A/N: Hello my lovely readers! Here's part 2 of Birthday, although this chapter barely focuses on that. Nevertheless, I do think you'll enjoy it especially since I made it extra spicy :) Shout out to everyone from readers, followers, favs, reviewers, everyone! You guys are seriously so great!

Book One: Antebellum

Chapter Five: Birthday, Part Two

Eddie Holbrook was about to have the best night of his life. The one big wish he had been praying for had finally entered his life and the Rolls-Royce. It wasn't too excessive, knowing that his Lord worked in mysterious ways, so he kept it realistic and capable of occupying one of his growing fingers if he never needed to keep track of it. First, there was the age where he was considered an adult. He was finally old enough to learn the trade that made his family as affluent and pouring with gold throughout the generations. Their father wasn't around as usual. Bobby was the second best thing to one, so he explained their history in all sorts of industries. They got their start with the railroads. As of '23, their family had been growing in wealth with the rise of the automobile industry.

Secondly, he wanted a day where he was like every other boy in New York. He was raised with accordance to the fashion calendar, what to wear at events down to the most miniscule detail, most have never even felt the texture of the finest linens keeping their skin cool and relaxed. Even Eddie's behavior was peculiar. He just wanted to blend in once, even if it was the only time in his life he could ever do so.

For his third wish, he had mostly prayed for his family to be, well, a family. His parents were indifferent about the whole lot of children and preferred to travel and mingle amongst the world's finest. Albert, the eldest and most prized child, had caught himself a wife of British aristocracy named Myrtle Fairfax and lived and ruled her estate across the pond. Eddie couldn't even recall truly being with Albert since the wedding without holidays.

Vernetta was the second and the only girl, instantly becoming the token daughter and a Golden Girl. They had plans for her, even rumors of marrying her off to nobility higher up than Albert and Myrtle. They wanted to find a King Edward to her Wallis Simpson, minus the scandal and more of grace. That was the plan until she rebelled, dropped out of St. Bernadette's and made a home all the way in Brooklyn. Her fall from grace constantly tempted Eddie, but Bobby reigned him back to his roots when he grew to hasty.

Bobby was the favored child who had no plan in life. He did as commanded, performed the duty as a pleasant gentleman, he was everything a man should aspire to be. Yet true to his image of grandeur, he indulged in the greatest of debaucheries. He had made a sport out of pursuing married women, spent his money in excess and waste, he was the reckless Gatsby of Manhattan. Both Vernetta and Bobby's vices made Eddie love them even more, his most favorite family who had humanity. And now on this day, Vernetta had reunited with them and the trio was restored.

"Netta!" Eddie poked his head out of the window. "Oh Netta!"

She was all love and smiles on her baby brother, caressing his cheek and kissing him mercilessly. Yet she somehow had a glossy look in her eye, weary and weighted with sadness.

"And how does it feel to be a man, Mr. Edward?"

"Okay I guess. Bobby said I wasn't going to be a real man until my balls dr-"

"-You're taking advice from one of the most vulgar creatures we know?" She feigned surprise. "For shame!"

"That's my brother!" Bobby laughed from the other side.

Eddie noticed a man somewhat close to his sister. He knew for sure that he was only a tad taller than himself and only a slightly bigger build. He was blonde and had good features only to be hidden by his thin face. In the week Vernetta had spent with him and Bobby, Eddie knew she was only dropping hints of a mysterious man who so captured her attention. Instantly, he knew who that man was.

"Hey!" He pointed. "You're Steve, right?"

"Yeah." He stepped closer.

"How swell! Netta's been talking about you all hush-hush and stuff. Are you her secret-boyfriend or something?"

Eddie had never seen a person turn as red as his sister's favorite lipstick. The woman herself was sent into a much needed fit of laughter.

"We're something alright." She wiped away the tears.

Before the siblings departed, Eddie watched as Steve and Vernetta stepped away for a moment and spoke in whispers. She looked almost sorry, moving closer to him and placing a hand on his chest. Steve touched her with both hands nodding his head and smiling. She was worried, he looked as if he needed to reassure her.

"Did something happen?"

"Netta almost got into a fight and Steve was in the middle of it."

Amazing. His sister, oh-so prim and proper, almost got into a fight! If only he could move to Brooklyn and develop the gall!

The pair of them parted ways and Eddie scooched into the middle to make room. He couldn't help but hit her with his own reassurance when she opened the door.

"Y'know, you could've handed that girl her behind!" He exclaimed.

