Derby City Vertical | Bryson Tiller (Completed)

XXIX.

"Next time around, fuck I want it to be different."

~•*~•*~•*

Let's talk about how bomb that episode of Empire was last night." Lauren said taking a sip of her coffee as we stepped onto the elevator.

"Don't say anything I missed it last night. I worked late last night and forgot to record it so I'm impatiently waiting for it to air again."

"But you really need to watch it as soon as possible Jai." She said as we stepped off the elevator.

"Hey sweetheart." My father said coming out of the conference room.

"Dad, what're you doing here?"

"I was just doing my evaluation here. That, and the fact that I wanted to talk to you about a few things."

I looked over my left shoulder where Lauren was previously standing, but she was long gone.

"Let's sit down in your office." He suggested as we did so.

"I talked to your mother last night."

"God..." I mumbled.

"Before you start catching a attitude I want you to know that I'm proud of you for what you did."

"Umm... What did I do?" I asked.

"You left that son of a bitch Bryson, and I'm proud of you for that. I was thinking you could move down to my estate in Maryland. You, and my grandchild."

"No dad. I'm fine here. Bryson and I just bought a new house a few weeks ago, we're just going through something in our relationship."

"Even though I'm not thrilled about your pregnancy, I'm still taking you in as my child. This is something I'm offering you. Take it, or leave it."

"You should take me in as your child either way."

"That's my decision." He rudely replied. "How do you expect to raise a child alone with a deadbeat father."

"Even if we're not together, I know that Bryson will do everything he can to support our child."

"Jailee." He said resting his hand on my arm. "You said Bryson wouldn't cheat on you, but he just went out and fucked another bitch didn't he?"

"I'm done with this." I said leaving the room.

"You better listen to me before it's too late Jailee!" He yelled.

I had a seat at one of tables in the break room sipping on a cup of water thinking about my whole life.

"You good?" A deep voice asked.

As I looked up, it was Bryson.

"Leave me alone, Bryson." I said looking down at the table.

He pulled up a chair sitting across from me.

"I thought you weren't working today." I said.

"I just stopped by for today. I seen your father today, nigga gave me hella dirty looks." He chuckled as I kept a straight face. "I know he don't like me, and I know we ain't on the best of terms right now, but you can't let other people's bullshit get the best of you."

"It's hard to do that when that person is your father."

"You'll get through it, baby." He said holding my hand.

Lord, it's been so long since he actually showed me this type of affection.

"I was contemplatin' our whole situation last night. That shit made me realize all the fucked up things I've been doing, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry for all the bullshit I put you through the past couple months Jailee."

"I accept your apology." I said looking up at him before there was a short silence between us two.

"How far along are you now?" Bryson asked.

"Six and a half months."

"You got bigger since I last seen you."

"Well, we haven't talked in a month so..."

"I also wanna apologize for that too."

"Okay Bryson everything's okay. You can stop apologizing."

"Aight." He replied. "I just want you to know how much I know I fucked up and how much I miss you."

"I miss you too, and I wanna start over."

Our faces slowly started to lean. I missed his lips more than I could ever imagine.

"So you're gonna leave that guy for me?"

"There was never anything intimate between us, Bryson. We were just close friends."

"Aight, good."

"So you're going to be home more often?"

"Yeah, I am. Imma work on becoming a better boyfriend to you and becoming a better father." He said as a smile grew on my face. "I was talkin' to my bro the other day. He told me that I had to man up and step up to the plate now. He told me I couldn't be out all night actin' like a teenager anymore since I have responsibilities now. I was thinkin' 'bout that last night and what he said was true, so that's what imma do from now on."

"So your really gonna be faithful this time around?"

"I promise you, even though I broke my promise last time. Sorry—"

"Bryson, I told you that I forgive you for everything. I don't know what language I need to say it in for you to understand. There's no need to apologize anymore."

"What the hell is going on in here? It ain't break time I got papers that need to be filed." My boss instructed.

Getting up from the chair, I gave Bryson one more peck on the lips before returning back to work.