C H A P T E R
T W E N T Y - S I X

          When the sound of the school bell went off, Marquette and the rest of the young kids took off out the school doors ready for their spring break to start.

In search of his mama or Ahmad's cars, he frowned when he didn't see it and then he really frowned when he realized he was spending this spring break at his dads this year.

A place where he used to love going, became a place he grew to hate. Taking a seat on the steps, he rested his head in his hands. Feeling a presence beside him, he looked up to see Blessing.

"Where's ya mama?" She asked quietly.

"I'm with my dad this week."

Blessing took a seat beside him, she knew he hated going over there because of the things his Aunt Melissa did to him. She wanted to tell her dad about what was happening, but she made a promise to Marquette that she wouldn't say anything so he wouldn't get in trouble.

But she hated seeing her friend like this.

They sat in silence, and when Marquette saw her car pull up, he tensed up as he slowly stood up.

Saying bye to Blessing, he slowly walked over to her car and got in the backseat. "How was school pumpkin'?" She asked him, but Marquette ignored her just ready to get home.

Looking back, Melissa gave him a look. "You don't hear me talking to you? You must like me putting my hands on you!" She snapped pulling off.

"It-It was good,"

She waved him off, "Nah, ion care now. Just wait til we get back to this house."

Sitting back in his seat, he looked out the window letting his tears of fear fall, wishing he could tell someone about this.

Sitting in the bleachers with Rakim and Meech, Winter watched Travis out on the field during his tryouts. They all came out to show support since they knew making the team really meant a lot to Travis. It was pouring down rain but they didn't care, they had their umbrellas and were there to support their friend.

They wouldn't have missed this even if was a whole tornado storm going on. They knew after everything he had been through this was something that held a lot of value, and whatever he liked they loved and would support him until the end.

"He's doing really good, Ahmad sure does know how to train." Winter commented and they all nodded agreeing as they watched him sprint down the field and catch the ball from the quaterback and take off towards the endzone.

Despite it being wet on the field, Travis was running as if it was dry. But that all came with him practicing with Ahmad in the rain. Most of the guys were slipping and falling but Travis worked on a technique Ahmad showed him so that his cleats wouldn't slide as much and as hard on the turf.

The best quality Travis had was his speed and determination. When he walked on the field a few of the guys assumed he would suck like most of the other guys who were trying to try out.

But they were all caught off guard when he showed that he could play both defense and offense, and was outshining them which had the coaches were all over him.

"My boy running circles around Darius big swole ass." Rakim joked as they watched the star quaterback fuck up countless times during practice.

"He sees he got a little competition now and his ugly ass scared!" Meech said back which was true. "My boy up next!" He yelled out loud for everybody to hear.

Darius had been the first-string quaterback since his freshman year and next season he was going to be a senior, so seeing some freshman come out and run laps around his talent pissed him off and worried him since he saw how the coaches were all over him.

Blowing his whistle, the head coach called for Travis and Darius to come over towards him. Jogging off, Travis anxiously waited for what he had to say.

Travis felt confident in himself today, he knew it was a good chance that he might not be a first-string player just yet; But he was positive that he made the team and that was all that mattered.

"Darius, I want you to work with Travis on a few throwing drills. I'm tryna see if his arm is just as good as his feet. Go over to Coach Huff and Malone and work together off to the side." He demanded patting both boys on the back before walking over towards his linemen.

Travis smiled to himself as he began jogging over the coaches, but stopped when he felt his jersey get pulled on. Looking back at Darius, he gave him a questioning look. "What?"

"Look man, this is my year. I put in hard work for the last three years as the quaterback! I got hella offers and scouts watching me so just stay out of my way and don't fuck what I got going on up and we'll be cool." He threatened.

Laughing, Travis looked up at Winter who was already staring at him with a questioning look hoping everything was okay and when he gave her a look that everything was okay, he looked back at Darius. "Long as you focus on yourself and worry about yourself then you'll be alright! I can't take a spot that's already taken, unless someone were to easily give it up or if I worked hard for it. But, if you keep looking back at what I'm doing instead of looking forward then I'll be taking that spot sooner than you think." He smirked before running off leaving him stuck.

