Written by Trish (@GimmeUnusual)

For a split second, I wavered back and forth between turning the car around and going full speed ahead to Portland. Something innate in me forced me to quickly pull it together and make a definitive decision—maybe it was my extreme stubbornness or my feminist attitude but I wiped my tears away, gassed up, and pulled back onto the highway.

“If he wants me—if he REALLY wants me, then he better come get me,” I obstinately declared.

*****

“Sabra!”
I got up from my desk and peeked into Micaela’s office. “Yeah?”

“I need you to write up a feature on Norman Sylvester,” Micaela said as she handed Norman’s contact information to me.

“Okay.”

“He’s a legendary Portland blues singer and he’s putting on a benefit on the 18^th called “Healing the Healthcare Blues.” I’m giving you an entire column so make it count.”

“I won’t let you down.”

I went back to my desk and sat, staring at the post-it note in my hand. It seemed like everything reminded me of Trey, even when there was little to no resemblance at all. I went from neatly, hand-written refrigerator notes from Trey to scribbled, post-it notes from Micaela. I desperately missed the refrigerator notes.

The first two weeks in Portland I was hurt that he still hadn’t come for me. By the third week I was furious that he hadn’t come. At that point my 6 week contract was over but Micaela asked me to stay on because the girl who I was filling in for was extending her maternity leave for a couple more weeks. Midway into the fourth week of my stay in Portland, I teetered between nostalgia and denial. I wanted to feel the wind blow through my hair as I sat holding Trey’s waist onboard Bailey. I wanted to swim in Salt River and lay in the grass as the sun beamed down. I wanted to hold his hand…feel his embrace…see his smile. It all seemed too good to have been true. Maybe in actuality Trey was a figment of my imagination. Maybe those memories and our love never existed.

It was on a Wednesday that Micaela called me into her office. She told me that my last day would be on Friday because her social columnist would be returning to work on Monday. I was still hoping she would ask me to stay on longer or even want to hire me permanently, but instead she told me to finish my last story by Thursday so it could be edited and added to Friday’s paper. She also told me they would be throwing me a farewell office party on Friday. I smiled graciously and told her that it had been a privilege working for her, but inside I was not too thrilled that my efforts had not conjured up a job offer.

Friday morning I paid extra attention to my appearance since all focus would be on me on my last day at work. I woke up 30 minutes earlier so I could add big tendrils to my hair. I applied make-up and put on my turquoise, sleeveless dress that fit snugly. A tiny yellow belt embellished my waistline and I added yellow espadrilles to bring it altogether. I was cute. Even as I smiled and admired my frame in the mirror, my heart still sunk from all the heartbreak. First, in not having the man I love come for me, and secondly for not doing a great enough job for the Tribune to hire me. All the compliments on my efforts meant nothing if I wasn’t offered a permanent position. Still standing in front of the mirror, my eyes started at my feet and worked their way up. When I reached my face, I forced myself to smile. I realized that tomorrow I would be heading back to Chicago and the thought of seeing my family forced a genuine smile to form.

When I got to work, the morning hustle of getting the finishing touches on tomorrow’s paper had already begun. I stopped in Micaela’s office to get my directions for the day but she was on the phone. She put up her index finger and just as I was about to back away, she waved me in to have a seat.

“It was my pleasure. It’s amazing!” Micaela said into the phone. “Mmhmm…well I can’t wait!” she replied as she twirled her hair around her finger.

It sounded as though she was flirting with the caller. Micaela listened attentively to the caller on the other end for a moment and then finally responded, “See ya soon.”

She hung up and smiled at me, “Sabra…oh my gosh, I can’t believe today is your last day. We’re going to miss you around here!”

“Well you don’t have to. You can always hire me!” I giggled.

“I would love to, but it’s just not in our budget right now. Katrina will be back from maternity leave on Monday and I won’t have any place to put you, but if anything opens up I’ll give you a buzz.”

“Okay,” I said with a nod.

“For your last assignment, I want you to go to Ms. Annabelle Tanner’s hotel. She’s a madam so undoubtedly that’s an alias. I want you to interview her. Here’s the address,” she said as she gave me a post-it note. “She’s expecting you at 11 so that gives you a little over and hour to get your questions together. She’s involved in sex trafficking and after the big sting a few months back, I’m curious to know why she’s still doing it. Get as much information as she will give you.”

“This is going to be interesting.”

“Yes it will. Gone and get to work.”

*****

I returned to the office a little after 2 PM and the place had been transformed. No one sat at their desks, no hammering on keyboards, no chatter, not even the presses and typesetters which were one floor beneath me but could always be heard were turned off.

I made my way down the aisle of the cubicles and Donald from sports peeked his head out from his cubicle.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

“In the cafeteria waiting for you. Let’s start this party,” he said as he grabbed my hand and led the way.

I could hear the chattering as I approached the room and once we entered, applause erupted.

Someone handed me a glass of sparkling apple cider and I was pushed in the front of the crowd where Micaela stood to address the mass.

“Sabra, we have really enjoyed working with you for these last eight weeks…”

“Is it eight? I thought it was about five since she got stranded and in the arms of a cowboy for about three,” Olivia heckled and laughed.

Olivia had become one of my good friends in Portland and I had told her the story about me and Trey. She thought I should’ve stayed but admired my strength in choosing my career over a man. I doubted my choice often but every time I thought about the fact that he had never come for me, it made me assured with my decision to leave. Olivia and I hung out a lot. She even went to the local corner store with me to buy a pregnancy test when I was three days late. And when I pretended to be happy about the negative results, she saw right through it and took me to the local bar and got me slaphappy drunk. I knew she teased me about falling in-love with a cowboy, but I still lifted my fist and gestured that I would black both her eyes. We all laughed.

“Well how many ever weeks it was, it was nothing short of fantastic,” Micaela continued. “We usually don’t do anything this elaborate for our freelance writers that come and go, but you have been tremendous. Your work is impeccable and you have such a good heart. We will truly miss you.”

I pressed my hands to my heart as I teared up while forcing a smile. “I’ll miss all of you too!”

“So Sabra I’m assuming you have not read this morning’s paper yet, huh?”

I shook my head no, as I wiped my tears away. Next Olivia handed me a paper.

“Your story on Norman Sylvester is on page eight. Open it up,” Micaela instructed.

I opened the paper and on the left column was my story. I looked up at Micaela, slightly confused.

“Do you see anything else,” she asked.

I looked back down, scanning my story from top to bottom. Everything seemed to be intact. It wasn’t the first time my story was in the newspaper so I never rushed out to buy it like I did in the beginning of my career. I looked to the right of my story and my own name jumped out at me. It read, “Sabra, My Love by Trey Neverson.”

I gasped, covering my mouth as water filled my eyes.

“He called me before you ever even made it here and asked me to fire you and send you back to him,” Micaela laughed.

I was speechless as tears drained from my eyes.

“He asked me if he could share his love story with me,” Micaela said as she approached me and held my arms. “I’ve never known a story as beautiful as the one he shared with me. It made me wonder what in the world were you doing here. So I lied, it’s not that you’re not in the budget, you just don’t belong here. But, I did speak to the Editor-in-Chief in Alpine, Wyoming, which I hear is the neighbor of Smoot. Since you come so highly recommended, he is willing to hire you. So you see…as much as I’d love to have you on my team, I have to give you up. It was my arrangement to have Trey not only write, but to allow me to run this lovely story.”

Micaela’s eyes shifted from me to slightly behind me. I turned partially around and saw Trey’s face. I dropped the paper in my hand and covered my face. I cried uncontrollably in my hands. I felt his hands come across my waist as he turned me fully toward him.

I flung my arms around him and held him tightly. The tears of joy wouldn’t let up as I hugged him with all the love inside me.

“I’ve missed ya so much,” Trey said.

“I…whimper, whimper…I thought you didn’t love me.”

“Of course I do lil bird,” he said as he lifted my head by my crown. He pushed my hair back as he continued, “I had ta let ya fly away n’ chase ya dreams tho. These last five weeks were harder than tryna put butta up a wildcat’s ass wit a hot poker. Oh shucks girl I missed ya like crazy. I didn’t wanna hold ya back tho so I said I’d wait until ya finished da job. But I’m here now and I ain’t leavin’ wit’out cha. Chu can write anywhere so Micaela here was gracious enuff ta call da Alpine Herald fa mey. Babe please come back wit mey. I know it ain’t no big city n’ all, but I’ll make it a home fa us. And if ya say no, then tell me where our home will be because that’s where I’ll be.”

I loosened my head from his grip, sniffling and trying to wipe my running nose with my hand. My co-worker Chanel handed me a napkin. “Thank you,” I muttered in a whisper.

Trey lifted my head back up, “Sabra…my love. I’ll love ya ceaselessly,” he said.

He wrapped his arms around me as I shed more tears. I couldn’t speak. My heart said so much but my brain was paralyzed, making me incapable of doing any more than crying. I felt another hand rub my back.

“She loves you too,” Olivia said. “She hasn’t let up about you in weeks. Now y’all can go on to the country and make 16 country babies, and raise chickens together.”

I burst out laughing. I got out of Trey’s hold and lightly swatted Olivia. She laughed as she scooted out the way. When I looked back at Trey, he smiled amusingly at me.

“I love you too,” I finally said. “I’ll go anywhere with you.”

He placed a soft, lingering peck on my lips and everyone cheered.

Heaven’s door had opened wide and a flash of light emitted. A huge smile covered my face as he held me in his arms. It was where I always belonged.

The next day as Trey was driving us back home; I finally took the time to read the article he had written. It read:

Sabra, My Love

The storm came and tore down the house I had built. With the strength of a thousand men, it overpowered me. I came crashing down and it continued to strip me naked. As I wearily climbed to my feet, exhaustion encamped around me. I wanted to give in for life just wasn’t as precious to me anymore. I found myself standing at the end of my rainbow with no pot of gold in sight. The sun became a dull corpulent object that left me in the dark. Gloom set in. It gave way to every haunting moment, every snatched memory, and every pilfered breath. Clean-up after the storm seemed impossible. I felt myself getting tired and at the ends of my ropes, but then you came…

You showed up on my doorstep, handed to me by God Himself. With one look into your angelic eyes I was a goner. You rescued me with your sweet light. You made me whole again.

Your hands slowly lifted me up and began to mold me. I was the clay and you the potter. Where no heartbeat was there, you added one. Where there was no fun, you slowly crafted it. You created a new me…one that is young, full of joy, and who laughs and plays. You designed love and infiltrated it into the core of my being.

Nothing in life is worth having if you’re not willing to sacrifice for it. I’ll gladly sacrifice these weeks of being away from you as you reach for the stars if it means I can have you for a lifetime. In you I found a home. In you I found forever.

Your love saved me. When I didn’t have a prayer or a second to spare, you saved me and not a moment too soon. Sabra, my love. My heart. My home. Will you marry me?”

 A Trey Songz Fiction Story

Dasia was laying on the couch resting her eyes and thinking. Trey comes over and sits on the arm of it opposite her.

(D) thinks God help me

(T) “You need another blanket or anything?”

(D) opens eyes “No, this is fine…staring at Trey…thank you for being here for me Trey.”

(T) “I wasn’t gonna let you go through this alone. We in this together.”

(D) “I know, but even though you said that, it didn’t necessarily mean you meant it. Most guys would’ve bailed and left me to handle this on my own. You didn’t, especially when it was something you weren’t completely for.”

(T) “I ain’t most guys either. You do know that by now right?”

(D) “Mmm…in one way I know it. I absolutely, positively know it.” Then she gets serious. “Trey…you know what else I know?”

(T) “What?”

(D) “You were crying. I saw you when you were in the kitchen…looks down, nervously twiddles fingers..I really hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me one day and not hate me.”

(T) “I could never hate you. I love you Dasia.”

(D) looks up at Trey bewildered “Why do you say that to me?”

(T) “Because it’s true. I wouldn’t be saying it if I didn’t mean it. Yeah, I was upset today…things just really hit me. For a short period of time, I was a father. I did hope you would’ve changed ya mind before the appointment, but you didn’t.”
(D) “You do feel some type of way towards me, admit it.”

(T) “I do, but it’s not hate. You think I’d still be here if I hated you?”

(D) “No, but you would have every right not to be.”

(T) “But I am here, even if I don’t agree with all your choices…smiles…Not being with me is one of ‘em.”

