You just… don’t get it!” He mumbled loud enough for her to hear. “See,” he looked up to see her turning to face him, “this… situation you have with Lawrence, Larry, or whatever, isn’t all about you anymore! Everything has always been about you and now Jael is in danger. You can live like this if you want but I will not allow you to put him at risk!”

A wave of anger washed over her face. Her blood boiled to the point that she could feel steam coming from her ears. “I didn't intentionally place him in harms way and what the hell do you mean everything has always been about me?”
“You’ve been going back and forth from this man to that man, running from the first sign of anything serious and depriving Jael of a family that he deserves!”
“Well what the hell do you suggest I do? These men out here don’t want to be responsible for another man’s child so I’m not depriving him of anything! I’m atually protecting him!”

Jace chucked again. He sat down on the arm of the chair and rested his back against the top of the sofa. Unable to erase the smile from his face, he looked up at her and shook his head, “No...You're protecting yourself! Think about it… I named him, Naslie! I put my name on his birth certificate! He is not my son but I have taken on the responsibility!”
“So you expect me to let my guard down for you but you’re still with Yasmina?” She placed her hands on her hips, daring him to answer with a yes.
“I’m not with her! If you’d check your messages you’d know that! I left because I had to take care of some things on base and when I came back, you were gone and she was here! I stayed with you until I had to leave! Once again, you jumped the gun just so you could push me away and you failed! I go out my way to show you how much I care and you still look at me like I haven't proven myself!”
Naslie’s eyebrows resumed their natural position. She felt a lump form in her throat. It was happening again as it did earlier that morning. He was inside her head and working on her heart. Nothing made sense now. What she was so scared of. Why she'd let fear steer her into this direction. None of it.

Jace slide off the couch as he saw her lower her head, “I’ve waited.” He held her face to his with his fingers in her hair. He lowered his head to catch her eyes, “Sat back and watched you avoid the one thing that I’ve been trying to give you, the one thing I can’t have without you and Jael."
"And what's that?" She looked down, her voice cracked as she fought hard against tears.
Trailing his hand down her neck and over to her chin, he tilted it slightly to bring her lips to his, "Happiness.”

** This is the end of the shots I took over the weekend so... it will be a little minute until the next part comes out. It'll probably be another short piece as I said I'd continue with those. I'm not good with love scenes so, please forgive my cheesiness! I tried :)

Ch11 .Fuel to the fire

2010-07-27T05:00:00.001-04:00

warning: language

“Antonio!” He heard a familiar voice shout his name as a heavy hand tried to be gentle, tapping his cheek. Draped across the couch; the scent of vodka and gin leaked through his pores; his eyes were unable to adjust to the light. Peaking through half opened lids, he could barely see.

“Who are you?” His brain unsuccessfully signaled for his mouth to speak the words.

“I couldn’t find Naslie so Kenny and Mimi are going to take you home.”
“Ho- I hafno home.” He slurred.

He stumbled, trying to push himself off of the leather chair, almost knocking Yasmina off her feet.

“This is some bullshit!” She screamed, kickin at him as he used her leg to steady himself. “If his slut sister wasn’t so busy layin up under Jace, she would have answered the fuckin' phone!”

“Wat” Tony tried to focus. “You take dat back, Bitch!” He staggered to his feet, point at her with his finger an inch away from her nose.

“Truth hurts doesn’t!” She smirked, placing her hands on her hips. “You are in here, drinkin your life away because of that mousy bitch Dana and where is ya so called best friend? Somewhere fuckin ya sister!”

It hit him hard, but made a lot of sense. Jace hadn’t been around. Not since that day that Kenny warned him. “The people you trust are the ones that always do shit behind your back!" He meant Jace. All along he was trying to warn him.

As if it were a bucket of ice cold water, Tony stood up straight, “Take me to em!”

Ch10.5 .Fooled Twice

2010-07-26T09:31:00.001-04:00

warning: yelling, language

“Maybe calling Leyna was a bad idea.” She thought as her eyes shot straight to Jace. Figures she’d call him. Naslie made the mistake of showing emotion in her voice, alerting Leyna that she was really upset. “It makes perfect sense for her to call him.” She internally kicked herself.

“Are you alright?!” Dana rushed her with bone crushing hug. She scanned her for any bumps, bruises or scratches. “I’m fine, Dee!” She laughed with a shaky voice.

“Ley, I need you to keep Jael until I can figure things out.”
“Sure but…figure things out? What did they say?”
“I’m on my own. Apparently Lawrence doesn’t exist.”
“Momma I want to go home with Jace. Jace, can I go home with you?” Jael cut in, still seated on the couch in front of her. “That’s up to him, Baby.” She walked over to him and kissed him lightly on his forehead. His innocents and carefree smile warmed her. Melting away some of the worry that hung over her head.

“You’re both coming with me.” Jace cut in as she tried to ignore his presence.
She whipped around, her eyebrows lowered. “I’ll be fine.” her teeth clentched. “Just take Jael.”
“At least come and stay with me and Dana.” Worry covered every inch of Leyna’s face.”
“Naslie and I need to talk anyway so she is going to stay with me.”
“I can take care of myself, Jace!”

“Obviously you can’t!” He unintentionally roared. He bit his lower lip in an effort to calm himself and placed his hands firmly on her ribs, “I’m really not in the mood for your Super Woman attitude right now so just shut the hell up and get in the truck.” She felt his grip on her tighten with each word. The look in his eyes pierced her soul. A look of anger, pain, and fear. Of all times to be stubborn and resist, this wasn’t it and she knew it. She blinked hard at him as he removed his hands and without protest, she made for the door, allowing him to lead the way.

Ch10 .Fooled Twice

2010-07-25T22:34:00.001-04:00

warning: language

She massaged her right temple with her index finger while her brain registered what she'd just heard.
“What do you mean ‘doesn’t exist’? She sat up with her eyes narrowed and anger obvious in her voice.
“Our database is linked through the census and the search turned up no matches for a Lawrence or Larissa Bailey.”

She shook her head in disbelief, “No, that can’t be right! I have his address and phone number! You can’t do a reverse search with that?”
“What’s the address and number Ma’am?” The female officer glanced at her with a smirk before clicking the mouse harshly.
“8905 Unica Ave. 555-0720.” When the officer blinked hard at the screen, Naslie moved to the edge of the cheap chair. Her heart raced while her eyes scanned the officer’s face for some sign of a positive match.

The officer looked away from the screen with an eyebrow raised and a visible frown, “Ma'am, that number is not in service and the address comes back to a Rosa Bernardo. 83 years old!”

“No!” Naslie sprung from the chair! “That can’t be right!”
“Ma’am, please sit and keep your voice down!”
“Stop fuckin' calling me that!" She paused to calm herself. "Just tell me-“She stopped again to fight back tears, “tell me what I’m supposed to do! This man tried to lure my son away and told me he won’t leave me alone until I agree to be his fuckin’ human incubator!”
“Ma’am!” She threw her hands up to quiet her. “I can take a report just in case something happens but with no name and no evide-”

Just like she thought, she was on her own. She turned her back on the officer as she’d told her in very few words that she was shit out of luck. He’d planned this from the beginning. Lawrence, that sly bastard, had came to her with a fake name and charmed his way into her panties and she’d let him. This game was supposed to be hers. Rigged for her to win each time and this unexpected surprise would be the one to make her throw in her cards. It wasn't worth it. Her safety was on the line but more importantly, she’d risked her son’s too. How would she fix this? Protect him from this man that didn’t exist? The slow steps toward the lobby where Leyna sat with Jael came quicker than she expected and yielded yet another surprise she wasn’t prepared for.

Ch9.5 .Repercussions

2010-07-19T01:20:00.003-04:00

Warning: nudity, violence, language

The handful of steaming water she carried to her shoulder, slipped through her fingers as the front door slammed. "He's home early." She mumbled to herself, attempting to repeat the action. The thought of where he'd been bothered her. He was her husband yet he was out chasing some young curly haired bitch and trying to start a whole new life that didn't include her. A hot bath is what she needed. A substitution. The almost scolding water hugged her body as tight as he used to. It gave he memories. Flashes of happiness that used to be.

His heavy steps grew louder as he stormed up the stairs, breaking the daze that she'd quickly slipped into.

He'd pushed the door open with extreme force. As it hit the tiled wall making a loud cracking sound, Larissa paid it no mind. Carrying another handful of hot water to her arm, she watched the drops roll down to her elbow and into the water. "Back so soo-" Her words were cut short as he dug his hand deep into her hair and dragged her out of the tub. "You just couldn't keep your big mouth shut!" Heavy kicks to her chest and stomach came between his words.
"Lar-" He dropped down on her chest, delivering a punch to her jaw. "Did I ask you you fucking speak?" Lawrence wrapped his hands around her neck and squeezed. "Did I, Bitch?" When her eyes began to close, he let go and stood up.

