Heart of Stone Emery and Jackson by Chiquita Dennie (rooftoppers TXT) 📕

“EMERY, BABY WAKE UP.”

Lightly tapping her across the face, I try and wake her up. Anthony rushing into the bedroom doesn’t help the situation.

“What the fuck!” Anthony shouted and moved toward Emery lying in my arms.

“Get the fuck out,” I glared as I tried to keep my emotions under control.

“I’m not leaving her. What did you do to her? I knew I shouldn’t have left her alone.”

Right before I was about to knock Anthony out, the paramedics rush into the room and lift Emery up out of my arms. Checking her pulse and vitals, I lean in closer to make sure no one hurts her.

“What happened to her? The paramedic questioned as he placed an oxygen mask on her face.

“We were in bed and all of a sudden she passed out,” I responded not giving the exact details of us having sex. Maybe I was a little too rough with her this time.

“Is that all that you were doing, just sleeping?”

Anthony was glaring at Emery lying on the floor naked, it made me want to protect her even more.

“We were in the middle of having sex.”

“You son of a bitch! Leave her alone!” Anthony tried to push around the other paramedic and hit me. By this time the police had arrived.

“Sir, are you related to her at all?” He asked Anthony as they kept us both separated.

“She’s my fiancé and we’d just gotten back together,” Anthony lied trying to get out of the police officer’s arms.

“You’ll both have to ride separately to the hospital. I can’t have you stressing our patient out.”

Grabbing my shoes, and shirt, I picked up my keys and grabbed my cell to call Brent and Emery’s friends to meet me at the hospital.

A few days later

Staring into Emery’s eyes, all the hurt and pain of our so-called relationship or lack thereof has been eye-opening for me. She lied about being sick this whole time, not only to me but her family as well. I refuse to soothe her and after hearing from her Doctor that she’s not taking care of herself and taking her medication, pisses me off even more.

“You need to leave,” I said.

“Jackson, please just listen to me.”

“I’ve tried to get you to listen and fight for what we have, sorry, could have. But you’ve got all the answers, Emery. I’m done putting in the effort. Go back to your lying cheating ex Anthony and put up with his shit.”

I turn away from her to hold onto some semblance of strength. She walked closer pressing her front to my back and wrapped her arms around my chest. Wanting to comfort at the same time keep my distance is a hard fight between my head and heart.

“Don’t throw away what we could have. I made a mistake, this entire situation had me doubting myself, and Anthony’s a non-factor in my life. I only went to dinner to make sure he understood I’d moved on from him.”

Chuckling at her comment, I turned around and moved her arms away from me.

“You’re so selfish, Emery. You should have put him out of your life months ago and not continue to take his calls and to meet him for little dinners.  Anthony wouldn’t have felt so compelled to be in your presence constantly. Admit it, you still love him.”

I stand my ground when I see the tears pool into her eyes and holding back from touching and kissing them away.   

“It wasn’t like that Jackson. I’ve known him and his family since I was a little kid. We grew up together—”

“I don’t give a fuck!” I shouted getting right in her face, as my breathing increased. She jumped back scared.

“Don’t leave me,” She whimpered lowly.

Walking over to have a seat on my couch, I grab the remote and kick my feet up on the table ignoring her presence in my house. She turns looking at me as tears roll down her cheek onto her shirt. Finally getting the hint that I’m done talking, Emery grabbed her purse and keys to leave. I wanted to question her more about the other day and passing out, but my anger was at a level I knew we’d both end up hurt and hating each other.

...

Emery

Not wanting to go home alone, I head over to Jordan and Angela’s house to clear my head.  Parking in her driveway and knocking on the door I could hear DJ yelling about someone’s at the door right as Jordan opened it.

“How did it go?” Jordan asked as she stood aside for me to walk in as DJ ran to hug me. I picked him up and hugged him close to my body.

“He doesn’t want me anymore.”

Sitting down on the floor with DJ, he resumes to watch Nickelodeon cartoons and play with his Superman toys. I remove my jacket and Jordan takes it out of my hands and hangs it up on the coat rack.

“Are you staying for dinner? I made stuffed chicken, green beans, cornbread, and yams.”

“Yep, my family’s pissed at me, along with Brent. Basically, I’m on an extended vacation from work.” I fell back onto the couch and ran my hands through my hair. Feeling lost and overwhelmed with everything being out of control. I attempted once again to redial Jackson's number, and Jordan snatched my phone out of my hands.

“Give him some space. I told you about men like Jackson. You need to let them have a moment to deal with what the situation is. He’ll talk when he’s ready."

“Jordan, you’re the last person that should be giving advice.” Angela walked into the living room from the back and plopped down next to me.

“Coming from the woman that had a great guy and still ended up losing him because she can’t admit she’s in love.” Jordan rolled her eyes and tucked my phone into her back pocket of her pants and walked into the kitchen.

“She’s bitchy with not having any dick in her life,” Angela joked as she laid her head on my shoulder, I raised my hand to push her off me. We started to play fight, and Jordan runs back inside to smack us both on the back of the head for messing around.

“Both of you need to chill