Vernetta and Bobby puckered their lips. She merely nodded and forced a smile.

"Yeah. Right…"

"And you know Steve could've came, right?"

His sister put an arm around him and kissed his cheek.

"I know, but he has to go help his best friend. They're practically brothers, so you understand the whole family thing."

"Boy do I!"

"Remember that time you did a thing and something happened? That was pretty neat, right?"

"I've done a lot of things, Steve. Pick one."

Steve had traversed the streets of his home borough to find Bucky hunched over the bar at Willie's Tavern. It was almost sundown when he pushed open the heavy doors and found his best friend with a giant glass of beer. He said his hellos and took a seat, not knowing how to go about this rather awkward situation.

"Well that's why I can't think of any. You keep getting in trouble."

Steve hesitated in chuckling. His best friend was completely silent preferring to empty the glass and order another. He had other ideas than to have just one like Steve thought. The disapproval on his face was there and blatant but he never uttered a word. Bucky offered him a sideways glance.

"You don't have to keep me company."

"We're best friends. I'm not going anywhere. Just talk to me, Buck."

Bucky didn't give in to Steve's plea. He didn't like talking about things that made him upset. It only sent him back to the moment. He would have to be raging drunk to spill the beans of the most secret parts of Bucky Barnes and his partner in crime knew that. Usually he would attempt to make him refrain but he kept his distance. He waited patiently for him to talk, even if it would take all night.

"That wasn't as exciting as I thought it'd be."

"Losing is a big part of ordinary life."

"Well we aren't ordinary."

There was truth in Eddie's words. People like them don't lose. He was hoping his luck would rub off and the Yankees would win against the Cardinals and make his birthday the greatest one in the books. But his sister was onto something.

"It was still fun, though." He looked up to his siblings. "I'm glad we went."

"I'm glad you still enjoyed it. Now in you go."

Vernetta shut the door once Eddie was in the car. She leaned into the window.

"You boys will be alright?"

"Straight shot to Sands' Point; easy as it can be. What about you?" Bobby answered.

"Work my charm and get a cab."

"A cab?! Bobby, I wanna go in a cab!"

Eddie begged and begged but Vernetta set him straight without Bobby even having to jump in. They were to return to the estate, wind down, and go to bed. That was that and her word was final.

"Happy birthday, Eddie. Both of you take care."

"Hey, I see that look in your eye!" Bobby yelled out. "I know what nights like this make!"

"What ever are you talking about?"

"You're going to go see your 'something'. I swear, if I found out I'm going to be an uncle…"

"Please," Vernetta rolled her eyes, "he won't even touch me."

"Bobby, what does that mean?" Eddie turned to his older brother.

"You'll find out later, trust me."

Vernetta's favorite boys drove off into the bustling New York cityscape back to that horrid family mansion. She thought that Bobby would take Eddie back to the Plaza Hotel to wind down and spend the night. That is, after all, where the majority of their childhood was spent. Then again, a hotel as grand as the Plaza and a time so late as it is now, the numerous floors were hunting grounds for debauchery and scandal. Bobby was a fan but his duty as brother fortunately overshadowed that desire. The token sister instead returned to a home filled with life and personality, not to mention some of the more rundown buildings. She instructed the cab driver to stop in front of a telephone booth near the apartment building.

"Thank you kindly!"

She practically sprinted to occupy the booth, instantly inserting the coins and turning the dial according the number she had memorized.

"Hello? Rogers Residence."

"Oh! Miss Sarah! Hello! I was calling to see if Steve was present?"

"You and I have the same thought."

Vernetta heard a worried sigh escape the phone with static.

"Now do you have any idea where my son is?"

"Not a clue, ma'am."

"Any idea why he would be missing?"

Great. Wonderful. Such a peachy question that warmed Vernetta's cold heart. A usual low and guttural rattled her voice as she hesitated.

"Well…"

"Well what?"

"Bucky and I sort of had a fight. Steve was in the middle of it."

She could only picture the mother nodding her head with a tight-lipped expression.

"Girl he adores and his best friend. How original. I take it he chose Bucky?"

When Sarah put it like that, it disheartened the young woman. She knew back in her head that it wasn't the case. Steve himself explained that he sided with the two of them as much as he was against them. She understood Bucky had a special place in Steve's life and that he had to make sure he didn't do anything rash in his mood. Yet when she put it like that…

"Er...yes…"

"Well, since that's the case, I would search the local bars. Tell me, where was this fight?"

