Shawn POV

It's been a couple days since I saw Bey. I texted her and called her, but she hasn't hit me up yet. I don't know what's up. I know she could be feeling some type of way because of what transpired in my kitchen, but I thought she was into it. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable with me because it really does make my day when we see each other. It's crazy how close we've gotten in a matter of months. I didn't have much on my agenda today, just a client this morning and I am waiting to hear back from the seller, so I can close this deal.

It's going on 2:30 p.m. so I went to Tiera's school to pick her up. I normally see Bey picking up Erin, so I'm hoping I can talk to her.

30 minutes Later...

I parked my Benz on the curb and stepped out looking for Tiera near her class. It was 80 degrees and the the sun was shining. All the kids were on the courtyard yelling, playing, and screaming. I didn't spot her but she spotted me.

"DADDY." She yelled as she ran over to me. I bent down and swung her in my arms. My eyes closed as she hung onto my neck. I missed my little angel. I eventually switched her to my hip and talked to her as I grabbed her bag slinging it over my shoulder.

"Baby girl, How was your day?"

"It was good. Nia and I made pictures in Art class."

"That's good. You can show me when you get home and we can put it on the fridge."

"Ok."

I put Tiera down and smiled at her. "T, where's Erin?"

"I don't know. He was waiting for his mom." She shrugged

"Do you wanna go find him?"

"Ok"

Tierra and I walked around the courtyard and I spotted Bey's honey blonde hair. She wasn't too far away. She stood by the passenger door as Erin climbed in. As we got closer, I saw Bey close Erin's door and make her way to the driver's seat.

"BEY," I yelled out hoping she would hear me. She turned around and met my eyes. I felt myself walking faster and T ran ahead of me. She made it to Bey before me.

"Hi, Ms. Beyoncé."

"Hi, Angel. How are you?"

"I'm good." T smiled showing her missing teeth. "When can we come over?"

"I don't know. I'm so busy these days maybe next week."

"Ok." T replied cheerfully.

"Bey" I said chiming in.

"Yes, Shawn."

"Can we talk?"

"I need to get Erin home. He has homework."

"Yea, homework that takes all of five minutes."

"What do you want Shawn?" She sounded slightly irritated, which kinda pissed me off.

"I want you to tell me whats going?'

"Nothing."

"Then why the hell you acting like that?" I started to raise my voice. I could tell Bey was getting a little embarrassed as some parents looked our way.

"Shawn, lower your voice. I told you it's nothing, just drop it."

Bey turned around and opened her car door. I grabbed the door and stopped it from closing.

"Is Erin sleeping?"

"No." She was confused

"Good, Im coming over. Lead the way."

Before she could respond I walked off with Tiera following me.

We got to my car and buckled up. I started it and saw Bey drive by. I knew she was pissed but I didn't give a damn. How the fuck are you going to act all lopsided and shit and not at least explain yourself?

I whipped my car around quickly following behind her. It seemed like she was trying to drive faster, so I couldn't follow. You know those people who drive like there's nobody behind when they are supposed to be leading the way.

We drove for about 20 minutes before arriving at her house. It was dope. There was a basketball court in front of the house and a two car garage. Bey pulled into her garage while I parked in the driveway. I stepped out of the car and opened the door for Tiera.

"Tiera, don't forget your book bag. You have to do your homework first before you can play."

"But daddy—"

"But nothing, grab your bag, lets go."

Tiera pouted and walked through the open garage where Erin and Bey was standing.

"Hey, Tiera." Erin spoke excitedly.

"Hey Erin." She waved at him.

"I didn't know you were coming over."

"Me either, we can hang out."

"Cool, c'mon."

"Erin." Bey called his name. "Do your homework. If you need my help, Shawn and I will be in my room. Sit at the table."

"Ok ma."

Erin and Tiera walked inside, while Bey looked at me and rolled her eyes. She turned around and I followed.

"Aye chill out with that shit."

"Chill out with what Shawn? You're the one who invited yourself over here."

"I came over here to see why the hell you didn't reply to messages and call."

"Well clearly you wasn't catching my hint."

"Which is what? You don't want to be cool with me?"

"Bingo" Bey said in a high voice.

By now, we entered into her bedroom. I must say it was nice af. It really suited her.

"Why not?"

