No More Lies, No More Pain. [Re-do]

I finally made it all the way to Austin’s apartment, and in all honesty, I was more concerned than angry. I haven’t known Austin for very long, but I know him well enough to realize that he wouldn’t go off on anyone like that, especially a woman. I had to get to the bottom of this and fast.

I made it all the way to Austin’s hallway, and my stuff was not out yet. I raised an eyebrow as I stared for a moment. Was he not expecting me to come this soon? What if my stuff isn’t even gathered in the apartment yet? Without any further unasked questions, I walked over to his door and stood there for a few seconds before finally knocking. On the other side of the door, I could hear Snuff by Slipknot playing. It was on low volume so it was barely audible through the door, but it was too quiet in the hallway so it made the song easier to hear.

“Austin?” I asked before knocking once more. “Austin I know you’re home. I can hear the music.”

I counted to myself to see how long it would take for him to open the door. At six seconds, the door unlocks and slowly opens.

Austin stood there at the entry topless, exposing all of his tattoos on his torso, neck and arms. His blue Ethika boxer briefs barely peaking out from his black knee-length shorts and his hair was wet and a mess, letting me know that he had just got out of the shower. That and I could smell the AXE body soap. The image caught me a little by surprise, but I caught myself in time to look back up at his face before he got any ideas.

“I didn’t know you were on your way already.” Austin mumbled as he looked down at the floor.

“Well, you did say to come anytime.” I said a bit too sarcastically. “So I figured now was as good of time as any.” We both stood there in awkward silence for a moment before I spoke up again. “Can we at least talk about what those messages were all about? You know, like adults?”

Austin never looked at me, he stayed standing there with his head down. I feel that deep down, he knew that what he said was wrong. His heart was in the right place, but his mind was in an argument with his heart about leaving it alone, or being angry and brutally honest. I finally hear Austin let out a deep sigh before slowly lifting his head up to look at me.

He nods. “Come in.” He says before stepping aside to let me in.

I walk inside and just as I suspected, none of my stuff has been touched. I knew this for a fact because as soon as you step into Austin’s apartment, you can see inside the guest room if the door was open. And my duffle bag and Beatrix’s stuff still remains where they were when I left to Brian’s yesterday. I made my way over to the couch as Echo made his way over to sit next to me. He began licking all over my face and I giggled before petting him and hugging him a little. I caught a glimpse of Austin smiling at the sight of me and Echo.

“Echo. Down boy.” Austin said in between blowing kisses and whistling at Echo until the pitbull dog finally calmed down and sat next to Austin, who was now sitting in a lounge chair diagonal from me.

All fun aside, I really needed some answers. So I just decided to just jump right into it. “Okay, let me just get on with this. Why did you text me those things? Did you think that those words weren’t going to hurt me? Or? What was going on there? Help me understand.”

Austin rubbed the palms of his hands up and slowly down on his face before clamping his hands together and resting his forearms on his knees. “The things I said, believe it or not, I was trying to say as a friend who cares. I know that they came out wrong, and I regret calling you the names that I called you. I was angry before that even happened, because I got a call from my ex-wife. She told me that she loved me and she wanted me back, and a bunch of other bullshit. I wanted to talk to you about it, and that was when I noticed you and Bea weren’t here. I don’t know what made me ask you the personal details of what happened between you and Brian last night.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “I guess I let the angry side get the better of me, and I took out all the anger towards Gielle on you.”

“So, you mean to tell me that the things you said to me were out of anger towards Gielle? So, you don’t actually mean any of it?” I asked.

Austin shook his head slightly. “I didn’t mean to call you an easy woman with no pride or self respect. I do, however, still feel like you are rushing things a little with Brian. I thought you said you wanted to take things slow with him this time.”

I sighed. “Austin, for me, that’s easier said than done. Brian is the father of my baby, and I can’t help that I still love him. I feel that if you had a child of your own with a woman you still loved, you would probably understand.”

It took a small moment until Austin finally shook his head in agreement. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. But it still doesn’t sit quite well with me. I’m just looking after you because let’s face it, the man is old.” He chuckled.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Hey! Thirty-three is not old. You’re almost there too, you know.”