After practice, the rain had stopped but it was still cloudy and looked as if it would start back raining at any moment but the only thing on Travis mind was going out to celebrate his success on making the team.

He didn't have a set position just yet, but he was just proud and grateful that he made it and all he wanted to do now was chill with his girl and his family.

Walking towards Winter, who was standing with Rakim and Meech he smiled as they walked towards him giving him hugs and his props for showing out today. "You showed out boy, them niggas betta get ready cause you up next!" Rakim hyped up.

Meech nodded, "Yeah man, if you wouldn't have made the team I was about to be pissed. But you earned yo sport forreal."

"I appreciate y'all coming out here, especially with it raining and shit." He admitted truthfully.

Winter playfully pushed Rakim and Meech out the way so she could hug her baby and congratulate him. "We wouldn't have missed this Trav, but I'm so proud of you. I'm ready for the game days because I'ma be right there yelling and shouting cheering you on the whole time." Throwing his arm over her shoulder, he pulled her closer towards him and kissed her on the lips.

"I know you are, but aye what y'all tryna do tonight? It's officially spring break .. we ain't got school or homework and the last thing I want to do is go home." He stated and they all shrugged.

Meech sighed, "I would hang out, but my moms and I taking a trip out to my grandma's in New Orleans for our family reuion over the break so she wants me home so we can finish packing. But when I get back next Thursday we can all go out."

"Damn, well just let us know and we there. Rakim, what you got planned?"

"Not shit, but I'm not about to be a third wheel to you and Winter so you and I can just hang out tomorrow." He suggested.

"Man, you ain't gon' be no third wheel but alright. Just call me and we'll set something up." Slapping hands with his boys, and saying bye to them. He watched as they left and headed towards Meech's mama Honda Civic.

Focusing his attention on Winter, she looked up at him smiling. "I guess its just you and I tonight." She stated happily.

Moving his arm from around her shoulder, he grabbed her hand as they started walking towards her car. "I'm cool with that, what you wanna do? I ain't got much money on me right now, but I could see if Ahmad or somebody could let me borrow some."

Unlocking her car, she took his gym bag from him and threw it in the backseat before handing him the car keys. "You don't have to do that .. we can just chill at my house. My parents like you, so they wouldn't mind if you came over."

Walking over to the passenger side, he opened the door for her so she could get in before going to his side and hopping in. "Okay, that's cool with me."

Starting the car, he pulled out of the school parking lot and headed straight to her house as they listened to music from her phone. Reaching his hand over he grabbed her hand and locked their fingers together causing her to smile.

Winter never expected that her and Travis would have dated since she was sorta too shy to ever approach him, but she was happy with the way things were going between them. He was like her bestfriend and boyfriend in one and although he was not perfect, he was still very special to her.

They rode in silence the whole way, but neither of them felt a way about it. When he pulled up to her house, she frowned when she saw all the lights were off and her parents cars were gone. Parking the car, she got out and walked around the back to get in with Travis right on her tail.

Reaching in a pot that sat off to the side of the door, she grabbed the spare key and used it to unlock the door then stepped inside confused as to why her parents weren't home and why it was so dark.

Closing the door behind him, Travis stepped inside following behind her. When she stopped at the fridge that had a note, she grabbed it and read it out loud. "The power is out and the city is not sure how long its gonna be off, but your mom and I had to go to your nana's house due to flooding. We'll be back later tonight, we left money and if the power is still out and you get hungry order a pizza or go to your Aunt Shayla's house."

Sitting the note down, she shook her head. "Well, that ruins everything .. no power so we can't watch movies or anything."

"We can order a pizza and just chill until the power comes back on." Travis shrugged not really tripping, since just chilling and being around her was enough.

"Okay, well let me get out of these clothes and I'll order us something."