"You fucked things up for me, so you're going to fix it! If you don't, I'll see to it that you die the slowest and most painful death a human can bring upon another! Now get the fuck up and clean yourself off!" He stepped over her and slammed the door behind him.

Larissa pulled her legs up to her chest as she pressed her aching back against the cold tile that covered the wall. Never had he put his hands on her. Never had he shown her such anger, such disrespect. As she laid on the floor, staring up at him in shock, she saw it. He wasn't her husband anymore. He was some stranger that looked like him, walked, talked, and smelled like him. She wanted her husband back and only knew of one way to make that happen. "That curly haired bitch must die!"

** I really wasn't planning on a half chapter but here it is! Thanks to this head ache that won't let me sleep, you have is at 2 in the morning! Enjoy

Ch9 .Far from over

2010-07-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

Warning: language, some nudity, little violence

"I can do this!" She coached herself, breathing heavy like she was in labor. Nervously pushing through the heavy wooden door she saw him, sitting there with a drink in his hand just like she expected. The middle of the day and he was already drinking. The practically empty bar gave away her position. As he turned his head to see her walking through the door, a smile crossed his face, causing her to do the same. "Hey." She sat down next to him, fighting off the butterflies that still surfaced while in his presence. "Hi!" He watched her with admiration. "You want a drink?" He slurred. "No thank you. I just came to talk to you."
"You comin' back home?" The hope in his eyes matched his tone.

"No, I'm not." Her eyes drifted off to the bartender who was pretending not to listen. "Ton-"
"Wait...waita second!" His words began to sound jumbled. "Before you go and crush my ittybittyheart, can I geta hug?"
"No-"
"Why?" He closed his eyes, scratching an imaginary itch on his side.
"Cause I'm not goin' there with you, Tony! Then you'll be askin' for a kiss!"
"Well what cha want from me then? Ya know what, it don't matter." His eyes lowered after a sip gulp from his glass. "Can I get more of that shit?! To the rim?" He went to push the glass across the bar, "And don't try to water that shit down!"
"Tony-"
"What, Dammit? You came here to tell me you done? I heard that already, Dana Marie! So I dun wanna hear dat shit!"

Not really wanting to leave things that way, Dana slide her hand underneath his, leaving his mother's ruby ring. "I think you should have this back." She whispered as she hoped off of the bar stool. A drunken tongue speaks a sober mind and he'd made it clear that he did want to hear what she had to say. She'd came in, unsure of what she really wanted and left with her mind made up. It was definitely over.

________________________________________________

"When I got there, he was leavin'. I guess he was goin' to do whatever he does when he puts his uniform on but damn if he didn't look tasty!"
"Could you skip the minor shit please, Mimi?"
"Yeah yeah ok! Anyway, he left his back door unlocked so I just went right in. Right away, I spotted the pan cakes he must have made for her, which were bangin' by the wa-"
"You ate that shit?"
"Hell yeah! Not til she left though! So I went into his room and do you know he has pictures of this bitch and her brat on his wall! No one else! That bitch! So it took everything in me not to smash the frame and ripe that shit up!"
"I'm not surprised, ya jealous ass!"
"Fuck you! It was your idea to start some shit in the first place!"
"But you agreed cause you still want him!"
"Umm, yeah! He had money before but he got big military bucks now!"
"Golddiggin' bitch!"
"Ya mother!"
"She's yours too dummy!"
"And your point would be? Com'on ..com'on... I'm gettin' to the funny part! So I went through his bedside draw and found a condom, flushed it down the toilet, left the wrapper on the floor with my clothes, and got on the bed like I was sleep. Not even a full 5 mins later I heard her callin' his name! She knocked on the door and came in and just stood there until I sat up.

"So she standing there with her arms folded like 'What the fuck are you doin' here!' So I smiled and did my Miss America wave!"
"Oh shit!" Kenny's eyes widened as he laughed.
"So I stood up and walked over to her, still naked and put my hands on my hips like 'what bitch!' starin' her dead in her eyes and that's when it went down!"

**
"You better get goin' now unless you want to join us for round two when he gets back! I've always wondered what made these men fall at your feet, maybe I can see for myself!" Yasmina looped a lock of Naslie's hair around her finger. Naslie slapped her hand away, frowning with disgust. Still staring into her eyes, Yasmina chucked, "Judging by your hair and your dress, he didn't get very far last night, as usual!"
"Sorry, not all of us cock our legs open for dollar signs."
Yasmina's laughter continued, "Maybe that's why he left your ass years ago and then again early this mornin', to lick and kiss on me! Deny a man what he wants most and he will go elsewhere. Did you not see that with his brother? Speakin' of ... did you really think you could lure Jace in with your bastard child?"

"Then, this bitch slaps me!"

"Yo... you got ya ass beat?"
"Hell no! I said the bitch slapped me!"
"So what did you do?"
"Laughed."
"You got ya ass beat!"
"All she did was slap me! Bitch scratched me too when she pushed me into the wall"
"What?! And you didn't even hit her back! Mimi, you let her bitch you!"

Yasmina plopped down onto the chair, "She didn't beat my ass, OK! I played it that way for a reason"
"Ya ass was scared!"
"ANYWAY, she must have gotten mad because I didn't react because she left. So I put my clothes back on but left the condom wrapper in his floor to say 'Mimi was here'! I took my own little tour of the house and then sat down to eat those bangin' ass pan cakes and what do you know... he walked in earlier than I expected lookin' confused!"

"Baby! These are the best pan cakes I've ever had!"
"What the fuck are you doing her Yasmina? Better yet, where is Naslie?"

Shoving another bite of the pancake into her mouth, she closed her eyes, chewing it as slow as she could. "You know, I don't remember you cooking at all while we were together-"
"Because you were only good for one thing!" Jace yanked her off the bar stool by her arm, sending the fork flying into the air. Pulling her toward the door, he pushed her out like a smelly garbage bag without giving her a chance to explain.

Yasmina used her foot to stop the door as he tried to close it in her face, "Still chasin' behind her I see! She doesn't want you, Jace! Don't you get it! She's probably in the arms of another man as we speak!"

_____________________________________________

______________________________________________

"You don't feel like talking on the phone, Momma?" Jael watched her hit the reject button for what seemed like the tenth time.
"Nope!" She shoved her phone deep into her purse, "You know why?"
"Yup! He he spoke with a mouth full of pizza, "Cause today is Momma and Me day!" Naslie smiled as he used his fork to place another bite of pizza into his mouth. "Who taught you to eat pizza like that?" She wiped a small spot sauce off his chin from across the table. "Gran-papi!"
"He did?!"
"Yup! Gran-papi teaches me a lot!"
"Is that why you like bein' over there so much?"
"Yup! Hey, Momma? Auntie Ley is My Jace's sister right?"
"Yes..." Naslie looked confused.
"And you're Uncle Tony's sister?"
"Yes..."
"Well, can you buy me a sister?"
"Buy you a sister?" Naslie giggled.
"Yeah, from Babies R Us!"

Naslie tried to hide her urge to laugh behind her hand. His face held a serious expression. One that seemed as if it could easily turn to tears. "You can't buy babies, Sweetheart."

"You can't? The what's Babies R Us?"
"A place to buy baby stuff, like clothes and toys."
"Oh. Well where did you get me from? Can't you get me a sister from there?"
Naslie nearly choked on her pepsi. "Umm.. I.. Well... What's up with all this baby sister talk?"
"I heard Grammie telling Gran-papi that she hopped I'd get a sib.."
"Sibling."
"Yeah, that. So I won't be a lonely child."
"Only child?" Naslie snorted.
"Yeah."
Naslie looked down at her untouched slice of pizza than back up to Jael. His sweet innocent face was like a bucket of ice water putting out a small fire that was growing off of old memories of Angelo. She's always wanted more than one child, but not with different fathers. Since there was no chance she'd ever go back to Angelo, she'd actually given up on the idea. Chewing on the inside of her cheek she sighed, "It's complicated, Jael but one day, when Mommy has a husband, we'll try to get you a little sister!"
"Really?" His eyes lit up. "Promise?"
"I promise!" She returned the smile.
"Well, since I can't get a sib-a-ling today, can I have some quarters to play A-mazing Matey?" He smiled.
Taking a dollar in quarters from her purse, Naslie placed them in his hand and watched him skip away.

You have 5 unheard messages. First message sent today at 11:27 a.m.:

"Naslie, Please call me! I don't know what happened with Yasmina or what she told you but-"

Naslie turned her phone completely off, throwing it back into her purse. Rubbing the bridge of her nose, she silently battled with what to do. Releasing a defeated sigh, she snatched her phone from her purse once again.

"You have 4 unheard- Yeah.. blah blah first message..." She mimicked impatiently.
"Momma!" Jael ran toward her just as the message started. Quickly ending the message, she tossed her phone back into her purse.
"Momma, can I go to Mr. Bailey's house and play A-mazing Matey II?! Can I? Can I?"

