Page 89 of If You Love Me

“My sweet, sweet girl,” I mumbled, touching the screen. “I would have been such a good mommy to you, Summer.”

For the longest time, I watched the three of them until Tyrion finished Evenie’s hair. She got up to put Summer to bed while he cleaned up, then got under the covers.

“Look at this bitch,” I spat. “Acting like she doesn’t want to sleep with him.”

When he tossed back the covers and welcomed her to him, my heart broke a little more. I remembered when he held me the way he was holding her.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, stroking her arm.

“Like I’m where I belong.”

I rolled my eyes. “Stupid bitch. He belongs with me.”

I chugged the bottle until it was halfway gone. At this point, I could barely feel anything. I relaxed into my pillows, my eyes slowly drifting close. The bottle fell loosely from my hand. I could feel the wetness of the liquid seeping into my mattress, but I didn’t have the strength to move to do anything.

The next thing I knew, I was out like a light.

28

Tyrion

It was Friday, and I’d convinced my wife to go on a date with me. Even though I’d been with her since I was sixteen, I was nervous as hell. This would be our first time really being alone together since she came home. I’d dropped Summer Rose off at my parents after school, then went to get my hair cut and beard lined up before going home to get ready. I wanted this to feel like a real date, so I was picking Evenie up from her parents.

Since we both loved music, I was taking her to dinner at this place that had a live band and a dance floor. Looking myself over in the mirror, I thought I looked pretty good. I’d dressed myself in all black from head to toe, knowing Evenie loved that on me. My ensemble was completed with a gold chain, matching wristwatch, and a single stud in my earlobe. I sprayed on her favorite cologne before grabbing my phone and wallet and heading out of the house.

The ride to the Longs’ residence only took about fifteen minutes, with me stopping to pick up the bouquet of flowers I’d ordered. When I arrived, I pulled up to the curb and got out. Ifelt like I was picking her up for our first date all over again. Back then, the sixteen-year-old me was nervous as hell to meet my in-laws. She’d told me how her father didn’t play about her, and in my mind, that meant the man was coming to the door with a sawed-off shotgun ready to send me to my maker.

It was quite the opposite. He’d opened the door with a smile and a firm handshake. He introduced me to his wife, then sat me down and explained to me his expectations of me with his baby girl. Pops was nothing but respectful, and it put my young mind at ease. At that point, I was already falling for Evenie, and I just wanted her people to like me.

Raising a closed fist, I knocked on the door. A few seconds later, I heard the locks disengage, and the door opened. Mr. David stood there with a friendly smile.

“Hey, son.”

“Hey, Pops.”

He opened the door wider so I could come in. “That wife of yours is still getting ready. She’s changed clothes about six different times already.”

I chuckled. “I expected nothing less. That’s why our dinner reservation is thirty minutes later than I told her.”

He slapped my shoulder. “You learned the game early. Come have a drink with me.”

I followed him into the den where the bar was set up. He grabbed two glasses and poured us up a serving of Jack Daniels.

“You looking dapper tonight,” he noted, taking a sip.

“I tried, I tried. I’m a little nervous, Pops.”

He smiled. “That means you’re doing something right. Trust me, she’s nervous too. She and her mother have been driving me crazy in here.”

“I heard that!” Mrs. Cheryl yelled.

Her husband shook his head. “Damn bionic ears.”

Mrs. Cheryl came strutting around the corner with her hands on her hips. “You around here talking shit, David?”

“Never, my love.” He opened his arms to her, and she went straight into them, tilting her head up for a kiss. She looked over at me and smiled. “Hey, Tyrion, baby. Ooooo, don’t you look fine!”

I grinned. “Thank you, Ma.”

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