(D) throws pillow at him ”You’re full of shit! You know damn well you wouldn’t want to settle down with me. I just don’t believe it.”

(T) grins ”Yeah, you wouldn’t. I don’t know what it’ll take to break down that barrier you got up. It’s like the Great Wall of China ‘n shit.”

(D) “Come here, so I can slap you.”

(T) ”I’m serious. I can’t get through to you. Nothing that I say or anything that I’ve shown you means anything.”

(D) “That’s not true! It means a lot Trey, more than you’ll ever know, but I’m sorry if it still doesn’t change the way I feel.”

(T) “I don’t get women sometimes man. If a nigga hurt you so bad, why you even sweating dat shit? Y’all put so much energy in hating a man, than being happy about not fuck’n wit ‘em no more. It’s like y’all put more value on him, than knowing it’s his loss. I never understood dat shit.”

(D) “And you won’t. It’s not that simple Trey.”

(T) “No! It is that simple. Women just like to complicate shit.”

(D) “And men just like to simplify everything, which make women turn it into a big deal.”

(T) “See! Exactly what I’m talkin’ bout. What the fuck we arguing for?” He says candidly.

Dasia tries not to laugh. She smiles at him in admiration.

(D) sighs “Why do you have to be so wonderful?”

(T) “It ain’t me you really think is wonderful…it’s the way I put it on yo ass.”

(D) hands in the air “My ‘SD’ Whoop! Whoop! Which I can no longer have.”

(T) “Why not?”
(D) “I regretfully have come to the decision that I gotta cut you off Trey. I never thought I would say this, but you can’t fuck me no more.”
(T) “I ain’t tryna hear dat shit. That’s them drugs talking right now. Give ya body a few months, we’ll see if you on the same type time.”
(D) “I’m serious Trey. This pregnancy really made me think about what I’m doing with my life. I’m still clueless about it, but at least it got me thinking. I don’t want to hurt anybody anymore or be hurt by anyone.”
(T) “How you expect that not to happen?”

(D) “I quit. I’m done with sex, men, women, it all. Relationships are too stressful. I can’t deal.”

Trey gets up from where he was sitting and plants a rather tantalizing kiss on Dasia’s lips.

(T) “You sure you wanna be done with me so soon?”

(D)  smiles “Um, what was I saying?”

(T) “A bunch of bullshit!”

(D) “Hahaha! Ow! Stop making me laugh and trying to change my mind.”

(T) smiles “I’m sorry, its just when I hear bullshit I have to put a stop to it.” Dasia laughs again, but this time not as hard. “Nah, but seriously doe, how ya stomach feelin’?”

(D) “Sore.”

(T) “They gave you something for the pain, right?”

(D) “Yeah, but it’s not time to take anymore yet.”

(T) “How you feelin’?”

(D) “You know, that’s a loaded question Trey, one I wish I had an answer to.”

(T) “You sure you gone be okay here by yaself for a bit?”

(D) “Yeah, I’m tired anyway.”

(T) “Well, I’m bouta head out; let you get some rest, a’ight?”

Dasia shakes her head to respond. Trey could see that she was in a lot of pain emotionally. Her head never stayed up for long. She always managed to look down like her eyes were carrying a heavy load. He felt he owed it to her to give some type of encouragement, because he genuinely did care for her. What they share is a different kind of friendship, but one he valued. Contrary to what she believed, he did love her. She held a special place in his heart, one not too many women get a chance to hold; regardless of everything that’s taken place between them. He knew she was a diamond in the rough. He lifted her head with her chin and looked her in the eyes.

(T) ”You are so special and don’t even know it. Baby you can’t wallow in ya problems and not do something about ‘em. If it’s things in ya life that you don’t like, change ‘em. Don’t let ‘em stagnate you and pull you down. You deserve the world. You just gotta believe it too.” Dasia was speechless. She didn’t know what to say to that. No man has ever made her feel like she was deserving and what she wanted counted the way he did. Why she couldn’t believe it and get that through her own head she didn’t know. He kisses her again, but this time on the forehead. ”It’s something for you to eat in the microwave in case you get hungry later. I left a water bottle for you down there on the floor beside you. If you need anything else call me, but I’ll be calling you anyway to check on you.”

(D) “Okay.” As he was about to leave she grabs his hand and stops him in his tracks. ”Trey, thanks again, for everything. It really means a lot.”

(T) “You just relax! I’ll call you if I can’t come back through.”

Trey left out of Dasia’s apartment. She moved out of Jojo’s right after their big blow up and stayed with Roe for a few weeks until she found her own spot. It was definitely over with Jojo. Trey offered to give her money to move, but she didn’t want anything from anyone, anymore. She needed to do things on her own. She wouldn’t even let him help pay for the abortion. Her conscious wouldn’t allow her to take money from him for something she knew he really didn’t want. She felt maybe that’d give him some comfort in knowing he didn’t fully participate; at least that what she hoped, but didn’t count on.

Her place was a cute two-story one bedroom apartment with a master suite upstairs. Dasia was laying down on the sofa in the living room relaxing instead of being upstairs. She had just gotten the abortion and was happy Trey could at least be there for her once she came home. He had been there with her a good while too, before he had to go. Now she was alone, but honestly, she always felt alone. No matter who was in the room or lying beside her, she always carried around this sense of loneliness. She hated to admit it, but some mornings it was so bad she wished she didn’t wake up. She carefully got up off the couch and down on her knees. She had been feeling it was time for a change anyway, but Trey just confirmed it. She put her hands together to pray. A flood of tears began to fall before she even said a word.

“May 6th, 2013. This day will always be memorable for me. Whew! sniffs…wipes eyes…I haven’t done this in a long time. I don’t even know where to begin, but uh, I guess I’ll just go for it and say what’s on my heart. God, sometimes I wonder why am I even here. What is my place in this world? If I was gone, would I even be missed? That scares me the most. I so desperately want to be loved that I don’t even know who I am anymore. I started out as me and became a man’s, woman. Lost who that woman was and turned to another woman for comfort. I took her comfort and slept in it like a newborn child adapting to being outside of its mother’s womb. Eventually I felt safe, my heart was nurtured and protected. Things felt good…nice. No more hurting, so it seemed…it seemed…I found out quick that was a temporary fix. Only the beginning of the many ways my twisted mind fooled me into believing.” 

“I took what was given and mistakenly used it to fit in to my ‘ideal’ working relationship. I reasoned with myself saying, it’s not wrong if I only have sex with him, but care for her. It’s not wrong if I don’t love him, but love what he gives me, since she can’t. I should be allowed to make up for what’s been missing. No harm in that…right? I told myself it’ll only be for one night. Let me have that and get it out of my system. I mean, if he’s willing to give me what I need, than why not let him. Fix me!”

“I thought I needed him. Him…he. The male species has always been my weakness, but you knew that already. I thought I was done with the he’s and the him’s. But they hold something, something that a woman could never possess naturally, and since I got a good one all sense of self-discipline was easily lost. I was already lost though. I didn’t need any more help sinking deeper into my own pain. He came along, but wasn’t like the him’s. He was better, or did I make him out to be better? Was that all in my mind, because he made me feel better? Thinking I’m finally getting what I’ve been missing. Made my body come to life in places that I didn’t know existed. Had me fooled thinking it was only going to be for one night. One incredible night that had me craving for many more. He made me feel so good, I mean, so good that I turned into the person that once hurt me because he was thinking of himself.”

“God, I was thinking about myself, but with the choices that I’d made, also came real consequences. I mean, who thinks about consequences in the moment? I was gonna get me as long as I wasn’t hurting anyone. What’s not known can’t hurt is what my mind says, but it’s always putting its relentless spin on things. In Retrospective, who am I to say what is hurtful to someone else? Known or not. Secrets are hurtful, so is lying. I was hurting someone, first and foremost myself. Always running, trying to forget, self-medicating; being my own bad habit. Bad habits can be hazardous. Mine caused me to make a choice today that I’ll never forget. I put a price on a life that should’ve been priceless. Now I’ll have to pay that cost. You knew that was coming too didn’t you? Secondly, I hurt the ones who didn’t deserve to be disrespected, used and mistreated, when all I was given was pure love in return.”

“After my ordeal with Jojo, for the first time when I was looking at a reflection of myself; Girl on Girl, it wasn’t the same. I became the one that I despised. The one I spent all this hurt and energy on not forgiving. I didn’t know who was looking back at me anymore. She was the he that I had become. I now hate myself, but did I ever really love myself to begin with? I don’t know. It’s a lot that I just don’t know. I need some answers God. Wait! Scratch what I said a few seconds ago. I take that back. The one thing that I do know, is that I’m your lost little girl, who sadly needs your guidance. Your lost child who’s lived this life of relationships Boy and Girl, Man and Woman, and Girl On Girl, but my heart has yet to be fulfilled.”

“Something has always been missing. I think it’s time I’ve done it the one way that I’ve never done it before, God and Girl. I think that’s the best relationship for me right now. This is the first decision that I’ve made and actually feel good about it…smiles…what do you think? You know, one of my favorite artist Jill Scott, put it best in a song that I recently heard. Some of the words are, ‘God, please hear my call, I am afraid for me. Love has burned me raw. I need your healing…please…please…please.’ So here I am dear God, surrendering to you, praying that you’ll please hear my call. Guide my steps father, so that they’re moving in the right direction. Cleanse my heart, so that it can be filled with love and not contempt, and strengthen my mind father God, so I’m no longer weak to the ways of the world.”

“Another thing God, please forgive me and Trey for the life that we’ve taken today. I know that’s something that can never be replaced, but I’m making this vow to give you another…my own.”

“Amen.”

Even in the darkest of times God can be your light. There’s no pain or hurt too big that the almighty can’t heal. ”Seek and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened; ask and it shall be given…,” know prayer changes things.

Written by Trish (@GimmeUnusual)

The next morning we couldn’t seem to keep our hands off each other. Between the numerous over-the-shoulder glances, sidestep caresses, and uncontrollable grinning, it took us nearly six hours to complete our chores. He’d poke or tickle me every time he’d pass me and I’d giggle just like a little schoolgirl with her first crush.

I found myself daydreaming about him and constantly replaying our sexual escapade over and over again in my head. He had a carnal aura about himself that oozed a hallucinogenic agent that rendered me silly. With his cut off t-shirts, sweat-stained glistening skin, and a million dollar smile, I was intoxicated. He was FDA approved with a “Grade A” stamped on his derrière.

I had never enjoyed doing chores as much as I enjoyed doing them with him. Maybe it was the undeniable sexual tension between us or that I had gotten to see a different side of him, but I yearned for those moments with him. He was lighthearted, fun, and just downright playful. Even as he kidded around, I still saw traces of sadness whenever Reuben would brush up against him. He’d somber up and look into the distance as though his thoughts filled of Harold, but he’d soon shake it off and pat Reuben. My heart broke with every recollection, while also smiling at Trey’s strength. He deeply loved and missed him. So did I…

While we were bathing the horses, Trey pointed the water hose at me and fired.  I was so caught off guard that I tumbled over my bucket of soap water trying to get out the line of fire. I hopped right back up and Trey ran. I ran after him still holding my soapy sponge. He ran to the back of the house passed the sheep and was headed downhill. He was a good distance away but I didn’t slow down. Once he got far enough, he stopped and turned around resting his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. When I got close, he took off running again. I threw my sponge toward the back of his head but it bypassed him. I saw his head turn towards where it dropped and he fell out in the grass laughing.

“Did chu just really throw dat sponge at mey?”

I stopped, hovering over him as I tried to catch my breath.

“Chu look like a wet poodle,” he laughed.

I picked up the sponge from the ground and hit him in the chest with it. He burst out laughing even more. I plopped down beside him and laughed with him. He grabbed me up in his arms and looked into my eyes with laughter still in his.

“Chu okay?”

“Yes, but you’re gonna pay for this when you LEAST expect it! I tripped over that bucket.”

Laughing, “I saw!”

“Ohhhh that’s funny huh? What if I would’ve hurt myself?”

“Den I wuda kissed ya knee until it felt betta…or any otha part of ya body needa kissin’.”

I turned my head away and blushed, but he turned my face back towards him and kissed me softly. Suddenly I felt the ground move beneath me and birds began chirping loudly in my ear. I laughed in his mouth and he removed his lips and looked at me suspiciously.