Naslie's heart sank as a nauseous wave hit her. "Can you go with who?" She asked frantically looking around.
"Your friend Mr. Bailey!" Jael pointed.
Naslie stood up, her heart racing, and eyes narrowed. "Stay here, Jael!" She absently pushed him into the booth. "But Momma-"
"I said, stay here!"

"How dare you approach my son!" Naslie kept her voice low. "I told you to leave me the fuck alone and I meant that! Whatever you and your Coo coo clock wife have goin' on is ya'll business! Leave me and my son out of it!"
Larry stood there with the same expression. Almost like she'd told a joke. "Just give me what I want and I'll go away!"
"And what the hell might that be because you told me not to believe her!"
"Guess I lied." He flashed her his teeth.
"Wouldn't be the first time!"
"A baby. Do you need to hear it me say it again? I want a baby!"
"My son and I have nothing to do with that!" Naslie turned her back, only to be whipped around before she could walk away.
"Momma?" She heard Jael call, fear in his voice.

"Look," He let go of her, noticing, Jael moving in on them, "You can be rid of me in 9 months! That's all I'm asking!"

"No! I will not have a child growin' inside of me for 9 months just to hand them over to you and your loonie toon!"
"You have two options." He crossed his arms.
" You go to hell!"
"Have it your way!" He spoke to the back of her head as she stormed away. He watched her pull through her purse for her keys and a few dollars before she rushed toward the door, dragging her son behind her. He watched her until she disappeared behind the painted wall, "This is far from over, Baby! The hard way it shall be!"

** Please forgive me for the early morning typos! I was so sleepy when I did this but determined to get it up!

Ch8.5 .Memories/Realized

2010-06-28T17:12:00.005-04:00

warning: distant nudity

She woke up on the beach a little chilly, surprised her hair held up, and feeling better than she had in a long time. He'd given her the one thing she really wanted, what she needed. Attention. Each man she dealt with gave her something the others were lacking but each equalled the attention she wanted. Someone to listen to her and talk to her like she was a human and not treat like she was a goal to be met. Feeling his spot on the hammock, it was cool to the touch. He'd been gone for some time now. A move that she usually made. Gone before the sun rises with only blurry memories of what happened. For once in her life, she was on the receiving end of the same tricks she pulled. Naslie at any other time, would have saw this as an opportunity to disappear, go home and go on with her life like he wasn't isn't a fraction of it. This time she couldn't. Her mind questioned where he was and why he left as her eyes searched for a possible answer. What had he done? Turned her heart from ice cold to Luke warm in what seemed like no time at all. Brought back thoughts and feelings that she tried to hide in the darkest corner of her mind. Like a starving cat scratching at the door of the only man who'll feed her, she'd keep coming back to get what she so desperately needed.

Removing her phone from her sand covered purse, she'd hit a random button for the time. "New Message!" meet her before the numbers she originally searched for. Ending the text without reading it, 10:58, she pick up her bag, following a set of footsteps into the house.

The sweet smell of warm maple syrup and blueberry pancakes hit her instantly. A single rose sat slightly above the plate in a pretty glass vase. Running her fingers across the deep crimson petals, Naslie smiled. "Jace?"

She called out, her heels clicked against the wood floor. A light tap at his bedroom door went unanswered. Naslie pushed the door open gently, "Jace?" She spoke softly peaking into the room.

_________________________________________

** Palms face... so frustrated it's unreal! This is not the direction I planned to go in but it came to me so I followed it. I don't like to give away what's to come but I don't know how detailed I'll get with the next few chapters. Yasmina, Kenny's sister that was mentioned in (I think) Chapter 5, that's her! Jace's expression explains it all, he was just as surprised as Naslie.

Ch8 .Memories

2010-06-14T13:20:00.010-04:00

Warning: wordy

A tap on the glass of the sliding door startled him as he put the finishing touches on his midterm paper. Glancing at the door, then time in the lower right corner of the computer screen, he pushed himself away from the desk.
"Naslie?"

Her make-up was running down her face leaving a black stream that ended with single tear drops collected under her chin. Her bottom lip shivered slightly with her chest rapidly moving up and down. "I know it's late and I'm sorry..." She began before the door was closed all the way, "I just need to know... what's wrong with me?" She spoke between sobs. "Why, Jace? Why is it so hard to love me?!" She sobbed louder.

"Calm down!" He wiped her tears with his thumbs. "I need you to stop crying so we can go in the house and talk. Can you do that for me?" He leveled his eyes with hers. After a quick nod, then followed him inside.

"Now, what's wrong?" He knelt down in front of her.

"I was at the beach with Dana, Ley, Tony, and... Angelo," She looked up from the floor to see Jace frowning, "and he asked me could we go for a walk. He told me I was wasting my time! That he knew that I loved you and he didn't want me to get hurt." She began to sob again. "Why, Jace? Why don't you love me like I love you?" His heart broke with each tear that fell.

"Peach," He moved closer, placing his hands on her knees, "I do love you! I never told you because I didn't want to complicate things."
"Say it!" She sniffled, "I need to hear you say it!"
He tilted her chin up with his finger until their eyes met. "I love you, Naslie!"
Naslie closed her eyes, releasing a sigh of relief.
"But... you know I live out of state right now. I don't want to hold you back."

"You won't b-"
"I would! I can't make you put your life on hold for me and I won't let you!" He pulled his hand away from her chin.
"Then what do you want me to do?" A single tear dripped from her right eye.
"I want you to live." He stood up, pulling her up by her wrists. "I have a year of school left. So what I'll do is, start looking for an apartment as close to you as possible so after graduation, I'll be closer to you."

Naslie wrapped her arms around his waist as tight as she could. Jace peeled her arms from around his waist and place them around his neck, making her to stand on her toes. "You won't forget about me?" She whispered in his ear, fighting back the urge to cry. "Never," He nestled his face in her neck, "no matter where I go, I'll always come back to you!"

Laying there, his eyes followed the pattern on the ceiling, thinking about their future. With her sleeping peacefully next to him, he felt complete. Something he knew nothing of now. The next morning she was gone. The side of the bed she slept on was made as if she'd never been there. A letter upon the pillow reading that she loved him and would be waiting for his return despite what he said. He'd gone back to school and later learned of a rumor that was circulating around the way, involving him being engaged to some female at the University. His calls, e-mails, and hand written letters went unanswered. By the time he was able to reach her, she was pregnant and trying to make things work with Angelo.

The first time he told her he loved her was his last and the last time her told her he loved her, he promised to never let go. A promise he silently kept to this very day.

______________________________________________

He watched as Naslie stood motionless on the terrace with her glass tightly clenched in her hand. The stars from the dark navy sky brightened tears that stained her cheeks as they rolled down her face and pooled underneath her chin. Familiar tears that he just wanted to wipe away as he had years ago. Walking slowly toward her, he felt his heart pound against his rib cage. Seeing her had been hard each time he had done it but those tears sent him back to the only day of his life that the both of them were truly happy.

"Peach?" He walked up behind her, placing his hand in the center of her back. "I told you not to call me that!" She turned her head, rushing to wipe off her cheeks and chin with the back of her hand. "Not enjoying yourself?"

"I never enjoy party crashing." She spoke quickly, taking a quick sip from her glass. "Thanks for inviting me by the way!"

"I'm sorry," He rubbed the back of his neck, "I wasn't sure I was coming myself."

"Whatever!" She huffed, taking another sip.

"So... are you going to tell me why you were crying?"
"I wasn't-" Naslie stopped speaking as Jace wiped away a tear she missed. Naslie sighed, "Just had a long day... that's all."
"You know you can talk to me" he forced her to look into his eyes.
"You're supposed to be inside celebrating with-"
"You're more important that this party!" He placed a finger on her lips to quiet her. "You have build this hard exterior that is annoying at time but very admirable, so I want to know what it is that has you in tears!"

Naslie nibbled on her bottom lip, looking off into the distance at the lights that filled the night sky. "Com'on!" Jace took her by the hand and lead her through the crowds and out the front door.
____________________________________________

"You think I brought this all on myself, don't you?
Well," Jace ran his hand across the pillow on the hammock, "it was just a matter of time before Tony and Dee's relationship crashed and burned. He wasn't taking care of home like he should have been. As far as the guys fighting at the shop, yeah... you kind of did. "Naslie turned her head to smirk, "You were supposed to say no!"
"What kind of friend would I be if lied?" Jace pulled her back, forcing her to lay down with him. "A good one!" She yawned.
"I'm always a good friend!" He laughed.
"Yeah... you are." She nodded slowly with her eyes closed.

"Are you falling asleep on me?" He spoke with his eyes closed also.
"Nope! Restin' my eyes." She lied.
"Uh huh. Tell me this, if you're still awake," He hesitated, "are you really happy living this way?"

