𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐄 ⋆. 𐙚 ˚

──── chapter sixteen; forgiven?

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖 𝐀𝐋𝐋 ended up at the monroe's house again that night. noami, ivy, walker, and nate, layed out across the living room, wrapped in blankets and half-watching a movie that no one was actually paying attention to.

ivy was painting her nails, legs stretched across naomi's lap, while walker and nate were locked in some silent battle of who could build a taller tower out of jenga on the coffee table.

everyone was just kind of minding their own, when the doorbell rang, echoing through the house.

they all froze.

it was nearly around one in the morning.

ivy raised an eyebrow, looking over at nathan and omi. "are yall expecting someone?"

naomi shook her head.

nate stood, stretching before making his way to the door. "if this is some weird shit, i swear—"

he pulled the door open, then immediately stiffened.

"trey."

naomi's stomach twisted. 

"can i—" trey cleared his throat, shoving his hands into his pock "can i please see omi?"

nate didn't move. "seriously?"

trey exhaled. "please."

from the couch, ivy sat up, scoffing under her breath. naomi swallowed hard before pushing herself off from her seat. "it's fine."

nate looked at her like she was insane. "no, it's not."

she ignored him, stepping forward. ill talk to him."

trey's shoulders relaxed slightly as she stepped out onto the porch, closing the door behind her. the outside air was cool, the quiet of the neighborhood making everything feel heavier.

trey looked at her, his jaw tight. "naomi, i—" He ran a hand through his hair. "i messed up. i know i did."

naomi stayed quiet.

"i just—i don't know why i act like that sometimes," he admitted, voice rough with frustration. "it's like, i say stuff i don't mean, and i hate it when we fight, and i just—" he exhaled. "i love you, okay? and i dont want to lose you."

naomi's chest ached.

she had loved trey for so long. she had spent years building a life with him, a relationship. hell they even planned their kids names.

how was she supposed to walk away from that?

trey reached for her hand, his touch familiar, warm. "i really don't want to lose you."

naomi closed her eyes. she could hear Ivy's voice in her head, telling her she deserved better. she could hear her brothers frustration. and worse, she could see the quiet disappointment in Walker's eyes.

but none of them knew trey. none of them knew what it was like to love someone for this long and have to consider leaving.

she exhaled. "i don't want to lose you either."

trey's eyes softened. "does that mean—"

she nodded. "i forgive you."

his whole body relaxed. he cupped her face, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "i promise i'll be better."

naomi wanted to believe him. she wanted to believe this could still work.

she talked with trey for a little longer, staying outside untill her got in his car, said he loved her and then drove off to his house. 

when she stepped back inside, the air was thick.

ivy's arms were crossed, her expression almost unreadable. and nathan, oh, nate looked furious, jaw clenched and all.

walker was quiet.

naomi let out a breath. "guys—"

ivy cut her off. "you're seriously taking him back?"

naomi hesitated. "it's not that simple—"

"yes, it is," Nate snapped. "he treats you like crap, omi."

naomi's throat tightened. "you don't understand."

ivy scoffed. "no, you don't understand."

walker still hadn't said anything. she glanced at him, but he just met her eyes for a brief moment before looking away. she didn't know what she was expecting.

maybe for him to agree with the others. maybe for him to say something at all.

but, no, none of that, he was just... silent.

and in his silence, walker was thinking.

thinking about how he would never make her feel like this.

thinking about how he could do so much better.