Andrew Mccall never would have guessed that this is where he would end up. In lock up, shirt stained with blood and bruised knuckles from trying to beat his brothers head into the floor. Those were the same hands that he used to wrap around his wife's throat and if he wasn't pulled off he probably would have killed her. Andrew never in his life raised his hand to a woman and as angry as he was he wasn't proud about it either. Last night was just one screwed up night and all he wanted to do was wash it off. Wash away the betrayal, his last bathroom fuck with his cheating wife. All of it!
He buried his face in his bruised hands. He slept with Tiffany, he felt guilty and he tore himself up about it. He felt like shit because he hurt a woman he cared deeply for and felt even worse about stepping out on his wife the woman he loved...when she stepped out as well and not with some co worker, old college friend or stranger she met in a bar. His wife slept with his brother and had the nerve to photograph and record it. Now he knew... everyone knew. As embarrassed as Ray and Vanessa should feel Andrew was embarrassed too. How did he not see it? How'd he miss it? They were laughing in his face and fucking behind his back. He was just too much of a fool to realize it.
"Andrew Mccall!" His head shot up at the sound of his name. "You're free to go."
"Free to go?" Andrew stood looking at the officer with a confused look on his face. He didn't go around assaulting people and getting arrested every day but he was pretty sure it wasn't that simple.
"Lucky for you nobody you assaulted last night wants to press charges and someone is here to pick you up."
"Did my father come?" Frank Mccall always did have his ways of working around the legal system and quick to get his sons out of whatever trouble they seem to get themselves into no matter how big or small.
The officer chuckled shaking his head and opening up Andrew's holding cell. "You must have one fine ass father." Andrew didn't get what he meant until they reached the front desk and he saw her.
"Tiff-"
"Get your stuff..I'll be waiting in the car." Was the only words she gave him before she stuffed her hands into her burgundy zip up sweater pockets and walked out. After everything he did. After how bad he hurt her Tiffany was there. She still looked fed up and pissed but at least she was there.
____________
Tiffany had no idea what she was thinking showing up at the precinct first thing in the morning she must have been the fool of all fools but dammit she felt bad for the guy. To find out your wife is sleeping with your brother and for it to be on the big screen for everybody to see had to hurt far worse than the hurt she felt. Vanessa looked so innocent Tiffany would have never thought she was the type do something like this. It didn't take away from the fact that Tiffany slept with Vanessa's husband but knowing that the woman wasn't completely innocent in all this did make Tiffany feel less bad about it. Just a little bit.
Drew walked out of the precinct with his suit jacket his his hands the first two buttons of his white blood stain shirt undone with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked over stressed and underslept... but still looked handsome as ever. He opened the passenger side door and settled into the seat and Tiffany pulled off.
"Umm where to?" Tiffany asked.
"My house..."He wasn't sure what to say but he knew she didn't want to hear him say sorry again. She just might toss him out her moving car if he did. "Thank you... for picking me up . I know I don't deserve it."
She couldn't disagree with that. "You're right you don't. But you don't deserve to be in jail either.And for the record I had nothing to do with that slideshow" Tiffany didn't believe he deserved to be in a jail cell for snapping when anybody else in that position would have. "Let's be clear though this doesn't mean I'm not still upset..cause I am!"
Andrew nodded. "I know."
"And sure as hell don't mean I forgive you because I DON'T!" Tiffany didn't want him thinking this changed anything between them. "I still want nothing to do with you." She cared,even after he hurt her.
"I know I know...thank you." Drew looked over at her and smiled. He didn't know why. He had nothing to smile about. He wasn't shit and turns out neither of his wife but looking at Tiffany did that to him. His world crashing down around him didn't matter when she was around. Too bad she wasn't going to be around anymore.
"Stop." Tiffany looked at Andrew and then her eyes quickly went back to focus on the road ahead. "Keep looking at me like that and your ass will be walking home."
"Fair enough" maybe it was better for everyone if he looked out the passenger side window instead.