"This stays between us?" She spoke slowly, yawning again.
"Yes, Peach. Between us." After a brief pause she answered just above a whisper, "Not since... I lost yo-" Jace's eyes opened with her answer. "You haven't lost me!" He whispered, brushing her hair off of her face. Images of them together years ago rushed back to him like the last wave that crashed hard against the huge bolder closest to them. He looked up at the sky as he had done the ceiling, wishing he'd never have to let her go. Wishing Jael was his son. Wishing he could be more than just her good friend. Positioning himself to face her again, he gently slid his arm under her. He ran his hand across her jawline, feeling nothing but guilt and regret. The vow he made to keep his heart out of her hands had been broken. How could he? It always belonged to her and he didn't really want it back. Letting his lips meet hers, it hit him like a two ton weight. There was no other choice but to accept it, he had been and always would be, in love with his nephew's mother.

_________________________________________
** Damn! I hope this all makes sense cause I threw in pictures I took before the prologue and tried to make it work! I hope this explains much. Now you see, Jace and Angelo are brothers and that the incident with Angelo while she was pregnant wasn't the only thing that caused her to be the way she is now. Just so you know, she did tell Jace everything. I just didn't want to bore you with too many words. Thanks for reading :D!

Ch7.5 His & Hers

2010-06-10T12:34:00.013-04:00

Warning: Language, underwear, mostly dialogue

"What's wrong with that dress?" Dana watched Leyna slip out of the third dress she tried on and throw it back into her closet. She pulled out another dress and held it against her chest, turning from side to side in the mirror. "Not enough skin showin'." She pulled the dress down over her head and returned to the long mirror once again.

"Ok, how do I look?" Dana looked her up and down, "Like you can't breath!"

"Really?" Leyna looked back at the mirror to admire her own reflexion. "I was hopin' you'd say I look skanky but that works just as well! Thanks, Puddin'!" She blew a kiss in Dana's direction.
"Jace is gonna flip!" Dana laughed, sliding down to the end of the bed to pull Leyna's dress down. "Get off!" She smacked her hands away.
"You want your ass hangin' out?!"
"Yes!" They both laughed as Leyna hiked the dress up.

"Ley, do you think I'm wrong for movin' all my stuff out?" She rubbed her leg nervously awaiting Leyna's answer.

"Hell no! All the time you invested in that relationship... you should have took his shit too!" Leyna laughed as she leaned in to check her make-up for the last time.

"Why do I feel so bad then?"
"Maybe because you were always there with Naslie and JJ so you feel more like you're leavin' them than Tony."
Dana shrugged. "That might be it."

"This is what you do, call Naslie. Talk to her. Tell her how you feel and listen to what she has to say. Just because you and Tony are over doesn't mean the friendship is over. I mean... there is enough of me to go around but I need the three of us to go back to causin' trouble TOGETHER... like real soon! But for now you can escort me to my car since you refuse to be my date to the ball tonight!"

Dana laughed as Leyna did a runway walk all the way to the car. Her comedic touches to the simplest things in life is what made everyone love her. She'd make you smile during the saddest moments but still managed to be serious when the situation called for it. "If a stranger brings me home, don't be alarmed!" Leyna yelled over the roof of the car as she was getting in. Dana laughed once again, watching Leyna pull out of the driveway and fade into the distance.

________________________________________

"Aye." Tony walked up behind Naslie as she fixed her hair in the bathroom mirror. "Hi." She quickly glanced at him. "You wanna ride with me?"
"I'm good. Leyna is on her way."
"Oh." He nodded his head, turning to go back down the stairs.
"You did it on purpose, Tony, didn't you?" She waited for him to respond as she watched him through the mirror. "You pushed her away on purpose?"
"I really just wanted her to see that she deserves better than me." He returned to the doorway.
"By treatin' her like shit?!"
"That wasn't my intention! She wants to get married, have kids and... live this fairy tale life. I can't give that to her, Nas."
"Can't or don't want to?" She felt her blood begin to boil as she turned to face him.
"I can't. I don't know how to be-"

"You know what... miss me with the bullshit Tony! I grew up the same way you did and I'm still takin' care of business with Jael! Ma was gone long before I got pregnant with Jael but I'm still tryin' to be the best mother for him! Just like you, I had no one to show me how to be a mother and definitely didn't have anyone showin' me how to be a father, which I am currently learnin' to be right now so don't hand me that shit! If you loved her like you claimed, then you would have at least tried before you threw in the towel!" Naslie bumped Tony's shoulder as she pushed passed him at the sound of Leyna's car horn. "Don't be mad when you see her happy with someone else since that's obviously what you wanted!"

She was right and he couldn't deny that. He never tried to be Dana's everything but she had always went above and beyond to be his. Seeing the anger in his sister made him realize just how wrong he was. What he thought was the best thing to do for Dana, would turn out to be his biggest mistake.

*** So... I am going to do the Simfic50 Challenge which means... another story! Yeah I know I really don't need another story but ideas keep rolling in and won't let me be so, look out for it. It's called Entrapped and will be posted to my LJ as soon as I get the shots which I will be doing since I have very little to do for my class today.

Ch7 .Cluttered

2010-06-04T23:20:00.006-04:00

Warning: language

A single buzz from Naslie's phone vibrated against the bathroom counter. "A text." She thought, quickly turning the water off, snatching her towel for the rack. With her hands still wet, she unlocked the phone to reveal the message. "Dee!" She smiled when she saw the name. Reading the message, her smile faded.

Date: Sep 29 7:43 a.m.

I'm fine. I just couldn't take it anymore! I'll call you when I'm ready to deal with Tony.

Dana

"I'll call you when I'm ready to deal with Tony"? Naslie read it again. She couldn't make sense of the words. "Maybe she blames me." Naslie spoke to no one, closing the message that turned her mood sour. "I'd blame me." Pulling through her closet she took out a regular pair of jeans and simple t-shirt. Slipping into a pair of flat shoes she hadn't worn since Jael's birth, she sluggishly headed off to work.

The shop was filled with the normal hum of various conversations and the occasional ring of laughter. Naslie worked in silence, staring at Dana's empty station between clients. "I should have been a better friend!" She thought to herself, looking down at her own messy station that reminded her of her life. "A mess." Hastily dropping the hair rollers into the container mimicked how she lived her life. Rushed. Obsessed with having everything the way she wanted it to be. She dreaded the aftermath of picking up the box of spilled hair pins as she did the aftermath of a broken heart. The time it required was more than she was willing to allow. "Everything is falling apart!" She said below a whisper, fighting back tears that threatened to mess up the little make-up she wore and plain Jane clothes.

"You can come now, Ms. Brenda." Naslie motioned towards the chair. Her voice shaky and laced with sadness.

"You ok?" Brenda grabbed Naslie's hand. "I'm fine. Got some things on my mind. That's all." She dusted off the chair. "Any idea what you want today?" She tried to avoid further questioning. "No, Sugar. Just make me even prettier!" She joked, flashing a sweet smile.

"Are you going to Jace's party tonight?"

"Party?"

"Yes, the welcome home party Tony is throwing. No one told you?"

"I don't see Tony and Jace is too busy seducing my lip when he drops Jael off to tell me anything!" She thought. "No, no one told me." Her voice was flat.

"Well, now you know!" She smiled up from the chair, removing the last roller from her own hair.

"Maybe they didn't tell me for a reason." She pulled three of the pins from the box, dropping all but one. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, she closed her eyes to calm herself. Pushing the pin deep into the twist she created, she removed 3 more pins, dropping another on the floor.

"And what might that reason be?"

"I don't know." She wiped her forehead with the back of her free hand. "It's ok. I rather stay in tonight anyway."

Brenda turned in the chair to face her. "Sweety, you're too young and too pretty to be a hermit! Go out and have fun! Who knows, I might show up and have a drink or two with you!" Naslie smiled for the first time today. "I don't know why my son didn't tell you! I know for a fact he'd want you there."

"Maybe hes bringing date."

Brenda bursted into laughter. Looking up at Naslie once again, she smiled from ear to ear. "You're serious? Girl, Please! I mean really! Ya'll need to stop!"

"Stop what?" Naslie couldn't help but laugh.

"This dance." Brenda turned her head to get a good look at her hair, looking from the small mirror in Naslie's hand to the large mirror above her station. Smiling, she stood up, placing $50 into her hand and an extra $20 on her station for a tip. "I see the same in his eyes as I see in yours! Why fight it?" She leaned in to kiss Naslie's cheek. "Go to the party, Naslie!" She gave her a stern look before leaving the back area.

Debating on if she should pick up the pins she dropped, Nalie heard her name being called. "Someone is here to see you." Mechelle shot Naslie a weird expression from the corner of her station.

"Garland?" Her eyebrow went up displaying her confusion."Can we talk for a minute?" He pointed to the sofa in the waiting area. She sat as close to the corner as possible, to avoid Mechelle's ears. The last thing she needed was Mechelle twisting up anything she heard to sell to the clients.

"I don't usually show up unannounced but I haven't seen or heard from you since our last lunch date."

"I'm sorry! I should have called and apologized but I've had so much going on that I haven't even had the time to think."

"I told you I care about, Naslie! If you needed to talk, you could have called me. Tell, what's going on?" He slid to the edge of his seat.

