When the Bough Breaks

Chapter 28

DONTRELL POV.

It's the following day and I'm at work. A part of me was happy that I wasn't going to be a father because I wasn't ready but another part of me was sad.

"So let me get this straight, correct me if I'm wrong...you were in the gas station and somebody came in and robbed the place and clerk blamed it on you?", I asked.

"Yes", said Mack.

"And they edited the footage so that it looked like you were the one who robbed the place?", I asked.

"Nah. I think I got a twin bruh. He look just like me don't he?", asked Mack.

I shook his head. "Man, you need to get to shit together. You going to jail bruh. I can shorten the sentence and maybe get you some community service or—"

"Community service?", asked Mack. "Trell, now you know damn well I don't wanna do no community service. I'm not picking up trash on the side of the road."

"Stop robbing banks then man", I said.

Suddenly, I hear the front door open. I look outside of my office without getting up and I see Brittney holding a plastic bag with something that looked like a take out tray in it.

"Hold on", I said as I get up. I walk to Brittney.

"Hey", she said with a smile. "I brought you lunch"

"Thank you", I said.

"It's a sandwich and some fries", she said.

"I'll eat this when I'm done with my client", I said.

"Okay..well I'll see you tonight?", she asked.

"Tomorrow", I replied. "Tonight I have to catch up on some notes."

"Oh...okay", she said as she seemed down. "Tomorrow then."

I kiss her on the forehead. "But call me if you need me.", I said.

"I love you", she said.

"..I love you too", I replied.

"Why the hesitation?", she asked.

"I didn't hesitate", I replied.

"But you paused", she said.

"No I didn't", I said.

"...okay. I'm sorry", she said. "Just...have a good day. I'll talk to you later."

"Call me before you go to sleep tonight and text me when you get home", I said.

"Okay", she replied before walking out.

I sigh as I watch her leave. I know she felt some type of way  but I just needed some space for the day.

BRITTNEY POV.

I walk into the my apartment and put my purse on the couch. Before going home, I brought a bottle of wine. I sat down, opened it, and drank from the bottle. Suddenly, my puppy car running from down the hall and jumped on my lap.

"Hey, Benny", I said as I pet him. .

I turned the TV on and sat back. I pulled pulled out my phone to text Dontrell.

MESSAGES

BRITT: I made it home

I put my phone down after texting him and continued to watch TV. An hour or so went by and I eventually fell asleep. I wasn't tired before but I guess the wine put me to sleep.

After being sleep for only God knows how long, I woke up to banging on my door.

I stand up and put the bottle of wine down. I was hesitant to even look out of the peep hole. After talking to Carter on the phone and having that dream about him, I've been paranoid.

Suddenly, I hear my phone vibrating. I looked at the phone and I see Dontrell's face. Then I realized it was dark outside. I looked out of the peep hole and it was Dontrell so I quickly opened the door.

"Hey", I said.

"What's up. I called you like 10 times", he said. "You okay?"

"I fell asleep.I'm sorry", I said.

"Okay...I was just making sure nothing else happened", he said.

"Like what?", I asked.

"Nothing", he said. "It's late and I'm tired so...can i stay the night?"

"Yea", I said with a smile as I let him in.

Dontrell walks into the house and looks around.

"You drank all of that in one sitting?", he asked as he looked at the bottle.

"Well...I'd be lying if I said I didn't", I said. "Don't be mad"

Dontrell looks at me then looks away when he faces forward again as he walks to the couch.

"I don't care about you drinking Britt. I'm not Carter. But if you make it a habit then...we would need to talk", said Dontrell. "....I mean like you aren't drinking because of me right?"

"...no", I replied. "I just...sometimes drinking helps me with my emotions. I felt really bad about lying to you."

Dontrell looks down.

"I'm sorry again", I said.

"It's fine", said Dontrell.

"...you don't even look at me like you used to", I said. "At least...not after the day we had sex...why is that?"

"I don't know what you're talking about", he said.

"Don't lie to me Dontrell. Please don't", I said.

Dontrell looks at me.

"What you want me to say? You tried to trap me?", he asked.

I make a face.

"I mean like don't look at me like that because you did", said Dontrell. "You lied about being drunk, you lied about the baby. You lied."

"I was drunk Dontrell. Just as drunk as you", i said. "Do I want you leave me? No. But was I trying to trap you with a baby?? No. Yes I lied about being pregnant but eventually I was going tell you the truth."

"I don't know, Britt", said Dontrell as he shook his head.

I look away and start tearing up a little.

"I pressured you...I'm sorry. Can we just start over?", I asked.

"Ain't no point...we might as well continue where we are now and move forward with a clean slate...I'm sorry for accusing you of not being drunk. That was a huge accusation that I shouldn't have made", said Dontrell.

"...at least you were being honest", I said as I look at him. "...I guess I just gotta gain your trust and be a better girlfriend"

"I guess so", said Dontrell.

I didn't expect him to agree but at least he was honest. At this point, I don't know if he will ever forgive me.

TO BE CONTINUED....