“What ya laughin’ bout?”

“Nothing,” I said laughing harder. “Nothing!”

“Mmhmmm, chu laughin’ at mey?”

“No, I promise. I’m laughing at myself. It’s just…just dumb…it’s nothing. So…”

He looked at me, waiting for me to finish my sentence but I didn’t have another sentence. I just wanted to change the subject and not have to explain that I was laughing at my own dumb self for hearing birds chirping and the ground move as he kissed me.

“Sooooo???” Trey arched his eyebrows inquisitively.

“I…uh…nothing.”

Trey laughed loudly, “Chu so good wit words Miss writer.”

I shoved his forehead and pushed up from the ground. He laughed as he recovered his bobbing head. He still laid out on the ground looking up at me as I stood over him.

“Where ya going?”

“Back to the farm. We should finish washing the horses.”

He turned slightly over, grabbed the sponge and threw it at me.

It hit me right on my left breast and fell to the ground. I picked it up and threw it at him. It hit his arm and I took off running back towards the house.

I let out a loud scream as he surprised me, tackling me down to the ground. He was fast.

“Shh…shhhh…chu gone make da sheep bolt,” he muttered.

He flipped me over onto my back and kissed my lips again.

“Did I hurt ya breast? Want mey ta kiss it?” he asked amusingly.

I shook my head and laughed.

“Will ya go swimmin’ wit mey?”

“Yeah. Where?”

“Da River…Salt River just down da way. We can ride da horses there.”

“Okay. I have my swimsuit in my bag. Let me go get ready.”

“Aight. I’ll be out here. Imma finish bathing Haven fa ya.”

I smiled, rolled over from under his body, and climbed to my feet. We walked together back to the house and went our separate ways.

******

We rode Bailey down to the river.  I had never seen anything as beautiful. Snowcapped mountains in the distance, green foliage at every turn, and the bluest winding waters…it was picturesque. Romantic.

We stopped at the bank of the river and climbed down from Bailey. I rolled out the blanket while Trey tied Bailey up to a nearby shrub.  We lay, taking every inch of the scenery in. The air was pure, fresh, and warm. The sun glowed off the waters creating a reflective imprint. With each breeze, the trees and plants alike waved hello.

The rustling of the bushes, whistling of insects, and the canal crashing against the rocks produced the loveliest melody.

“Did ya see dat?” Trey grinned and pointed.

“No, what?” I curiously asked sitting up and looking in the direction of his finger.

“Da flounder. It jumped up outta da water, did like a summersault thing, and dropped back down.”

“Awwhhh, noooo I missed it. I can’t believe you’ve kept this place hidden from me for almost a week. Oh my gosh it’s gorgeous!”

Chuckling, “Yeah, it’s one of my favorite places ta zone out. I love it here. It’s peaceful and away from all da crazies in da world. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”

“Ever?”

“Ever. I’d neva leave my home. This is all I kno. Ya see I stayed even when mey family moved away. I’ve visited mey family in da city but it’s strange. Everythang is fast and in a hurry. No one eva stops ta smell da roses. Deadlines, watches, cell phones glued ta ya ears…Ion have any of dat. I don’t even own a watch or a cell phone fa dat matta. I hate da city. I feel like such a foreigner.”

My heart sunk in at that very moment. I knew here and now would be all we had. I could no more be a country girl than he could be a city boy…

******

Nearly two weeks passed and I was falling more in love with Trey. He kept showing me things that I had never seen before and doing things I had never done. I knew our time was almost up so I took advantage of every moment. Alec of Alec’s Auto Parts phoned Trey two days ago and told him that my starter had been shipped and should arrive in two to three days.

I sat on the couch flipping through a magazine and I can still remember the look Trey gave me as he said “Uh huh” in the phone, followed by “Aight thanks man.”

“What’s wrong?” I questioned.

“Nuthin. Good news. Ya part shud be here in two ta three days,” he said with a slight smile. Then he came and sat next to me and patted my thigh. “Guess I’ll be gettin’ rid of ya real soon. Tired of mey?”

My eyes teared up immediately and he put his arm around me.

“Shhh, its aight. Come visit mey some time,” he suggested, rubbing his hand up and down my arm soothingly.

I lay on his shoulder, wrapped up in his arm. He put his chin on top of my head and squeezed me tightly. After a minute, we decided to put the inevitable out of our minds and just enjoy the rest of our time together. We did so for the next couple of days, from hiking to riding a mechanical bull to canoeing down the river. That by far was my best memory of us.

Trey put the canoe on the back of his pick-up truck and drove us to Salt River. He opened the tailgate and dragged it onto the lawn. He lifted it over his head, carrying it over to the water as I carried his guitar. He put it in the water and held it for me to step in. He grabbed the guitar from me and held my hand as I climbed into the unsteady boat. He set his guitar in the center and pushed it out into the water. He jumped in and clutched the paddles. He wore a tank so every time he rowed his muscles flexed.

Once we got out a good distance, he let the slow current sweep us along. He played a fast tune on his guitar as he rocked his head from side to side. I swayed to a slower tempo, adoring his uplifting mood. I wanted to be 100% there but knowing that we were already into the second day of our three-day reprieve unnerved me. By tomorrow my car parts will be there and I would be leaving.

Trey drugged me out of my thoughts when he began to sing.

“Well, you had me from Hello.
I felt love start to grow the moment I looked into your eyes,
You won me; it was over from the start.
You completely stole my heart, and now you won’t let go.
I never even had a chance you know?
You had me from Hello.

Inside I built a wall so high around my heart, I thought I’d never fall.
One touch, you brought it down
The bricks of my defenses scattered on the ground
And I swore to me that I wasn’t going to love again
The last time was the last time I’d let someone in
But, you had me from Hello.”

When my body began to quack, he stopped singing and pulled me into his arms.

“I’m gonna really miss ya,” he said as he kissed my cheek.

“I’m…gon…” I whimpered. “I’ll miss you tooooo,” I sniffled.

“Stay.” He turned my upper body around to face him. “Sabra just stay then.”

“I can’t. You know that. I have to go to work. Micaela is already in my ass about this. She’s getting really impatient. Yesterday I thought she was just going to fire me. She’s really happy with all my research and the interviews. She said it’s very detailed and written well…I cannot NOT go now. Plus I’m under contract. Not to mention that I want this. You know that.”

“Yea, I kno and you’ll get it. I want it fa ya too. No worries. Let’s not even talk ‘bout it. I just wanna have a good time taday.”

“Me too,” I nodded.

When we got back to the coast, we sat in the grass, quietly holding hands. I couldn’t seem to control my tears and even though they shed silently, he noticed them instantly. He began to kiss my tear-stained face. He kissed up the trail, moving slowly and warmly till he reached my closed eyelids. He placed a single kiss on each lid and then traced his lips down the bridge of my nose.

His moist lips had a salty tang when they grazed passed my mouth and over to my cheek, returned, and then stayed there. I parted my lips and welcomed the intrusion. His tongue invaded my senses, paralyzing, blinding, and deafening me simultaneously. He lay me down in the grass, pressing his firm body against mine.

His hand twisted in my hair as his other hand gripped my thigh. The way he kissed me made me never want to leave but I knew staying meant giving up everything important to me and I rationalized that it wasn’t worth it. So for the moment I’d lay blissfully underneath him as he ravaged my body and make me see the Heavens.

He nibbled on my neck, sucking in my flesh, holding it there, and thrashing it swiftly about with his tongue. His hands began to tug at my clothes, undressing me, flinging mine then his in various directions. Our bare skin coiled, clutching one another as we grinded and groaned.

When he entered me, I bit down, clenched my pelvis, and buried my face into his neck. My walls closed around him creating a tight cocoon that left little wiggle room. He cussed as he began to slowly move inside me.

“Shhhh…ittttt…Uhhhhhh!” he hissed.

Behind my closed eyes were unshed tears. I had longed for this moment. I had dreamt of his manhood entering my passage and calling it home. I, all of me, wanted to be his home. He manufactured an indescribable, colorless, odorless sensation within me that evoked so much passion, pleasure, but most of all pain. Giving him up would be the hardest thing I ever had to do.

Our first was our last. For that I wanted nothing more than to give him all I had. I tightened my legs and arms around him and gripped him closely. With every dip into my basin my body eagerly melted around him. I couldn’t get enough. Our bodies tumbled across the field, resurrecting everything in our path. Our love made the flowers bloom and the gardens flourish. It didn’t heal everything though. Every sway of his hips was a poignant reminder of how well we fit. How well we balanced each other. Harmonious. Yin and Yang.

When we reached our peaks, the planets realigned. He lay on top of me, gathering his breath as his love pulsated and his semen whirled inside me. I was suddenly filled with emotion and choked out a cry. Trey pulled me onto my side and gathered me in his arms and held me there. We slept until we heard voices.

“Let’s get home,” Trey commanded. “Dat’s probly hunters or fishermen.”

We got up, put our clothes back on, and packed up our things.  The sun was starting to go down as we approached the house. Trey parked the truck in the front lawn and walked over to open the door for me.

“Gone on inside. Imma get ever’thang closed down out here.”

“I can help you.”

The phone rang and we both turned and looked toward the house.

“Chu can help mey by running in n’ gettin’ dat phone if ya don’t mind.”

I rushed in, “Hello?”

“Hi. Oh I’m sowry ma’am…I think I may have da wrong number.”

“Are you looking for Trey?”

“Oh yes. Yes I am. So I have the rite place?

“Yes, he’s outside but I can get him for you. Who’s calling?”

“Dis is Alec and if ya could just get him a message for mey I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course, what’s the message?”

“If ya can let him know dat his parts arrived today. If he want, I can wait for him to come by now and get em’ or he can come in da morn’g. It makes me no neva mind.”

“Can you hold a moment?”

“Sho.”

I went outside and relayed the message. Trey opted to go get the parts immediately so that he could begin working on my car first light. And we did. He worked while I packed and cleaned the house. By 9:30 in the morning, Trey had replaced the starter and had driven my car up to the farm. It was working perfectly.

I smiled a heavy and once again teary smile.

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For everything. God I can’t imagine what would’ve happened had anyone else been here. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Anytime,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me. “Any time ya in da neighborhood, swang on by.”

“I will.”

“Lemme just wash mey hands n’ I’ll help ya wit dem bags.”

He returned a couple minutes later.

“Sabra, why ion’t chu just leave n’ da morn’g?”

“It is morning.”

“Chu know what I mean. I mean tomorra morn’g.”

“I told Micaela that the parts would be here within three days and that’ll I’ll be there within 24 hours after getting them. I have to start this drive so that I can be at work in the morning. You should come with me. Or visit me. Maybe we can keep in touch.”

He hesitated and then shook his head, “Yea, we’ll keep in touch.”

He put all of my bags in the trunk and I threw my purse in the passenger seat. We both stood in between the driver side door eyeing one another. I was sketching his face in my head so that I could forever recall it. He made me want forever with him. He lifted my chin and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

“Get on outta here. Be careful,” he said as he waved me inside the car and closed the door behind me. He walked backwards until he reached the first step, and then turned around before I ever pulled off and went inside.

I drove off in tears, barely able to see the road. I didn’t want to look back. I couldn’t and I didn’t. I drove until I needed to stop for gas. I grabbed my purse from the passenger seat and behind it was the pink ballerina snow globe from Trey’s mantle. I picked it up and looked at her. I turned it over so I could turn the knob but there was a small noteattached.

My hands began to tremble as I removed the strip of tap and unfolded it:

Sabra, you are all I’ve ever wanted

and I knew it the moment you said Hello.

You woke something that was dead in me,

and you did it right in the nick of time.

 I’m forever changed because of you.

Thank you.

Love, Trey

A Trey Songz Fiction Story

Written by Syreeta (@Only1ME_Syreeta)

Dasia was so overwhelmed at this point that she couldn’t accept what Trey was offering.

(D) “You can’t possibly want me or this baby…no!”

(T) “I’m sayin’ what I’m sayin’ to you. How you gone tell me what I want? Listen to me, and I want you to listen good. I know we been kick’n it from time to time with no expectations from each other, but I want that to change. Dasia, I wanna have you in my life. I think we should do this and keep the baby.” Dasia tries to get up like she was escaping, but Trey pulls her back down. “Why you always tryna run from me? Sit here so we can talk.”