"Well, I-" Naslie stopped as Lawrence entered the shop.

"What the hell are you doin' here?" She jumped to her feet, keeping her voice low. Lawrence looked from Garland to Naslie. "You're still seeing this motherfucker?" His voice ripped through the shop.

"Excuse you?" Garland stood up, ready to fight. Naslie threw her hands up, pleading with Garland to calm down. "Who is this cat?!"

"Her man, Bitch!" Lawrence began to shout over him.

"Who you callin' a bitch, Motherfucker?!"

"Hold up," Naslie joined in the shouting match, pushing Lawrence back, "this is not the time nor place for this bullshit, Lawrence!"

"I told you to stop seeing him!"

"You can't tell me who I can and can't talk to! I'm not your wife!"

"Wife?" He seemed shocked.

"Yes, Larry, your wife! The one you failed to mention! She told me all about your little plan too!"

"Naslie, whatever she told you isn't true!"

"Do you think I really give a shit?!" She shoved him. "Get the hell out of here!"

"Naslie, Please!"

"I said GO!" She pointed at the door.

Realizing Garland and most of the people in the shop probably heard everything, she grabbed Garland's hand to lead him outside. He snatched his hand away, frowning as he stared holes into Naslie. "I was just an option to you?" She could see the pain in his eyes. He pushed past her, not caring that he almost knocked her over. "Please let me explain!" She begged, feeling her grip on this situation slip to the point of no return. "No need. I was just a lunch date!" He pushed the doors open harshly.

Naslie walked back to the corner that they sat in just minutes ago. Letting her legs go limp, she slid down to the couch, resting her head against her hand. Dana and Garland were both gone, Lawrence wouldn't go away, and now the entire shop knew her business. Thoughts of her messy station appeared behind her tightly closed eyes. "A mess..." she ran her fingers through her hair, "one big fuckin' mess!"

Ch6 .Letting Go

2010-05-27T17:05:00.006-04:00

Dana entered a small diner a few blocks from the bar to escape the chilly September air and rest her aching feet. "Why did I leave my car!" She cursed herself, taking the corner seat at the counter. Lifting her feet up off of the dirty tiled floor, she closed her eyes release a small sigh. She thought of herself submerged in a huge tub of hot soapy water with jasmine scented bubbles up to her neck and steam sinking into her face. Candles around the bathtub with Luther Vandross playing in the background.
"Hi!" A light voice beamed, ending her trance.
"Hi."

"Mmmmmm, these look yummy, huh?"
"Yes, they do." She replied, looking at the little girl then the display cases filled with fruit pies and cakes."Do you come here a lot?" The little girl walked over and pulled herself up on the stool next to Dana."This is my first time." Dana shook her head with her answer.

"Mine too! We just moved so everything is new to me! I have a new house with a big pool and slide! All new clothes and a new school but... no friends yet." Her voice trailed off as she began to frown. Dana felt her heart ache for the little girl. She smiled, "Don't worry, Sweety! You'll make new friends in no time!"
"I am?!" She grew excited.

"Yup! Wanna know a secret? I was new here too when I was a little girl and guess what?" "What?!"

"Now, I have two best friends!"
"Really?" Her eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. "Will you be my friend?" Dana's smile widened, "Of course I will!"
"My name is Isis!" The little girl's heart warming smile returned.
"I'm D-"
"Icy!" A man called from behind Dana. "You were supposed to be in the bathroom!"
"Daddy, I made a new friend!" She jumped from the stool, point back at Dana. He looked up at Dana with curious eyes. "I'm sorry if my daughter was bothering you! She likes to talk!" He pinched her cheek, causing a burst of laughter. "Oh no, she wasn't a bother at all! In fact, I was just about to seal our friendship by telling her my name!"
Leaning down so that they were eye to eye, "My name is Dana," she winked at Isis. "now we're friends!"
"See, told you, Daddy!" She rejoiced, pumping her fist in the air. "Can my new friend come eat with us?" Dana's eyes widened at the question. "Well, I don't know about that, Icy." He rubbed his chin. "She is still a stranger to me!" He shot Dana a flirtatious grin.

Dana bit back a smile. In this part of town, she could be spotted by anyone while sitting with this man, falling deep within those beautiful green eyes of his, enjoying attention that she so badly wanted from Tony. "Tony..." She whispered remembering her aching feet that were again throbbing beneath her and the circumstances leading up to the reason why she was in this place to begin with. Like a light clicked on in her brain, she extended her hand, "Dana Holland, it's nice to meet you..."
"Silas, Silas Kade." He took her hand into his, never letting go of her gaze.
"Nice to meet you, Silas. I'd love to have dinner with you!"
________________________________________

"Buzzzzzzzzzz!"
A buzzing from underneath Naslie's pillow jolted her from her sleep. Looking at time and who was calling, she hit the ignore button and shoved the phone back under her pillow in one swift motion.

Turning and working a comfortable groove back into her pillow, she drifted back off to sleep.

"Buzzzz buzzzzzzz!" Her phone went off again. Throwing back her sheets, Naslie snatched her phone from underneath the pillow and stormed out of the room.

"What, Tony?!" She whispered into the phone, her eyes barely open. "What the hell do you mean missing?" She replied, opening her eyes fully. "I'll check your ro-"
"All her stuff is go-"
"She said she was waiting for you! You stood her up again, didn't you?!"
"Hold on!" Naslie pulled the phone from her ear and dialed Dana's number on 3-way."
"It went straight to voicemail."

"What the hell do you mean her phone is dead and shes walkin'?! Do you know what kind of people hang out by that bar?!"
"Look, Tony, all I can do see if shes at Jerri's or Leyna's and hope she calls one of us soon!"
Naslie hung up the phone while Tony was still talking. She couldn't blame Dana for her disappearing act. Dana put up with a lot throughout the years and Tony always threw Naslie in it, expecting her to fix it. With her own love life issues, she didn't know how of even if she wanted to fix this one. Dialing the numbers to both Dana's mother and Leyna, Naslie received the same answer.

The last little inch of sleep left Naslie as she sat on the couch, eyes heavy, heart full of worry, continuing to wait for her friend to walk through the door. Her third hour awake, the sun's rays of orange and yellow hues made it's way through the once dark room onto her skin. Morning was definitely here but still, there was no Dana.

Ch5.5 .Warnings

2010-05-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

**bridge piece

"I'm going to get us another round." Tony leaned his pool stick against the wall.
"You playin' or what? " Kenny looked up at Jace.
"I'll play." He eased off the leather couch.

"I know why you came back..." Kenny smirked, making sure Tony was not able to hear him. "You still think you have a chance?"
"Do you?" Jace shot back.

Kenny grinned before leaning over to break. "Look who grew a pair in 4 years! Did we came back with an 'I think I can' attitude? He snorted.
"If I didn't know any better, Kenny, I'd think she was yours but we both know that's just a dream of yours that will never come true!"
"It already has!"
"If that was the truth, you wouldn't be so concerned about why I'm back!"
"I see your cards. Spendin' all that time with her kid."
"As always, you know nothing! I spend time with Jael because I want to. Not to please Naslie!"
"Yeah, sure! Whatever you say man! I'm just lettin' you know that I'm still in this game so... let the best man win!" Kenny stood up straight, walked toward the other end of the table as Jace went to take his shot.

"Don't worry, I will."

Ch5 .Warnings

2010-05-18T16:54:00.007-04:00

"I'm going to kill him!" Dana spoke to herself, entering 50 Miles Pool Hall. Her eyes flew straight to Tony, sitting at the bar with Kenny and Jace. Her eyes narrowed as she moved forward. "Calm down!" she told herself, not wanting to make a scene. "Just calm down, Dana!"

"Antonio!" She called to him, her voice dripping with anger. "Why aren't you answering your phone?! My phone is dead from calling you so many times! You were supposed to pick me up from work over an hour ago!" She screamed over the music. "Damn baby, I forgot!" He smiled, taking a quick sip from his glass. "How did you get here?"
"It doesn't matter how the fuck I got here! Just get up and take me the fuck home!" She spat, her neck rolling as she waved her finger. "You need to sit ya ass down and chill out first!" He stood up.
"I don't need to do shit! I walked 6 blocks because you have my car and you were too busy sittin' up in this motherfucker to come get me!"

"Who you think you talkin' to-"
"I'm talkin' to you-" They began to argue back and forth with Jace between them. Sliding his still full glass to the side, Jace cut in, "Com'on, Dee, I'll take you home."
"Yeah! Take her home, cause she talkin' to me like she lost her mind and is about to get her feelings hurt!"
"Get MY feelings hurt? What more can you do?! You rather sit up in this bar and run the streets for Sammie than spend time with me! I sit up at night worried about you cause I'm scared I'm gonna get a phone call sayin' you got killed or locked up! I've had it, Tony! I can't take this shit anymore!"

