BY DEMARCO'S STANDARDS (Part 5)

Our Book Ends

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It's been a month now since my mom pretty much made me face the truth. Everyday I packed away alittle more of Sam's belongings along with the life we led. Now today, I'm facing her empty closet as I just donated her clothing. All that remains is a box that sits on the top shelf containing her jewelry, orange sleeping pants, photos and a few other momentos. I still have  a few of her picture's up and one or two of her favorite decorations sitting around but for the most part her presence is gone.

I won't lie this was hard and each item I removed brought a smile to my face as a memory flooded my mind and of course tears. I can still hear her voice as she told me she loved me hour's before her death. I can still hear her laughter ring out as she made me the butt of a joke. I chuckled out loud as I remembered the look on her face as she came at me with her ball bat trying to kill me she was so mad. Then I recalled our most intimate moment's like our first time together and how she was a virgin. All the sweet loving word's we whispered to each other while tangled up together as well as our wilder sessions. Samantha taught me what love was and how to treat a lady. For that I thank my cupcake.

However Ivy will teach me how to love again. She may not know it yet but she will. I'm not saying that I love Ivy because I don't. We haven't even had a date but I feel something could be there. Even if we don't make it work it's still a major step for me.

I know she's super pissed at me and doesn't want to see me but I'm about to pay her a visit. It's time I reveal my true self to her, not just Demarco Italian mafia king but Dem, the guy covered in tattoos and piercings. The guy who I use to be before this. The one who always joked and occasionally laughed. The guy out of the suit.

Opening my drawers, I dug deep down until I found a pair of baller shorts and Jersey tank. Before I left I put my piercings in. It was Saturday morning so I stopped and grabbed some pastries and pink roses and headed to her place. This time I knocked and after a moment the door came open. The look on her face said it all and before I could utter the first word the door slammed shut.  I just resumed my knocking until she gave in. "Are you lost?" She yelled opening the door.

I smiled hugely and said "sweetpea".

She finally took in my appearance I snorted. "What street gang have you joined now?"

Grinning I replied back. "Actually it's not a gang. It's a boy band".

Rolling her eye's she spat. "Let me guess Demarco and the Dildos".

Giving a short chuckle, I asked. "Can I come in?"

"I have company".

That was news to my ears. Before I could say more I heard a male voice. "It's fine. I was leaving anyways."

Ivy turned toward the voice. "Sorry. It's just my annoying cousin".

The guy appeared at the door and extended his hand. "I'm Seth. Nice to meet you".

It was obvious he had spent the night due to his ruffled hair. I stared at him blankly not offering my hand. Ivy sensed this and stepped in. "Sorry Seth. He doesn't speak English well."

In a hurry to get him out she gave him a kiss right in front of my twitching eyeball and promised to see him tonight. Once he left she turned her wrath onto me. "The fuck you want. Didn't I fucking tell you to stay away?"

Ignoring her, I stepped past her and made my way to the kitchen. "What are you doing? You just can't come into my home like you own it?"

I sat the flowers in the center of the table and laid the pastries out as she ranted. "Okay Ivy, I know I continue to fuck up but I'm trying. I just want to talk to you that's all. I'm not here to fight are fuck with your head. Please I need someone I can talk to. I can't talk to my family about this".

Crossing her arm's she thought it over. "Fine but if you dare make a move on me I'll break your fucking jaw. Got it Demarco Harper".

Fuck she was a beast. "Promise Ivy. I just need a friend right now".

She poured us some juice then joined me at the table. "I finally did it Ivy. I removed Sam's belongings from my home. I can't talk about these thing's to my family because they look at me with pity. I don't want pity, I just want understanding".

Ivy nodded her head. "I'm sure that was hard Demarco but you took a huge step in the healing process. Be proud about that".

"I want you to come visit my place". I blurted out before thinking.

"I'm not sure about that Demarco".

I interrupted her. "Call me Dem. All my family and close friend's call me Dem".

Ivy only nodded. "I know I promised to not hit on you but I just want to ask you out on one date. Ivy go out with me?"

"Nope. I told you I was done and I meant it". She said stubbornly.

"Fuck Ivy, don't be like that. You can't tell me that little prick who just left here does it for you".

"That's none of your business Dem". Ivy snarled.

Grinning I continued to goad her. "I know he doesn't because had it been me that stayed tonight you wouldn't be walking this morning. Now let me get alittle of that. I'd bang your ass like a screen door bangs in a hurricane".

Obviously that was the wrong thing to say because her fist connected with my jaw. "Fuck you crazy bitch". I growled out rubbing my jaw as she laughed.

"That was me going easy on you pus boy."

"How the hell do you know all this? How to throw a knife, punch like a man?" I asked bewildered

Ivy giggled and tossed a knife into the center of my scone causing me to slide back in my chair. "Oh I don't know Dem. Maybe I'm a Russian mafia princess and I'm hiding out in America running from my title."

I laughed along with her at her joke. Standing up I slowly walked toward her. "Don't make me break your jaw Dem". She warned.

"I'd like to see you try Ivy. You break my jaw I'll have to break that ass".

Ivy started backing away as I neared. "You know what I think Demarco. I think your alot of talk. "

Before she could say more I had her pinned up against her countertop. "Who's got the little Russian mafia princess now? Looks like the Italian mob king has her". I said playing along with her joke.

"Do you know what the king does to the sworn enemy especially one as hot as you?" I whispered as I slid her robe off her shoulders and connected my mouth to her neck. After kissing her neck for a moment I found myself biting down laying claim. "The king makes her bow down to him and claims her. She will forever serve him everyway possible".

A moan slipped from her lips as I felt her leg wrap around my legs. Before I knew it I was looking up at her from my back. "Now look at the king. Who's bowing down to who? Looks like the Russians won this round baby".

I laughed and pulled myself up. Before I could react my phone interrupted us. I read the text from Cole and understood it was urgent. Inwardly groaning I looked at Ivy. "Business calls so I've got to run. Come here and give daddy a kiss before he goes".

Ivy laughed but to my surprise she pressed her lips to mine. We shared a long heated kiss but my phone went off again. Hating to pull away I knew my men needed me. "I'll be back sweetpea. Bet your ass on that".

I gently pecked her lips and left. As I walked out I couldn't stop smiling. For the first time in a long time I felt alive. I looked down at my wedding band and was finally able to remove it. Looking at it lovingly I whispered. "Goodbye Samantha." And slipped it into my pocket.