Book 1 [ The Untitled Series ] by Brea Isome (best books to read all time txt) 📕

" what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to figure out if I was seeing correctly or not. It was Leon, Omar, and Roderick- Dryan's bestfriends.

" we were invited." Roderick said, holding up two bottles of Jack Daniels. " and when Tyrone invites you somewhere, you show up."

" out of all of the liquor you could have brought, you brought whiskey? Since when did we become old white men?"

Omar chuckled. " that's what I told the nigga but he don't listen to shit."

" that's your friend." I mumbled, grabbing the bottles from Roderick and stepping to the side so that they could enter the house. Each man hugged me in passing with Leon giving me an extra squeeze. At that moment, I was just wondering if I should make a run for it, because whatever my father was planning, was already making me antsy as hell. Already, what was supposed to be a two person bonding experience between my father and I had turned into a six person orgy. Maybe orgy isn't the right word to describe it but, hell, it was good enough.

My pasta had been kicked to the side for pizza and wings and what would have probably been water was kicked to the side for whiskey.

There couldn't be anything good about any of this.

Just when I was about to close the door, a familiar car pulled up in front and turned off. I could already feel my blood boiling as I debated whether or not to throw one of the bottles of whiskey at it. My mind was telling me that I should, but just when I cocked my arm back and was ready to launch one of the bottles, it was ripped from my hands.

" I knew you were going to try some shit." My father mumbled, grabbing the other bottle of liquor from me for good measure.

I rolled my eyes, watching as Whitney exited her car. " listen, I've been going with the flow these past couple of hours, simply because im happy that you're talking to me again, but if Whitney comes in here, I will stop this before it even begins."

" whether you like it or not she's family."

" whose family? Not my damn-"

" watch your mouth."

I breathed deeply. " She's not my family, and I refuse to be in the same room with her. So, either you go tell your 'family' that she needs to leave, or I'll leave."

Needless to say, my father stepped off of the porch and quickly dismissed Whitney, and once she was gone, my father and I went back inside of the house.

" I'm just trying to mend fences."

I sucked my teeth. " She almost killed your grandchild, remember that the next time you want to mend fences."

By that time, Drayal was asleep on the couch so I took her up to her bedroom and put her in bed. I spent ten minutes standing over her, watching her sleep and wondering what I was going to do. I guess this breakup made me a single mother. Although I probably could have been considered a single mother before, this was a whole different level. I wondered for a moment if it was even the right decision to stay with my father.

But then I realized that this was the decision that I had made, and that I wasn't going to let a few bumps in the road make me turn tail and run back to mommy. I had to stick it out, for better or worse. Even when we weren't talking I enjoyed living with my father because there was alot less pressure for me to turn out perfect, and that alone took a huge weight off of my shoulders that I wasn't ready to put back on.

" Symonee, can you come down here for a minute?" My father's booming voice shouted up the stairs.

I stopped breathing for a moment as Drayal wiggled at the intrusive noise before she settled back to sleep. " loud mouth." I mumbled, exiting my daughters room and closing the door behind me.

" you know, dad," I started to rant as I decended the stairs. " the next time you decide to scream up the stairs when my daughter is asleep, I'm going to-"

" surprise!"

I was stopped mid sentence. Upon entering the kitchen I'd been bombarded with that startling noise. I wasn't sure what the hell was going on. People had on party hats- ones you'd wear for a child's birthday- and that wasn't even the most confusing thing. There was a giant cake on the island with my name on it and a banner hanging from the ceiling that just read 'surprise'.

" is it my birthday?" I wondered quietly. It was possible that I could've forgotten my birthday with the breakup and everything. I had been very preoccupied.

When I hadn't said anything for a few seconds, I guess everyone figured that maybe I hadn't heard their declaration the first time and decided to try again.

" surprise !" They yelled again, after Omar gave a quick count to three.

"yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time." I said slowly before taking a couple of steps further into the room. " is it my birthday?"

Alexus rolled her eyes. " bitch, it's October."

" yeah, well, what else would explain a birthday cake and-" My eyes bulged when I saw six large boxes - gift wrapped and all - sitting next to the island on the floor. " and presents?"

" we each got you a gift, you know, to cheer you up after the breakup. Well, I did most of the shopping because niggas are clueless, but still."