(D) “You’re only saying this because of the baby. You don’t really want me. You want what you can get from me.”

(T) “You think if it’s anything that I wanted I couldn’t get it from anybody else besides you? If that were true? Come on now Dasia, I can have sex wit anybody. I can have a baby  wit any female out here too, if it’s about get’n what I want. But it’s not about dat and it didn’t happen with them. It happened with you, someone I’ve grown to care about and love.”

(D) “Trey, I am in no position to be anyone’s mother. I wouldn’t make a good parent like you. You have everything to offer. Even with you traveling the way that you do, you’re still more stable than I am. I have nothing! I’m not ready for this.”

(T) “You wouldn’t be doing this alone. I’m gonna be with you, every step of the way.”

(D) “Why? Why do you even care? There are so many women that are much better for you than I am. Why do you love me?”

(T) “Because, you showed me something in you that’s worth loving. Yeah, it is a lot of women that I could be with right now, but none of them are you. It’s you I want.”

(D) “There are so many reasons why this would never work. We don’t belong together Trey. I don’t want to keep this baby! I’m not ready for kids. I’m not even ready for a relationship. I can’t give you what you would need from me. I’m incapable!”

(T) “And why is that?”

(D) “Because I have no trust in men.”

(T) “What have I ever done to you for you to doubt me and what I stand for when it comes to you?”

Dasia gets up and walks a few steps away stroking her temples. Her back was to Trey for a bit and then she turned around.

(D) “None of this was supposed to happen. We were only supposed to be friends with benefits. That’s it! It wasn’t about you and it wasn’t supposed to be about me. It was only supposed to be about sex.”

Trey walks and stands in front of her.

(T) “Well, to me it stopped being about only sex. My interest became more about you. I’m not saying that sex wasn’t a part of it, but that wasn’t the only reason why I wanted to see you. I enjoyed the time we spent together. You did too, so I’m not gonna stand here and let you tell me that I didn’t start to matter to you, because we’d both know you’d be lying.”

(D) “I think you’ve forgotten one major detail. I’m into women now.”

(T) chuckles “How long you gone keep up wit this charade? THAT’S SOME BULLSHIT!” He shouts in her face.

(D) “No it isn’t! I really do want to be with women.”

(T) “That’s what ya mouth say. Ya actions on some other type a time. I on’t give a fuck how much you try to say you into women, you’s a lying ass if you think I’ma believe that shit.”

(D) “Well it doesn’t matter what you believe. It’s the truth.”

(T) “Had ya first female experience and now you all into women…dat’s fuckin’ bullshit man! You ain’t into no women like that Dasia. Believe me, I done been around real lesbians and they ain’t fuckin’ wit no man no matter how good they could be fucked.”

(D) “They’re not me either. You can’t speak for me Trey! UGH!!! I gotta get out of here. I need some air. I’ll be back.”

She walks to the door.

(T) “Hold up! You ain’t leaving outta here by yaself. Hold on for a minute.”

Trey called his driver to come so he and Dasia could go out for a while together. As soon as they got down to the lobby Jojo was down there. She had been wanting to see Dasia, but had no way of finding out where she was or even gaining any access to talk to Trey. She was just about to leave when she saw them walk off the elevator. Dasia was scared straight when she saw her. Trey was surprised she was there. She folds her arms and looks at Dasia as she approaches.

(J) “Going to Washington, DC huh?”

(D) “Jojo what are you doing here? How’d you…”

(J) puts hand up “Save it!”

Now she looks at Trey.

(J) “It’s not enough that you have millions of fans that throw themselves at you all the time, but you just had to take my girl too huh?”

(T) “Look man, I ain’t gone stand here and argue wit a female over no girl…looks at Dasia…handle ya friend before I have her ass put out of here.”

(J) “You don’t run this building. I just wanna know why? Why’d you have to have what’s mine? You can’t find ya own bomb ass pussy?”

Trey grins shaking his head. Dasia interrupts.

(D) “Jojo that’s enough!”

(T) “I’ll be in the car.” He looks at Jojo. “You got one more time to say something sideways to me, before Imake yo ass shut the fuck up.”

Trey starts heading for the rotating doors. As he did this, Jojo runs up on him and jumps on his back. She wraps her arm around Trey’s neck trying to choke him. He grabs her arm trying to get her to move off of him, before he moved her. Dasia follows behind her trying to pull her off of him as Jojo’s smacking and hitting on Trey with her free arm. He was telling her she better get off him before he seriously drops her. She’s yelling all kinds of obscenities to him. She wanted him to do something to make her shut the fuck up, but Trey really didn’t want to hurt her. Since he told Buggzi he was going for a quick ride with Dasia, he told him he didn’t need to come. Luckily hotel security was near. They quickly reacted and grabbed her off, also pulling Dasia out of the way. Trey raises his hand pointing to security.

(T) “Yo man, y’all betta hold her. She come near me again I’ma fuck her ass up…crazy bitch!”

(J) “FUCK YOU!!!” She shot back. “DASIA I’M BURNING YOUR CLOTHES TOO, SO WHATEVER YOU DIDN’T TAKE, YOU WON’T BE GETTING BACK, YA HEAUX!!!”

(T) “Man get her the fuck outta here!” Trey yelled to security, since they were holding her letting her talk instead of throwing her out.

(D) “Trey are you okay?”

He looks at Dasia as if to say why wouldn’t he be.

(T) “That girl can’t do shit to me. She lucky I didn’t wanna knock her the fuck off me and drop kick her ass, tryna come at me like dat…man fuck diss shit! I’m going back up to the room. You still need some air, the car is right there. If not, tell the driver never mind for me.” Dasia decides to tell him never mind and goes back up to the room with Trey. “Whatchu doing gettin’ involved anyway, knowing yo ass pregnant. She could’ve kicked you or something by accident. I had her handled.”

(D) “I just reacted! She was nowhere near my stomach anyway. She was too busy hitting you than paying attention to me.”

(T) “She keep thinking she can fight a man, her ass betta be ready to take an ass whippen like one too.”

(D) “Trey, I’m sorry she reacted that way towards you. She and I aren’t seeing each other anymore…I can’t believe she followed me here.”

(T) “And you say niggas crazy? Yeah, okay.”

(D) “She’s upset because she knows about you and the baby and…”

(T) “Just tell me she ain’t the reason why you don’t wanna have it. All that other bullshit I don’t need to hear.”

(D) “No Trey! Me not wanting the baby has nothing to do with her. I told you already, I’m not ready to be a mother. I would be horrible at it. Mentally and emotionally, I’m just not ready.”

(T) “Why you didn’t say anything to me about something happening between y’all and you not staying there no more?”

(D) shrugs “I don’t know.”

(T) “Do you got somewhere else lined up to go?”

(D) “Not really.”

(T) “So what were you planning on doing then?”

Dasia gets in a huff.

(D) “I haven’t thought that far yet, okay! It just happened.”

(T) “You should’ve told me. You think I wouldn’t care to know that you and this baby didn’t have no place to stay?”

(D) “I’ll find some place to go Trey. Everything has just come to a head suddenly. I haven’t had a chance to breathe, let alone make any moves.”

He places his hands on the sides of her arms.

(T) “Let me help you. Be with me Dasia. I know we can make this work.”

She pulls away.

(D) “NO! I can’t! Trey I’m so screwed up right now. I am the last person you need in your life, me and this baby. I don’t want your help either. I’m not a pity case. I’ll be fine.”

(T) “How? Where you gone stay at, huh? Who else do you have to turn to? Tell me.”

(D) “I’ll figure it out.”

(T) “Why you keep resisting me man? Someone that only wants what’s best for you. Somebody that loves and care about you. Why you being this way?”

(D) folds arms…You know what your problem is? I think you’re so bent on doing the right thing that you’re losing sight of what the right thing to do really is.”

(T) “How you gone tell me what the right thing to do is when you can’t even see it for yaself.” Dasia was stunned. That was the first time that Trey made a snide remark to her. She eyed him for a few seconds. “Look, I didn’t mean for it to come off like that.”

She starts to walk away, but Trey grabs her arm. She yanks it away and keeps walking to the bathroom and slams the door once she’s inside. Trey went and sat on the couch. He was mad. His own feelings caught him by surprise. He didn’t expect to want more from Dasia, but somewhere along the lines his feelings changed. He thought, even if he wasn’t ready to be a father yet, what’s done is done and he wanted to do the responsible thing. It didn’t occur to him that Dasia would actually be against it, even down to being with him. To him this wasn’t about only trying to do the right thing. There were real feelings there.

They hit it off so well and surprisingly he fell in love with her. Their time together was something that he started looking forward too. Then there were the video chats that started coming more frequently, because he wanted to see her. He started missing her and how exotic she was. He liked how she was wild and fun, and kept things interesting. Now unfortunately, he knows her feelings weren’t mutual. Hers had never changed. Dasia finally comes out of the bathroom. She has her shoes off, walking barefoot, and sits on the couch beside him. She bends her legs back on the furniture.

(T) “I’m sorry for what I said to you.”

(D) sighs “Don’t be. You’re right. What do I know about what’s right when I haven’t been right in a long time. I can’t even look at myself anymore.”

(T) “Don’t go selling yaself short. You were right. I mean, I love kids and I do want to have a family one day. I thought that day had come sooner than planned, with you, but maybe now is not the time. I just thought if you knew how I really felt about you, than you’d know I didn’t only wanna be with you because of the baby. Can’t do nothing if you don’t feel the same way.”

(D) “Trey…gosh…I adore you, and I value the friendship that we’ve come to have, so much. I don’t want to lose that. You have been so good to me, better than a lot of men that that I’ve dealt with. I think if we became more involved and had this baby, it would change all that and ruin things. But the truth of the matter is, I really am not good for you…for anyone right now.”

(T) “Why do you think that about yaself? You hold on to so much hurt, and push everyone else away because of it, instead of finding the source and dealing wit it. When you gone let dat shit go?!”

(D) “I want too, believe me I do, but for some reason I just can’t.”

(T) “I don’t believe you do. I think you like holding on to it, so you can keep making excuses.”

(D) “You don’t know what I’ve been through Trey. You don’t know how it feels to make someone your whole world and have it snatched right up from underneath of you, like it meant nothing.”

(T) “Maybe I don’t know anything about that, but I know what it feels like to want someone so bad and they not want you back.”

Dasia’s lips started quivering and then came the tears.

(D) “I don’t know how to allow myself to really care for a man anymoorrre. What’s wrong with meee?”

Trey puts his arm around her and pulls her into him.

(T) “Me personally, I don’t think anything is wrong with you, but I can’t convince you of that. That’s a question only you can answer. I know one thing doe, I love you. I wish that was something you would allow yaself to believe.”

(D) wipes eyes “I’m such a basket case right now.”

Trey laughs.

(T) “You’ll be a’ight. I think a lot of it has to do with the pregnancy.”

(D) “Noowa…this is me…a weeping willow crying, because I got pregnant along with  other countless issues that I have, not because of my hormones.”

(T) “So you’re mind is made up about going through with the abortion then?”

(D) “I’d rather do that than go through 18 years of insanity.”

They both laugh a little.

(T) “I still think you would’ve made a great mom.”

(D) “I don’t know the first thing about parenting Trey, sorry to disappoint you. I don’t think I have a motherly instinct in my body. I’d be calling on you for everything.”

(T) “I’d been right there too.”

She looks up to him.

(D) “I know you would’ve been. Be honest with me Trey, are you upset with me at all, because this is what I want to do?”

(T) “I’m a little disappointed about things not going the way I’d hoped. Ultimately, it’s ya body and as much as I don’t like the decision, I’m not upset with you because of it. You don’t want to have the baby and I have to accept it.”

(D) “Sooo does that mean we both are in agreement then?”

(T) “Yeah, it’s whatever you wanna do.”

(D) “Then I’m gonna call next week to see about scheduling an appointment for an abortion.”

Trey had a grave look on his face. His eyes were concentrated straight ahead as if they were frozen still. He breaks his stare and turns a little to face Dasia. He places his hand on her belly. He really felt bad about the decision that they’ve come too, but he knew he couldn’t force her to do something she didn’t want, even though it was his baby too. With a heavy heart he apologizes to this life that’s no longer going to exist.

(T) “I’m sorry.”

