L O U I S V I L L E || A Bryson Tiller Story

§ Chapter TwentyThree §

~...baby I've been suffering, does that mean nothing? That's gotta mean something...~

"Um, wow," Naomi exhaled once she pulled away from the kiss.

"I'm sorry, I just--" I apologized.

"It's fine. You're so fine," Naomi cut me off stammering," I mean fine as in ok."

I smirked as I noticed we were still embracing each other.

"Yo Bry--" Swan burst in the room with a surprised look on his face,"--son...um...we need some extra hands to clean up."

"I'll help," Naomi volunteered while looking at me.

She let go of me and walked off to help out.

Swan watched her as she left with a smirk on his face.

"So you cuffing and tapping for real, huh buddy?"

I looked at him blankly and shook my head,"Nigga shut up."

"You lost your shit out there man. You straight?"

I nodded as I stood up,"I'm cool."

"Come on now. We're like this,"Swan said crossing his fingers,"Are you seriously Gucci my nigga?"

"I'm good," I assured as I brushed past him and down the hallway.

He trotted behind me.

"Maybe you should go check on your daughter first," Swan told me.

"Where is she?"

I swear to God if Marlena took her with her...

"After Mar left, Harley ran to the basement. She refuses to come back up."

I hadn't been in the basement in a long time. Although, I do remember that when Eric and I used to play hide and go seek when we were younger, that that used to be his go-to hiding spot.

"I'll go see about her," I said taking the stairs down to the basement floor level.

"Harley," I called her name once I reached the last step.

She was laying face down on the worn out leather couch. Harley didn't even respond to me.

I know for a fact she probably hates my guts right now, so whatever I had to say wouldn't be good enough. Not enough for someone who ruined her 4th birthday.

What could I say anyways? Or I what could I sing..?

Harley always seemed to like when I sung to her--even as a baby. Maybe if I sung an apology, she might actually forgive me.

I walked over to the couch and knelt before her. She didn't move an inch.

"Oh my darling Harley Marley, Daddy's so sorry for ruining your princess party," I sang as I made it up from the top of my head,"Please forgive me pretty girl. Or else..."

By now Harley was looking at me with a soaking wet face from crying. She had a little grin on her face, which meant that the corny song worked.

"Will you forgive me?" I asked with puppy dog eyes.

"You were mean. You and mommy were mean to each other. Then you hurt her and made her cry," Harley reminded me.

"I know, I know," I sighed rubbing my face,"That was really wrong of me to do and I'm sorry."

"You should tell Mommy you're sorry, too."

Hell no and that's on my Mom.

Harley's face meant business. I owed her this one solid, I supposed.

"Fine," I shook my head," I'll say I'm--I'll apologize to her."

Harley sat up with a smile. She poked her finger at my nose,"On speaker phone, mister."

"Ay-ay captain," I winked at her giving her a wet kiss on the cheek," I'll call her later and say it."

"Eww," Harley complained wiping at her face with a frown.

"I love you," I said picking her up and heading back up the stairs," and don't you ever forget that."

"Love you too, Daddy."

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"Thanks for sticking around to lend a hand," I told Naomi as I washed the dishes and she put them up where they belonged.

"It's no big deal," she shrugged it off.

I looked behind me to see Harley playing in Eric's hair. Everyone else had left. Even Grandma Ann. She had to go to a choir rehearsal or something like that.

"About earlier..." I began as I rinsed off a knife," I didn't really mean to kiss you."

"You didn't mean to?" Naomi snickered," What did you do fall in my face?"

I smirked and half lied,"I was caught up in the moment."

"Really now?" Naomi rolled her eyes.

She obviously knew I was lying.

I nodded anyways.

"Or is it the fact that you wanted to because you like me?"

"Who are you to like?"

Naomi looked at me wide eyed.

I laughed," Kidding."

"So you do like me? Is that why everyone around here thinks I'm your girlfriend?"

"I thought they thought that because you told them so," I said draining the water out the sink.

"Why would I do that?"

"I don't know," I shrugged,"You do quite a lot."

Naomi playfully shoved me,"Whatever Tiller. You don't have to admit to it. You standing up to your baby moms for me was enough proof in itself."

I didn't respond because I did defend her. It only felt right to.

"I know you've had a long day so far, but I'm in need of a big favor," Naomi said seriously.

I should've expected this sooner or later. Everyone that has recently come in and out of my life wants something from me whether it's money or a hit record or maybe even a simple picture and autograph. I'd given everything in return for nothing. I hadn't even focused on myself alone in a while and so far being here has helped me get back to that.

"Ok. What's up?"

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