Give Me The Reason 2: A Love Story

by Coco Amoure

  Cane nodded his head and patted his hand over the left side of his chest. “Thank you, Dana! Oh and I apologize for busting up in your spot all angry the way I did this evening. I was just so angry, hurt, and confused.”

  “Yeah, well don’t do that shit again. And get ya ass on up outta here so I can get ready for my date,” Dana joked. She and Cane always had a playfulness about their relationship unlike any other relationship she’d been in. If only she would have stepped to Cane before Ava noticed him, maybe things would have been different. As quickly as the thought crossed her mind, she checked herself for such an idiotic thought. Cane was a whore, and there wasn’t a woman in the entire world that could tame him.

  “Yeah, ok. Imma go, but I should hang around and check this nigga out.” He chuckled. Cane gave Dana a quick hug before walking out of the door. Tomorrow was a new day, but right now his only desire was to get in between some young thangs sweet thighs to drown out his misery. “Yo Keisha, whad up? This Cane. Can I swing by?” he spoke into his cell phone, while backing out of Dana’s driveway.

  “Yeah, you can come through,” she sweetly replied. That was all Cane needed to hear to put a smile on his face. Once he smoked that green and released his frustration out on her pussy, he would feel a whole helluva lot better.

  Chapter Eleven

  It had been exactly one week since Delaney awakened from the coma and she was still in the hospital. Hopefully she’d be going home sometime in the coming week. All of the tests came back good. There wasn’t any damage to her brain and she actually felt fine. Dr. Beard had taken excellent care of her and she was thankful for him. Her mother seemed different and so did her uncle, but she wasn’t quite sure what was going on with them. Delaney still hadn’t seen her father, but she wasn’t surprised either. Her mother told her that he’d been by the hospital a few times, but that was all she said. Her memory was still a little foggy, but Dr. Beard told her to take it easy and not to stress herself too much, that in time it would all come back to her.

  One thing she couldn’t, and didn’t, forget was how Ashanti had shown up at Tyson’s doorstep claiming to be pregnant with his baby, the day before their mini vacation. Delaney refused to see Tyson. She just wasn’t ready to face him. Natasha told her that Tyson’s name was the first thing out of her mouth when she was coming to, but she still refused to see him. Tears rolled down her face whenever she thought about the night of the accident. She still loved Tyson dearly, but she couldn’t forgive him.

  Knock, knock.

  “Come in,” Delaney said, quickly wiping the tears from her eyes. Her mother and Cam had gone home to take showers and change clothes. Natasha said she had a doctor’s appointment, so she wasn’t sure who else would be stopping by to see her. A few of her co-workers had already been by a few hours earlier.

  “Hello, Delaney, my shift is about to start and I wanted to stop by to see how you were doing before I get started.”

  Delaney thought she was dreaming or had fallen back into a coma. Her eyes had to be playing tricks on her.

  “Chris! Christopher Clark?” She squinted. Surprise and confusion registered on her face when he smiled. Chris’ smile was one that could not easily be forgotten.

  “Well, it’s more like Dr. Clark these days,” he joked, attempting to lighten the mood. He assumed Natasha hadn’t told Delaney that he treated her in Dr. Beard’s absence. When he came in to work on the night that she woke from the coma, she was still pretty much in and out. Chris hadn’t seen her since that night.

  Shock, surprise, and confusion were written all over her face. Delaney hadn’t seen Chris since the day she walked out of his mother’s house, the day he broke her heart. He hadn’t changed a bit, still as handsome as ever standing before her in a pair of khaki slacks and a white doctor’s coat.

  “I don’t understand. How did you know I was here? Why are you here?” She stumbled over her words. This was all too much for her to deal with. The drama with Tyson, and now Chris walking in her room, was just becoming too emotional for her to handle.

