Page 17 of Beacon Grove Chronicles 1: Hassan & Sylvia

“Think about your kids and don’t make this harder than it needs to be, Dave.” The second oldest Mr. Montrose gave me that advice before he turned and followed Royce and Sylvia into the house. He passed his father who was now sitting on the rocking chair that had been knocked over when we were fighting chatting with Ms. Geraldine next door.

The rest of her family were blocking the door and there wasn’t shit else I could do about the situation right now. My best bet would be to give her time to calm down and then talk to her without everyone else around. I climbed in my truck thinking about where I was going to go. My mother would only spend the night lecturing me and I wasn’t in the mood for that. Sylvia had probably cut off my access from our joint credit card and the money I had in the bank needed to last me a minute. So, I drove to the only person I knew was still in my corner. She opened the door with an attitude but her face morphed into concern when she saw how I looked.

“Oh my God! What happened to you?” It was crazy how she was asking me that question looking how she looked. My wife had done a number on her and her entire face was swollen. She was normally so well put together but she looked rough as shit right now. The baggy sweatsuit and puffy eyes from crying weren’t helping the situation. I was used to Bianca looking like a video vixen when I came by so this was a complete change.

“Her fucking family jumped me so I left the bitch.” Her eyes lit up at the lie I told her and I knew she was going to fold like I’d expected Sylvia to. I couldn’t believe that she’d stood by and let her people handle me like this. Bianca took a step back and I walked into her place, kicking my shoes off. Had I been smart I would’ve held onto the flowers that I had but they were probably in the trash by now. Despite my not feeling the sentiment at least Bianca would’ve appreciated the gesture and enjoyed them.

Since the entire town knew what was up with us I hadn’t bothered to hide my truck the way I normally did. Bianca’s place had a garage, which is where I normally parked it while I was there but I didn’t bother tonight. I’m sure she felt this was some type of declaration but truthfully neither of us were in a position to be with the other.

I flopped down on the cream colored leather couch thinking about how quickly my life had gone to shit in just a few days. Bianca sidled next to my side and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her house didn’t even smell as good as it normally did. It was overly sweet and I was already missing the clean way my house with Sylvia always smelled. Despite the pain I was in and my annoyance I was at least guaranteed to end the night with some pussy instead of arguing like I would have with Sylvia. So there was the silver lining to all this hell.

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll prove to you that choosing me was the right choice for you to make.”

She gave me a kiss on the cheek and I felt like I’d sealed my fate by coming over here. But there was no way to turn back now. The secret was out and I’d lost everything behind a chick I didn’t see a future with. I couldn’t understand why Bianca was all up on me now. Probably because she wanted to look like she’d won over Sylvia so she could save face in town. She thought she was getting a man with bread but with no job and potentially no money coming from my divorce, she thought wrong.

CHAPTER TWO

Regrets

SYLVIA

OVER TWO YEARS Later…

I couldn’t believe I had to co-parent with a fuck nigga. The very sight of his ass made me sick to my fucking stomach and I might have loved my kids but I hated they had a genetic connection to him. Their being good kids meant my genes were definitely doing the heavy lifting.

Thank God.

“You looking good, Sylvie.” Dave had the nerve to lick his lips as he came up the porch like that shit was going to entice me into giving a fuck about him or what his dick was doing.

“I’ve always looked good, Dave, and I’ve told you that we don’t need to make small talk when we exchange the kids. There are their bags they’ll be outside in a second.”

I pointed to the bags on the floor of the porch before glaring back at his stupid face. I wasn’t even upset about his cheating, which was crazy to say. I was angrier that he’d wasted my time. I thought things between us had been good. More good and great times than bad but it was clear that my so called husband was only able to be so agreeable to me because he was out living the single life whenever he could get it in. In the divorce so much had come out about his extracurricular activities and the different women he’d been sleeping with. He’d lived a double life when I could’ve been gone somewhere living my best life alone. Instead, I’d held him down while he’d basically played at being an adult. My great aunt had given me the deed to the house we lived in and I had land out in the country we’d always talked about building our dream house on. But the house would only happen if I financed it because in two decades Dave made no effort to move past where we currently were. I was annoyed with myself for putting up with years of broken promises. It was easy to see how apathy had sunk in within those last few years. That’s when the good times turned to nothing at all.

“You still ain’t over me, Sylvie?”

I glanced up and realized he’d moved closer to me which had me taking a step back. I damn near heaved at hearing his words because I was used to him saying this shit. Dave thought I was sitting around pining for him simply because I hadn’t gotten into another relationship. It had nothing to do with wanting him but with being thoroughly disgusted with every man I’d come across. The one I’d let some of my guard down for disappeared into thin air. Additionally, I’d had more issues than I cared to remember with my babies once we split up. They’d begun to act out and within two months I’d put them into therapy in order to ensure they could navigate the transition. Dave didn’t make it any easier since he wasn’t willing to attend sessions or do any of the work necessary. Which only made me hate him more.

“We are not friends, call me Sylvia, nigga. And it’s not that I’m not over you, you just disgust me. As do all men at this time.” I shrugged at him wishing he would leave me the hell alone. It was far too hot outside to be talking to this nigga I didn’t even like. I could see him watching my movements, taking in my frame with too much appreciation. I’d always been fit but working out was how I’d gotten back to myself after he got put out. It allowed me to work out my frustrations and punch away my fury so I didn’t play roulette with my freedom.

“Two years and you still ain’t forgiven me? We been divorced for over a year we should be able to co-parent without there being a problem. Besides, are you saying you into bitches now?” His eyes perked up like he was going to be invited to a sexscapade between me and my imaginary girlfriend. It was wild to see how terrible of a liar he was from this side. Once I removed those rose-colored glasses I had to wonder if I was just as stupid as he was.

“You don’t have the power to make me change my sexuality. I’m unfortunately still attracted to men. And no, there isn’t a problem. I let you have the kids whenever you want even though that shit is few and far between. It’s not my fault your girl is intimidated despite me not wanting you at all.”

Dave had fucked up and gotten his side bitch, Bianca, pregnant not too long after I’d found out about their affair. For some reason she felt as though this was going to be her triumph but he’d been taking her through hell the same way he’d done me. She had attempted to flaunt her pregnancy and then her baby in my face and I didn’t give a damn. Hell, I’d sent the kids to the shower so they could help celebrate their sibling. There wasn’t anything about him having a kid with someone else that bothered me. My feelings were completely gone for him.

“She just knows that I have feelings for you.” He tried to lower his eyes at me and look…contrite? Remorseful? Fuck if I knew but he was failing at it miserably.

“That’s too bad for the both of you and your newest kid. A child should have two parents that give a fuck about them. Not two who are constantly battling with one another over his father’s wandering dick.”

“Your mind on my dick, Syl?” That sly grin was back on his face and I was back to wondering where the hell my kids were and why it was taking so long.

I rubbed my eyes wishing my babies would hurry the fuck up so I didn’t have to deal with this man. The day my son learned how to drive was the day I wouldn’t have to worry about this man stepping foot on my property again.

“You honestly don’t get it do you? I don’t have any feelings for you anymore. I don’t like you as a person. The only reason you’re still in my orbit is because of the kids and I am counting down the days until I don’t have to do anything with you any longer. Selene is ten so I only have eight more years to freedom.”

“Damn, it’s like that?” I had to narrow my eyes at him because he looked genuinely confused at my lack of fucks to give toward him.

“Yeah, straight like that.”