Leaving him downstairs, he used the little light from outside to guide him towards the living room. Stretching out on the couch, he pulled out his phone to text his foster parents and everyone else to share the news about him making the team to pass time. "Travis come here please!"

Hopping up, he let out a low yawn and headed up the stairs and into her room to see her standing on her bed with a shoe. "It's a spider in my closet on the wall, kill it."

Shaking his head at her being completely terrified, he took the shoe and walked into her closet. When he saw the spider, he hit it twice before dropping the shoe. "Scary ass, pass me something to clean it up."

Rolling her eyes, she hopped off the bed. "Shut up, you know I hate spiders." Handing him a tissue, she watched him clean up the dead spider and flush it down the drain in her bathroom connected to her room.

Taking a seat on her bed, he laid back feeling himself grow tired but when his eyes scanned around her room and landed on her .. sleep was the furthest thing on his mind.

She had her back towards him, but she was completely topless only in her bra and a pair of shorts. He then started to admire her as a whole. Winter was beautiful, and for her age she was sorta more developed than some girls around her age but her body wasn't what attracted him.

Her smile, and eyes is what made her beautiful and her dark skin only enhanced her beauty as well. Even her height was something he found very attractive, she stood at least five-foot seven and that often made her seem older than she was but with the way God created her, Travis didn't want her any other way.

He saw a lot of guys growing up either bash a darker female or a female that was taller than the average chick but none of that ever mattered to him. So when he got Winter, he just felt as if he got a two in one special.

Bending over she grabbed a shirt and put it on before turning around and when she saw Travis staring, she blushed.

Taking a seat next to him on the bed, she laid back so they were face to face. "You tryna go to sleep?" She asked seeing that his eyes were getting low.

Scooting closer, he shook his head no as they stared each other down. "Then what are you trying to do?"

Both of their hearts were beating a mile a minute, even though the sexual tension between them was thick they were still scared to act on it. But when he leaned forward kissing her on the lips the nerves and butterflies soon started to fade but only a little.

Laying flat on her back, Travis hovered over her trying to calm his nerves but it was becoming hard. The kiss got deep, real deep, and emotional. The had never kissed like this, and they both knew that if they didn't stop that it would lead to something else but they couldn't.

Reality didn't kick in until, she let out a low moan and he immediately stopped. "I-I don't think we should be doing this," He said lowly as he started to move from off her, but she stopped him.

Locking eyes with her, she swallowed the lump in her throat. "W-what if I said.. I want to do this though?"

Growing shocked, he sat up more. "Y-you sure? We young, so we don't have to do this ya know?.. we got time to wait."

Travis was scared out of his mind, sex had crossed his mind plenty of times and Winter and him had talked about it a few times but it wasn't anything serious. He wanted to have sex, due to being curious about what it would be like but he didn't expect it to happen so fast.

"I'm sure," She replied and with that she removed her shirt and that only gave him the greenlight that this was really about happen and he just hoped that everything Derek taught him would actually be helpful in this moment.

Sitting behind her desk, Shanice typed away on her computer trying to finish typing up this email she needed to send off to her boss.

Hearing a knock at the door, she looked up to see her co-worker/bestfriend Denise holding a vase full of white and red roses. Growing surprised, she stood from her desk taking the vase from her. "Who brought you these?" She asked Denise only to earn a scoff from her.

"Now you know damn well ain't nobody bringing me roses, these pretty roses were brought in for you and now all I want to know is from who? I know it's not Bryson, so who is it?"

She looked for a card or a note but didn't find one. "I-I don't know, there isn't a card or anything."

Tapping her chin, she smirked. "Sure you don't. I see what you're doing. You just don't want me, your only bestfriend knowing who your new boo is but that's okay. I get it."

Sitting back down in her seat, she laughed. "I don't have a new boo, I really do not know who those roses are from. You know I would have been told you if it was someone new in the picture."

"True true, but alright I'll let you get back to work. We still on for drinks tonight with your brother and his fine ass fiancé?"

