The Only Exception

26

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me, I do have a heart sometimes." I replied back.

"I don't wanna do this shit anymore Jo, I can't continue to lie and push down others. Mandy's pregnant and I can't even truly be there like I should because of my dumbass parents."

"We will handle it William. You love her?"

For once, his serious ass smiled as he answered me. "I do."

"Good. I can tell." I answered as I pointed to his dress shirt. "Take that off so I can wash it."

He slowly took it off and I saw that his rib cage was bruised. William shook his head. "Don't."

"How long are you going to allow yourself to be a personal punching bag to your father?" I questioned him anyways.

"Until we win, Jo. If I drop out, that'll be the end of this run for us as a strong couple. You know that."

I did know that, I just needed him to say let's quit so I could agree. I just needed him to read my mind for once.

I grabbed the shirt and dabbed his face a little harder. He hissed and I muttered. "Little bitch."

He chuckled before grabbing his side. "Shut up. That shit hurt."

"Mhm. Sure it does. My guest room is in the back, get some sleep."

"I have work—."

"Not a question William. Mandy doesn't need to see you like this. At least rest up before you go."

William took a breath. "I don't have much of a choice do I?"

"Nope. So go ahead." I pointed towards the room. He got up slowly and hissed again. Rolling my eyes, I threw his arm over me as I helped him to the room. "Why are you limping?"

"He threw me into the damn wall and I landed wrong on my foot." He grumbled out.

Shaking my head, I walked him into the room and helped him in. I turned on the lamp on my stand. "Get some rest William."

I left out of the room after turning on the fan and turning off the light. Walking into my kitchen, I grabbed a glass and a bottle of wine. Pouring it, I threw it back quickly as I poured myself another one.

This was all entirely too much and after the day I had, it wasn't needed in my life. I was stressed the hell out and my parents and William's parents added more fuel to my already lit fire. My front door opened causing me to grab my glass and exit my kitchen.

Shawnette entered my home with bags in her hand. When we met eye contact she dropped them all to the ground. "What'd they say?"

"William got a woman pregnant."

"Oh shit. So now what?"

"Now he's in my guest room, bruised up and sleeping." I mumbled before taking another sip. Her eyes wandered over to the room and I pointed for her to go and look.

She walked into the room and I heard the light switch on before it quickly cut off and she came back into the living room with me. "Girllll, Letoya gone trip the hell out. I'm not helping either, I'll— let me put these damn groceries up and go to bed on that note."

Shawn began grabbing bags and moving them towards the kitchen. My phone rang and I walked over and answered when I saw it was Letoya calling. "Hey."

"Hey baby." She called back weirdly. "What you doing?"

"Uh uh, what's wrong?" I asked because her tone showed it.

"Nothing. I'm coming, it'll be a little later though. I'm at Essences house with my cousin Monica, but I'll still be home later tonight."

"Okay. Well the keys behind the plant outside."

"You really have your spare in the plant— never mind, alright I'll be there later. Bye baby I'll see you soon."

"Bye Toya."