think about you

chapter nineteen.

It had been weeks since Avery last spoke to Gerald. She was scared that things between them were going to just go downhill again. And that was the last thing she wanted. She contemplated whether or not to text him to hang out, but she knew he was busy and probably didn't have time for her.

She had to admit, those years without him she felt alone. And the past few months they spent together, she felt like she had him back in his life for good. She just wanted to hear his voice and him saying that everything between them was okay.

Gerald let out a groan as he reached for his phone on his nightstand. He mumbled a few swear words under his breath.

He didn't bother to look at the caller ID, he slid the answer button on his phone and pressed it to his ear.

"Hello?" He answered groggily.

"Gerald," he could hear the shakiness in Avery's voice.

He immediately sat up and wiped the sleep from his eyes. He hadn't talked to her for weeks and the fact that she called for the first since the two had spoke meant that something was wrong.

"Avie. What's wrong?" He asked.

"Did I wake you?" She asked.

"No no, I'm fine." He lied. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. Sorry for yelling at you and just everything. I really fucking miss you and wanted to hear your voice."

Avery was sobbing. Gerald let out a deep sigh as he got out of bed. He slid into his Nike joggers and held the phone up with his shoulder.

"Have you been drinking?" He asked.

"Just a little bit."

"Where are you?" He put the phone on speaker as he headed to his dresser and grabbed a clean shirt. He quickly threw it on and a jacket on top.

"Home."

"Okay, I'll be there soon." He said as he slid into his favorite pair of Retros. "I swear to God, if you have another drink I'm gonna make sure you regret it in the morning."

G hung up before Avery could say anything. He called his body guard to pull up the car. He rushed down to the car and gave him the directions to Avery's.

As he reached the door of her penthouse, he stood there unsure if this was the best idea. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. No answer. He knocked once more before deciding to twist the door knob. Luckily Avery forgot to lock it.

Gerald headed to the living room and found Avery laying on the couch. She had an empty bottle of Merlot on the coffee table with an empty glass right by it. He took a seat right by her, softly nudging her.

"Avie," he said softly as he shook her awake.

"G," she groaned as she rolled over. "Took you long enough."

G let out a light chuckle as he watched her sit up.

"What's wrong? I hurried here as fast as I could once you called." He asked.

"My head hurts," she pouted as she held her hand up to her head.

"You did kill a damn bottle of Merlot by yourself." G shook his head. "What's wrong?"

"What do you think it'd be like if we were parents?"

Gerald was taken back by her question. He honestly didn't know how to answer. He furrowed his brows and tried hard to come up with the right answer.

"I don't know," he looked up at her. "We'd have one cute ass kid though."

He hoped that would cause Avery to smile, but nope. She brought her knees up to her chest and just looked down. He let out a heavy sigh as he scooted closer to her.

"Come here," he held his arm out for her to snuggle close to him.

"Do you think we would've been good parents?"

"You? For sure. Me? Who knows." He lightly chuckled. "But I do know that kid would definitely be surrounded by loved ones."

"Would we be together?" Avery asked.

"Honestly, I would hope so." He sighed.

"I remember four years ago, I was sitting in the bathroom at my old apartment. I was in tears and didn't know what to do. That stupid stick read positive and my whole life flashed before me."

G pulled Avery in closer as he noticed a tear fall from her eyes. He held onto her, pecking her forehead. He remembered getting a call a couple weeks later from Avery, she was in tears and sounded more scared than ever. They agreed that she'd fly out to the bay when he was back in town and he'd go with her to have the procedure done.

"Okay, no more being sad." Avery wiped her eyes, flashing a faint smile at G. "Your album is going to drop any minute now." She turned to look at the time on her clock.

G raised his brow at her, amazed that she knew the release date.

"I still keep up with your stuff, okay." She playfully punched his side.

"You do?" He grinned.

"Yes, I do." She smiled up at him as she opened up her laptop.

She waited for it to finish loading and she opened the iTunes store. It was finally midnight and the album was now released. Within seconds, millions were sold.

"Holy shit, When It's Dark Out is number one right now!" Avery squealed.

"No fucking way!" G's eyes widened.

Gerald felt his phone buzz vigorously in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered the call.

"Matty, we're number one in the iTunes store!" Gerald couldn't fight back the smile as he said those words.

"I know, this is fucking crazy!" Matty said on the other end. "Congratulations. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks Matt," G chuckled. "We gotta celebrate now! Get everyone and head to Avery's."

"For fucking sure, man." Matt chuckled as well. "I'll see you later."

Both guys hung up. Gerald turned to Avery who was grinning like an idiot as she watched the numbers go up.

"G, look!" She pointed at the screen.

"Holy fuck!" He laughed as he got up.

He jumped around the place like a goon but he didn't care. Avery grabbed her phone and snapped his reaction. She giggled as he danced around her living room.

"I'm so proud of you G!" she smiled as she stood up on her couch to hug him.

"Fuck yeah baby! Number one!" He shouted as he lifted her up and carried her over his shoulders and out to the patio.

The two were both laughing like idiots but they didn't care. They were too busy celebration G's success. Since they met, he had this dream of being a rapper and in this music industry and finally his album was number one.

"Congrats Gerald," Avery giggled as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You deserve it."

"Thanks Avie," he smiled at her.

Before he was about to put her down, Avery planted her lips on his. He lowered his hands down to her legs and wrapped them around his body, deepening the kiss. He pulled away and the two smiled at each other.

"Woooooo!" G yelled out to the city as he held onto her. "Number one baby!"

Avery laughed as Gerald ran back inside the house and placed her on the kitchen counter. He grabbed her glass and another one for himself before opening another bottle of wine and pouring some for the both of them.

"To When It's Dark Out." Avery cheered, clinking her glass with his.

G smiled as he pressed the glass to his lips. He honestly wouldn't have wanted to celebrate the release any other way.