~~~CROSSING_LINES~~~
Vanessa didn't return to her home after that disaster of an event she went home with her parents and spent the night there. Being in her old room usually brought back so many happy memories about when life was easier but with everything that happened last night she couldn't bring herself to think of anything good. Vanessa looked in her old vanity mirror and inpected the marks her husband's hands left on her neck. Andrew never hit her before. It was shocking and scary he had this look in his eyes that she never wanted to see again.
"Vanessa sweetheart breakfast is ready."
"I'm coming." She smelled the delicious aroma of cinnamon pancakes, cheese eggs, grits and thick slices of turkey bacon but she wasn't hungry. She didn't want to eat and she barely got any sleep. All night she's been brainstorming on how she was going to squeeze her way out of this one.
All of this was so messed up Vanessa never thought Lauren would have done this to her...but then again she did screw the woman's husband...multiple times. She thought Andrew cheating was Karma coming back for her but she should have known the bitch was gonna come harder than that.
After her mother calling her for a third time Vanessa decided to go down to eat breakfast. She took the empty seat at the wooden table completely avoiding making eye contact with her father but she could still feel his look of utter disgust burning holes through her skin. She wish she could say home with her mom and dad was a judge free environment but that would be lie. He father was judging and Nessa just knew he was waiting for the right time to drill into her. And her mother...her sweet sweet mother was trying so hard not to pass judgment but Nessa knew she was. Cheryl was a woman who believed in remaining faithful and honoring the vows you make. The bonds of marriage was something she took seriously.
"Vanessa what hell were you thinking!" She knew her father wasn't going to stay silent for long. "Screwing your husband's brother !"
"Thomas please-"
"No. Cheryl you and I raised her better than this." Thomas hated that his favorite child was no better than the rest. Made him question where he went wrong. Did he not hug them enough? Was he too tough on them or was he not tough enough?
"Dad this had nothing to do with how you raised me. I made a mistake. Just like everyone does I'm not perfect as much as you want me to be. Just like Samantha and TJ I am human! Dad I am flawed!"
"Thomas just let her eat her breakfast. Vanessa and a long night, we all have" Cheryl hated conflict and as much as she didn't want to say it last night seeing her daughters mess blown up did a number on her.
"Vanessa are you going to explain yourself."
Vanessa squinted her eyes at her father. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me!"
"I am a grown woman who made a huge mistake. I disappointed you and I'm sorry that you witnessed what you did but I will not explain this to anybody but my husband!"
"Assuming that after last night you have one."
"Andrew and I will get pass this. We love each other."
"What if he can't get past you being a slut?" Her father's harsh words ripped through her like a knife. SVanessa understood that he was upset but to call her out her name? that was uncalled for. "That is how everyone on Andrew's side of the family will view you now. Those people will push out out of their lives so quick you won't even see it coming until it's over. Andrew will never want you again Vanessa and you're a fool to think otherwise."
Vanessa took a deep breath and pushed her plate away. "I'm going to get my things and go home now." She wasn't going to argue with her father. She stood from the table and started to go upstairs so she could get ready to leave.
"Vanessa stay at least for a few days." Cheryl pleaded following behind her. "You shouldn't be alone."
"I won't be alone mom. I'll be with Andrew sorting things out."
"Are you sure that's a good idea? Last time you were with Andrew he choked you."
"He was angry he's had time to calm down and I have a three hour ride home I really should get going." she told her. "Besides I have his car."
It took some time but Cheryl finally saw that there was no convincing Vanessa to stay. "You really believe love is enough for him to forget all of this and forgive you?" Cheryl asked.
Vanessa sighed. "I hope so. I messed up real bad. I just don't want to lose him."
_____________________
Vanessa's drive home felt so much longer than three hours she was exhausted and drained. She didn't even know Andrew was home until she walked through the front door to see that there were bags packed.
"Andrew!" She called out. "Are you home." The silence that filled the house scared her but she walked up the staircase anyway. She found him in the bedroom packing clothes.