Laughing, Shanic nodded. "Yes girl, and you better stop Justin gon' beat your ass for looking at his man." She playfully warned.

Throwing her hands up, she smiled innocently. "Hey, I'm just stating the obvious. Justin and Amir are both handsome guys, if they weren't gay .. I'd hop on both they asses." She joked before leaving out.

Shaking her head, Shanice focused her attention back on her computer but was interrupted again when her cell phone started to ring.

Seeing Bryson's name flash across the screen, she waited a few seconds before answering. "Hello,"

"Hello beautiful, you get my roses?" He asked smoothly.

Looking over at the roses, she nodded. "Yes Bry, why are you doing this though? What happened between us was a mistake.."

"Shanice, mistakes don't happen more than once. Since that night, we have been meeting up. We're both grown enough to admit that the love between us is still there and I do not want to throw our marriage away especially without a fight. Just give me another chance baby please."

"Okay, yeah the love is still there. But is it enough to keep what he had in tact? You hurt me Bryson, you chose another female over me and that's hard to get over. I want to forgive you, I want to be able to forget what happened but I can't. Sometimes, when I see you .. all I see is you and her." She sniffled.

Bryson, sighed hating when she cried. "It was a mistake babe, it only happened once and if I could turn back the hands of time I would in a heart beat. I never meant to intentionally hurt you, and everything she told you and put online was a lie! I wasn't messing around with her for two years nor did I ever propose to her. I would never do you like that Shanice."

Getting up, she locked her office door and closed her blinds. "How am I suppose to believe you when you already lied about fucking the bitch? I told you the minute you hired her as your assistant that she was trouble and now look. All because of this bitch and your stupid ass decision making, our marriage is over ruined."

"What was it that she had Bry? Was it her looks? Her body, what was it!?"

"Nothing Shan! I can't explain why I did it, I don't even know why I did it but I hate that I did baby. I hate that I hurt you ma', just please give me a chance to make this right between us. Just one chance,"

"Bry—"

"Before you debate with me on this, just please really think on it. I fucked up, I'll take full blame for that. But I can't lose you Shan, just give me a chance to prove myself."

Feeling her eyes start to burn, she blinked making a few more tears fall. "I'll call you back Bry."

Not giving him a chance to say anything, she hung up and wiped her tears. Since that night they had sex, Shanice had met up with him a few more times out of loneliness but that wasn't her way of saying she wanted him back.

She wasn't even sure her damn self on what she wanted. Part of her wanted to keep fighting then another part of her wanted to throw the towel in .. but like Bryson had said the love between them was still there and although Shanice did not want to admit it .. she was still in love with him.

She knew continuing to sleep with him whenever she was in the mood, wasn't the smart or right thing to do but she couldn't help herself when it came to him.

He had this strong hold over her heart, and she wasn't sure if it was time to break that hold or continue this and work out their issues.

She just couldn't take anymore hurt from him..

          Curled up in a ball in the corner of his room, Marquette cried silently from the beating he just recieved. He was terrified to leave the spot in fear that she would come back and hit him some more.

Marquette was only five but he knew he didn't deserve this, he knew he hadn't done anything wrong to get hit the way he did. All he wanted at the moment was Ahmad and his mama, but he was also scared to tell them what happened if they were to ask what happened, thinking that it would make the beating next time worse.

His step sister Reneé cried laying her head on his shoulder feeling sorry for her brother. She had hid in the closet the whole time and watched as her big brother get beat with Melissa's belt and hands for no reason.

Marquette tried to control his breathing but since he was so scared and tramautized from what happened, he couldn't. His small body ached all over, and he feared that this wasn't the end. "I want my mama," He cried lowly.

The two were completely alone since Reggie was at work along with Jada, they had left Melissa to watch them for the night which is what they hated because whenever they weren't around the nice aunty act was over and she turned into the devil.

But after she beat the shit out of Marquette she left.

