Were the signs always there, and I just chose to ignore them? Yeah, they had been there for three years—had to be around the time hisfiancéecame back into the picture. It was fucking silly of me to think he was just working so hard to secure our future together, when the whole time, he was out making a fucking fool of me. Why would he ever think I was into that poly shit? I had been an only child my whole life, so naturally, I didn’t like to share—not my toys, clothes, shoes, or my fucking man.
When I made it home, I took a hot shower as I cried my last cry for Liam. I honestly did love him and felt terrible for creeping with Emery behind his back. Now I was glad I did.
I got out of the shower and didn’t even bother to do my nightly routine. I dried off, slipped on my t-shirt pajamas, went down to my freezer, pulled out my stash of tequila, and began taking shots. I turned on some Anita Baker, lit some candles, and drowned myself in alcohol.
Between my family and Liam, I just wanted to disappear for a while. I tried to call my best friend and Chanel, but I didn’t want to burden them with my shit, especially Chanel. I was on the fence about her actions yesterday afternoon, so I needed to address her this weekend about it.
My phone buzzed with a text alert as I grabbed it and saw that it was Emery.
Emery: Put on some lingerie and keep on those heels you had on earlier. I’m headed your way.
I shook my head and turned my phone off. As much as I wanted to be tossed around my house by his fine ass, I just wasn’t in the mood tonight. It probably would do me some good to be distracted from feeling as if I hadn’t been played by the man I devoted my life and time to for the past six years, but I couldn’t give in to Emery’s overzealous ways. With my parents and cousin down my throat about him, I knew if I gave in, they would never approve or forgive me. I was pretty sure they would write me off because the hate was very much so real, and I couldn’t understand why.
I mean, yes, the Aldanas weren’t exactly squeaky clean, but to hate someone for how they chose to live their lives was a bit over-the-top. And to not have my mother on my side was even worse. I swiped the tear that slid down my cheek and took another swig of the liquor. By glass number five, I was feeling tipsy and decided to lie down until loud knocks came upon my door.
I stilled and looked at the door as if someone was going to open it for me. Putting the glass down, I walked to the window and saw that it was Emery. I should have known he was going to show up, even if I wasn’t home. His ass always showed up to wherever I was, and I believe he’d put a tracker on my car or phone.
I looked in the mirror by the door to make sure I didn’t look crazy. There was nothing I could do about the melancholy plaguing my eyes from crying, and I knew he would detect that I had been doing just that.
“Shit,” I cursed.
“Open up, Yummy.”
“Go away, Emery.”
“We both know I’m not doing that. Either you open up, or I’m going to break in. It’s up to you.”
“Why are you like this? Please, I need to be alone tonight.” I pressed my back against the wall as my eyes welled up again. I hated this. I hated Liam’s tacky ass for playing me the way that he did. If I had a gun, I’d probably go shoot his dick off.
Hearing the doorknob jiggling, I looked down at it with a frown.
“Emery, what are you doing?” I didn’t get a reply, because the knob twisted, and the door opened. I stood in complete shock at his actions. “What the fuck?”
“To avoid me doing shit that may be unhinged, I suggest you stop trying to block my access to you.”
“Emery, y-you can’t do shit like that. This is crazy!”
“Then stop doing the opposite of what I ask you to do.” He picked up a duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder while coming all the way inside. He closed and locked the door, then walked through my house. I couldn’t open my mouth to speak because one: I was drunk, and two: I was still baffled at how he was able to get inside my house. The Emery I used to know didn’t behave this way. He was more reserved and somewhat chill for the most part. But this Emery was something different, something that turned me on but made me a little scared.
“Yummy.” I looked over at him. “Come here.” I moved away from the door and met him in the center of the living room. He grabbed my chin with his thumb and pointer finger and lifted my head to look into his eyes. “What happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t say that shit when you know you’re lying.”
“It’s not a big deal. Just leave it alone.”
“I want to give you that, baby, but those eyes are sad, and I don’t like that shit. Now, either you tell me, or I’m going to find out on my own.”
My head fell back as I pouted and took a seat on the couch. I took his hand and pulled him next to me, then lay my head on his chest. “If I tell you, you have to promise me you won’t get involved.”
“I can’t promise you that.”
“Please, Emmy. If you love me like you say you do, then you would do that for me.”
He sighed. “Fine. I promise.” I searched his eyes before I began telling him what happened with my parents, Zeke, and then that bastard Liam.
“You should let me break your cousin’s legs and set ya boy’s house on fire with him in it.”