That moment brought a tear down his face. It actually touched Dasia to see that. She realized this baby really did matter to him even though she was doubtful if she really did. She hated the fact that she felt this way and because of it, Trey and this baby has to suffer. She leans into Trey and hugs him. The tears started to fall from her eyes all over again. She knew whether she did this or not, there lives would never be the same. Her life already wasn’t. Her status is now pregnant, no more Jojo, and no place to call home. Where she was going from here, only God knows…

<BOOM> <BOOM>

My eyes snapped opened and I quickly sat up in bed. The sound of a loud shrill pierced my ears. My heart raced as I covered my ears to quiet the noise.

<BOOM>

The blast came again and the squeal ceased. I heard low cries and another boom! I flinched and covered and lowered my head.

I moved the sheer curtain to the side and peeked through the blinds.

“OH MY GOD!!!” I cried out in terror.

I ran downstairs, out the front door, and around to the back of the house.

Trey was on his knees and Harold lay stretched out in front of him.

No more than three paces to the left of Trey were a dead brown bear and a sheep. I stood over to the side, watching Trey rub Harold. I couldn’t believe my eyes. He kissed him on the forehead, backed up, and pointed his double-barrel shotgun at him.

“NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!” I screamed.

Before I could make it over there to stop him, he had shot Harold.

I fell to the ground, covered my face, and cried. I felt the air sweep across me as Trey passed by me. I looked up and my eyes followed his footsteps. He disappeared from view, walking to the front of the house. I scooted away from Harold and further over to the side. The grass was bloody and the sight sickening. I sat, holding myself as tears streamed down my face.

Trey reappeared with a shovel and a box of black trash bags. He began digging a grave for Harold. My cries became audible and my body shuddered. I couldn’t pull myself together. In just a few days I had fallen so in-love with Harold. I was just playing with him the day before. Now he’s gone and I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it.

I wanted to comfort Trey but I didn’t know how. We barely said two words to each other after leaving the bar. As a matter fact, two is all we said… “Good Night.” I watched him use the bottom of his tee to wipe his nose. He tried to be so tough but I noticed the tears he wiped away. I knew he loved him.

I looked up to the sky because the scene playing out before me was so unreal. The stars lit up the night sky. I stared out into the distance and noticed one star brighter than all the others. I smiled, imaging that it was Harold.

Trey grabbed a trash bag and tore it open. He covered Harold’s body and then grabbed another bag and did the same. He picked him up and gently placed him into the grave.

Tears streamed down my face as I watched Trey let out a sob and cover the grave. When he was done he held his head down and just stood over his grave. I finally found my strength and got up and held Trey in my arms. He wrapped his arms around me and cried on my shoulder. I rubbed his head and neck and whispered that everything was going to be alright in his ear.  We stood holding each other for a long while.

“Lemme get da sheep in da barn,” Trey said as he released his hold on me. Finally I realized that there were no sheep anywhere around.

“Oh my god, where are they?”

“Down da hill. Dey scattered when da bear came up. Reuben is wit em.”

“I’ll help.”

“Naw, it’s alright. Gone back ta bed.”

For the first time I didn’t obey him. I stood to the side so that I could help him when he was ready for me. He took another trash bag and put it over the dead sheep. He walked it over to a bin full of saw dust and dropped it to the side. He was nowhere near gentle with it like he was with Harold. Then he came back over to Harold’s grave and picked up the shovel. He spread the saw dust to the sides and put the sheep in the middle. Finally, he took piles of the saw dust and covered the sheep.

I leaned against the house, rubbing my arms as he walked back and forth. He looked at me and walked right passed me. He went to the front of the house carrying the bags and shovel with him. When he came back he was driving a tractor. He used it to lift up the bear.

Once he got the bear on the loader, he backed up and swiveled around to go back in the same direction. The dead carcass lay neck-high on the loader as it passed right by my face. It was too close for comfort that I screamed and ran. When I got far enough, I turned around to see how far away I had made it and Trey was laid back in his seat cracking up. I huffed and puffed, trying to keep my heart from busting out of chest and all I could see was Trey laughing his damn head off. I shook my head and finally joined him in laughter. He straightened up with still a hint of amusement in his face. I crossed my arms and walked further over to the side. This time I gave him a lot more space as he rode passed me with the tattered bear. I saw him still giggling as he drove away and then I heard him mumble, “Shuda went inside like I told ya ta.” I rolled my eyes and gave him a side eye that he couldn’t see and still stood my ground.

When he came back he whistled. I heard Reuben bark. I followed Trey to the edge of the hill and looked down. Reuben ran around the sheep to get them into a tighter heard. Then he took the lead and they followed him.

Trey opened the barn where the cows were and put the sheep on the other side.

“Is that enough room for them?” I asked.

“They stay huddled up so they’ll be fine. I’ll let em back out in da morn’g.”

I nodded my head. He locked up the barns and opened the door to the house. Reuben shot in first followed by me.

“Can I make you some tea?” I somberly asked, recalling the heavy events of the evening.

“That wud be good.”

Trey plopped down on the sofa and put his feet up on the coffee table. I headed for the kitchen and grabbed the kettle from the stove. I half filled it with water and sat it on top of the fire. I took two mugs and the tea out of the cupboard, and the sugar sat on the counter in a ceramic canister with flowers on it.

I placed my hands on the edge of the sink and leaned on it as I looked out the window. All I could see was Harold’s face…jumping on me…licking me…happy to see me. Tears filled my eyes as I saw the other images too…his torn body…blood seeping from everywhere…the sound of his whimpering.

The kettle whistled, bringing me from my thoughts. I dried my eyes and poured the water into the mugs. I added two scoops of sugar to each and stirred.

When I walked back into the living room, Trey had his head resting on the upper part of the sofa and his eyes shut. He peaked out with one eye when he heard me approaching and sat up.

“Thank ya,” he said as I handed him the cup.

“You’re welcome.”

He glanced at me and took his thumb and wiped away a tear that I had missed.

He held his head down and looked into the tea.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He nodded his head and then looked at me. “Me too. I know how much chu liked him.”

“What happened?” I tearfully chocked out.

Trey shook his head in disbelief as he gathered his words.

“I was in da bathroom and all of a sudden I heard Harold barkin’. I went downstairs and looked out da kitchen winda and saw just wat he was barkin’ at. A big ass bear. I ain’t neva seen any bears ‘round dis part. I see da sheep lain out on da ground just a cryin. Da bear was swinging at Harold and Harold kept backin up missin his blows. I went and got my shotgun and ran outside. Just dat quickly da bear got him by da throat and was mangling him. I shot at him and he dropped Harold ta da ground. Harold took just a couple steps and collapsed. I fired at da bear and it come tumblin’ down.”

“I thought I heard four shots though?”

“Ya did. I missed da first time cuz he kept movin’ as he wrestled wit Harold. Da first shot alarmed him and made him freeze and drop Harold. Then I got him in the gut wit the second shot. He let out this terrible wail and I shot him again to shut him up. Then I put dat poor cryin’ sheep down.”

“Is that why you shot Harold, because he was crying too?”

Trey leaned his head to the side. His eyes began to water but he choked it back.

“Yep. He was a good dog and he didn’t deserve ta be hurtin’ like dat. I owed him more than dat.”

I nodded and rubbed Trey’s arm.

We sat silent for a while, drinking our tea. It was a little past 3 and the adrenaline had worn off. We both yawned but neither of us saying good night.

Finally Trey broke the silence…

“Sabra, ‘bout last night…”

“Don’t even worry about it. It’s not even important.”

“Lemme finish. And its impotant ta me. I neva wanna hurt ya. I neva wanna make ya cry…dat breaks my heart ta see tears fallin’ from ya eyes. I thought last night was gone be special. I tried ta make it special fa ya and it seemed like ya was havin’ a good time. But den sumthin went wrong and it beats the hell outta me on wat I did. Watcha mean when ya said it means one thang ta ya and anotha ta mey?”

“I like you and…”

“Well got damnit I like ya too so what da hell is da problem?”

He made me laugh.

“You still seem so broken Trey.”

“I’m not broken. I was battered but not broken. Losing my wife and child da way I did left an permanent scar on my heart and I’m alright wit dat. Scars remind ya of what ya been through but dey heal. The pain goes away, but the scar says ya a champion, ya survived it.”

“I just don’t feel like I can compete.”

“Watcha tryna compete wit a dead woman fa?”

“Trey that’s not funny.”

“I’m not tryna be funny. I’m serious. Why there gotta be a competition? Wasn’t it chu dat said da heart grows larger, making room ta love mo’? Were ya just sayin’ it or do ya believe it? I got room fa ya Sabra.”

I smiled and teared up at his words. I shook my head and just looked at his beautiful face. His hand grazed my face.

I hungrily grabbed him by both ears and kissed him. He pulled me in close and penetrated. A sweet surrender. His tongue sent sensations all throughout my body. I clung to him, weakened by his embrace.

He laid me down on the couch and climbed on top of me. I yanked on his t-shirt and he lifted up to pull it off. He went to my neck, nibbling on it as he squeezed my breast through my nightgown. I moaned as his kisses trailed along my neck and up to my ear. His hands went up my nightgown, tickling my flesh as his fingers made their way to my breast. He fondled my nipples, returning his lips to mine. I felt him growing underneath me. I wrapped my legs around him, pressing him further into me. The pressure of his hardening manhood made me long even more for him.

He scooted down and lifted my nightgown above my stomach. He kissed my belly and dipped his tongue in and out of my navel. I groaned as my juices began to spill over.

His strong hands ran up and down my inner thighs. I opened my legs further for him. He licked up and down my thighs, sucking in pieces of flesh as he maneuvered across each inch of them. I arched my back and lifted my head when he used his thumb to massage my clit through my panties.

“Ahhhhh……..mmmmm shiiiiitttttt!!!”

His lips replaced his thumb. He sucked in my clit, lapping and slurping it between his lips. He lifted my thighs into the air and held them in his hands. His tongue began to take long strokes, wetting every bit of my panties. He growled in between my legs, shoving his head in, and rocking side to side as his tongue dug into me. A panty wetter at its finest.

“UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!” I grabbed his hair and squeezed. My thighs fastened around his face and he plied them back open and continued to feast. He applied pressure to my clit with both his lips and used his tongue to whip it. My little nub and body stiffened simultaneously.

My nails dug deep into his shoulder blades as I hit the pinnacle. My ass lifted from the sofa and my body began to toss about like a ragdoll. He gripped me in place, keeping me from hitting the floor but his tongue never let up, continuing to apply pressure. I squealed as waves flowed through my pelvic floor and all the way to my toes. I trembled aggressively enough to finally break his hold on me. I sighed a sound of relief as my body buckled and the strong sensation gave way.

I lay with my eyes closed while his hands continued to explore my body. He pulled my panties to the side and began to run his finger up and down me. He climbed on top of me and his dick had doubled in size. It was detonated and ready to explode. I opened my eyes when I felt his breath on my cheek. His eyes were low and seduction radiated from them. I wrapped my arms and legs around him and crushed him against my body. His waist began to move forcing his shaft to rub gently over my clit.

I loosened my legs enough so I could get my hand in between us. I wiggled my hand into his pants and he let out a low groan as he lowered his head. I tried to roll him over but it wasn’t an easy maneuver on the small couch. We laughed as our body parts got entangled and slumped down into the sofa cushions.

After a little effort, I got him onto his back. I massaged his dick, starting off slow but quickly speeding it up as his moans intensified. He didn’t require much of me…just a few pumps and he jerked and spit up. I laid my head on his chest and giggled.

His arm caressed my back and when I looked at him he had a big grin on his face with his eyes shut. He opened them, looking down at me smiling.

I grinned and he grinned back.

Our smiles faded as we glared into each other’s eyes.

“Chu are so beautiful. I just can’t seem ta take my eyes off ya,” he said.

I pulled myself up to him and kissed his cheek. He wrapped his arms around me and we closed our eyes…

A Trey Songz Fiction Story

Written by Syreeta (@Only1ME_Syreeta)

Jojo was waiting for Dasia to respond to her question about her talking to Trey. She really was curious about what was going on.

(D) “Nothing’s going on. It wasn’t Trey. I mean it was, but not the Trey that you think. I have a new trainee at work Treniece, who we call Tre, for short. I was giving her instructions on what I needed taken care of, since I’m not gonna be at work tomorrow.”

