Again and Again by E. L. Todd

asked. “If you really don’t want to get back together with her, you need to cut her off. Don’t see her anymore. And when you do, don’t talk to her—if that’s what you want.”
    “I don’t know what I want. When I’m with her I just want to forget about everything and be happy. But I still…hurt. And that makes me doubt everything all over again.”
    “I think you could do a lot better,” Ryan said. “You should get laid and you’ll realize you don’t need her. You’re just horny and alone.”
    Janice shook her head. “Could you be any trashier?”
    “Shut up,” he said. “This is how guys talk. There’s no reading between the lines. We say exactly how it is. I’m only sweet to you because I’m fucking you.”
    “And because you love me.”
    “Yeah, whatever,” Ryan said.
    Mike laughed. “You guys are the weirdest couple in the world.”
    “We express ourselves a little differently,” Janice said. “But I assure you, Ryan’s a huge pussy when we’re alone.”
    Ryan shook his head but didn’t retaliate.
    “I’m a pussy with Cassandra,” Mike admitted with a shrug. “It’s not so bad.”
    Cassandra smiled at him fondly.
    “Actually, it’s pretty nice,” Mike said. “I don’t have to be a tough guy all the time. I love having a girlfriend. And it’s nice having pussy every night.”
    I cringed. “Too much info, man.”
    “Like you don’t think the same thing,” Mike said.
    I did. I missed that closeness with Monnique. I could open up to her and tell her everything I could never tell anyone else.
    We pulled up to the house and pulled out the pile of gifts we stuffed into my car. Balloons, flowers, presents—everything. It looked like we were going to a birthday party.
    I opened the door and walked inside. We all had keys so we never knocked. Fortunately, Sean and Scarlet didn’t have sex downstairs. That was something no one wanted to see.
    “We’re here,” I announced.
    Scarlet came from the kitchen, wearing a dark green dress. Her stomach was gone, and she looked exactly as she had before the pregnancy. The sight broke my heart. I knew Scarlet was still heartbroken, even a week later. I could see it in her eyes. She smiled and tried to keep a brave face on.
    “Hey, everyone,” she said.
    Ryan moved to her first and hugged her tightly. He rested his chin on her head and held her. She closed her eyes while her brother held her. I could tell she was trying not to cry.
    “You look good,” he said.
    “Thanks…”
    “For once, you aren’t ugly.”
    She chuckled. “It’s a miracle.”
    “I’m glad you’re finally using my blender.”
    She nodded.
    “I hope Sean likes fat chicks,” he teased.
    She rolled her eyes. “I’m not fat.”
    Ryan was the only one who knew how to make her feel better instantly. He teased her, even said mean things, but it somehow tamed her emotions. It was like they were synced through their minds. Ryan pulled away and kissed her forehead.
    “I love you,” he whispered. “And I’m so sorry about what happened.”
    “I love you too.”
    “It’s going to be alright,” he said. “You got all of us, your own army.”
    “I know,” she said with a small smile.
    Sean came behind her but stayed back, letting her embrace her family.
    Ryan pulled away then pulled a box out of his pocket. “I got you something.”
    She eyed the box. “You didn’t have to get me anything…”
    “Shut up,” he said with a smile. “I know you want it.” He handed it to her.
    She ripped the wrapping off then opened the box. A white gold necklace was inside. She picked it up and examined it. Small charms were along the chain. She examined each one. Each pendant had each of our names, and there was a final one that said, “Baby Preston.”
    Ryan cleared his throat. “I know it will happen for you guys eventually…”
    Scarlet’s eyes watered. “My family…”
    “You got a big one.” Ryan’s eyes watered too.
    “Thank you so much.”  She