  Chris walked over to the hospital bed and pulled up a chair to sit down in. He had been waiting for this moment for so long, to finally have the chance to talk to Delaney and explain his actions on that day so long ago. Chris was surprised at the amount of nervous energy he was experiencing. After all this time, he was stoked that he was finally getting the opportunity to explain his actions on that dreadful day. Unfortunately, it was a day that he couldn’t forget.

  “I moved back to town about six months ago, and I’ve only been working here for a few weeks. The night you were coming out of your coma, I was on call for Dr. Beard. Imagine my shock and surprise when I found out that you were my patient.” He chuckled.

  Delaney failed to see the humor. Her first instinct was to ask him to leave, but she decided she would hear whatever it was that he had to say. What happened between them was so long ago, plus they were both teenagers. She was now a grown woman. What was the point of holding a grudge against him?

  “Yeah, I can imagine.” She smiled weakly, running her hands through her hair. Thank God, Natasha came by earlier and put her hair up in a cute bun on top of her head.

  “Listen, I have been waiting for the chance to talk to you. I tried contacting you a few times after everything went down, but you refused to talk to me. Please believe me when I say that I never meant to hurt you. I was young and dumb and I made a big mistake that day. Yvonne approached me after we had that argument, and I knew she would do the things you weren’t ready to do. Delaney, I loved you then and I still do now. I’ve never stopped loving you,” he said, looking directly into her eyes.

  Delaney felt like she’d been holding her breath since he walked in the room. So many emotions were running through her veins. Chris was her first love, the first male that she’d given her heart to, but he’d broken it as well. After their break up, she found it hard to trust men and hadn’t been in another relationship until Tyson came along.

  “Chris, that was all so long ago. I’m fine, really I am,” she lied. Truthfully, Delaney still harbored some hurt and anger towards Chris. He of all people knew about her trust issues, yet he disappointed her even more than her own father. They’d spent countless hours talking about her parent’s relationship and the effect it had on her. He promised to protect her heart, yet he was the one who stomped all over it, and that was something that she’d yet to get over.

  Chris could see right through the façade Delaney was putting on. Even if she wanted to be passive about the whole thing, what mattered most was that he had gotten the chance to explain himself. Over the years he’d dated a few women, but none of them came close to Delaney. She had the most loving, kind, and genuine spirit. No other woman fulfilled him or made him feel complete the way she had. “Yes, you are definitely fine! I can see that!” he joked.

  “Still a charmer, I see.” She smiled. It was good seeing Chris after all of these years. Surprisingly, she no longer felt hatred nor anger towards him. Delaney could feel her guard lowering slightly the more they talked. Chris had a way of making her smile without reason, and apparently that hadn’t changed; because she found herself smiling for no apparent reason.

  “Hey, you know me! I know a fine woman when I see one. But all jokes aside, you are just as beautiful now as you were back in high school. Hell, elementary school too!” He laughed.

  The sincerity in his eyes warmed her heart and made her smile brightly.

  “Thanks, Chris, even though I know I look a hot mess right now. But again, thanks.” She beamed.

  Chris looked into her eyes and his heart melted. Her smile had always brightened his day.

  “Well I better get going. It was nice seeing you and thanks for finally listening to me, big head,” he jokingly said. He reached for her hand and she placed hers inside of his. “Don’t be a stranger. I would really like to take you to lunch when you get out of here so that we can catch up. If that’s ok with you?”

  Delaney wasn’
t so sure that was a good idea. She still had unresolved issues to deal with concerning Tyson, and she just didn’t want to complicate things. Chris noticed the look on her face. Not wanting to pressure her or mess up any chance he may possibly have at getting back with her, he decided to let it go.

  “I’ll tell you what, just give me a call when you’re better, if you want to,” he said, handing her one of his business cards. With that he smiled and walked out of the room.

  Delaney looked at Chris’ business card and a slow smile formed on her face. She placed the card on the table beside her bed and laid back in deep thought. She was just thankful to be alive. She made a promise to herself to live her life without fear going forward. It was time to face her demons and slay them all.