"Com'on, Dee!" Jace pulled his keys from his pocket, hoping Dana would follow.
"No, Jace... I'll find my own way!" She stormed out of the bar. "Dee!" She heard Jace calling out. "No, let her go... cool down!" Tony touched his shoulder.

Jace continued his path behind her, calling her name and receiving no answer. "It's raining, too cold, and too late for you to try and walk home by yourself, Dana! He finally caught up to her. "I'll be ok." She mumbled. "Do you know what kind of people hang out in this part of town? Just let me take you home!" His voice stern and filled with concern.

"Why does he always treat me like that, Jace?" She finally stopped. Jace just shook his head. Dana smirked. "It's going to take for me to leave his ass for him to learn isn't it?"
"I really don't know, Dee, but i'll talk to him."
"No need! If he can't see that he is pushing a good woman away, then let him."
Jace looked through the bar window then back at Dana. "Ya'll have been together forever! Just... don't do anything you'll later regret, Dee."
Dana bite her lip, "I won't. Trust me!"
"Good. Can I please take you home now?" He flashed his teeth at her.
"No...I rather walk." She squeezed out a tiny smile. "No you can't walk with me and if you follow me, I swear on my life I'll kick your ass!" She laughed.

________________________________________

"She always has to cause a scene!" Tony rubbed the bridge of his nose. "What the hell was Jace thinking... coming back?! If I had the chance, I'd never look back!"
"I actually like it here! I owe your sister for that!" Kenny laughed, nudging Tony's arm with his elbow.

"Don't play with me!" Tony pulled his hand away from his face, opening his eyes.
"I'm jokin'!" Kenny straightened his face. "I'm going to be your brother-in-law... watch!"
"Yeah ok! Last time I let one of my friends be with my sister, she ended up heartbroken with a baby! She can date all the clowns in Brookmore she wants to date but ya'll, my boys, I'm not havin' that!" He looked at Kenny. "Just like with Yasmina. You're still pissed that Jace just up and left her to go to Keston. Now ya'll barley tolerate each other!"
"It's more to it than that!" Kenny said under his breath.
"Yeah, yeah...lets just play some pool!"

"You're really gonna leave things like that with Dana? She is gonna leave you one of these days!"
"And go where?! Jae is probably talkin' to her right now. Hes good at that shit!"
Kenny snorted. "Why do you put so much faith into him?"
"What?!" Tony raised his eyebrow. "We grew up together! He is the brother I always wanted Naslie to be!" He laughed.
"Your boy, not mine!" Kenny took his shot and walked around the table. Seeing Jace walk through the door he issued a final warning. "I'm just sayin'... grow eyes in the back of your head. The people your trust are the ones that always do shit behind your back!"

"What does that mean?" Tony thought to himself. Kenny always seemed to talk in codes like he knew something and was trying to indirectly speak of it. All the comments he made about Naslie, saying Dana would leave, and his dislike for Jace made Tony a little suspicious. Just as he was sure Dana would never leave him, he was sure he could trust Jace. Where Naslie fit into that was a mystery he was anxious to solve.

ch4 .Crashing

2010-05-07T22:53:00.007-04:00

A quick dash out of the Salon after finishing a client's hair, 6:23 p.m, She was on her way. A text sent the night before to change the time. He already thought he was in control, time to show him who really runs this show. He agreed to 6:30. Speeding in the direction of Chinatown. Anxious. Furious. Ready to go off like a C4 bomb. Still shocked he had the nerve to ask to see her. "He must have lost his damn mind!" She thought. 6:34, "I'm gonna be late..." stuck in rush hour traffic, "Oh, well! He can wait!" A loud horn sounds. Loud engine. "This train doesn't come any other day!" She huffed.

Pulled up at the park, 6:49, she had some kind of butterflies. Excited or nervous. One of the two. Look at their usual spot by the fountain, he wasn't there. "Son of a bitch!" She hissed, taking a seat on the edge of the fountain.

This place harbored memories, not just theirs. The first time she came to this park was with Jace. They'd put soap in the fountain and fight with the bubbles til the police were called. Cover themselves with mud and leaves and pretend to be pond monsters to scare the kids. She smiled at the thought.

"Naslie?" A woman walked up from behind her. "I didn't think you'd come!" A tall slender woman stood in front of her. A confused, Naslie said nothing. "God, you're pretty!" The woman continued to stare. "Who is this bitch?!" Naslie thought, staring back. "I'm sorry," She smiled, a mouth full of perfect white teeth,"you're probably wondering who I am!"
"Exactly!" Naslie managed with an annoyed expression.

She placed a hand upon her chest as if she were proud, "I am Larry's wife." Naslie inhaled deeply through her nose, pressing her lips together. "Wife?" she released. "Yeah... 7 years." She rolled her eyes and looked down at her nails. "Figures he wouldn't mention me!" Naslie turned her back preparing to leave.
"Wait!" She called out. "I just want to talk to you about-"

"Look, Miss-" Naslie whipped around throwing up her hand to cut her off.
"Larissa." She smiled.
"Larissa... I am not seeing him anymore so-"
"Really?" She seemed disappointed. "Well you still need to know-"
"Know what!" Naslie snapped, cutting her off again.
"Please, Naslie, have a seat and I'll explain." She said softly.
Naslie crossed her arms and stood in front of the woman. 'She can't be serious!' She thought! "How could he have a wife? There was no sign of a woman in his house. No clothes, no pictures, not even a bottle of sweet smelling lotion.'
"When Larry got in the shower last night, I texted you from his phone. I wanted to meet so I could tell you the truth."
"To tell me you're his wife-"
"No to tell you that hes using you." Her eyes were unreadable. "He wants a baby." Naslie took in another deep breath, ending with a smile of disbelief. 'That explains the condom issue!' Naslie thought to herself.
"We tried to have a baby and it's didn't happen. I was open to adoption but he want a child that was his own flesh and blood. An excuse to whore around if you ask me." She laughed.

"So, you're standing here, like you're talking about what kind of donuts you like, telling me you know your husband has been sleeping with me and that you're ok with it?" Naslie's anger was obvious.
"I wasn't at first but he said it's all for me-"
"Oh wake up!" Naslie snapped for the second time. "First of all, he wasn't gettin' a baby out of me!... Second, that's the dumbest shit I've ever heard in my entire life!...Third, even if I did have a baby, you thought ya'll were just gonna take my baby and be a happy fuckin' fam-"
"I don't know what he planned to do with you afterwards." Her voice flat and careless.
"Why are you even telling me this?! The only reason why I came here in the first place was to tell Lawrence to lose my number! " She laughed through her nose. "Do me a favor," Naslie stepped in close, " take care of your husband so he can leave me alone!" Naslie looked her up and down before walking off.

"There are ways around the condom, you know! Just thought you should know that." She spoke into Naslie's back. Watching her strut all the way to her car.

"Take heed, little girl! Lawrence always gets what he wants!"

"Always!"

Ch3 .Slight Change

2010-05-05T15:39:00.019-04:00

WARNING: image heavy (20 +)

"Naslie? Naslie? Did you hear me?" Naslie blinked her eyes several times. "No, Garland, I'm- sorry! What did you say?" Garland smirked before looking back down at his menu. "I asked if you wanted me to order for you since we are on a time limit and you haven't even bothered to look at the menu. "Oh," she replied, feeling a little guilty that she hadn't listened to a word he said since they entered the restaurant. "Yeah, sure." she spoke softly.

"What's on your mind, Sweety? And don't say nothing cause I can tell your mind is somewhere else." He was right. Her mind was somewhere else. Bouncing back and forth between the last few days. Between almost running into Jace twice and feeling like she was being watched. Condensation from her glass began to drip, staining her light blue jeans. "Well..." He placed the menu down on the table, drumming his fingers on it impatiently."It's nothing really! Just... thinking about moving into a bigger place. For my son."

"That's it?"
"Yeah, that's it." She lied, speaking into her glass.

Garland returned a smile. "Oh so now you want to look at the menu?" he asked, pointing to the menu. "Leave me alone! I'm looking for something I can take my son."

"Mmmm." Garland nodded. "So," He nodded again, looking for his next question. "when are we going to have more than these lunch dates?" Naslie took a sip from her glass again. "What more do you want, Garland?"

"Maybe breakfast, a dinner date or something! Let me take you and your son-" Garland stopped when he saw the waitress walking toward their table.

"You guys ready to order yet?"

"Umm, yeah I think we are. The lady will have the pork chops with collard greens and cranberry sauce."

"With or without the potato slices?"

Garland looked at Naslie then back to the waitress. "With. And... I'll have one of those nectarine tarts."

"That's it?"

"Yes, that's- oh wait... Baby, did you want to-"
"No, I'm good."

"Ok, that's it then."

"Alright, I'll go put this order in and I'll be back to check on you in a little bit."

"Where would you take us?" Naslie asked just as the waitress walked away. "Anywhere you'd like to go! I don't care, as long as it's more than the 45 mins we get now!"

"I appreciate the offer, Garland! I really do but I don't like men going in and out of my son's life. The last thing I need is for him to get attached to you and you end up walking away!"