Reneé got up slowly, then walked towards the door. "I'll be right back,"..opening the door, she looked to see if she had left.

Looking down the hall, she saw that her keys that hung from the key ring were gone so she walked out of the room and down the hall to the front door to go get help from a neighbor.

Reneé was only three almost four, but she was very wise and aware of things around her which came from her mainly watching Marquette grow up and following him.

But just like Marquette, she knew that beating was wrong, and since her mama wasn't there to help she knew she had to get somebody.

Going next door, she knocked on the neighbors door a few times but got no answer so she went to another one and two more doors after that.

It was completely dark outside and she was scared to death, but she wasn't going to stop until she got a hold of someone.

Finally an older white lady answered the door who immediately became worried when she saw the tears streaming down Reneé's face.

She recognized Reneé and wondered where her parents where at. "What's wrong baby girl? Is everything okay? Are you hurt?" Squatting down so she was eye level to her, she touched her shoulders examining her.

"M-my brother," She pointed back to the house, then looked back at her. "He really hurt, my auntie hit him a lot."

Nodding her head, the lady slipped on her shoes that were by the door then called for son who immediately came from upstairs that looked to be about fifteen.

"Yeah ma'?" He questioned.

"Put some shoes on and come with me we have to help these kids, call 9-11,"

Picking up Reneé in her arms, she walked across the street then opened the door letting herself in. "Where is he at baby?"

Reneé asked to be put down then ran to the room door and pointed. "Stay back here with my son while I go get your brother, but he's okay baby girl. No need to cry anymore." She reassured.

Walking into the room her hand immediately went to her mouth as she looked down at him. Walking towards him slowly, she squatted down and reached out for him but he moved away looking around frantic. "Its okay baby, I'm only here to help you. Can I help you? I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise."

"I just want my mama," He cried.

"I'll get you to your mama, I promise." Lifting him up carefully, she walked out the room to see her son now holding Reneé and talking to her to get her mind off what she just had to witness.

"Did you give the cops our address? We're taking them back to our to house."

"Yes'mam,"

Walking out of the house with both kids, the lady quickly got them across the street then began tending to Marquette the best she could as they waited for the ambulance and the cops to show.

          Walking outside with a tray of drinks, Cali sat the drinks on the table that sat in the middle of everybody. Taking her seat back on Ahmad's lap, she let out low yawn. "What game are we playing next mama?" Cali asked Ashley as everybody grabbed their drink.

Whenever they were all free, the couples always tried to have couple outtings. They would either go out to eat, the club, small vacations or like what they are doing today just chilling in Ahmad's backyard.

"We're just gonna have a discussion tonight, no games." She said and they all nodded.

"What do you guys feel is the most important thing to have in a relationship?" Aaron questioned them all.

"Communication," Ahmad answered as he rubbed circles on Cali's belly.

"Trust," Alisha back doored.

Shaun held his hand up, "Honesty,"

"I feel love is the most important thing." Kamry spoke up causing Aaron to smile.

"Sex," Marcus blurted out causing them to all laugh and nod.

"Love is the first thing to have in a relationship, and the other things you guys listed is what keeps that love going. To save confusion in a relationship communicate, and be honest and you have to have trust between one another." Ashley said to them all.

"Aaron and I would not have been married as long as we have been if it weren't for those main things. Was it easy? Hell no, but was it worth it? Yes! I got beautiful kids and grandkids from this man and if I could go back in time I wouldn't change a thing." She admitted.

Kissing her hand, he smiled. "Getting into a relationship is easy, anybody can do that but staying together is what a lot of us fail to do. You all are young and have a lot of things to experience and go through, but even through that toughest storms don't give up! Keep fighting. Pain and tough times are only temporary, they don't last forever and if you guys keep that in mind .. y'all will be good."

Cali looked down at Ahmad, knowing this was hitting home for them. She knew she would never give up on her marriage, but it has been times when she wanted too.

Anari looked over at Ahmad and Cali, before focusing back on Ashley and Aaron.

