Melissa
“Girl, that man was ready to risk it all for you!” Shayla said as she grabbed her plate of birthday cake before sitting up and tucking her legs under her as we sat in my parent’s back yard. I mirrored her posture and got more comfortable, as we gushed about dinner and the club we got drinks at after.
“Stop, he wasn’t!”
“Lissa, he was. You pulled out all the baggage ‘I have a kid and I live with my parents’” She bopped her head back and forth trying to mimic me.
“It’s the truth, though.”
“Yeah, and he blocked them shots you was trying to throw and was ready to take you home and give you some birthday sex. You shoulda took him up on your offer so you coulda had a very happy birthday.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me before taking a bite of cake before pushing it away since this was her second slice and she swore her curvy ass needed to go on a diet, but her body had always rivaled my small ass.
“I did have a very happy birthday. It was great.” I swung my hair back and flashed her a smile. She mhmed and shook her head.
“Yeah, that’s not convincing at all, but at least I got you out of the house.”
“Hmm.” I stared out at the pool and let myself get mesmerized by the slight movement of the water being blown by the slight breeze of the summer night air. I swallowed the tears that wanted to come out, but then I remembered that I was with my best friend, in my parent’s house, and I was a grown as woman with a broken heart. So, I let them fall and let Shayla take me in her arms and hold me while I cried softly.
“You know the worst part?” I said sitting up after a while.
“What?”
“I miss him.”
“The worst part is that he did what he did and made you like this. You can miss him and feel how you feel, that’s ok, Lissa.” She took a napkin and dapped at my tears.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, now do you want me to stay with you tonight?”
“You don’t have to, but are you even good to drive?”
“You know I’m good. We babysat them drinks all night. We old now.” I laughed as she stood up and gathered her sandals in her hand before leaning down to give me a big hug.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, good night.” We both jumped at the sound of the gate closing behind us before Darius walked through carrying balloons and bags. My face contorted into confusion as I blinked at him. I wasn’t sure if he was really standing there, but Shayla squeezed my shoulder, breaking my trance and confirming I wasn’t just daydreaming.
“Hey, D.”
“Shay, hey girl, how you been?” He slowly walked up and wrapped her in a hug or as much as he could with all the stuff in his hands. I could smell his spicy cologne as they unwrapped, and the smell sent a wave of sadness through me. How could I miss someone who made me feel so much pain. I wanted his arms to be around me so I could take a deep breath of his scent that at one point had become so normal to me, it felt like mine. I roamed my eyes over him, taking him in. He was dressed up like he was going out somewhere in all black slacks and a button down that showcased his muscular build. He grew his hair out a bit, but he was lined up nicely like he did it himself. It was something I used to do for him, and his eyes were empty as he talked to Shay who must’ve been cussing him out because his brows were furrowed, and he ducked his head a little.
It was the second time I was half checked into the conversation because suddenly their eyes were on me, and Shay was looking at like she was waiting for me to say something.
“Lissa, did you want company?” She rolled her eyes over toward Darius who was staring at me like I held the moon and stars in my hand. The empty look in his eyes was replaced with hope, wonder, and light. It made my chest tight.
“Uh s-sure, I guess I can have a little company.”
“Ok. Well, I’ll leave two alone.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Darius said, sitting down the stuff he had in his hand and stepping around Shayla so he could lead her out.
“Text me as soon as he leaves, I’ll be up.” She whispered before following Darius out. I nodded and as soon as they were out of earshot, I slid off the wicker chair and kneeled so I could peek in the bags he brought, I discovered that there was wine, and chocolate covered strawberries in the first one before he was back.
“Couldn’t help but be nosy, could you?” His deep voice sent chills down my spine. He was next to me, crouched down right at my side. I looked over and stared at his eyes, the bags underneath tell-tale signs that he was struggling too, and I wanted so bad to swipe at his jaw, kiss him, and beg him to take me home.
“I was curious, because this is all for me, right?”
“There’s something in there for Ray, but mostly you, gorgeous, happy birthday. You look so amazing, Melissa.” He rubbed his hands down the front of his pants.
“Thank you.” He held out his hand and I took it, letting him pull me to my feet and lead me back to the chair. He grabbed the bags and sat across from me and began to pull things out.
“We have chocolate covered strawberries and wine for the birthday queen from your fav place, Sparkle Berries.”
“That I saw, what else you got?” I sat up, peeking over at the bags and he looked up at me, chuckled, and shook his head.
“You spoiled, but in the next bag, I’ll let you open for yourself.” He handed me the bag and I wasted no time pulling out the boxes inside. The first box was medium sized, and I opened it and pulled out two white silk robes with flowers on it. They were so soft and pretty.
“These are beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. The robes are for tomorrow.”
“What’s tomorrow?”
“Your spa day, remember?” Of course, I remembered, I had been thinking about the spa day since the day we planned it months ago.
“Yeah.”
“I added Ray in place of my treatments so y’all can go together. So y’all will have the-the robes, you know, like matching.” He was nervous, which was new to me. Darius had always been borderline cocky no matter where he was, what he did, or who he was talking to. To see him flustered in this moment was odd.
“Keep going…” I obeyed and pulled out the next box, a small one that was obviously a jewelry box. Inside was my engagement ring.
“Darius-”
“Let me just say something,” he scooted his chair closer to me, or tried then abandoned it and kneeled in front of me, “I just want to say that I’m sorry for all the bullshit I put you through and what you’re still going through. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you and I sewar to God that wasn’t my intent. Shit got out of hand, but I promise you that I never wanted to hurt you and I’m sorry, I’m so sorry and I love you with all my heart, I do. I miss you and I need you home. I need you and Ray home with me, please, I’m sorry.”
“Darius, I can’t just forget.”
“I’m not asking you for that, I just need you to give me a chance to make things right. I swear to you that I never meant to hurt you-”
“It’s not about what you didn’t mean to do, it’s what you did. You broke my heart!”
“Melissa, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I can make you do to trust me again but I:m willing to do it all, I don’t care, but I want you, I need you. I need my family.”
“Please, just let me-”
“Melissa, I’m not giving up.” He stood up and pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me. His tears matched mine as we cried. Everything in me was screaming to forgive him, let it all go, and go home but I couldn’t move beyond the shelter of his arms. I felt like my heart was cracking open, but I didn’t want to be anywhere but here. God, it hurt so much but being in his arms for so long felt so good. I took a moment and set my pain aside and did the only thing that I wanted to really do, and I kissed him.