"What makes you think I'd walk away?"

"What makes you think you won't walk away?"

"Naslie, I really care about you! I want to be a real part of your life but how can I when you won't trust me?" Naslie never answered. The two sat in silence until their waitress came back with their food.

Out of nowhere Garland laughed through his nose. "I don't even know your son's name!"

Naslie pushed the sliced potatoes to the other side of her plate, separating her greens from the meat. "Jael..." she breathed. "My baby's name is Jael." Garland looked up from his plate with a smile. "Now, we're getting somewhere."

Naslie looked down at the table. "Excuse me, Garland." Naslie pushed herself away from the table. "You want one of these tarts?" He called behind her. Naslie waved her hand at the question before rounding the corner to the bathroom.

"Well at least he didn't say he loves me!" She thought, staring at herself int he mirror.

A buzzing against her Naslie's thigh, startled her. Naslie pulled her phone from her pocket to see a new text message.

Date: Sep 25 12:16 p.m.

Did you tell your date about me or do I have to?

From: Lawrence

Panic and anger took over Naslie as she rushed back to the table. In all the years that she had been serial dating, never once had any of them met the other. In any other case, she wouldn't have cared but a sick feeling in her stomach made it hard to be careless.

Garland was still taken small bites when Naslie reached their table. "I have to get back to work, Garland! I'm sorry!"
"Wait!" he coughed, choking on his dessert. She turned, moving quickly to her car before he could get another word in. Looking into every car she passed she searched for him. How did he know where she was? How long had he been watching her? Snatching her phone from her pocket, she bit down and quickly entered a number. If Lawrence was watching her, he was probably watching Jael too.

________________________________________

"Com'on, little man! You have to focus! Just two more and you're done! What's 3+2?"
"5!" Jael said confidently. "Ok, so add one more. What's 4+2?"
Jael scratched his head, 6!?"
"Yes! See, I told you you're smarter than me!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"

"Ok, last one! What's 9+9?"
"That's a hard one!" Jael whined, pressing his head against his fist.
"No it's not! Com'on, we'll count with my fingers." Together they counted up from 9. "I got it! 18!" he shouted.

"Very good! See, smarter than me!"
"Nuh uh!"
"Uh huh!"
"Nuh uh!" Jael laughed, blowing the eraser shaving off the page.

"Don't forget to put your name on it." Jace added.
"Ok! J A E L." He said aloud as he scribbled his name at the top of the page.
"Can you get me from the bus and help me with my homework everyday?"
"I don't know, Man. You have to ask your mother if I can."
Jael followed Jace into the kitchen like his shadow, making sure he took the same steps as Jace.

"So, what do you want for dinner?"
"Pizza!" Jael screamed!"
"Naw, how about..." Jace opened the refrigerator and scanned it for something better for Jael. "pizza it is!" he exhaled, closing the door.

"You staying til Momma gets home?"
"Yup! What are we going to do til then?"
"I know!" Jael smiled.

"Stop being a cheater, JJ!"
"Stop being a loser, Jace!"

"Betcha I can eat mine faster than you!"
"Ok... on the count of 3! 1...2....3!"

"One more story please!"
"I don't think your mother would be too happy if she knew I let you stay up this late!"
"I don't think my Momma would be too happy if she knew you didn't want to read to me!" Jael replied. Jace laughed. "You remind me so much of myself! I used to do that to my dad!"
"Did it work?"
"Nope!" Jace laughed.

"Com'on, just one more!"
"That was your one more, JJ!" he laughed again. "I told Naslie I'd put you to bed ON TIME so-"
"You have to catch me first!" Jael sprung from the bed. Jace grabbed his arm before he could run too far, tickling him til he agreed to go to bed. "You sure you don't want me to stay up and keep you company?" Jael asked. "Umm never mind, I'm sleepy. Good Night!" Jael ran to his bed and tucked himself in. "Good night, Momma!" he called out from under his sheets. "Good Night, Jael!" Naslie called out from the doorway, trying to hold in her laughter.

"Umm," Jace grinned as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I-"
"Still letting him get his way?" Naslie smiled. "All these years and you're still a softy with Jael!"
"Well what can I say? The kid hits a soft spot in my heart!" He returned the smile. The two silently analyzed each other before Naslie broke the silence. "Nice hair cut."
"The military made me do it." he rubbed his fingers through his hair.
"It looks good on you." Jace let his hand slide down the back of his neck. "Thanks." He blushed.

"Is everything ok?" He asked as they reached the bottom of the stairs. "You seemed upset when you called me about Jael earlier."
"It's fine. I couldn't reach Tony and I didn't think I'd be on this side of town in time to get him off the bus."
Jace laughed. "Damn, Peach! You still bite on the inside of your cheek after you tell a lie!"
Naslie shot him a confused look. "I don't know what you're talking about and don't call me that!"
"Oh com'on, Nas! I thought we were better than that!"
"I said everything is cool, Jace!"
He laughed again. "Getting mad, Peach?"

"If you call me that one more time, I'll punch you!" Jace smiled from ear to ear. "It sure is nice to see you, Nas." She paused. "Yeah...nice seeing you too." She mumbled. A moment of silence fell upon them once again as they exchanged stares. A loud buzz from Naslie's pocket broke the silence. "I'm going to get going now. Long drive back to the beach." Jace turned towards the door. "Good Night, JJ!" he called to Jael, sitting at the top of the stairs. They could hear his tiny feet scramble back to his bedroom. "I think he was waiting for me to ask you if I can pick him up after school from now on."
"Umm...I don't know about that." Naslie replied. "It'll hurt him if you start spending all this time with him and then decide to just up and leave again!"
"I'm not going anywhere! I can't go anywhere."
"Why can't you?!" She snapped.

The smile he had turned into a slight frown. "I know I'm not his biological father but I have been a part of his life since day one and plan to continue being a part of is life! I'm not leaving him!" "How do I know that for sure? You promised you'd always be here for him before and then you were gone with no explanation!"
"I left because I had to go but I still saw him didn't I? Every time I knew someone was coming to Keston I asked them to bring him, did I not? I even offered to fly you out there.. didn't I?"
"You did but-"

"Ok then!" He interrupted. Jace grabbed Naslie's hands to hold her attention. "I love him like my own son, Nas! The last thing I want to do is hurt him!" Naslie chewed on the inside of her cheek nervously, only taking quick glances into his eyes. She loved that he wanted to and had been there for Jael. He needed Jace but what she needed was distance. With Jace always being around like he had been before he left, he'd make her question herself again. Make her rethink the way she was looking at love and that's not what she wanted. Jace was forbidden and being so close would only tempt her to try him. Though she wanted to piss him off and hope he'd never come back, she realized that would hurt her just as much as Jael. "Fine, Jace! And you'll bring him home every night?"
"Everynight. I can even keep him when you have dates."

"What the hell does that mean?" Her phone buzzed again. Jace chuckled. "Go ahead and answer that. I'll have him home no later than 8."
"Are you trying to imply that I-" Jace moved in close, kissing her gentley on the side of her bottom lip. "Stop trying to push me away, Peach! I'm not going anywhere!" He whispered against her skin. Jace pulled himself away slowly, closing the door behind him. Her skin tingled where his lips touched. A warm sensation had begun to take over but quickly faded with the door closing behind him. Seeing him was just as hard as she thought but now she knew what his lips felt like and had a craving for more. Off in a daze, the buzz from her phone jolted her once again. "Damn text! " she muttered.

Date: Sep 25 9:43 p.m.
Meet me tomorrow. Our spot. Noon.

From: Lawrence

After the shit he pulled today he had some nerve asking her to meet him! He had no right to follow her like some kind of parole officer and she planned to make that known.

ch2 .The Return

2010-04-27T12:43:00.009-04:00

The sound of the waves crashing between the rocks lured him to the patio. The last time he had seen a sight so amazing, so captivating, was the last time he saw her. He shook his head to rid his brain of her. His eyes followed each wave and every coiled piece of seaweed that washed up on the beach. Even that reminded him of her.

"It would be nice if you brought your ass in here and helped me with this heavy shit!" Leyna nearly dropped the microwave then slid it to the side with her foot. "I'm sorry!" he chuckled. "You don't have to bring in anything else. Pop is supposed to be here soon so he can help me with the rest. Go ahead and look around."

"Ma is going to have a field day decorating this place!" Leyna placed her finger on her lower lip as she examined the tiny kitchen.
"Who said I was letting her decorate?"
"Let her? Mommy will find a way to get her own key and the next thing you know, there will be roses and lace curtains all over this place!"

"Hold Up! Say what now?" He stuck his finger in his ear, pretending he didn't hear her correctly.
"You're going to come home and these walls will be coral pink with fuzzy purple rugs!" Leyna laughed.
"Hell no!" He joined in the laughter.
"Boy, please! You know you want your momma to fix this place up for you! Every bachelor pad needs a woman's touch! If she doesn't do it, who will?"
He flashed Leyna a half smile then turned to exit through the patio door.