"In front of my apartment."

"Then I suggest searching the closest ones there. No matter the reason, they'll both need a stern woman setting them straight. Just try not to cause another argument. You're more than welcome the round them up at my home. Goodbye darling."

Sarah Rogers was definitely an odd woman. Then again, she's Irish. The line went dead and Vernetta hooked the phone back onto the stand. Check the closest bars. That was going to be a challenge. She just only hoped she wasn't the Yankees in this case.

"Midnight! Midnight! I read...somewhere that midnight w-was the witching...hour! Witches, Steve!"

Both Steve and the now completely drunk Bucky slowly walked the deserted pavement. Steve, despite his smaller stature, managed to help his friend stay on his feet although his feet quite literally went everywhere.

"Then we better get home soon."

"It's not just witches though! Th-there's demons and...and...and...and ghosts! Bad things er gonna happen!"

Humorous as it is, Bucky slurring his words and flailing his body proved to make Steve's task more difficult. Vernetta and Amelia's place was closer. Yet with what occurred earlier, it was a safer bet to let Bucky hiccup under the Rogers' cruddy roof.

"Nah. We're baptized. I think we'll be good."

"When we're dead, you idiot! No! We gotta live brother! Yer gonna..putta ring on some broad and gett'er pregnant with an...ast-uh-matic kid..."

"You too, Buck." Steve couldn't help but crack a smile. Poor kid, though.

"Saint Michael! The Archangel!"

Bucky, closing his eyes, shot up an arm with an open palm. The spirit of the scripture he knew at heart was beginning the etch words behind his eyelids. He knew the words without fault despite his booming voice echoing down the street.

"Defund-de-defend us in battle!"

Steve was wrong about the fault.

"Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of that goddamn devil! May God repuke-er-no, rebuke him we humbly pray!"

Bucky's sermon-like delivery only rose with intensity. Sure, there was nothing funny about prayer or God or anything. That's blasphemy. Yet with Bucky's current situation...it was pretty damn funny. Steve still attempted to stifle laughs but it was useless. Bucky didn't care. Bucky was gone.

"Aaand dooo thoouuu! Ooooooo Prince of the Heavenly Hoooost! By the Dee-vine Powwww-er of Gaahhd! Cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits! Who roam through...through...er shit. Who roam- aww fuck it- the world seeking the ruin of souls! Ahhhhhhhhh-men!"

That was wild. Steve didn't know if laughing so hard could cause an asthma attack. If it was a known cause, Steve sure as hell would not be breathing right at the moment. Really, he was too busy laughing to breathe anyway.

"Hey...hey…"

Bucky forced the two of them to stop, stretching out his arm across Steve's chest. They were quiet for a moment.

"I think we're good now brother." Bucky nodded.

"With a prayer like that, it'll scare anything away. C'mon Buck."

He tugged his best friend along now able to think to himself. He talked about everything except Amelia and Vernetta. He screamed out his own prayer to the world, yet not even a hiccup for one of the girls they oh-so fancied. They ventured on through the night.

"I haven't seen you in awhile, my dear."

"Between working and catering to my family's needs, it's hard to see everyone."

It was past midnight and Vernetta hadn't realized that countless bars were packed into her neighborhood alone. She had, once again, underestimated the size of the city and borough. There were ten places she checked before accepting her defeat. She ran to the protection of Sarah Rogers, hoping that Steve and Bucky would turn up there.

"I didn't take you for a woman who enjoyed my company." Sarah smiled at her statement.

"You bring happiness to my son which then makes me happy. You'll understand when you have a son of your own."

"I don't think having another rambunctious Holbrook in the world is a good idea."

"They'll only have parts of you if that's of any comfort."

Sarah showed Vernetta where to drop off her things before leading her into the kitchen. She was quick to pour them some water and beckoned the young woman to sit at the table.

"I'm quite curious about you and Steve. Do you mind if I ask some questions?"

"No," Vernetta shook her head, "no not at all."

Sarah nodded. She leaned in with a mission of her face. It was no doubt fueled by Steve's misery concerning women his age.

"Do you want my son to marry you?"

Vernetta's tired blue eyes popped. Marriage was surely a stretch. They aren't even going steady. How can she expect a proposal anytime soon?

"I'm sorry?"

Sarah thought for a moment.

"Listen, I know a woman of your situation needs security. How can someone like Steve help you?"