"Have you ever cheated on Ashley? Or Ashley have you ever cheated on Aaron?" Anari questioned which made Ahmad frown.

He hoped like hell they never cheated on each other. He had such a hate towards that shit that he would hate to lose a little respect towards one of them behind that.

"Nah, I never cheated. Have we separated before and saw other people? Yes, but that situation was like that saying .. sometimes you have to let something go and if it comes back then it was meant to be. Those months we went without each other were hell for me and her and we knew then that we made for each other and since I never wanted to experience that pain of not being with her, I never let her go because I knew if I had, then I would have lost her for good."

Everyone smiled admiring their relationship and love that they had for one another. "You guys are such a goal, like I aspire to be like that with Shaun." Alisha admitted.

Feeling the urge to pee, Ahmad tapped Cali's arm. "I gotta use the bathroom, you need anything while I'm inside?"

"Can you grab my purple slippers and bring me some ice cream?"

Nodding, he stood up giving her a kiss on the lips before excusing himself.

Watching him leave, Anari waited a while before excusing herself when she knew nobody would notice.

Spotting Ahmad in th kitchen making Cali her bowl of ice cream, she entered going towards the fridge startling him.

When he saw who it was, he looked back down at what he was doing. He didn't have a problem with Anari but he sure as hell did not trust her.

When he went to leave out, she stopped him grabbing his arm. Giving her a distasteful look, she immediately let go. "Look, I don't want no problem. I just want to apologize."

Not saying anything, she decided to continue. "I was wrong for telling Cali about what happened between us especially after we agreed not too, but I just couldn't stand the fact that you wanted to act as if it never happened. I knew the sex meant nothing to you but it meant something to me." She admitted catching Ahmad off guard.

"And for you to not even remember it hurts even more, I told Cali about us out of spite and bitterness that was childish and wrong of me. I do not have any feelings towards you or anything, but I did hold some resent towards you from how you did me!"

Frowning, Ahmad sat Cali's bowl down. "How I did you? What did I do?"

"You used me, you only ever hit me up for sex and would ignore and dog me if I ever just wanted to text as friends. But as soon as you wanted some, you were quick to call me up and like a dumb ass I always agreed because I liked you .. and I always just felt that because I was a stripper that was why you treated me the way you did and then years later I see you with Cali and it just made me wonder .. why wasn't I good enough? I'm over it now, but back then it did make me feel a certain way."

Rubbing his hand down his face, Ahmad sighed. "At that moment in time I was in a bad place and used sex as a distraction. I never intentionally meant to play or use you, I was just trying to rub from something else in my life and I'll personally apologize for that, and I should have told Cali about what happened myself. She deserved to know, so its cool."

Anari nodded, "Okay good, I just didn't want any bad blood between us .. ya know?"

"Yeah, I get it. We good, everything is good."

Walking back outside to join everybody else, Ahmad went to follow behind her but stopped when his phone started ringing.

Sitting Cali bowl down, he grabbed it and frowned when he saw the unknown number on the screen. Sliding the bar over, he sat down at the bar and answered it.

"Hello,"

"Hello, am I speaking with Ahmad  Sinclair?"

"Yeah, this is he. Who am I speaking with?"

"My name is Officer Lyons, we tried to get in touch with Mrs. Sinclair to inform her about an incident involving her son but we got no answer and you were the next person to call on the list."

Growing concerned, Ahmad stood up. "What Incident? Is everything okay? Is my boy alright?"

"I'm afraid to say everything isn't okay, I can't say much over the phone but I think it is best that you guys get down to Houston Methodist as soon as possible."

-

Let's take a moment to praise this work of ART! She snapped on this shit and showed all her haters why we call her the QUEEN!

if you listened, what's ya favorite song? Mine is Barbie Dreams, Good Form, LLC, I thought I knew you, Nip Tuck, Run & Hide, Come See About Me, but the whole album is 🔥 !!

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Thanks for the love & support!
- Denise 💋