" but there are six gifts and only five of you."

" no, there are six of us."

I narrowed my eyes, counting each person again before looking at Alexus sideways. " there are five of you, stupid."

My father interjected, coming over and grabbing me by my shoulders to pull me over until I was standing over the cake and everyone huddled around me. " Let's not get  hung up on technicalities, okay. Cut the cake."

" that's not a technicality, that's a fact."

" blah, blah, blah," Leon mumbled from beside me. " we want cake."

" shouldn't we be eating actual food first?"

" no."

I chuckled, grabbing the knife and starting to cut the cake. I was unsure why they'd gotten me a full sheet cake. 95% of it would probably end up sitting in the refrigerator, unnoticed for months. I wasn't much into sweets, not in my condition. " when did you guys even plan this?"

" we put it together yesterday, via text. Don't you see the bags under my eyes? I barely got any sleep last night, and it's all for you. You're welcome !" Alexus exclaimed, well, more like exaggerated. Her chocolate skin was as perfect as ever.

" plate." I ordered as the first piece of cake was cut, only for the doorbell to ring.

" I got it. It's probably the delivery man. " Roderick said. " you just keep cutting."

" don't tell me what to do." I retorted, only he was halfway out of the room by then. " and don't drop the food! We all know you like to drop precious things!"

" hey!" He screamed from the hallway. " I dropped Drayal one time and she liked it!"

Everybody laughed at that comment. It was true though. Roderick had dropped Drayal- because she wouldn't stop wiggling- when she was six months old and she screeched in laughter. I was scared she'd have a head injury or something so I rushed her to the emergency room, just like a new mother, but ofcourse she was fine.

I continued to cut the cake, putting large pieces on each plate that was placed infront of me.

" look who I found."

I turned around. Apparently Roderick had found the pizza and wings, and he'd also "found" Dryan. Glancing around the room, I could tell that everyone already knew that Dryan was going to show up, and I guess I should have known as well. I had just hoped that since this was a party to make me feel better, they wouldn't invite the very person who had broken my heart. Clearly I was wrong.

Omar took the knife from me like he thought I was going charge Dryan and stab him. Although the thought had actually crossed my mind, I wouldn't do it. I loved Dryan, being hurt didn't change that, and it certainly didn't make me think that Drayal would grow up better without her father around.

So, for the time being he could rest easy. I wasn't going to kill him.
In silence, I went to the drawer by the sink and grabbed another knife, going back to cutting the cake where I left off. Everybody was silent.

" so, who wants the 'S' ?" When nobody responded I could feel my frustration mounting. " I said," I slapped my free hand on the counter. " who wants the 'S' ?"

With a bit of hesitation, my father raised his hand. " I'll take it."

" good." I smiled.

The room was tense as hell, but everyone did their best to ignore it. I finished cutting the cake and everyone dug in, including Dryan, while I stood off to the side, eating a slice of pizza and watching them in disgust.

They were talking and laughing like there was absolutely no tension in the room. I wondered if I left right at that moment, if anybody would notice. I bet not.

After taking another slice of pizza I took my leave. Sure enough, nobody noticed me walking out of the room. I didn't have to tip-toe or hold my breath to leave the room, I just walked right out.

I went to the living room and sat on the couch to finish my pizza.

It was atleast ten minutes before everyone filed in. Everyone was holding a gift in their hands, and each face was holding a smile, except Dryan's.

" what is it?" I mumbled as they stopped infront of me. " you finally noticed that your guest of honor was missing?"

My father rolled his eyes. " Before we give you our gifts, I want to say something." He cleared his throat. " I love you, Symonee, like I've never loved anyone in my entire life. Yeah, I call Dryan my son but you're my only daughter, and because you're my daughter I've always felt that I needed to protect you from everything, niggas included. When you came to live with me I never imagined that you and Dryan would- I mean-"

He swallowed deeply and paused.

" dad you don't have to-"

" no, I do. I need to get this out. I wanted to protect you when you came here, and I fucked up. I know you love Dryan, and I know he loves you, but I couldn't see it before. It took me breaking you up, to see it and I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I took advantage of his love and loyalty for me, and used it to hurt you." He leaned down and kissed my forehead before shoving his box into my lap. "now, open my gift first."

I didn't even get to savour the moment of my father apologizing because he was