Everything Started Here With You

Until We Make Amends

"Resentment is like drinking poison and hoping it will kill your enemies."

-- Unknown

"I effing hate this!" Hayden whined. "We haven't even been back for a week and they already want us back in their mess. What happened to staying out of the way?"

"How would I know?" I mumbled.

We'd just gotten off the plane that landed in Palm Springs not even five minutes ago. The entire ride over here, Hayden was complaining about putting his modeling career on hold again. I was missing a case that I worked so hard on. It's not like the same investors weren't going to visit his modeling agency again. I heard they came back almost once every month. For me, missing a case was like telling your boss you didn't care about your clients. I cared. Too much.

But Lexi is my best friend. I need to apologize to her for everything I caused. If not for me, she would have been the shining CEO of Luxury Therapy. She would be working at the police station with Asher. No one would hate me for being the worthless friend I am. Now that Asher knows who I am as a person, he's not going to let me stay here quietly.

"I had a case today, Hayden," I snapped, interrupting his pity party. "I partied last night to make the husband think I was a deadbeat lawyer. I didn't get to show up. I'm sure Jacobi is asking his father if he can fire me right now."

"You know that's not true," Hayden said.

"Whatever. Your career can wait. Mine can't. No one's going to recommend me to another client if I keep getting calls like this one. Your little investors always come back for more."

"How would you know that?"

"I was a singer once, idiot. I know things."

We caught a taxi to the hotel we'd be staying at. Hayden said he was going to sleep, but I had important things to do. Lexi could wait for a few minutes. People in this city think they can tell me what to do whenever they want. I'll show them all a thing or two. Sha'Kera Davis won't be pushed around like this anymore.

I found myself talking to Adrien like he was my father. He listened with complete interest and even stopped me a couple of times to ask if I was really okay. At least he knows what "I'm fine" means. Unlike some people I know. With me in this state, anything can be said. That's why I have to watch myself. Adrien's been known to slip up on you in a minute. If word gets out that I talked to him, Jackson's going to think I betrayed him.

"It doesn't help that you're here right now," he said. "It's late. I should be home right now, but I've been listening to you."

"Should I be mad you said it like that?" I asked.

"Take it however you want. I want to help you with this, but Jackson hates me enough as is."

"Jackson hates everyone. Except Asher. For some reason, he just has this thing for the guy who used to do anything for him."

"It's like that sometimes. Just be careful here. I know you grew up here with Lexi, but it's unsafe for people who don't know their place."

Was he talking about me? I know my place. It's not in Palm Springs. It's in Queens at Jacobi's law firm. And it's about time someone respected my personal life. If I see Jackson again before he leaves Palm Springs or whatever place he wants to show up in, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind. Whether it be as a Black or Latino woman, I hope he knows what's coming for him.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be crazy. I just know it," Adrien muttered. "I have a family to get back to. Maybe we can have a cup of coffee in the morning."

"I'll be mad at you again in the morning. No offense." I smiled.

"None taken, Sha'Kera. I'll have Lewis lock up after you. Get back to the hotel safely."

"Don't worry about me. I say you need to watch your back. You have more enemies than you think."

We exchanged a friendly goodbye and I watched him get in his Volvo S80. He's not a family man with that type of car. Lewis jangled the keys behind me. I rolled my eyes and began walking towards the street to hail a cab. There were quite a few out tonight, so it won't be hard getting one.

I stood at the curb, daring to step out into the street. A taxi pulled over quickly. As I prepared to get in, Lewis came up beside me. He wasn't getting in with me. I hope he has a car.

"Nice night," he said.

"Get lost," I snapped. "And aren't you supposed to be in the hospital?"

"I'm not dying just yet. Can I have your number?"

"...If Luca hates you, what makes you think I like you?"

I got in and told the driver to just go. I needed to be far from Lewis before I went back to the hotel. I didn't trust that man one bit. He's such a creep.

💉💧💦

I feel like I can sleep for days. When I got back to the hotel last night, I couldn't fall asleep. No amount of white noise could help me. I tried to count sheep. Maybe it only works on little kids. I was jittery from thinking about what I'd say to Lexi when I got to the hospital. She'd been moved after she went into cardiac arrest. I was a little skeptical about visiting her this early in the move, but she was going to be fine.

The doctors said she could have only one visitor today and I would be the only one. Good. I planned to make it quick and sweet. At least let her know I'm still alive and want her to wake up. If I were her, I'd stay in a coma for as long as my body allowed me. Waking up seems so far for her. Since she can get one visitor, I'm assuming she's doing better than they thought.

"You're still awake?" Hayden muttered against my stomach.

"I couldn't sleep," I grumbled. "Do you want breakfast?"

"...Not really. I feel like I could sleep for a month. I guess the hospital and modeling sucked the life out of me."

"I told you to tone it down on the promotions."

"Shut up."

I chuckled and ran a hand through his ever growing blonde locks. I always thought about asking him to color his hair. Never got past thinking about it. We remained in this position until Hayden finally sat up and looked at me.

"What?" I asked, suddenly self-conscious of what I might look like.

"...Why are you so freaking beautiful?" He licked his lips.

"I...What?"

"Can we just stay here for the morning? You know...catch up on some things." He raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Please."

"No. Hayden, I told you about this. I can't stay here today. We both have things to do."

"Baby, they're not that important. Once we go back home, there isn't going to be any 'us' time."

"You always think about us and not the kids. We barely spend any time with them as is. Being parents is hard, Hayden. I don't expect to get what I want from you all the time."

Hayden glared at me and laid back down. "Vous êtes un tel cockblock."

"You're welcome." I leaned over to kiss his forehead. "Maybe later. A lot can happen today and I want to get things done before I get distracted."

"I'm a distraction?"

"...Yes. Now get up. I want to eat breakfast before going to the hospital."

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Sorry for the late update. I went to a musical last night and didn't leave the auditorium until well after 10. Then I went to McDonald's and didn't get out of the line until well after 11:30 and wasn't energized enough to publish a chapter. Enough excuses...I'm sorry and I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

⚜Author-nim⚜