(J) “Oh. I just never heard you talk about her before. You usually mention different things when it comes to work.”

(D) “So now you want to make this a big deal too?”

(J) “No! I was just…never mind. I don’t want us to start arguing again. Here’s your soda. Do you want your crackers up here or should I take them downstairs?”

(D) “I’m sorry. I’m just tired. You can just leave the crackers on the dresser. Thank you too for going to the store for me.”

(J) “Are you feeling any better?”

(D) “A little. My stomach seems to have settled some.”

(J) “Well, don’t get mad, but I have someone that I want you to meet.”

(D) “Who?”

(J) “Remember I told you about Peaches? Well, she’s here and I really would like to introduce you to her.”

(D) “Why is she here?”

(J) “Because I told her she could come by. I saw her in the store and somehow or another we got on the topic about food. I told her how I had cooked and it was a lot of food that was left, so I invited her over. Besides, I rarely get to see her since she’s always flying.”

(D) “Jo, I’m not up to meeting her right now.”

(J) “All you gotta do is say hi to her, that’s all. It’ll only take a second…please?”

(D) sighs “She’s downstairs right now?”

(J) “Yeah. Come on. Just a quick hello.”

Dasia gets up and heads down the stairs with Jojo following behind her. Peaches was sitting on the couch in the living room didly-dallying with her phone. She looks up when she sees the two of them approaching. She smiles.

(J) “Peaches, I would like for you to finally meet my girl Dasia. Dasia, Peaches.”

The two of them speak and shake hands.

(P) “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Jojo talks about you all the time, now I can put a face with who she’s talking about.”

(D) “Nice to meet you too. You’ll have to excuse me though, I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I won’t be able to join the two of you.”

(P) “Oh! Sorry to hear that. I understand completely. Well, I hope you feel better.”

(D) “Thanks!”

Dasia kisses Jojo before she heads upstairs again. Jojo was all smiles as she looks at Peaches.

(J) “So are you ready to get some of this food that I made?”

Peaches facial expression changed as soon as Dasia went upstairs.

(P) “Come with me outside for a minute Jojo.”

Jojo looked at her curiously wondering why she wanted to come outside and not eat. Peaches automatically starts heading for the door, so Jojo follows her.

(J) “And why did you want me to come back outside? I thought you were hungry?”

(P) “I’ve saw her before.”

(J) “Dasia?”

(P) “Yes!”

(J) “When? And where?”

(P) “She was on a video chat with Trey Songz. He was on one of my flights a few weeks back. I was being all nosey first of all, because I love him. Secondly I remember her face, because I was jealous.”

(J) “Are you sure that was her?”

(P) “Does she know Trey Songz?”

Jojo hated to admit it, but she knew Dasia did know Trey. That just made her think about the phone call that she just had and said it was someone named Treniece. She played if off, since she didn’t want to look foolish.

(J) “No! She’s never met Trey Songz. She would’ve told me that by now. That was probably just someone that looks like her. I mean, how good of a look could you had gotten anyway?”

(P) “I poured him a drink a few times and she was up on his screen for a minute. He wasn’t hiding it either and he was doing a whole lot of smiling. I remember, because she was all kinds of bitches, tramps and sluts in my head.”

(J) “I’ll have to ask her about this.”

(P) “No, don’t do that, because she’ll probably think I’m the one that’s filling your head with things, since you’re gonna come out of nowhere asking her this. I would just pay close attention to things. He’s always here in town. Maybe they’ll hook up or something, because I am pretty sure that was her.”

Jojo was quiet for a minute. What Peaches told her threw her for a loop. The ironic thing about it, was she couldn’t even come to Dasia’s defense with a real comeback, because Peaches could’ve been right. Peaches changed her mind about dinner, so her and Jojo called it a night. Dasia was sleeping when Jojo came into the room after Peaches left. She knew Dasia was down for the night, because she was nude. She got under the covers and laid there beside her with her right elbow bent and hand holding her head up, staring at Dasia while she slept. She didn’t want to believe that Dasia had been lying to her, but her gut feeling was telling her that she had been and Peaches was right. She decided to take her advice and not question her about it yet, and just pay attention. She was now on watch patrol.

*******

5 days later

Dasia receives a phone call from Trey confirming that he was going to be in town that next day, since she was previously told it was a possibility. He gave her all the info on where he would be staying and what time he would be free. As much as Dasia was happy that she and Trey could finally talk, she wasn’t looking forward to it. She had all kinds of thoughts going through her mind about him possibly telling her that he wanted to keep the baby. Him asking her what her thoughts would be on that terrified her. She was convinced that once he knew she was pregnant an abortion would’ve been something he automatically would’ve wanted. Now she wasn’t so sure. That would be the last thing that she needed to hear; him wanting it. She knew that would create another problem between them, which was something else she couldn’t afford.

The next morning Dasia decided to remind Jojo that she was going to be riding with Roe to Washington, D.C, to take family home. That was her cover. She was up in the bedroom gathering her things in her overnight bag when Jojo came in the room.

(D) “You remember I’m going with Roe today right, and won’t be back until tomorrow.”

(J) “Yeah I remember. What time is she picking you up?”

(D) “Well, she’s not. I’m going to drive over there, since it would be easier to leave from her house.”

(J) “Hmm. I can drop you off if you’d like?”

(D) “No, that won’t be necessary. I have a few things I need to do today before we leave, so it’s no problem.”

(J) “Really? Like what?”

(D) “Well we’re going to be in the car for a few hours, so I just wanted to stop at the store and make sure we have plenty of snacks, oh I also wanted to get me some new ear phones.”

Jojo stops Dasia as she was about to walk over to the closet. Something just didn’t seem right. She sensed Dasia was nervous and off balance for her to be going with Roe. Jojo’s eyes stroll back and forth inquisitively on Dasia.

(J) “Do you really have to do this?”

Dasia nervously smiles. Jojo’s sudden demeanor threw her off.

(D) “I told you this last week that she may need me to come. I’m not gonna change my mind now. She wouldn’t have no one to ride with her.”

(J) “Maybe Brenda or Missy could go with her.”

(D) “They weren’t able to come, that’s why I told her I would go.”

(J) “So you weren’t her first choice?”

(D) “What’s with you? Why do you seem like you have a problem with me going all of a sudden?”

(J) “Maybe because I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay here with me. I’m suddenly not feeling too well; might even be catching what you had. It’d be nice if you could be here with me.”

(D) whines “Aw Jo! Come on! Don’t do this now! I promise as soon as I get back I’ll do whatever you need me to do to take care of you.”

(J) “So riding with her is more important to you than being here with me?”

(D) “No, but it’s too late for me to cancel on her and I don’t want to do that to her.”

(J) “But you can let me down.”

(D) sighs “I can’t believe you’re acting this way when you knew I might’ve been going with her days ago.”

(J) “Call her and see if she’ll mind you cancelling. Better yet, I’ll call. What’s her number?”

(D) “NO!”

Suddenly Dasia’s phone started ringing.

(J) “Oh! Maybe that’s her now.” Jojo quickly eases Dasia’s phone out of her pocket before she could get it and moves away from her to answer it. She saw it said “SD” and pushes the button anyway to say hello. She heard a male’s voice that she recognized. Dasia was finally able to snatch it out of her hand, since everything happened so fast. She noticed it was hung up. “That was Trey!” Jojo yells.

(D) “WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU?!”

(J) “OH MY GOD! IT’S TRUE!”

(D) “What’s true? What are you talking about?”

(J) “You’ve been still talking to Trey haven’t you?”

(D) “I haven’t spoken to Trey since we saw him at the show.”

(J) “STOP LYING TO ME DASIA!!! I ALREADY KNOW THE TRUTH!!!”

(D) “I don’t know what you think you know, but it’s not the truth, since there’s nothing to tell.”

Jojo was beyond infuriated at this point. She had reached her limit with the lies. She pushes Dasia. Her body is forced into the dresser with a mirror on it. “OW!!! JOJO STOP IT!!!”

She traps her body in between her arms with her hands planted firmly on the dresser.

(J) “So you’re gonna still sit here and lie to my FACE when I KNOW what’s been going on? You know, I was hoping you would’ve come clean and just been honest with me…tears fall…I gave you a chance, thinking maybe you cared about me enough to finally do the right thing. I can see now that you don’t and I was wrong for giving you the benefit…shakes head…I’ve been a fool…such a fool…”

That made Dasia think twice. She was too upset and pretty adamant about knowing something to be bluffing. She decided to come clean.

(D) “Jojo I can explain…”

Jojo reached her breaking point.

(J) “WHAT IS THERE TO EXPLAIN?” Dasia flinches. “I DON’T NEED YOU TO TELL ME THAT I’M NOT A MAN AND I DON’T HAVE A FUCK’N PENIS! YOU’VE BEEN LYING TO ME…ALL THIS TIME…cries…WHYYYY…WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO MEEE…”

Dasia cries too.

(D) “I never meant to lie to you and for things to get this out of control. I’m sorry…I’m sooo sawry…”

(J) still crying “NO DASIA…YOU’RE NOT…speaks softly…you’re not…raises voice…You’re only sorry you got caught!”

(D) “That’s not truuue.”

(J) “Here I am busting my ass to make you happy, but I should’ve listened to my own intuition. You’ve been so different lately and I always thought it really didn’t have anything to do with me like you said. I thought maybe you were still confused about your emotions, since this was new. I had all kinds of excuses for you, but that’s all they were, excuses. Now I know why you’ve been pulling away. Well, if you think you’re gonna have ‘daddy’ around and he’s gonna stay faithful to you, than you’re a fucking fool too.”

Dasia could feel her heart in her throat when she heard her say daddy. She figured that’s why she was so upset. She knew about the baby.

(D) wipes eyes “I don’t expect him to do anything. I’m not keeping the baby nor do I want us to be together.”

(J) “Uh huh! Baby!!!” She moves and paces the floor for a minute. “A BABY????” covers face

Jojo has nothing to say for a few seconds. She finally removes her hands. Her eyes really started making puddles. She sits on the bed and starts bawling. Dasia didn’t know what to think at first, because Jojo initially laughed, but once she heard her crying, Dasia’s feelings changed. She knew that really took her by surprise. Dasia closes her eyes just wanting to be taken away. She was so confused and didn’t know how to make things right. More tears fell down her face. She thought the baby was something that she knew already, since she said daddy. She sits beside her on the bed. Jojo immediately gets up. They both stare at each other.

(D) “Jo, I don’t understand. If you didn’t know about the baby, why did you call Trey a daddy?”

(J) “I saw when he called it said ‘SD’, so I assumed you called him something with daddy on the end. Do you think I would’ve pushed you had I’d known?”

(D) “I just thought it was because you were so upset.”

(J) “Oh my God!” she says shocked. It was like reality had just sunk in. “Now you’re gonna have his baby?” She walks over and gets back in Dasia’s face. Now she was being malicious. “I guess the best fuck won, right? He showed me! Performed the one act that I could never pull off…well congratulations!!! Now I want you to perform one and disappear.”

(D) “IT WAS A MISTAKE! YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME!”

(J) “I DON’T HAVE TO BELIEVE SHIT!” she snaps back. “YOU’RE A LIAR AND CHEAT! I WANT YOU OUT OF MY HOUSE, NOW!!!”

Dasia grabs Jojo’s shoulders as she was bent over in front of her pleading with her as she cries.

(D) “BUT I DON’T WANNA LEAVE!!! I DO WANT TO BE WITH YEWWW…PLEEZE BELIEVE MEEE!!!”

Jojo pulls away.

(J) “Go be with Trey, yo baby daddy. He seems to be able to give you what you really want. As for what I want, is for you to be out of here before I get back.” Jojo leaves.

Dasia angrily and upsettingly gets up and finishes gathering her things that she was taking with her to see Trey. She stopped crying enough, to call him back first and let him know she was on her way. Then she left. Jojo was close by and decided to follow her. Dasia’s mind was so distracted she didn’t even notice. As she was driving she didn’t know what she was gonna do. She felt more alone now than ever. Once she got to where Trey was staying, as soon as he opened up the door to his suite, she broke down and cried on him. He brought her in and sat her down on the couch and comforted her as she cried on his shoulder. He was thinking she was upset about the pregnancy.