Security? What the hell is that woman talking about? Vernetta's brow furrowed. She was confused and Sarah was doing nothing to clarify. Why would she need a husband?

"Okay you can't talk like I know what you're saying. Because I don't."

"You're a rebellious rich girl, Vernetta. How long will it be before you're just a rebellious girl?"

Sarah Rogers was perhaps the most observant woman Vernetta had ever had the pleasure of meeting. She would thrive amongst the upper class. Steve had to get his 'no tolerance for bullies' somewhere, so Vernetta would expect her to be the most headstrong woman and a name that would inspire all regardless of class. She had hoped to avoid the impending financial situation she was steering towards.

"I take it you're hiding something?" Sarah noticed her silence.

Vernetta could only nod. Another damper to this already strange day. But it was past midnight. Being awake at such an odd time was like living in an altered reality. Anything goes.

"My parents gave me a year to decide."

"On what?"

"Whether I want to go back or not."

Vernetta sighed, rubbing her eyes. Oh yes. Her parents, even with her rebellion, didn't want to deal with her. So they gave her the right to leave until it was time that she was expected to go back. The thing is she didn't want to.

"I'm sick of everything that goes on in that world. People like you and the Barnes' are treated like shit whereas people like my parents are living gods destroying themselves with debauchery and decadence."

Just thinking about her old life made her blood boil. Fists clenched. Teeth gritted against each other. Her face puckered so hard she expected her skin to tear.

"Excuse my language, Mrs. Rogers, but everything that made me sickens me. I don't want to marry a man who will have plenty of mistresses to neglect me. I don't want to rear children who will hate me. I don't want to live the rest of my days high because I can't cope with the reality. I need simplicity. I need the ordinary."

"You need people who care about you."

Sarah moved her seat beside Vernetta, resting her hands on a shoulder and arm. Her mothering instincts kicked in and comforted the poor woman.

"I'm going to be kicked out of the will anyway." Vernetta laughed. "Being married will help me survive."

"Vernetta, this isn't the last century. You marry for love nowadays."

"Well I don't even have an opinion on Steve. He claims he's interested but hasn't done anything."

Her frustration quickly went from herself to Steve. Dangerous territory considering his own mother is right beside Vernetta. Yet she was the only other woman who understood.

"He's too timid and under-confident. I just know if I try to do something, I'll push him away."

Sarah couldn't disagree on that. It was comforting to see her nod.

"Believe me, Steve is the most decent man I have ever met. I just-"

"-don't know if he's perfect. Let me tell you something."

Vernetta's attention was directed to the woman. Not that she had a choice. Sarah had turned her head for her.

"I felt the same way about my Joseph. He was that strange man who wanted to immigrate to America, to leave everything that made us who we were behind. He practically begged me to go with him and stated he would be a miserable old hermit if I didn't. I was a part of his American dream and I promise you it was the best years of my life."

"I don't mean to be insensitive, but I take it he's not here anymore?"

"You can thank the Great War and the innovation of mustard gas. Died before Steve was born."

The pain in her voice was too real. Sarah smiled it off but Vernetta just knew.

"He was the love of my life. You'll find someone like that. By God, if Steve is serious-"

"-which he isn't."

"-If he is, you'll see."

"Mah-mahh Rogers! We're hooooome!"

"Could you be louder there, Buck?"

"Bucky! Steven! Where have you boys been?!"

Their hilarious expressions were wiped clean by Mrs. Rogers' shrill voice. There she was, standing by the kitchen table in that way all angry mothers stand.

"I have been worried sick about the two of you! Even poor Vernetta was worried!"

On cue, Vernetta turned to face the pair still seated comfortably at the table. It came as a shock to Steve. He wouldn't expect her to be at his house at one in the morning.

"Oh. Hey. How was the game?"

"Yankees lost, but it was alright."

"Ver-ve-Vernetta?" Bucky squinted, struggling to even say her name.

He shrugged off Steve and stumbled towards the young woman. She studied his look. It was obvious that he was severely drunk. He was sweaty and gross and kept getting closer and closer to her. The stench was too much.

"How much did you drink?" She warily asked.

"Too...much…" He chuckled.

He pointed a finger in Vernetta's face. The great instability he was experiencing often planted his finger on her actual face. He kept poking her nose, giggling like a child.

"Hey! You-uh-tried to beat me up earlier! Whatthehellman!"

"You do remember why, right?"

"I'm a horrible guy."

Bucky got down on his knees. He rested his head on Vernetta's lap and his arms locked around her waist. Then the sniffling started.

