"So you just wanna fuck me forever, and that's it, huh?"
"I ain't say-" He sucked his teeth. "We already talked about this shit, Z."
"Nah." She chuckled dryly. "You just keep shutting me out."
"Why you doin' this to me, Ma?" He closed his eyes and p...
Grayson 'Ace' Valentine III [ sat, feb 11th 7:28 AM ] Vertex Condos
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The sudden downpour of rain pelted against the window, waking Ace. He sighed before opening his eyes and wiping his face, noticing he had cried during the 30 minute sleep.
Sitting up against his headboard, he took a long sip from the Hennessy bottle on his nightstand, before relighting the blunt that sat in the ashtray.
Today was his birthday, and he was trying to be thankful. At 27, he accomplished most of his goals. He was his own boss, had his own place, and gained financially stability that was completely separate from his family.
Ace had everything he wanted, except one thing. And that made it all seem miniscule. Irrelevant, almost.
Zolina being in a coma was his fault. He didn't want the sympathy or to hear that everything happened for a reason, because he already knew that. It was just that in this particular scenario, he was the reason.
The wrong decision that he made to end things between them had caused a butterfly effect, and he was man enough to admit that.
There was no doubt that he would have told her how he felt— once he was absolutely ready. But the universe had a sick way of showing that personal wants don't mean a thing, and that time is limited.
Swinging his legs off of the bed, Ace lifted his head to see the ace of hearts painting staring back at him. His eyes took their time going over every detail on the canvas, like it was his first time ever seeing it.
Stumbling to his feet, he shuffled over to where it hung, inhaling more smoke. He was tracing over Zolina's signature with his fingers, when the sound of the elevator opening from downstairs startled him.
The fuck?
He put on some sweatpants, before grabbing his pistol from on top of the dresser. When he opened his bedroom door and quietly moved to the stairs, he heard voices and movement in his living room.
Peering over the railing, he quickly tucked his gun and frowned when he saw his friends and sister. They had all planned to meet at the hospital for 9:00 AM today, so he was confused as to why they were here; getting comfortable on his furniture.
As he walked down the stairs, their heads turned in his direction. They all greeted him— except for Trinity, who was leaned on Demetrius' shoulder with thick sunglasses on.
"What y'all doin' here?" Ace frowned.
Gwendolyn stood up from her spot between Indigo and Roxanne, reaching into a small Aunt May's box that was resting on the glass coffee table.
"We know you wouldn't be feeling today." She pulled out a peach cobbler cupcake. "But it's still your birthday."
"Gwen..." Ace sighed, watching her take out a candle that read 'The 27 Club.'