"You alright?" Leyna followed him outside. "You really just walked out on me when I was about to make another joke about Mommy."
Jace lowered his eyes from the beach. "I'm good."
"You sure? You went from laughing with me to selling me a fake smile."
"I said I'm fine, Ley!" He laughed.
"Good! For a second I thought you were thinking about Naslie. Well, I'll bring in a few more boxes before I leave."

"Ley..." He called out, rushing back into the house. "Why would you think that?" he asked nervously.
"Cause," she crossed her arms, placing a finger to her lower lip once again, searching for the right words. "you get this look when you're thinking about her. Like... you're in pain."
"It's that obvious?" he asked, rubbing the back of his head.
"To me, yeah. She is one of my best friends and you are my big brother. Being around you both, I pick up on a lot of things but... let me ask you something... what's the real reason behind why you left? Was it because of Naslie?"
Jace said nothing. Scratching his wrist and staring at the floor as if the newly polished hardwood would reveal an answer for him.

"That's what I thought!" Leyna delivered a small smile before pulling her brother into a hug. "You have to tell her." she spoke into his ear.

"Easier said than done! Aside from the fact that I can't, Tony won't approve!"
"It's not what Tony wants... it's what you want!" She spoke over her shoulder. "Either get over her or make a move! You don't want me to tell her! I'll go all out and make up shit!"

Leyna's words hit him hard. He watched her exit the front door before he returned to the patio.

More than anything he wanted her to know what he really felt but he had a much better plan. Naslie was the master of breaking hearts and just outing himself to her would only make himself an easy target for her games. Instead of outing himself to her and praying for the best outcome, he'd switch the game up. He'd make Naslie come to him.

ch1 .Hidden

2010-04-23T10:50:00.011-04:00

Warning: Limited nudity. Language.

The heavy scent of a vanilla candle burning next to the bed entered Naslie's nose, bringing her out of a daydream. Being with Lawrence was something she didn't really enjoy but he took care of her sexual needs whenever she needed it. Out of all the men who came into her life for just a second or a season, Lawrence was the only one who has made it this far. The fact that he hadn't thrown those 3 words at her like all the others was the only reason she kept him around.

"Wait!" Naslie mumbled, pushing herself up. His hand continued on it's path to her breast as if she hadn't even spoke. "You know what I'm about to say...." She whispered. Lawrence backed up, obviously irritated. "You're really going to start that shit right now?" he huffed. "Now I know I'm not the only one you're fucking." Naslie shot him a confused look. "I didn't know that wanting to play it safe meant I was sleeping with other men." The fact that those words escaped his lips in such a harsh tone angered her. Naslie pushed herself off the bed and searched the room for her clothes.

"Why else would you keep bring that up?" He followed. "Umm, maybe because I'm already raising one child on my own and am not interested in adding a second! Because we're not married or even in a relationship and because I said so!" She barked. Her anger was now very visible as she roughly threw on her clothes. Why did he keep pushing the issue? This was the second time he tried this. Something about this bothered her but she couldn't put her finger on it. Did he really not understand or was there another reason behind it? Either way, this would be the last time they'd have this conversation.

"You're making a big deal out of nothing, Naslie!"
"Am I really? You just basically called me a whore and you're not making a big enough deal over something that could be life changing! I'm not playing this game with you anymore, Lawrence! You like playing in puddles with no rain boots .. fine! Go find yourself a woman that likes it too cause Naslie ain't the one!"

She turned her back to him and headed for the stairs. Lawrence followed close behind her. "Naslie!" He shouted as he moved in closer. His heavy bare feet creaked the floorboards behind the clicking of her stilettos as she took each step. "Naslie! he shouted one last time. "I'm tried of you running away everytime you don't get your way! If you leave now, don't come back!"

In her eyes, these were only her toys. They were there for her to play with. Nothing more and nothing less. There was no need to be involved in anything serious with them. When she was bored with one, he'd be tossed out and quickly replaced. Lawrence was no different. Yes, he had been around the longest but there was no way in hell she was going to bow to him. If he wasn't going to play by her rules, he'd be tossed out just like the ones before him... or so she thought.

________________________________________

Every light in the house was off except one. Following the light and smell of cakes to the kitchen, all hopes of Tony being in there were gone. Her mind had raced like a mouse in a maze the whole way home and the need for answers was growing strong. Her overprotective brother was the last person she'd want to know about what just happened but she needed to know a possible answer for him being so pushy.

"I knew I smelled cake!" Naslie greeted Dana with a soft giggle. "What are you still doing up?"
Dana glanced quickly over her shoulder, swallowing a mouthful of cake. "Can't sleep. What are you doing home so early?"
"Lawrence pissed me off." Naslie walked around the island, searching for the rest of the cake.

"Enough to finally leave him alone?" She looked up from her plate.
"Yeah, I think this is it." Naslie walked back around the island, plopping down on the stool next to her friend.

A smile covered Dana's face then quickly disappeared as she took in the words. "Good! I don't trust him anyway!"
"You don't trust anyone, Dee!"

"Not true! I trust you and Leyna-"
"Cause we've known you longer than you've known yourself!"
"I trust Jael-"
"He is 6 years old, Dana!" She laughed.

"I trust your brother-"
"Cause you're in love with him!"
"And... I trust Jace."
Naslie paused. Looking to the floor then back to Dana, her smile slowly faded. She hadn't heard that name in a long time and still it had an affect on her. "Why?" Naslie finally managed to speak. "Because," Dana inched off of the stool and placed her plate in the sink filled with soapy water. "he loves Jael and of course ... you." her voice trailed off.
"Whatever, Dee!"
"Nas, think about it! He was always there for you and Jael and he never once asked for anything in return."

"He loves Jael-"
"Alright then Nas! Tell me this since you know everything! If he loves only Jael, then why did he come back instead of -"
"What do you mean 'come back'?" She interrupted.
"That's why Tony isn't here. Jace called and asked Tony to pick him up from the airport about an hour ago."

Silence fell upon the room. The news of his return hit her like a ton of bricks. Naslie rubbed her neck with a clouded head. Everything thing from "Why" to "What if" was running through her head along with the questions that she still had about Lawrence. She wasn't sure why he was back or if she even cared to know why. All she knew was that she'd have to do everything in her power to avoid him.

Chapter Delay

2010-04-13T11:17:00.003-04:00

for those of you who have been checking for an update (i know who you are), I am sorry it has been a month. I have had a lot going on and finally got the time and energy to write the next chapter but as fate would have it, I ran into another issue. I lost my grandfather Sunday and I am really not taking it well. I will try to have the next part of this story up asap. Thanks for reading.

prologue .makings of me

2010-03-12T02:43:00.008-05:00

Unfamiliar sounds buzzed in her ear
"I know I don't hear what I think I hear!"
Up the stairs and down the hall
Sudden pains causing her to stumble and almost fall
Easing through the door, soft footfalls grace the floor
Hoping it was just her imagination and nothing more

She couldn't believe what she saw, this couldn't be
Her heart sank into her stomach, she prayed her eyes were deceived
A nightmare while awake, her body ached
How much more could this dented heart take

Her hand reacted first, to muffle the sound
Endless tears poured and pooled on the ground
Words had escaped her, like she had forgotten how to speak
"I should beat his ass!" she inched closer. The floorboards creaked

He sprung from the bed, his face without a care
"Oh, hey sweety! How long have you been there?"
Anger replaced the pain, her tears were almost gone
"Before you say anything, I did nothing wrong!"
"Nothing wrong? Motherfucker, you're busted!"
A hard poke to the chest, "I see now that you can't be trusted!"
"I thought you were working, Boo!"
"Oh so that's what you do?"
"Screw random bitches behind my back, and in my Nana's house too?!"
He smiled as if it was a joke. She wanted to take a shoe to his head
"And why is this bitch still laying on my bed!"

"We'll work through this" He thought without a doubt
"Fuck you Angelo, get all your shit and get out!"
Her words spoken through clenched teeth, just a little above a shout

Pain hit her once again, this time, it was more she could bare
"You'll take me back!" he shot at her, as they exchanged angry stares

She turned on her heels, almost like she was running

She could no longer deny, her baby boy was coming

Each step followed a contraction, 2-3 minutes they would last
She moved quickly towards the door, this was happening too fast

Out the door and down the street, treading through snow about 3 inches deep
She reached for her phone, "It's time, I need you by my side!"
He came to her rescue, wiping her tears as she cried

It was over before she knew it, her baby in her arms
"Momma will always be with you, to keep you safe from harm"
The anger that filled her, disappeared in baby boy's eyes
She wouldn't let that betrayal ever ruin their lives

His daddy wouldn't be there, so she made a vow
To never let him see her broken, she had to be strong now
To hold her ice cold heart in the the palm of her hand
To live as a proud woman with the mentality of a man

Naslie was going to get what she wanted, and these men, what they deserved
If hearts were going to be broken in this love game
It wouldn't be hers