"So you were just going to leave without giving me a chance to explain?"
He didn't even look at her he continued to pack the clothes and said. "I'm not going anywhere." It was then that she noticed the clothes he was packing were hers.
"Andrew."
"What Vanessa? Call my brother I'm sure he can hook you up for a place to stay." The cold shoulder he was giving her could have frozen fire. "It might just take a suck or two but come on Nessa we both know how much you love that."
"You're out of line!"
"OUT OF LINE! You want to know what is out of line! You bustin open for my brother thats whats out of line Vanessa!"
"If you would just listen-"
"I don't want to listen to you. I don't trust that I am going to be able to control myself after what I hear. Do you understand that? I got so angry that I put my hands on you Vanessa." He came closer and when his hand flew up out of frustration like he was eager to hit something Vanessa flinched afraid that he was going to hit her. "You see that. I don't trust you and you fear me. This thing between us is done!"
Done? No they weren't done. Not yet....at least as far as Vanessa was concerned. However he was right about one thing. Right now she was afraid of him. They weren't going to resolve anything right now if she was afraid to tell him the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Maybe one night of space wasn't enough. "I can stay with Rachel for a few days."
"Yeah you do that."
Vanessa allowed him to pack her things but she only took one her overnight victoria secret duffle. He may have wanted her out for good but she wasn't giving him more than a few days.
"I'm going to give you space...but Andrew I'm coming back. we will work through this." She sounded so sure that they could make it work but Andrew had lost all hope. He cheated on her she cheated on him what else was there to fix?
~~~CROSSING_LINES~~~
Remy couldn't believe his ears. After everything Tiffany was telling him he wished he had crashed the party himself to see it all unfold. The ain't shit train was moving express and damn near everybody with the last name Mccall was on it. The tea Tiffany was giving him was scorching hot, damn thing done burnt his tongue.
"And you mean to tell me you had absolutely nothing to do with the slideshow?" He raised a brow. "Come on I'm your bestie you can tell me." He already thought this 'I'm going to take the high road and move on' thing was bullshit. Tiffany had a dark borderline evil side to her and he wondered if she was finally letting it out to play.
"I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Andrew this morning. I had no idea Lauren was going to do that. I didn't even know that Vanessa was sneaking around with the brother."
Remy made a face "Whoa whoa whoa skirrrt....pump the brakes and bring it back honey bring it back." He glared at Tiffany. "How did you see Andrew this morning?"
Tiffany rolled her eyes and began rubbing her temples. She knew it was a reason she left that part out of the story the first time. She just knew that Remy would assume she was letting Drew back in her life and that just wasn't the truth. "I felt sympathy for the man. So I went to the precinct this morning."
"Angel you don't give your sympathy to the devil you let him stay in the pits where he belongs." Maybe he needed to remind her how she ended up being so heartbroken. "He cheated on his wife and he played you like a mother fucking violin."
"I know Remy damn I just gave him a ride home."
Remy kissed his teeth and rolled his eyes. "I sure as hell hope you mean a ride in your car and not a ride on his dick!"
That was it Tiffany punched him so hard in the arm Remy could have sworn for a minute he lost feeling in it. "I didn't have sex with him. I drove him home and said goodbye and no not with a kiss... I'm done with him for real Rem."
"So that means my cousin Shawn still has a chance?" Remy wiggled his brows and now it was Tiffany's turn to roll her eyes. She and Shawn weren't meant to be anything more than friends.
"This again." She mumbled.
"Yes this again! You two can be super cute together I'm telling you." Remy had Shawn and Tiffany's future life planned out for them already little brown skin babies with heads full of hair and all.
"He's into another woman her name is Lauren.." Tiffany frowned and her brain began running. "You think it could be the same Lauren that..."
