The Harder They Fall

Chapter 15: Pregnant

Jasmine

''Jasmine! Wait!''

I hurriedly walked out of the house as he shouted after me.

I knew this was a bad idea. How could I be so foolish?

''Jasmine, It's not what it looks like, I promise,'' he said, coming further into the distance as I was inches from Tatum's car. When I glanced up at her, she was staring at us, confused and shocked.

''Dammit, Jasmine, would you just wait a minute,'' he said as I felt him grab my arm. With a mixture of anger and hurt, I spun around, yanking his hand off of me.

''How could I have been so foolish? ''

We were both standing inches away from Tatum's car, facing each other as emotions ran through. I stared at him for a while, deciphering whether I wanted to slap or kiss him. Slapping him was in the lead, for sure.

''Jasmine, what you saw back there, it's not what you think. '' He said, trying to catch his breath.

I rolled my eyes. ''Oh really? You're telling me I didn't just see you and Gracie's mother standing in your living room kissing?''

''No... I-''

''Save your excuses. I understand now, Cole. '' I said, turning back around and got into the passenger seat.

Tatum looked at me sadly and confused as she started the car.

''What happened? I thought-''

''Tatum, not right now. Please'' She nodded, understanding I needed space right now.

Cole stood there as she drove off until we got far enough not to see him.

Soon we made it to my apartment. Tatum offered to stay with me, but I brushed her off and told her to go home. I needed to be alone right now. The pain I felt before had grown bigger. I felt as though I had fallen into a cactus and my heart had been punctured a million times. It stung at first. Now it's only painful.

I fell asleep quicker than I thought. In the middle of the night, I got a message from Tatum.

Tat: Hey. I know you're not feeling well, so if you don't want to go, that is completely fine.

Me: What are you talking about?

Tat: Next week is my boyfriend's birthday.

Me: Right. Yeah, I'll be there. But you had to ask me this at two in the morning, Tat?

Tat: Oh my Gosh, I forgot the time. I need to be asleep. Okay, sorry. Talk to you soon, girl.

I left it on seen and sat the phone on my nightstand. In less than two minutes, I was out.

Cole

''Do you think she'll want me there?'' I asked my dad as I adjusted my tie.

''I don't know. You broke her heart, son. Twice. I wouldn't be surprised if she shot you when you walked in there.'' He replied with a chuckle.

''Why do you care? Your child's mother is back. That should be your priority. '' Mom said, walking in the living room with us.

Tatum's boyfriend had invited me to the party they were throwing for his twenty-fifth birthday, and I was feeling nervous about it. I knew Jasmine would be there, and the way she looked at me last week showed she didn't want anything to do with me.

''I care about what she thinks of me, Ma. Maybe you should try it. '' I snapped and ran a hand through my hair. Glancing at myself in the mirror one last time, I faced them.