SS IV starts with a bang. Emerald and Sloan's little family is in jeopardy when one too many people get to close to them. Will they make it to a wedding? What about baby number 2?
"We didn't finish dinner." My hand was in her car so she couldn't pull off. I had a firm grip on the wheel.
"Please just let me leave." There wasn't any one outside, thank God. I opened the door pushing the button to turn the car off.
"You can't run now. We drive 20 minutes out of the city for this so now, I just want my dinner." She looked up at me with an attitude in a thousand. She finally got out the car.
"I'll pay for you to park twice if I need to." I told the young valet worker. She slammed the door to the car allowing me to hold her hand and walk towards the booth.
"Give me your keys E" I healed our my hand. She placed the single car remote in the palm of my hand. It was only right to hand the guy a 20 with the key.
"Still in the streets huh?" Emerald asked under her breath after she watched me peel the bill from the roll in my pocket. I apologized to the staff and assured them that we would be eating our appetizers and our meal all while maintaining a grip on her. Once we sat down I answered her question.
"If you must know, I am still in the streets. Just a little bit outside of buying a a few properties around the city." She was definitely surprised.
"I'm not the no good hood-rat you left." I chuckled sipping my now watered down drink.
"A hood-rat? Not necessarily. No good? Definitely. When we were together you were the definition of ain't shit" I deserved that. Even though I didn't want the conversation to take the petty route it was too late.
"Now I make have cheated... more than once but look where you are now? What's the difference?" Slowly but surly this would be an argument but this was the most communication that we have had in a while. All bets were off.
"Listen..."
"Don't and I mean do not sit here and tell me that he is the father of your child because so am I. Does he even know?" She rolled her eyes.
"That's my husband. Like I said at the bridal shop my daughter knows who's her her mother is and even who her brother is. Next subject." She stabbed the food on her plate.
"He doesn't have a clue." I figured it out after she didn't answer. Even though we all grew up together we established we had an understanding that no one needed to know. For the whole 9 months we were pretty ducked off.
"Alright don't get up set." The low blows weren't working. I was now dealing with sensitive E.
"That man makes me feel like I'm enough. Even with the bullshit I love him. The same way my stupid ass loved you for all those times." In my mind Sloane and I are the same person. We did the same exact thing and his was worse.
"He switched up as soon as y'all got together. Now that nigga is mister goodie goodie. He finally got his shot with you and he took it" I applaud him for it.
"Listen. I don't think we are going to get much accomplished. I don't even know where I'm here" I could see the tears form in her eyes.
"E I just want to love you properly." She scuffed at my comment.
"I'll put it like this. I love you. I'll never stop however, we aren't good for each other Tay. Baby you know it, but the soft spot I have for you is too big."
"Is it because I was still moving weight E? I'm not him but I'm ready to change." Sloane got out of the game as soon as E came around and let him in.
"Don't change for me." That was her way of telling me it was too late. The money I made kept her dripping in Gucci and gold and she was grateful but it wasn't worth the long nights. I would give anything to get a phone call from her cursing me out in the middle of the night.
"So I guess I can't see you again. Not even for your wedding. At least I got a kiss" I said as she stood up from the table. I put enough money on the table to cover the bill. I didn't t want to sit if she was leaving.
"I don't know." I walked behind her outside once again unable to take that I really lost her. She was strong enough to go back to him and walk away from me all In the same breath. She shook her head and catching her tears as the fell when I walked up behind her. I used my arm too hold her in place.
"Please." Her body trembled as I whispered to her. I found myself crying in the sidewalk to the love of my life. Every fight, every encounter we ever shared flashed in my mind as pain overwhelmed my heart. I could hide it any longer.
"Baby don't do that." She wiped my tears away. The only time I cried in front of E was when the baby was born.
"E." I held in to her tighter when I saw her car roll around the corner.
"Tay you know we can't work. Why would we even make it even worse with one night that's going to lead to sneaking around and a hell of a whole lot of hurt feelings." Her point was valid. All I could do was shake my head. She kissed my cheek just before walking away.
"I love you." I said. I hope that I would get a chance to say it again.
• •
Emerald's POV
I pulled off, not even making it a half of a block away before I had to pull over. My makeup was definitely done for when my break down hit. I couldn't help but to let out some emotions after the last few hours. I calmed down by taking a few breaths and knowing that I made the correct choice. Tay and I were fun and the love I had for him was abundant but it was just too toxic.
When I finally got home I sat in the car looking for in the mirror trying to cover up the fact that I had been crying. I prayed that Sloane was a sleep as I pat my face and opened the car door. I was sure to go through the front door since the garage would make entirely too much noise.
Slipping my shoes off I walked into the kitchen for a shot. The last thing I needed was to get drunk at that restaurant. I moved my hair out of my face as I walked barefoot through the house.
"Hey babe."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
He was laid up in the couch when I turned the corner. I could tell he had just woken up and hadn't done much while I was gone.
"Hi baby." I walked over to the high cabinet we kept the liquor in. My tippy toes just wasn't enough time of a boost. I felt his eyes watch my movements.
"Let me help you." I turned to slowly watch him get off the couch. Once he reached the kitchen I took a seat on the counter watching while he watched me.
"I know I..." he spoke as he poured shots for the both of us.
"Don't. You don't have to say anything. Just come here." I took it upon myself to wrap his arms around me.
"Im glad you came home E." I know that he knew where I was going but this confirmed it.
"I'm not going anywhere. I just want you to know I'm with you as long as you're with me."