"Becuase..." She spoke indecisively.

"BECAUSE WHAT? YOU TOO DAMN OLD TO BE PLAYING GAMES WITH ME." I yelled causing her to jump.

"SHAWN, I CANT DO THIS WITH YOU. OKAY? ( her voice cracks) I CAN'T GET CLOSE TO YOU IN THAT WAY. I'M SCARED." Tears started streaming down her face. She turned her back to me.

"SCARED. OF. WHAT?" Although Bey was upset, I was still frustrated. I couldn't understand how she could possibly be scared of me.

She spun around and let it out. "YOU! I CANT LET YOU HURT ME. I CAN'T GET TOO ATTACHED. I CAN'T LOSE SOMEONE ELSE. I'M GETTING CLOSE AND IT'S SCARY. I CAN'T THINK RIGHT AROUND YOU SOMETIMES. ALRIGHT?" Bey completely broke down crying, looking at me.

"FINE! Leave it as it is now then. The only time I'll speak to you is about the kids. If not, we don't have anything else to say to each other. Sound good?"

Bey just looked at me with red eyes. Defeated. I walked out and found the kids at the table. I sat down and finished them up. It was about 10 more minutes and the kids were finished and packed up. They wanted to play so I let them. I was headed towards the door to get some fresh air and Bey came out the room. I walked passed her without saying a word.

15 minutes passed and I heard the door open. It was nice out and the view was amazing. I felt arms wrap around my stomach. I looked down and knew it was Bey.

I sighed stepping aside so she could let go. I stepped away from her and walked towards the door again.

"Wait, Shawn."

"What B?"

"You were right. I'm too old to play games. I heard what you said but I need you to hear me. I can not deal with us right now. I cant deal with something happening whether we don't work out or if you're just not around anymore. I like what we have. I like seeing you and talking to you. You've grown so close to me lately and I don't want to lose you as a friend."

"Why couldn't you just say that. Communicate. I am not the type of man where you can dump me off to the side when you don't want to express yourself, or talk, or see. I need communication. If you need space, ask for it. If you want to talk, tell me, but don't ever ghost me. I don't play that, thats bird shit. You got me?"

"Yea..." Bey responded softly. I turned around and walked back inside. The kids played for a little while longer before it was time to go.

"Tiera, c'mon. Get your stuff, its time to go."

"Daddyyyy." TIera whined.

"Uh uh. I don't want to hear it. Say bye to Erin. Thank Ms. Beyoncé for letting you stay and c'mon."

Tiera hugged Erin bye and we walked out to see Bey on the phone.

"Bye Ms. Beyoncé." Tiera said hugging her leg.

"Bye, sweetheart." She whispered while squatting down to hug Tiera properly. She looked up at me and gave a quick, soft, somewhat embarrassed smile.

I nodded at her and left. We drove home and I got Tiera ready for dinner and bed. She was out by 7.

I stretched out in bed and flicked through the tv channels. I felt my phone buzz.

It was from Bey:

"I'm sorry for how I acted Shawn. I know you're still upset but I hope we can maybe go out for lunch and I can explain better. I want to your friend and maybe more in the future. I just need time."

I read the text and left her on read. I figured I'd hit her up later when I didn't feel so annoyed. I went down to my gym and workout a little to clear my mind. I guess we will see what happens.

Bey POV

I know these last couple of days, Shawn has been trying to reach out to me, but I wasn't ready to talk to him just yet. I mean we were damn near dry-fucking each other on his counter. I'm so embarrassed and scared at the same time. I've been close to messing with another man after Erin's dad's passing and lets just say it was a horrible experience. I haven't been truly happy since his father was alive and I don't want to deal with the drama that I had to with the last guy. I missed him, but I was ready to move on, at the same time, I couldn't. I needed to protect my heart and my son. I didn't want to let anyone get close to me and Erin, not again.

When Shawn came over with Tiera, I knew it was gonna be some shit. I didn't want to talk to him because I was still trying to process everything that happened. I just need time and I didn't want him around me making me weak. I needed to think with my mind and not my heart.

Shawn was irritated and I could tell. I tried not to be hard on him but he pissed me off by inviting himself over to my house. Erin and I have our routine and he just came in and disrupted it. Granted that wasn't the full reason, I still had a right to be upset that he invited himself over without at least considering me and my plans.