"Imma 'orrible, no'good cheater! A foul, loathesum, e'il 'lil cockroach-ah, heh-heh-heh."

"Was he this clingy on you?" Vernetta asked Steve, who shook his head in response.

Bucky buried his face onto her skirt while tightening his hold. The sniffling became full blown wails.

"I'm 'orrible, Vur-nett-uh! I deserve nothin' but a good slap on the face!"

"Bu...Bucky…"

Vernetta looked up for any type of aid. There was a large, muscular, weepy man staining her skirt with tears and mucus and somehow thought two thin, sickly persons could be able to pry him off. And the dress wasn't even hers.

"I'm sorry! Yer too precious an' I let you doooowwwwwnnn!" His howls were muffled.

"You didn't let me down, Bucky." Vernetta leaned in.

Flattening her hand, she began rubbing his back to induce comfort. Sure he was drunk. Sure he deserved her resentment. Yet seeing him in such a state earned Bucky her pity.

"You disappointed me because you let Amelia down."

"Amelia-shmelia!"

It seemed that Bucky was more focused on the woman he cried on rather than the woman he wronged. The former supposed things needed to be accomplished one step at a time. It was passed midnight and the situation was a bit too complicated for a drunk man to clearly understand. Again, Vernetta locked eyes with the Rogers'.

"I don't suppose you have an extra bed for him, do you?"

Steve was the one who stepped forward, leaning down to pry his best friend off Vernetta. It was their first embrace: Steve leaning in to unlock Bucky's hands and then pry them from her hips. Their noses would've touched if he wasn't so shy. He instead turned his head at an angle where he completely avoided her gaze.

"We practically lived at each other's places."

"So you have one at his?"

Steve turned his head and finally faced Vernetta. She was still so beautiful after the wear of the day that rubbed off any makeup she had put on hours earlier. Dark circles were visible under her eyes, uneven textures and redness reclaimed her skin, even her lips weren't the shade of vibrant red Steve was so used to. It made his heart skip a beat seeing her like this. She finally looked normal, but he knew she didn't want that. His mind had wandered, not realizing he simply stared into her eyes.

"What? Oh, yeah." He shook his head.

"How adorable."

Steve and Bucky's friendship was too precious. With the former's help, Vernetta got Bucky and slung one of his arms around her.

"Vernetta, take James up. You're welcome to stay the night. Steve, you and I are going to have a talk."

Sarah's tone was motherly, although not the warm and comforting type. They all knew Steve was going to get the greatest tongue lashing a person could ever get from their mother. Vernetta hobbled off with Bucky, hearing only silence from the kitchen all the way upstairs.

"Are you able to take off your clothes?"

Bucky sat with a blank stare and Vernetta hovered over. Tears still ran down his cheeks, not that he was aware however. It appeared that he ran her words through his head over and over. Then a sloppy grin appeared.

"You tryin' to take advantage of me?"

"Bucky, I swear-."

The woman stopped and shook her head. She was not going to get a real answer out of him anytime soon.

"What're you doin'?"

"Be still."

Vernetta first pulled off his coat and unbuttoned his shirt. Bucky kept trying to touch her fingers and with every attempt, she slapped his hand away until the next time. She burned with embarrassment. Thankfully, he wore an undershirt. She hoped it was the same under the belt.

"I don't want you to be mad at me…" Bucky's voice cracked.

Vernetta kept her tongue under lock and key. She threw off his shoes, tugged off his socks, but she hesitated in the last step. All that remained was his belt and trousers. Somehow, Bucky recognized the uncomfortable look etched into her face. He didn't even let her near that away. He undid everything just fine after swatting her hand away.

"Now that you're ready for bed, I'll be going."

She wanted to turn on her heels and hightail it out of there. Yet she could only accomplish the first part.

"No, please don't go. I'm sorry…" Bucky clamped a hand around her wrist.

Their heads hung low: Vernetta still facing the door, Bucky facing her back. She didn't take him to be a needy drunk despite all that's happened.

"What could you possibly need?" Vernetta turned back. "What could you need instead of sleep and sobriety?"

She sat beside him just trying to figure out this enigma of a man. He was defeated and succumbed to it, but by what?

"You need sleep. You'll feel better in the morning."

"Yeah. I guess."

New York was a city that never sleeps. Automobiles dominated the night and the sound poured into the apartment. Sarah's voice had risen while her son's was not even in existence. Alcohol and cologne filled Vernetta's nostrils.