Remy laughed. "No No No the Lauren he's so smitten with is nothing compared to the one you told me about. His Lauren is sweet and fragile the Lauren you told me about is a force to be reckon with." Remy liked the Lauren Tiffany had told him about. Everyone should be on this Lauren woman's mind set. Rem didn't know what home girl was on but he wanted to be on it too. She was coming for heads and Remy Monroe was loving it.
~~~CROSSING_LINES~~~
Ray slowly walked up the front steps to his home he was so sore he felt like his body was breaking with every step. He had a long day after coming off such an eventful night. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes this morning was his parents disapproving glares and the first thing he heard was a long scolding speech about how upset they were that he ruined their night and violated his little brother by sleeping with his wife. If you asked Ray he'd say he wasn't the problem. He had a list of reasons why last night was everybody else's fault but his own. 1 it was Lauren who put the pictures out there 2. It was Andrew who used his face as a punching bag and last but definitely not least 3 it takes two, he couldn't have possibly slept with Vanessa if she wasn't a willing participant and as shown on the big screen Nessa loved every dirty second of it. So why weren't they blaming Lauren or Vanessa .Shit why wasn't at least some of the blame falling on Andrew! None of this would have happened if he payed closer attention to his wife who at a point was clearly missing something or else Ray would have never been able to touch her. Ray even mentioned that Andrew cheated on Vanessa as well and they didn't even blink. They probably didn't believe a word he said.
Raymond was sick of everyone and all he wanted to do was crawl up in his bed pop some of his pain meds and sleep. The doctor advised he didn't drink that it wouldn't mix well with the pills but if Ray could he would pour himself a stiff one. Ray stuck his key into the lock and attempted to turn but it wouldn't. He tried a little harder turning his key from left to right and nothing. The door wouldn't budge, the key wouldn't work. "this bitch!" He cursed through clenched teeth before he began to band on the door. "LAUREN! LAUREN YOU OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW! He shouted. She had already done enough to piss him off why change the locks to his house?
"Hello Raymond" She opened the door and rolled away from him in her wheelchair. "Please come in we have a few things to discuss."
He followed her into the dining room where she had a bottle of wine and one glass for herself on the table. Placed beside the bottle of red wine were papers.
"The hell is this?"
"Divorce papers."
Ray laughed. Who did she think she was? They ended this marriage when he wanted to. Not her. She didn't run a damn thing. When they do part ways it will be because he had no use for her. Not the other way around.
"Something funny?" Lauren raised a brow but still her calm face showed no emotion.
"Yeah.. You're going to divorce me?? On what grounds."
"Andrew must have really banged your head one too many times. There is Cruel and inhuman treatment and this little thing called adultery... and you know I have nothing but proof of that one. Ray you have no wins. I can and will take you for all you have. my children included
"Well I'd be damned. You want a fight Lauren you got it" He snatched up the papers and proceed to go and do what he came to do.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To sleep. We can fight about this when I wake up."
"Thats where you are wrong Ray, We will fight about this in court and no you will not be sleeping here. I want you out."
"I paid for this house and everything in it. It's mine I'm not going anywhere!"
" You see this hunk of metal I'm sitting in? You put me here while you were under the influence. And then your rich daddy covered it up. I will tell whoever will listen my story along with the proof of the paper trail made to pay those involved with the cover up. I'm willing to let that go if you leave." At the moment she was right he had no wins. Not right now anyway.
"Just let me grab a few things."
"oh dont worry its already scattered around the backyard." Lauren had found the strength to finally put all the work she and Shawn did to use. She couldn't completely walk on her own but with a pair of arm crutches she managed to get up the stairs.. took some time but she did it and with the help of her over active hyper kids she tossed all of Rays belonging out the window after telling them daddy was planning to replace his wardrobe and that it was okay to throw things out the window this one time. They had so much fun and then she sent them out with Rosalie for the day just in case things with her and Ray got ugly.
Lauren was done playing dumb she was no ones fool. Not another foot would walk over her and Ray the biggest fool of them all was now starting to see that
AN
New Lauren is here! If you haven't noticed already and Remy Approves!