Chapter 5 - Ink Interrupted
She didnβt say anything.
Just picked Cassie up and walked.
Not a wave. Not a nod. Not even a βthanks.β
And now heβs in her apartment.
Wearing the same hoodie.
Smelling like memories.
Last night, she let him in.
Now she has to live with that.
Zion sits at the edge of her bed, hoodie back on like armor. He stares at the wall, flexing his hands slowly, like he's trying to count his own regrets.
Joy watches him deep in thought. Sleep still clinging to her lashes.
βYou stayed,β she says, not a question.
βDidnβt wanna wake you,β he mutters. βDidnβt feel rightβ¦leaving. Not after that.β
She sits up, brushing her hair behind her ear. The shirt sheβs wearing still smells like the night they had. The one she swore wouldn't happen again.
βYou think that makes it okay?β she says, voice steady but low.
βJoy.β
βYou had Cassie happy, fed, and her bags packed. Yet you still asked me to come in to talk.. You knew exactly what you were doing.β
He looks at her, expression unreadable.
βI was trying to make it easy.β
βYou donβt get to make anything easy for me,β she snaps. βNot after what you did.β
She doesnβt have to explain what he did. The silence did just that.
He exhales, rubs a hand over his face.
βYou think Iβm still that man? The one you ran from?β
βI know youβre not,β she says, eyes locked. βI'd be dead if you were.β
He reaches gently for her wrist. She freezes but doesnβt pull back. And before either of them speaks, his lips meet hers.
They kiss like memory. Like unfinished business. Like maybe theyβre still that boy and girl in her mamaβs hallway. . .before the money, before the grow lights, before the child they now share.
When they break, she whispers, βDonβt think this fixes anything.β
βDidnβt expect it to.β
βThen whyβd you come here?β
"To know what could've been"
"Yeah, of course you are". she whispered sarcastically.
She stood up and made it to the stairs before he could respond.
Theyβve moved to the living room now, Joy curled on one end of the couch, arms folded, Zion sitting stiff on the other. The space between them held lies, history, love, fear.
βYou really think Iβd hurt you over that money?β he asks.
βWouldnβt blame you if you had.β
βYou stole over twenty grand, Joy.β
βI bought Cassie and I a much needed new life.β
βYou were growing weed in the attic. Had people in and out. Guns in drawers. And Cassie had a bedroom next to it all. I took what I needed to get her out before things got badβ
βI understand how stupid I was but you took everything.β
βYou left me with no other option.β
Zion leans forward, voice low now.
βYou broke my heart, Joy. But Iβm not here to get even. Iβm here because I miss my daughter. Because she deserves both of us.β
βShe deserves safety. Stability. Shit you never gave me. I think it's time for you to go. I don't want Cassie to get confused."
Heβs up now, near the exit, looking back at her like he wants to say one more thing but knows better.
βYou still love me?β he asks.
βDonβt.β
βSay it or donβt. But I need to know.β
βYou said you came for Cassie,β she says. βStart there.β
βThen start with me. Tomorrow. Brunch. We talk about her, about us, about everything.β
βI donβt do second chances.β
βThen let it be a first one.β
βYou pick the place,β she says, voice sharp. βAnd donβt show up late.β
βI wonβt.β
βYou ever do again, I change my number and you never see her again.β
The door closes and Joy is left alone once again. . .
π Catch up before Chapter Six π
Beginning // Last Chapter // Chapter 6 (coming soon)