We both laughed. “True story. But he is older than you by eleven years, it only makes sense if, no offense, if he were to fall for someone his own age. I just don’t want you getting hurt again. I mean, it would make sense if you were to even fall for someone, even around my age.”

I shook my head. “I get what you’re saying, but things are going to be different now between me and Brian. His mom came over earlier and smacked the shit out of me, and I deserved it. And I don’t expect any different of reactions from anyone else.” I sighed as I looked at Austin, who continued to look down at the floor. “And as far as what makes sense to everyone else, I could care less what others think of mine and Brian’s relationship. At the end of the day, it makes sense to me and it makes sense to Brian. That’s all that matters.”

He shook his head slightly. “I can respect that.” He then looked up at me with an apologetic look in his eyes. “I’m sorry for the things I said. I don’t want to lose you as a friend. And just know that you and Beatrix are welcome in my home anytime.”

I smiled at him before we both stood up and embraced each other in a tight friendly hug. “Thank you.” I whispered before giving a light peck to his cheek. We then pulled apart and smiled at one another warmly. “I better get going. With all that’s going on, last thing I need is Brian getting suspicious as to why I was gone so long.” I chuckled before walking to the guest room to gather mine and Beatrix’s things together.

Austin followed. “I’ll help you.”



About ten minutes later, Austin carried my things and I carried Beatrix’s things all the way down to Brian’s truck. For some reason, I felt as if I was being watched, and it didn’t hit me really hard until we walked outside. I looked around quickly to see if anyone was staring, but I didn’t notice anything. There are too many people here in California. Once Austin loaded the last of my things in Brian’s truck, we gave each other one more hug before I got in the truck and pulled out of the parking lot and into the main road to take me back home faster.

As I was driving, I pulled out my cellphone and dialed Brian’s number, which he answered on the second ring.

“Hey baby. I was getting worried about you.” He chuckled.

“Really now?” I answered, smiling to myself.

“Yup. B.B and I were wondering if mommy disappeared on us.” He chuckled once more.

“I’m not going anywhere. I just called to let you know I’m on my way home.” The smile never left my face.

“Alright. McKenna came by with my dad while you were out. They brought back Pinkly and I figured she and B.B would get along. Seems like I was right.”

“Aw how nice.” I then started to get a little concerned. “Are they angry at me?”

Brian sighed. “They aren’t as upset as Suzy. They said they will accept you back in their lives if you promise to never pull that stunt again. And because they know how happy you make me.”

I sighed a little in relief as a tear escaped and ran down my face. “That’s a promise I plan on keeping for a very long time. You make me so happy and I love you so much.”

“I love you too.”

“I’ll see you in about ten minutes. Maybe we can order in and just relax tonight.”

“Sounds perfect.”

My smile grew. “Oh and babe, B.B? Is that her new nickname?”

Brian laughed. “Yeah, I couldn’t help but wonder why the name Beatrix sounded so familiar. And then I realized that was the name of Uma Thurman’s character in Kill Bill. So I decided to nickname her after her daughter B.B. It seems to suit her better.”

I laughed. “It really does. The little girl is so cute in the movie. Maybe we should watch those when I get home.”

“We’re already ahead of you. B.B and I started watching about five minutes before you called.”

I scoffed a little. “Cheaters.” I chuckled.

“Just get your sweet ass home already.” He chuckled.

“Okay. I’m almost there. See you in a minute baby. Love you.”

“Love you too.”


We then hung up with one another, and just as I pulled into the neighborhood about two blocks away from our house, a black 2014 BMW 3 Series quickly pulled up in front of me and slammed hard on the breaks to stop me from going any further. It scared me to death because of the fact that I almost hit her, but then I got furious as to what the hell was their rush.

I then turned off the truck and quickly got out to confront this asshole. “What the hell is your problem? I could’ve hit you!” I yelled.

Just then, the owner of the vehicle got out of the car and power walked over to me. Her hair was blonde and tied back into a ponytail. I then recognized the face as clear as day. It was Mercedes.