  An eerie feeling fell over Delaney, as if she were being watched. She glanced up to see Tyson standing in front of her.

  “What are you doing here? I specifically told everyone that you are not allowed in my hospital room.” She was more startled than anything, because she hadn’t heard him come in.

  “Baby, I had to see you. I had to see for myself that you are truly ok.” He smiled lovingly. Seeing her sitting up talking and back to her old self was truly a blessing. If Delaney wouldn’t have pulled through, Tyson didn’t know what he would have done with himself. She was the love of his life and one day in the near future he hoped to make her his wife.

  Delaney suppressed the urge to take him into her arms and forget everything that happened prior to the accident. Just seeing his handsome face melted her heart. The compassion in his weary eyes showed just how worried he’d been, as well as how much he loved her. Whether he loved her or not wasn’t the problem. The problem was that he failed to tell her about Ashanti. The even bigger problem was that he had a baby on the way, and that was a hard pill for her to swallow.

  “Well as you can see I am just fine, so please leave. I’m not ready to deal with this right now. Don’t you have a pregnant girlfriend to tend to?” she spat. Memories of that night flooded her mind causing her to become even more upset. Hot tears filled her eyes and she struggled to keep them from falling. Weakness wasn’t something that Delaney was used to dealing with. She’d always been strong natured, but love had a way of making the strongest person feel weak and fragile.

  “Actually, she had the baby a week ago. A son.” Tyson smiled brightly.

  The news that Ashanti had given birth to Tyson’s baby crushed Delaney’s spirit even more. There was no way that she could be with him after this. How could he have kept this information from me? Better yet, how had I fallen in love with such a deceitful man? Delaney lowered her head to conceal the disappointment that she was sure showed on her face. Instead of letting Tyson see how hurt she was, Delaney put her game face on to mask her true feelings.

  “Just get out, Tyson. I don’t even know why you’re here. I’m sure your little family needs you right now.” Delaney angrily turned around in the bed so that her back was facing Tyson. She couldn’t stand to look into his eyes another second.

  “Laney, I didn’t know she was pregnant, and to be honest with you I don’t even know if the baby is even mine,” he admitted. Tyson wanted to explain everything to her, but right now wasn’t a good time. Delaney was still too upset and he was going to need her full attention. Tyson knew how stubborn she could be, but the love she still felt for him was evident in her eyes. He was confident that in time everything would work out. All he had to do was remain patient and understanding of her feelings.

  “Please leave,” she sniffled, refusing to turn around to face him.

  “I love you so much, and I know it is going to take some time, but when you’re ready I would like to explain everything to you in detail. And for the record, Ashanti is not my girlfriend now or while you and I were together. You are the only woman for me, and I won’t stop until I have you back in my arms.”

  Tyson leaned over and kissed Delaney on the forehead before turning to leave out of the hospital room. He would allow her some time, but not too much time. Tyson also needed to get Ashanti out of his house. Later that day he had a meeting with a realtor to find Ashanti a house for rent that would be suitable for she and the baby. There was no way that he could explain to Delaney why Ashanti was living in his house.

  Delaney lay in the bed on her side and cried her eyes out. She loved Tyson, but yet again her heart had been broken by someone she loved and trusted. It was better to just walk away and move on in a situation like this. Tyson was now a father and Delaney wasn’t sure she even wanted to deal with a man with children or all of the baby mama drama that she was sure to come. She heard him when he said he wasn’t sure if he was the father or not, but Delaney learned a long time ago not to trust the word of anyone.

  Chapter Twelve

  Natasha was leaving the doctor’s office when she decided to call Drake. It was time that they sat down and had a conversation. The doctor had just confirmed that she was in the last week of her first trimester, which meant she was almost four months pregnant. Natasha knew without a doubt that the baby was Drake’s. After locating Drake’s phone number in her cell phone contact list, she pressed call and waited for him to answer.

  “Yo!” he spoke into the phone, after the third ring.