"You smell like vanilla." Bucky whispered, his alcohol breath engulfing the pair of them. "You smell drunk." A small laugh escaped.

A sudden hand wandered onto her knee. The woman's thoughts instantly imagined her retracting from the bed and telling the man goodnight, walking out without a doubt. Yet something more emotional held her back, letting her heart pound and her mind numb.

"So I still have my perfume on?"

"Yeah."

"I suppose it works then. You know what they say about expensive perfumes…"

His hand slid higher.

"Yer too precious…"

All the moments of yelling and sobbing rendered his voice only to be able to croak his words. It gave Vernetta goosebumps, so low and hoarse it almost sounded husky.

"Am I really?"

"Of course."

Bucky looked at Vernetta in a way every woman wanted to be looked at. Behind glossy eyes, he was still there and knew what he was doing. She couldn't even recall a moment where a man looked at her in such a way that it made her knees weak. Her mind screamed that this was wrong and it was.

"Why did you get drunk?" She inched closer to him.

"I made you angry, so angry that you hit me in front of people. What good am I if it comes to that?"

"You are always worth everything, even if no one believes it. That also includes yourself."

Bucky started laughing. His palm flew from her thigh to her cheek, a warm and welcome embrace for Vernetta. His hand was the right feeling of coarseness that let women know a man was there ready to do anything. It comforted her. No one had touched her like that before.

"It must be my damn birthday!" He whispered. "I got the most gorgeous babydoll tellin' me I'm worth everythin'!"

Babydoll. She liked that. She liked that a lot.

"And yet you got drunk."

Bucky immediately came to her comforting after hearing the disappointment in her tone. Both hands were resting on her cheeks, eyes widened, and his speech was rapid.

"I-I-I'm sorry. I-I didn't know you don't like drinkin'. If I did, I wouldn't've…"

"It's okay, Bucky." She smiled, sliding her own hands above his. "Don't change yourself for a girl."

"Well what if she's a rich socialite and I'm just...me?"

Oh dear God. Skips in her heart almost felt like palpitations. She couldn't stop the words from escaping.

"This rich socialite thinks you're perfect. What about her?"

"Yeah." He smiled. "Yeah she does."

The stale air of the day's events was long gone. Instead, the fresh early morning air was all that lingered between Vernetta and Bucky. Yet that gap only shrunk as with each heartbeat, they grew closer and closer.

She could feel his harsh stubble graze against her skin.

Their lips found each other, Bucky's wet and thin lips pressing against Vernetta's dry and cracked ones. It started out innocent enough. They were soft, heads only slightly tilted, noses smashed against the other. But then want and need seeped into their desires. Bucky grabbed Vernetta and pressed her against him so tight that there was no escape. She couldn't even breathe with her breasts so flattened on his chest.

The woman instead opened her mouth wider and shoved her tongue into him, tasting the very drinks he had earlier. Their heads kept moving, trying to find all the spots that made it feel good. Vernetta had never felt such ecstasy flowing through her body. She replied with an even hungrier kiss, often pulling back to breathe before delving right back in. Bucky's soft moans vibrated into her mouth feeling his own pleasure run through her. She wanted more. She craved more. Something in her stated that if Steve wasn't here, she'd let Bucky take her on the bed at this very moment. But that thought ended everything. Her mind finally forced itself into control after remembering Steve. She had hurt him, betrayed him without him ever knowing. Instantly she pulled back and her head craned down.

"You should, um, go to sleep now." Her voice was weak.

She felt Bucky's arms go limp and she was free to leave. Not even a glance back when Vernetta walked out. Downstairs, Steve and Sarah were still talking.

"I managed to put him to bed." She quickly nodded. "It'd be best if I went home now."

"Oh. Really?" Disappointment clung to Steve's words.

"It'd be...improper if I stayed. I hope you understand."

"Of course. It's just I don't want you going out alone."

He was so caring. She had been lusting for his best friend not even a minute before. She felt like the stereotypical upper class girl, the one that got what she wanted at the price of ruining everything. She came to Brooklyn to avoid becoming such a thing. Yet there she stood exactly like them.

"I'll be fine, I promise. I just need to go."

Vernetta quickly said her goodbyes before quickly walking to the door. Whatever was she going to do now?

A/N: Oooh! Now what did I say about it getting all spicy up in here? I do truly hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll be seeing you in the next! Again, you guys are rockstars!