We walked into my bedroom and closed the door. He immediately started going in. He yelled and it scared me. I couldn't handle and I just broke down. I told him, I was scared, but he didn't understand. He couldn't understand because we haunt been through the same things. I told what I could without completely freaking out.

He stormed out when he finished, while I cried in my bed. It was something that I hadn't done in a long time. It wasn't just about Shawn though, it was about Michael, Erin's dad, and the man after him and the trauma he put me through. I let it all out. I don't know why it came out all at once, but it did. I just couldn't stop, but eventually I was all cried out. I went into the bathroom and threw some water on my face hoping it would make me look a little better. I fixed myself. As I walked out my bedroom door, Shawn walked passed me outside. I was gonna say something but I didn't know what I could say. I checked on the kids and saw that they had finished their homework already. I guess Shawn helped them look over it. I watched them play for a little bit before stepping out. Shawn was leaning over the balcony taking in the view. I felt bad about earlier. I understood what he was saying and he was right. I hoped he wasn't still mad at me, so I snaked my arms around his waist and rested my head on his back.

He sighed and moved away from me walking to the door.

"Wait, Shawn." I was so nervous to speak to him, it didn't make sense.

"What B?" His words cut through me like a knife. He really didn't want anything to do with me now.

I looked down and told him how I felt, that he was right and I didn't want to lose him. I was sorry.

"Why couldn't you just say that. Communicate. I am not the type of man where you can dump me off to the side when you don't want to express yourself, or talk, or see. I need communication. If you need space, ask for it. If you want to talk, tell me, but don't ever ghost me. I don't play that, thats bird shit. You got me?"

"Yea..." I felt so disappointed in myself. How could I be so dumb. I could've messed one of the most genuine friendships I had. I turned around as Shawn walked back in the house. My eyes started to water but I stopped myself before it got out of hand again.

As soon as I wiped my tears, my phone rang. It was my mom.

"Hey Mama."

"Hey baby, how you doing?"

"Good, just working."

"I can tell, I haven't heard from you in a while. What's been going on?"

"Nothing major, just working on a project for Zsa Zsa Gabor."

"That's amazing Bey. How is it?"

"Its alright. She can be very indecisive which isn't good to work with?"

"You can handle it. You've been doing it for this long."

"Thank you. How's everything going with you?"

"It's going good. I have a couple models coming over for a pieces to try on. I made you some too."

"Oooooo What kind?"

"Well I have a few dresses and a pants suit."

"It sounds good. I can't wait to try them."

"Im sure. How's my grand baby?"

"He's good. He's on a play date with his classmate Tiera."

"Oh a girl. Hows that going?"

"Good, they spend a lot of time together, I think I might be a little jealous."

My mom laughed at my foolishness. "Girl, you know you raised a mama's boy. He's not going anywhere. How's his mom?"

"Well, its actually his dad, Shawn. His mom left him and ran off with some other guy."

"Oh thats so sad. His father must've gone through a lot."

"Yea. He's a great dad though."

"So he's single?"

"Yes, mama. We're actually good friend."

"Is he cute?"

"MOM" I could hear her laugh as I expressed my shock.

"What? You need to get back out there?"

"You know I'm not ready yet."

"But when will you be, that thing with Keith was a year ago Beyoncé. It's time."

"I know ma. Im just nervous about it. I don't want to make the same mistakes again. I don't think I could handle it."

As I talked to my mom, I saw the door open and Shawn and Tiera came out. Tiera said hugged my legs and bent down to hug her goodbye. I looked at Shawn with a small smile and he just nodded. I finished the conversation with my mom as I watched them leave my driveway. I closed my door and eventually gave the phone to Erin. He was so happy to talk to his nana. She always spoiled him, even more than me.

They talked for about 15 minutes before I wrapped the call up. It was getting late so I gave Erin some cereal for dinner and got him ready for bed.

I got in my bed once Erin was settled and I texted Shawn.

"I'm sorry for how I acted Shawn. I know you're still upset but I hope we can maybe go out for lunch and I can explain better. I want to your friend and maybe more in the future. I just need time."

I waited up all night for him to text me back but nothing...another restless night..

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Sorry for the typos. Hope this was good. Let me know what you guys think and like. Spread the word.