Hate That I Love You

11

Damian

Bruh... I'm not even tryna be a part of this shit and now I'm in the hot seat. This is what I get for tryna play it cool? Something told me not to bring my dumbass here, but I wasn't about to miss my mother's birthday party. At least three bombs dropped today. Mama invited Leila. My own cousin stabbed me in my back and now Ava out here startin' shit with my ex. Yeah, I saw when she confronted Leila. Before she walked away from me, she told me she was just grabbing a drink. I thought nothing of it at first because I was too deep in my conversation with my brothers. Then, I seen the two having some kind of interaction. My gut told me to get up for some reason. I ain't think twice, so I did just that. Before I knew it, Ava pushed Leila. What the fuck? I know Leila, she doesn't react unless someone's fucking with her. I could be wrong though since she's a completely different person now. What she did was sexy tho. Still feisty.

"Damian?!" Ava shouted through her leaking mouth. Got damn! If we're gonna be technical, she had it coming. Start shit, get fucked up. It's how it is, but I can't admit that to her.

Everyone continued their long and hard gazes at me to see what plays out next.  Let me think about this. If I stay, she'll think I'm against her. If I leave, it'll look like my girl pretty much runs my life. Damn. I gotta miss out on the rest of the party, too? Fuck.

"I'm sorry, Mama." She doesn't say a word. Instead she throws her hands up and walks away to the back doo of the house.

"Don't worry about your mother, Damian. Lei starà bene. Va tutto bene." (She'll be fine. It's okay.)

I nodded and embraced him along with my brothers. As I was walking away, my eyes caught Leila's. I wanted her to know that I had nothing to do with what Ava did. Then again, what's the point? The backstabber pulled her closer to him. That's alright. I got you later, my boy.

...........

By the time we got back to my apartment, the sunset was gone and the moonlight casted itself through my large windows.

"I can't believe that tramp busted my lip." Ava complained.

"Well." I said as I went to the fridge to grab her an ice pack.

"Well?? That's all you have to say?"

I approached her and attempted to place the pack on her mouth. "That's all I can say, Ava."

"Are you kidding me?" She snapped, backing away from me. Alright, here we go. "You brought me to your family's get together. I had to keep my mouth shut after your mother disrespected me and you stood there and said nothing. Not only did I feel uncomfortable, but to make matters worse, your ex fiancé slammed me on the ground! And you have nothing to say?!"

"Fine. You wanna know what I got to say? You're right I should've said something to my mother, but you? You were wrong! Nobody told you to confront Leila. Nobody told you to put your fuckin hands on her either! I told you not to worry about her being there, because I wasn't. You made that decision. Own up to it. Complaining like you were the fuckin victim. Let's not forget, you also called my family ghetto." I threw the ice pack onto the counter.

"Oh...my...God. You still care about her..."

That's what she got? "What?? The fuck does that have to do with you taking accountability for your actions, Ava?"

"Oh please! Don't act stupid, Damian. I saw you two. I followed you when you were going to the bathroom. I saw her hands all over you and you didn't even flinch. Are you... are you still in love with her?"

"Ava, you're thinking too deep into this."

"Don't try to flip this on me. Look me in the face and tell me you're not still in love with you're ex fiancé!"