  Natasha rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “We need to talk. Not over the phone, but face to face,” she said, navigating her car onto Interstate 285, en route to his condo. No matter what he said, they were having this talk today.

  “I knew you were going to come running back for some of this good D.” He chuckled. Drake hopped up off of his plush king size bed and started making it up. His dick was already hard just thinking about Natasha’s juicy lips swallowing him whole.

  “Whatever, I will be there in about fifteen minutes.” She pressed end on the call and tossed her cell phone in the passenger seat. How in the hell is this shit going to play out? She couldn’t and wouldn’t lose Jason. Natasha pulled up in front of Drake’s condo in no time. She hopped out of the car then pressed the lock button on the keyless remote.

  Ding Dong. She pressed the doorbell.

  Finally, Drake opened the door with a big smile on his face. He was wearing a pair of black gym shorts and no shirt.

  “Come on in, ma,” Drake said, stepping aside so that Natasha could enter. He walked behind her watching her big juicy ass switch from side to side. Drake licked his lips and ran his hand through his goatee.

  Natasha noticed that Drake had lit several scented candles and there was music playing softly in the background. It was quite obvious that he assumed her visit was an afternoon booty call.

  “Drake, can you please turn off the music? I really need to talk to you about something serious.” Natasha sat down on the plush leather cream loveseat and crossed her legs. The expression on her face read that she meant business.

  Drake’s eyebrows rose in surprise as he blew out the candles and flicked on the light switch.

  “What’s on your mind, Tash?” he replied, slightly disappointed.

  “I don’t know an easy way to say this, so I am going to come right on out and say it…I’m pregnant.” She blurted out. Natasha was a nervous wreck. She had no idea what she was going to do, but having an abortion was definitely out of the question.

  Drake looked like someone just told him his mama died.

  “Why you telling me?” he asked, dumbfounded. He could kick himself in the ass for having unprotected sex with Natasha, and he never pulled out either. Ashanti just had his baby, and now here he was with another woman sitting in his face telling him she was pregnant.

  Natasha exhaled deeply before replying. “For once in your life, can you not act so stupid? This baby that I’m carrying is yours! I am twelve weeks pregnant, Drake, and you are the only man I’ve been with until recently when Jason came in off the road. Trust me, I wish you weren’t this baby’s father.”

  Drake started pacing the floor trying to come up with a plan that would benefit both of
them. There was no way that he was going to play daddy to a married woman’s baby, even if it was his seed. Truthfully, Drake wasn’t the fatherly type. He never wanted children, and up until now he’d been able to prevent it from happening.

  “To be honest with you, I don’t want children, never did and never will. But why are you telling me this, Natasha? What do you want me to do?” Drake sat down on the arm of the sofa and crossed his arms over his muscular chest.

  Natasha’s mouth flew open at the callous and heartless words that had just come out of his mouth.

  “Well damn, I didn’t expect you to be ecstatic about it, but must you be so cruel?”

  “I’m saying, ma, you’re married and I don’t want children. I’m trying to understand what you want from me? Do you want money for an abortion or what?” he asked. The only logical solution he could come up with was for her to have an abortion. Drake didn’t want Natasha and he damn sure wasn’t going to even consider co-parenting a child with her. It would be in everyone’s best interest if she just had an abortion.

  Tears welled up in Natasha’s eyes. Even she didn’t know why she was telling Drake. What did I really expect him to say? Maybe he was right, maybe an abortion was the way to go. If Jason found out that she was pregnant, he would know that the baby wasn’t his and she couldn’t take a chance at losing him over a man who didn’t want to be with her.

  “Drake, I don’t know what I expect from you, I just thought you should know.” Natasha hung her head in shame. Being a mother was all she ever wanted and now that she was finally pregnant, her only option was to terminate the pregnancy.

  “Tash, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off cold-hearted, but those are the facts. You’re married and we both knew what this was from the start. The only way to fix this is for you to have an abortion,” Drake said, gently rubbing her back. “I will even give you the money,” he added.