(T) “You gotta stop crying like this. It ain’t good for the baby.”

(D) “It don’t matter anyway,” she pouts.

(T) “Look, I been thinking and I don’t want to keep seeing you every once in a while like we’ve been doing. I really wanna be with you Dasia. I want us to be together, as a family.”

Dasia sat up and looked at Trey in disbelief.  He said the word family.What she feared, had come true…

Written by Lady AJ (@LadyAJ03)

Natalie’s hand shook violently as she opened the package her sister left behind. Biting her lip she went to grab a cigarette only to have it snatched away by Trey. Tears welled up in her eyes out of fear and Trey’s impatience only made her feel worse. A white box covered in a white bow was inside with a letter taped to the top of it. Backing up until she felt a wall, Natalie slid down slowly and unfolded the paper, clearing her throat.

Natalie: Nevermind. You don’t have to stay…it looks like you don’t really want to anyway.

Trey: Just read it.

Natalie: Natalie, I always wanted to call you Nat. I guess if you are reading this I’m not there and you are. I just want you to know I put this box together to help you discover what has been hidden, the things that connect us. Please open the box alone, I know Trey and I’m sure he respected my wishes and kept everything safe for you. I hope you find what we always needed…I hope you find me. Please be strong for my Superman Trey…even as I write this I can’t imagine being away from him for one second. Take care of him and know that I forgave both of you when  you told me about before. I kept alot from you but I have so much to share now…once you are able to accept it. I love you sis and I’m closer than you think…just touch your heart. Love always, Alyssa.

Trey found himself seated next to Natalie choking back tears while her head rested on his shoulder.

Trey: (extending his hand) You cool?

Natalie: (interlocking her fingers with his) I’m gonna be ok.

Their pain covered them and they understood eachother more than ever before in that moment. Natalie couldn’t bring herself to ask him to go but she was determined to follow Alyssa’s instructions even if that meant being alone without Trey’s comfort to help her.

Natalie: You gotta go…

Trey: I can stay if you want me to.

Natalie: You have to go. This is between me and my sister. Let me walk you out…

Trey: Im going to stay for tonight…in my room…in case you need me.

Natalie: You don’t have to…

Trey: I know. But I’ve been where you are…so I am…Goodnight.

Natalie sat and waited until she was alone before completely breaking down. She couldn’t pinpoint the pain…it just covered her. Opening the box she spotted a key with a note attached to it. Unfolding the small piece of paper she read the address marked on it…an address that seemed very familiar. “Go here and open the door” was written in small print.

Natalie: Damn…What is this?

(Meanwhile)

Joselyn paced back and forth, wondering if what she was doing was really going to be worth it in the end. Staring at the lifeless beauty in her bed she chewed on her nails nervously, waiting on her next move.

Joselyn: Wake up dammit!

Pacing around she jumped when the phone finally decided to ring.

Joselyn: You took long enough Damon!

Damon: How’s the patient?

Joselyn: Fucking unconscious! What have you gotten me into!!!

Damon: She’ll be fine…I just hope she doesn’t wake up before I get there. I’ll be there in an hour…I’ll explain everything when I get there….

Joselyn: What am I supposed to say if she does?

Damon: Nothing…you say nothing! Got it…

Joselyn: But…

Damon: Just watch her (click)

Taking a deep breath, Joselyn told herself Damon knew what he was doing. When the beauty she was sent to watch began to flutter her eyelids she gasped.

Joselyn: Dammit! I know I said wake up but go back to sleep!

Woman: Where am I now? Why can’t I see home anymore!?

Joselyn: Damon said you were getting to excited. We had to move you and give you a little something to calm down. I was afraid I gave you too much.

Woman: I can’t see him!

Joselyn: Why would you want to watch him when you can’t go home?

Woman: I love him!!!

Joselyn: look…this is the last thing that came up before the feed went out…he’s sitting up with someone else…move on girl …he has…

Woman: He thinks I’m gone forever…

Joselyn: You are…and once we get your precious Natalie where we want her you will all be together in no time…

Woman: You don’t even know me…what drove you to go along with this!?

Joselyn: Call it family ties…you have your sister…Britt was like mine…

Woman: I didn’t hurt her!

Joselyn: Save it…Alyssa!

Damon: (walking through the door) Look who decided to join us…are you gonna make it or do I need to knock your ass out again?

Alyssa: It’s been a year…he gets the point…I’m dead…you got your way…just leave Natalie and my family out of it!

Damon: It’s not that simple and you know it.

Alyssa: You’re just as twisted as Brittany!

Damon: (Slapping her face) I told you never to say her name ever again! (Laughs) how am I twisted when you faked your own death and left your kids…

Alyssa: To keep them safe! You promised you wouldn’t…

Damon: In the end you still don’t know shit…don’t you know that the bad guys never keep their promises?

Alyssa: Why can’t I see the house anymore?

Damon: I said so…

Alyssa: I hope you are enjoying your not well thought out plan…

Damon: Oh it’s well thought out…Ms. Natalie has Trey eating out of the palm of her hand…we’ll have him in them panties and not thinking about you in no time!

Alyssa: Fuck you!

Damon: I know…it’s been a minute…but you not fuckin me until I say we are…Joselyn…hit her with the heat and put that bitch back to sleep…

Alyssa prayed that the clues she left behind would fix everything before it was too late.

(Back to Natalie)

Natalie: (yelling) TREeeeeyyy!

Trey: (Rushing into the room) What’s wrong?

Natalie: Can I borrow you for a few days?

Trey: For what?

Natalie: Alyssa wants me to go to this address…I don’t want to go alone. I know she said to do this alone but I need support.

Trey: Ok…I’ll go…

Natalie: You been drinking?

Trey: Why you worried about it?

Natalie: I was just about to roll one up…I’ll share if you do…

Written by Lady AJ (@LadyAJ03)

Natalie’s hand shook violently as she opened the package her sister left behind. Biting her lip she went to grab a cigarette only to have it snatched away by Trey. Tears welled up in her eyes out of fear and Trey’s impatience only made her feel worse. A white box covered in a white bow was inside with a letter taped to the top of it. Backing up until she felt a wall, Natalie slid down slowly and unfolded the paper, clearing her throat.

Natalie: Nevermind. You don’t have to stay…it looks like you don’t really want to anyway.

Trey: Just read it.

Natalie: Natalie, I always wanted to call you Nat. I guess if you are reading this I’m not there and you are. I just want you to know I put this box together to help you discover what has been hidden, the things that connect us. Please open the box alone, I know Trey and I’m sure he respected my wishes and kept everything safe for you. I hope you find what we always needed…I hope you find me. Please be strong for my Superman Trey…even as I write this I can’t imagine being away from him for one second. Take care of him and know that I forgave both of you when you told me about before. I kept a lot from you but I have so much to share now…once you are able to accept it. I love you sis and I’m closer than you think…just touch your heart. Love always, Alyssa.

Trey found himself seated next to Natalie choking back tears while her head rested on his shoulder.

Trey: (extending his hand) You cool?

Natalie: (interlocking her fingers with his) I’m gonna be ok.

Trey: I know you probably feel like I did…like it’s not real…

Natalie: Yeah…but at the same time I feel empty…I had no idea losing her like this would make me feel so alone…

Trey: I say that every day…I need a drink…

Natalie: You sharing? I got the weed.

Trey: Fire it up!

Natalie: (giggles) What happened to ‘Thats Bad For You’?

Trey: This is an exception.

(A couple hours later)

Trey: You know…you only get one soul that mates with yours…I loved her…

Natalie: I don’t want to talk about her anymore…

Trey: (hitting the weed)  What’s in the box?

Natalie: (Pouring another shot) She said not to let you see…

Trey: She’s not here…

Natalie: (opening the box) If I show you…I need you to be there for me…don’t be on no bulllshit!

Opening the box she spotted a key with a note attached to it. Unfolding the small piece of paper she read the address marked on it…an address that seemed very familiar. “Go here and open the door” was written in small print.

Natalie: Damn…What is this?

Trey: Damn that shit all the way in Cali…

Natalie: Come with me…

Trey: I don’t know…the kids…

Natalie: Yeah you right they come first…but if you can…I mean…it would…

Trey: I’ll go…

Natalie: You don’t have to…

Trey: I said I’m going…give me that bottle.

Pouring what was left down his throat, Trey attempted to stand and grab another bottle, losing his balance, falling on top of Natalie’s small,curvy frame.

They stared into eachother’s eyes for a second silently. Trey studied her face and his mind drifted back to some of the moments they shared. Trying to lift up he felt her arms pull him back down onto her body and for the first time since losing Alyssa his body responded.

Natalie: Remember when we used to get drunk and play football with the couch pillows on the floor. You would tackle me just like this.

Trey: Im fucked up…I need to get up…

Natalie: (laughs) Looks like I already got you up…

Trey: Im sorry…

Natalie: ( quickly kissing his lips) I’m sorry too…

Written by Lady AJ (@LadyAJ03)

Smoke passed a blunt to AC while they drove away from the courthouse.

AC: Where was she?

Smoke: I delivered the message…

AC: She know what happens when people ignore me…

Smoke: I’ve been watching her…she hasn’t left town and I haven’t seen her in the mix with nobody that knows anything…

AC: Good. What about her new friend?

Smoke: That singin ass nigga Trey Songz? He not a threat.

AC: But he fuck with Dimples

Smoke: He don’t know shit….

AC: Make sure.

Smoke nodded to accept the order and stopped in front of a parking garage.

AC: I’ll be in touch..don’t tell Lex I made bail….we need to run into each other….

Trey posed with a beautiful model in his lap. Topless, she cupped her itty bitty titties with her hands and threw her head back, tickling his face with her wild, bouncy curls. Feeling her begin to shift and grind he gripped her hips to stop her, demanding professionalism.

Photographer: I think I got the shot.

Beauty: Trey…I was thinking…

Trey: I gotta go…

As beautiful as she was her main flaw was that he could see right through her.

Trey: I’m skippin the gym and going home Buggz…

Buggz: We got that party…

Trey: Ahh shit I forgot….

Buggz: you been slippin…

Trey: I know…got hella shit on my mind…

Giving his old friend a look he let him know he wanted the conversation to end. Thinking about everything he had lined up was draining, trying to understand Lex was frustrating and a vacation was impossible. Weeks had gone by without a word from her so he assumed he was right…she had another nigga. Lifting his phone he went to call but decided against it. Looking back at the honey still thirsting for his attention he offered a wink and motioned for her to come close.

Trey: ( Flashing a smile) What you doing tonight?

Lex ran steadily on the treadmill with her favorite songs blasting in her ears. She was in the zone. Focused. Tuning out the world was the only way she could escape it. She didn’t know where to begin to deal with what happened the last time she was with Trey. The moment they shared, smoke and AC all seemed to float in and out of her mind disrupting the peace she felt as her breaths quickened and hair swayed from side to side. Slowing to a walk she looked and smiled at her three mile accomplishment. Wiping the sweat from her forehead she looked over and spotted a familiar face watching her from a distance. Quickly stopping she took a deep breath and walked over to her new audience member with her arms crossed.

Lex: Why are you in Philly? AC?

Lauren: Nah he’s more your type…remember?

Lex: I honestly am tired of renting space for you and them…I don’t fuck with none of y’all but now here everybody come for Lex!

Lauren: Why Trey?

Lex: Why Trey what?

Lauren: Is he your new mark? You got DJ so now him?

Lex: Like always…here you come swearing you know when you don’t know shit!

Lauren: Im a lady…I won’t make a scene…meet me tonight…

Lex: No…we have nothing to discuss…

Lauren: Trust me…I know plenty…

Lex: Go pretend to have balls in a movie cuz I’m not buyin that shit in the street…don’t fuck with me…

Lauren: Look…we need to talk…I’m hearing way too much and you been doing way too much…I’m trying to help you out…show up or don’t…either way you better leave Trey out of this!

Grabbing her gym bag Lex brushed past her and headed for home convinced that AC sent everyone to get her. Lauren was right, Trey was innocent so she had to keep avoiding him until she got to the bottom of what was going on, even though she wanted nothing more than to hear the sound of his voice.  Looking down at her phone she called him quick before she could change her mind and was surprised at how quickly he picked up.

Trey: Hey

Lex: Hey

Trey: Im surprised you called…

Lex: (Driving) Why you say that?

