Detroit. •b.t.• (Completed)

55

Bryson

"She just brushed me off like it was nothing"

"Like it was nothing?" Keisha said and crunched loudly on her popcorn.

Covonte dipped his hand into her bag, and she swatted him away.

"That's what I said"

"Maybe Sage had made herself emotionally unavailable to you"

"Why would she do that?"

"Think about it" Keisha chewed slowly. "You've both been sliding on thin ice ever since she got pregnant. You were arguing and not talking, and then you left her. Sage just probably forgot how to talk to you"

"Forgot?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Sage has always been close to her dad, and he's always sticking right by her. The fact that she would only open up to her father wouldn't surprise me because he's the only one who's been there for her one hundred percent of the time"

I've been there for her too.

"I asked her if she knew that I loved her, and she said no"

"Do you love her?" Covonte questioned.

"Why would you ask that? Of course I do"

"Cause, it seems like - nevermind"

"Go ahead. Say it"

"It's the same stuff that we've been saying since Sage told you that she was pregnant. You're not there for her, and she feels alone. Unloved by you. Sorry if it sounds harsh, but I really don't know any other way to put it"

"We was going through a rough patch. That don't mean I don't love her"

"Yes, but the way you were acting made it seem like it"

Sage walked into the kitchen, holding a smiling Jayda.

I licked my lips. "Sage, let me talk to you"

"I don't - I can't" She said and quickly left with a single serve orange juice.

"She's broken" Keisha frowned and tapped on the counter before standing to follow Sage upstairs.

Sage

Jayda stared at me while laying back in her bouncer.

I gave her a smile and she cooed.

I took hold of her ankle, and dipped it in the paint.

"We're going to do this as mess free as possible, okay?"

She kicked both of her feet out at me, and got paint on the tarp.

I smirked.

"Are you challenging me?" I said and lightly grabbed her ankle, pressing it against the canvas.

I moved it out the way before she kicked again.

I once again, took her ankle and swirled it around in warm water.

She squealed happily and grinned.

"Sage, how do you feel?" Keisha questioned.

"I feel like sadness" I immediately answered.

I was getting tired of it.

"Why don't you do something about it?"

"He said that I was his bitch"

"That nigga said that to you?"

I didn't bother replying to Bryson.

"I'm just gonna. . . " She moved to pick up Jayda. "Yup, here we go" Keisha left the room and closed the door behind her.

"Why you ain't saying nothing to me, boo?"

I opened my mouth, but immediately closed it, thinking.

"I'm scared"

"Scared to talk to me?" He questioned, inching closer.

"Please, stop" I felt my eyes glaze over.

"I'm not gone hurt you, I promise"

"I don't - I don't want a promise, please"

"I want to help you, boo. I can help you, yeah?"

"Y-you can't"

"Course I can. You trust me?" He asked and sat on the floor.

"No" I practically whispered.

"I'm sorry that you don't feel like you can trust me. Imma do whatever I can to gain your trust, aight?"

I nodded.

"Brevis ipsa vita est sed malis fit longior"

Our life is short but is made longer by misfortunes.

"Actus me invito factus non est meus actus"

The act done by me against my will is not my act.

"Bryson, it is my fault. I shouldn't have-"

"You ain't make the decision and you didn't know it was gonna happen. The only thing we can do is try to get past it"

"But when they did it, they-"

"They?"

"I meant - I didn't. Bryson, no. Grayson"

I wasn't making any sense.

"Sage, you said they. Who the fuck is they?"

"I didn't mean it" The sense of urgency in my voice was evident.

Tears rushed down my cheeks.

"I didn't mean to say they" I repeated.

It was too late.

He already knew I was lying.

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