Before I could even process anything, she came over to me and balled her fist tight before punching me hard on the nose. I instantly fell to the ground and covered my nose with one hand. “How fucking dare you?” She then starts kicking me in the ribs as she continued to talk. “No phone call! No text message! No nothing!” She then kneeled down and took a tight grip to my chin to make me face her. “I almost killed myself because of you! You little shit!” She then slaps me hard across the face.

I knew I had this coming, but Mercedes knows better than anyone that I will not take a beating for long, not even from my own flesh and blood. I caught my breath as much as I could before getting up and spearing her to the ground. We fought in the middle of the street until one of the locals in the area threatened that she was going to call the cops if we didn’t stop.


After we split apart, Mercedes followed me all the way to my house. Brian was concerned, but we explained that it was needed and that we just needed to talk things out. He got a couple of ice packs for Mercedes and me and called Zack over to the house. Now my sister and I sit alone in my kitchen, just staring at the table as she held the ice pack to her eye and mine to my nose.

I sighed, finally deciding to break the ice. “Mercedes, I know you’re angry. And I know I hurt you.”

She cut me off. “Hurt doesn’t even begin to describe how I’ve been for the past two years Evelyn. I was destroyed when I found out you ran away. I almost convinced myself that Brian had hurt you or worse! When we found out you ran away, I went on this entire time feeling like as if it was my fault.” She sniffled. “I was so broken, Zacky almost gave up on me a couple of times. I avoided Isabelle for a few months, I didn’t even want to look at her because she looks more like you than me. I almost committed suicide! And you know better than anyone that I am not a suicidal person. And then to find out that you were pregnant on top of it all, I didn’t know what to think. I didn’t even think the baby was even alive, because Evelyn as much as I love you, you really don’t know how to take care of yourself, much less a baby! And let me ask you something, did it ever occur to you that you being out there somewhere and alone with a baby was worrying me to death?”

I put down the ice pack and began sobbing. “I wasn’t thinking about anyone else but me and Beatrix while we were away. I’m so sorry for not telling you anything. I was just so angry at everyone, and I know that is not a good excuse, but it’s the only excuse that I have. Because it’s the truth.”

“You’re right. It’s not a good excuse and I’m still as pissed as ever as to how selfish you were. But, you are my sister, and I love you no matter how badly you fuck up.” She sighed.

I looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. “So, are you saying you forgive me?”

She shrugged slightly. “I’m saying that it’s still going to take me some time, but I am glad that you are back. And you’re safe.”

We smiled at each other the best we could until our faces started hurting. Brian and Zack then walked into the kitchen and looked at us all bruised up. “What the fuck?” Zack said in shock.

Mercedes and I both laughed a little. “We had to settle some differences.” Mercedes responded.

“Yeah, I can see that.” He chuckled before kneeling down in front of Mercedes and took her hands in his. “You okay baby?”

Mercedes nodded. “I’m fine.”

Zack then kissed her eye and looked at me. “Evelyn. It’s really good to see you again.”

“You’re not mad at me?” I asked.

“It took a moment, but now I’m more relieved than mad. I’m hoping that now that you’re back, things can finally start falling back into place and we can all work on being a happy family again.” Zack smiled.

“We will.” Brian said before walking back to the living room and coming back with Beatrix in his arms. “Zacky, Mercedes, would you guys like to meet our daughter?”

Mercedes and Zack stayed still as they stared at Brian and Beatrix, but then Mercedes finally broke down in tears and walked over to Brian. “Oh my God, she’s beautiful!” She said before taking Beatrix in her arms with Zack hovering over her. They both looked down at Beatrix in awe. “What’s her name?”

“Beatrix Eliza Haner.” I said smiling at Brian. “But Brian calls her B.B.”

“Like in Kill Bill?” Zack chuckled, never taking his eyes off of my baby girl.

“Yeah.” Brian smiled as he walked over to me and stood behind me, placing both of his hands on my shoulders.

Notes

Okay DeathBats, I don't know about you, but I am extremely excited for the fact that Arin and Kimberly are having a baby! I promise that will be added on this fanfic in the near future. Thank you guys so much for reading and subscribing. I love you all and I am so blessed to be part of this awesome fandom <3