Trey: You just seemed busy…like your time was being occupied…

Lex: To be honest…it has. My mind going crazy…I just wanted to hear your voice.

Trey:  I’ve been thinking alot too…I miss your company…

Lex: I have some things to take care of…then it’s all you…

Trey: Yeah…let that otha nigga know…

Lex: What!?

Trey: You heard me.

Lex: There is nobody else tho…

Trey: Whatever…

Lex: It’s not! (Voice trailing off…spotting AC behind her) Trey I gotta go…

Lex felt her heart beat faster and faster once she got out of the car and headed for the door. He was behind her. A cold blooded killer. On foot. Praying she wouldn’t die violently, Lex put her key in the door and pretended like she didn’t see him.

AC: Turn around…

Lex: I don’t want to..

AC: (Flipping her around, pressing her up against the door) I don’t care what you want!

Lex: (opening the door) Come inside…don’t make a scene..

Lauren shook her head in disgust. She couldn’t believe how close Lex and AC’s bodies were. Snapping incriminating photos she hated that she had to be the one to deliver bad news but Trey needed to quit investing in her. She tried to save DJ…saving the friend she loved was the least she could do. He couldn’t take another broken heart…not after the one she dished out.

Lauren’s Text: Trey…look at what I just saw while I was out in Philly…I’m flying out tomorrow…lets talk

AC followed Lex in quietly, closing and locking the door behind his back before throwing himself up on her couch, propping his feet up on her end table.

AC: Act like you happy to see a nigga and come sit on my lap…

Lex pushed his feet off of her table and stood with her arms folded, disgusted.

AC: Why you actin all stank? Huh? Wit yo fine ass…( grabbing her ass)

Lex: (Slapping his had away) Keep ya damn hands to yourself…

AC: Bitch I own that ass…

Lex: Since when?

AC stood to his feet, pushing Lex down onto the couch, pinning her hands over her head. He crushed his body to hers and stared into her eyes.

AC: Since I said so! (Covering her mouth with his)

His forceful kiss made Lex want to vomit but she knew it was best to pick her battles. Hoping that he would come to his senses she squirmed and kicked while his lips traveled to her neck.

AC: You wasn’t doing all that when I took your virginity…

Lex: You stole that too!

AC: You liked that shit…you like when a man takes that shit…that’s why I never understood why you took DJ side…he was a bitch…

Lex: Get off of me!

AC: Im fresh out…I’m gon taste this pussy!

Lex: STOP!

Ignoring her protests he ripped her shirt off and licked her to her belly button before stopping.

AC: I would take it but I don’t even want it…

Lex: (Crying) Just leave me alone!

AC: I wouldn’t be here if you wasn’t running your mouth!

Lex: I haven’t said shit! Was I ever the one to talk? You need to be seeing that bitch Lauren!

AC: Why didn’t you show up today?

Lex: Im not involved that’s why!

AC: You involved until you die…that’s the code…

Lex: Fuck You and your code! You don’t want me there because if I go I’m telling the truth!

AC: You must really want to be with DJ…that nigga must have really sold yo ass a dream cuz you wanna be with him right now! Say something and I’m putting yo ass to sleep!

AC stood to his feet, fastening his belt before leaving, slamming the door so hard that Lex felt her teeth click together. Tears grew in her eyes and she spotted DJ’s photo hanging on the wall, sending her back in time.

(Memory)

DJ: Where did these pills come from Lex!

Lex: Perscription…

DJ: LEX! What are you trying to do?

Lex: Nothing.

DJ: It’s not worth it! I need you…

Lex: AC…

DJ: AC what?

Lex: Nothing….

DJ: I’ll deal with him…promise me you’ll get out…don’t look back…

Lex: Then I wouldn’t have you!

DJ: You will have YOU….I want you to see how special you are…promise me!

Lex: I promise…

A single tear dropped from her eye. Staring at the bottle of sleeping pills she kept she thought about how precious time was and how it felt when it was running out.

Lex: I just want to sleep.

A knock at the door made her rush to grab her robe before answering. Assuming it was AC coming to apologize she opened up the door slowly, planning her attack.

Lauren: (laughs) Expecting someone?

Lex: I can’t take anymore tonight!

Lauren: Well you need to cuz woman to woman we gotta get some understanding about shit…

Lex: About what?

Lauren: About this shit (flashing pictures) and how Trey must feel now that I sent them to him. I let you pick my garbage up with DJ…but I’ll be damned if you do Trey…

Lex: BITCH!

Lex swung and connected with Lauren’s grill three times before she could free herself and run. Pacing back and forth she talked herself put of chasing her but called Trey instead. No answer.

Written by Trish (@GimmeUnusual)

He took me dancing in Alpine. When we pulled up to The Bull Moose Saloon he held up his hand for me to stay seated. I watched him walk in front of the pick-up truck and over to the passenger door. He opened it and reached out his hand for me to climb down. I smiled politely, recalling his words… “We got a date then!” He fooled me once but I wasn’t going to allow it to happen again. He called it a date but I knew better. We were just budding friends…

The Bull Moose Saloon was every bit of a western bar. Wood paneling everywhere, antler chandeliers, mounted heads of animals, and the American Flag center stage. It had a cozy, rustic feel about it. Stoned fireplace, pool table, and sports team paraphernalia—I welcomed yet another unfamiliar experience.

Trey ran into a few people he knew—all inviting us to sit with them. Trey declined graciously and got us our own private table. The waitress came over immediately. Laced in a cowboy hat and spurs, the first shots of tequila were on the house as a welcome gift. Trey ordered us two Budweiser’s.

We bopped our heads as the live band played. I had never listened to country music before that night but I found myself enjoying it immensely. The lead singer was a thin white woman with the body of a boy. She had no breast and very few feminine features; nevertheless, she wasn’t unattractive. With a little care, make-up, and some de-frizzler for her hair, she could be rather pretty. She had on tiny blue jean shorts and a checkered shirt that was tied in a knot at her belly. She wore a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and played the harmonica. The only other female in the band played both the fiddle and the tambourine. She had dark features and long, straight hair. She wore a tank top with a blue jean skirt and cowboy boots. Two men played guitars. One plucked on an acoustic and the other an electric. They were fairly forgettable. One was old and the other one middle-aged with a large gut. The drummer was quite appealing. He had dark features and strong arms that flexed with every beat of his sticks. He wore a cut off tank and a cowboy hat. He was tatted up with a piercing in his tongue that he stuck out each time he got riled up. He would’ve fit better in a rock band.

I began to survey my surroundings further. There had yet to be any other person of color that I had seen outside of Trey. And the fact that I had landed on the doorstep of the only one here made me think higher powers were at work. Despite not seeing a familiar skin tone, I never felt out of place and Trey seemed to be so comfortable. Why wouldn’t he be? He was born and raised here. He stayed even after his grandparents passed and his family moved away. It all made me wonder if his wife was white; a subject I dared not to approach.

“Ya wanna dance,” Trey asked.

His groggy voice split thru my wondering thoughts.

He cleared his throat and asked again, “Ya wanna huh?”

I nodded my head and we both stood up at once. I placed my hand into his outstretched hand and he led me onto the dance floor.

His left hand held my right hand up near his left shoulder blade. I wrapped my left arm around his neck as his right arm wrapped around my waist. He rocked me from side to side as he hummed in my ear. I rested my head on his shoulder as he swept me away.

When the music sped up, he let me go and shimmied back two steps so he could display his dance moves. He wiggled his hips while circling his arms in the air. He had the biggest grin on his face as he began busting out moves in front of me. I held my head back and laughed out loud. He grabbed my hips and rocked them from side to side for me. I rotated my hips down low for him and brought it back up.

“Yeehawww!!!” he yelled.

I laughed.

He twirled me around and brought me back in close to him. He dipped me down low and brought me back up before widening our space again. He rocked back and forth, rolling his hips and slapping his thighs as he sang the lyrics of the song. It made my heart smile to see him having such a good time but I had to quickly pull it in. He could hurt me and rather it was intentional or unintentional, I didn’t want to be on the receiving end of that. His heart belonged to his deceased wife and I couldn’t compete. I had made up my mind that I wouldn’t even try. Besides, my life could never be there with him. I was a city girl and his lifestyle would quickly get old for me—that I was sure of.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“Are ya havin’ a good time?”

“Yeah.”

“Ya smile faded away…thought chu was frownin’ at my awesome dance moves.”

I laughed. “No, I was just thinking about something. It’s nothing. I’m having a great time.”

“Good. Whew, I’m tied. Let’s get sumthin ta drink,” he suggested.

He grabbed my hand and walked me back over to our table. He took a sip of his beer and then stretched back in his chair. He bopped his head while looking from the stage to the dance floor. I guess he must’ve seen me staring because he turned his head to me and then set up in his chair. He started tapping on the table like it was a set of drums as he sang the lyrics to me, smiling from ear to ear.

I smiled and enjoyed his voice, dimples, and pearly whites.  It was very hard to not like him even though I kept telling myself that I couldn’t. He was a wreck on the inside.

Suddenly the music stopped and the female lead singer began to speak. We directed our attention towards her. She introduced the next song which was to be song by the middle-aged man with the gut. He took a step forward to the mic and she stepped backwards. Tie dye shirt, cowboy hat, and blue jeans with a big belt buckle. He was every bit of a cowboy. He told everyone to come to the dance floor and line up. Trey pulled me out on the floor. They got into formation and the music began. Simultaneously they began to line dance. I pulled away from Trey to go sit down since I didn’t know the steps but he pulled me back. He tried talking me through the steps as the guy belted out “Country Girl Shake it For Me”.

“Shuffle, Shuffle, Heel, Toe, Heel Toe, Step, Kick, Swivel ‘round, Step, Step…start over,” Trey taught.

I couldn’t get all the steps but I kept trying. By the end of the song I barely even had the beginning steps, but Trey was right. He would be a good teacher. He was patient and thorough. I was just a poor student.

After that they slowed it down a bit and Trey pulled me into his body. Sweat running down from his hairline and a wet spot near his armpits and on his back; it didn’t faze me. My body kept betraying me. I wanted to be close to him no matter how hard I tried to fight it. Our cheeks touched and the moisture from his skin seeped into my already damp skin. He hummed near my ear. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the duet. “I should’ve kissed you. I should’ve pushed you up against the wall. I should’ve kissed you, just like I wasn’t scared at all. I turned off the car. Ran through the yard. Back to your front door. Before I could knock. You turned the lock and met me on the front porch. And I kissed you good night. And now that I’ve kissed you it’s a good night, good night baby, good night.”

Trey shoved his shoulder forward, making me lift my head from it. I looked up at him and his pupils had enlarged. He glared into my eyes sensually and then lowered his head to kiss me. My heart skipped a beat as our lips savored each other. I felt disoriented as everything around me became a blur. Time stopped as he took my lips over and over again.

When our eyes met again, Trey smirked and ran his fingers through my hair. He pulled me in close by my head. I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my chin into his shoulder. As I looked around, it seemed as though everyone was staring and smiling at us. They probably thought we were falling in-love but they didn’t know that he was incapable of loving anyone else. And then I wondered why he would kiss me like that and in front of everyone.

I broke away from his grip, grabbed my purse from the table, and exited out the front door. Trey caught up to me, pulling at my arm and turning me around.

His face looked shocked as he saw my tear-stained face.

He grabbed my face with both hands, “Sabra, what’s wrong? What did I do?”

I stepped back and folded my arms at my chest. I couldn’t speak. I looked away and shut my eyes for a brief moment to compose myself.

“Did I do sumthin wrong?” he asked again. “Whateva it is I’m sowry.”

I exhaled, opened my eyes, and looked at him. “Why do you kiss me like that? Why do you do that?” I reiterated.

“I like kissin’ ya!” he said as he walked closer to me with a confident smile.

“But you kiss me as though it means something. Like I’m special.”

“Chu are special. I like ya a lot.”

“No you don’t. You can’t. I get lost when you kiss me, like the entire room is spinning around. Sparks, rainbows, and little leprechauns. It feels like one thing but I know it’s not. So why even kiss me like that? I don’t understand you.”

“Sabra…”

I stood waiting for him to complete his sentence but all we had was silence between us and his puppy dog eyes.

“Can you take me home?” I said.

He sighed, fumbled with his keys, and then finally opened the truck door for me…