The establishment has one long bar along the wall, a small stage, two billiards tables, a dartboard, A T.V for game nights, A new digital jukebox that can search the web for any song inputted, and various two-person tables along with a wall that contains old photos of patrons and the owners over the years.
Yvonne made her way inside the bar, it had been a few days after her outburst and still was not in the mood to talk to Sweets. The reason why she was here was because Maisie said she wanted to grab a bite to eat here since she was craving their fried pickles. Yvonne was happy to get away from work and also being at her place, but she was worried. Yvonne knew that Maisie was going to ask her about Sweets and speaking to him. She was not dragging her feet, but she just did not want to do it. He had already scolded her enough and seeing him dance with someone else still pissed her off. With a soft sigh she smacked her lips, was she being honest about her feelings? Seeing him dance with someone should not have gotten her so tight. What was she even thinking about? Yvonne would find another excuse to wiggle out of meeting with him. Finally him being a grandpa and living in the 80s with no phone was working out in her favor. She looked around, but couldn't see the curly haired female before a bartender who had just gotten done running food stopped her.
"Are you looking for Maisie Suga?" The woman asked with a soft smile. Yvonne narrowed her eyes at her because who the hell was sure and how did she know who she was looking for. "Maisie was right, you are a firecracker. Follow me she told me to seat you. She is running a bit late but will be here. Names Iris, if you need me just holla," Iris told her as she started walking. Yvonne sighed and followed her to a table not too far from the bar. It was a two person table which did not raise any alarms since it was just supposed to be just her and Maisie. "Thanks Iris," Yvonne said to her. Iris put some napkins on the table and nodded. "Call me over when you're ready honey," Iris said going off to help a customer.
Little did Yvonne know Maisie was not coming. Maisie knew Iris, they were friends and she did love the fried pickles at El Destierro. Gerald and her had been there yesterday and she got two rounds of fried pickles. Maisie told Iris to get Yvonne seated and make sure she doesn't leave when Sweets arrived. Yes, Maisie was plotting. She invited both people under the guise of eating with her, but it would be with one another. They needed to clear the air and she believed Yvonne was just dragging her feet. Sweets had reached out to Maisie to speak with Yvonne, but Yvonne was playing games so this is what she had to do. Maisie had told Yvonne to be there earlier than Sweets so she would have no choice to bail. Now Yvonne was waiting, as she hung her purse on the hook under the table and removed her hat. Taking out her phone she sent a quick text to Maisie letting her know she had arrived and where she was seated.
After leaving Em at the Walters-Simmons residence that night Sweet's had been too busy focusing on preparing for the upcoming engagement party to stop by again. Although he stood in constant communication with Maisie in hopes the woman would be able to help him get in contact with Yvonne so the two could clear the air. It was something he had desired for a long time and it appeared Yvonne was as close as ever with the group. He assumed that meant she too would attend so he didn't want any more drama to outshine the two's special day. Winston deserved a moment of happiness after the hardship they had all be through and if the moment was anything less than perfect because of his own actions the male would never be able to forgive himself. Walking into the bar Sweet Pea would look around for Maisie to no avail before walking to the bar. Maisie had told him if he arrived before her to just ask for Iris and she would take him to her usual table. " Iris? " the male questioned to the female before being directed to the right area. his eyes widened seeing the same person he had come to speak of today. He prepared to turn and walked away but Iris seemed to urge him foreward before he slid into a seat across from Yvonne. " Your strongest drink please, make it a double " the male ordered knowing this conversation would be far from a pleasent one. "Hello Yvonne, h-how have you been ?"
After sending her message to Maisie she looked around on her phone and answered an email she should have answered two days ago. She chewed on her bottom lip as she waited for Maisie to respond to her before someone slid into the seat in front of her. Yvonne didn't even have to look up to know who it was, she knew his scent. Sweets always smelled really amazing, good enough to make a lady jump on him. "I'm going to kill her," She muttered under her breath. Yvonne rolled her eyes deeply as she looked up and heard Sweets ordering a strong drink. "Ordering a strong drink already? You think this talk is going to be that fucking bad?" She snapped at him. Yvonne put her hand up to stop him from talking. "I don't think we need to pretend with small talk, Maisie sent you here didn't she?" Yvonne asked him as she put her hand down. Hell, maybe she should have always gotten a strong drink. She didn't even look at him and sighed. When Iris came back with his drink she stopped her "Can I have the loaded cheese fries, and fried pickles?" She asked before Iris nodded and left. Yvonne took a deep breath she couldn't run forever. "You might need something to eat so you don't drink on an empty stomach," She told him. Her eyes darted over to him as she looked at him before speaking in a calm manner "I would like to have this conversation when the food gets here, so I guess we have to have the small talk after all. So I am fine Sweets, just working doing some PR due to a viral post. How have you been?"
If Maisie had told Sweet pea her plan to begin with the male would have prepared himself for what was to come. Perhaps even brought a peace offering of cheese fries if the woman had still enjoyed them although judging by the large order of them it seemed she had. He found himself adjusting his hat more often than usual as he waited for the woman to react to his presence. " You seemed pretty pissed last you saw me spider monkey, i'd be dumb to think it'll end in sunshine and rainbows " Sweets responded giving her a smile. It would just his luck to wear a white shirt a second time around her. He imagined it likely would end up soaked or somehow ruined like the last. " I asked her to lunch, I was hoping to sweet talk your number out of her but it seemed she beat me to it " While it was not his sole intention of meeting with Maisie he had hoped the woman would be of some aide, but as always she seemed to be two steps ahead of him. " Sharing your cheese fries with me? You really have grown up some " the male joked as he did his best to ease the tension between the two. " Whatever you want doll " the male told nodding his head before taking a rather large gulp of his drink. He waited several moments for the effects to kick in before speaking again. " Still dancing I hope " the male told knowing it was always her dream to become one. " I'm ok. On vacation here for a few weeks so you'll only have to suffer with seeing me until then " He would understand if Yvonne wanted him to stay far away from her. Had it been the case he'd find a way to accommodate her and still spend time with the others.
"Well no shit, why would I be happy to see you?" Yvonne asked him. She rolled her eyes and looked away from him. The nerve of him to use a nickname for her, how dare he. She had explained why she was pissed off, but he was drinking. That means she would have to explain to him again why she was upset. Ugh! This would be annoying, got dammit Maisie. Although she wasn't responding in the best way, she couldn't fault him for being on edge. He didn't know if she changed or not, and the same change he did see was not enough to let his guard down. "Yeah she invited me to lunch, but I guess she caught onto to me avoiding you. Very slick of her, Gerald is rubbing off on her," Yvonne frowned. Maisie had asked her permission to get her number for Sweets, but she declined so it seemed like Maisie took it into her own hands. Yvonne made a slight humph sound as Sweets tried to joke with her about her sharing her fries with him. She was not in the mood for his jokes right now when he scolded her last time for not changing enough.
"Of course I still dance. I own a dance studio now and I teach there. I also do choreography for movies and a few artists," She told him as she filled him in. That was why she was doing this damn PR because she wouldn't let Em impact her bag. When Sweets mentioned he was only on vacation she gave him an icy stare. "So you're leaving again? At least I get a warning before you vanish this time." She snapped as she folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. "I don't have to suffer with seeing you, I would just not come around the Walters for a week. Its easier than you make it seem."
It wouldn't be too difficult to do so. It was a new city one he'd never been to he could easily spend his days sight seeing and enjoying the beach so Yvonne got her time with their friends and he'd come around for dinner every night or something to that effect if it was what female wished it. " I know but I was happy to see you. you look healthy " At least he was before the incident occurred. " I'm sorry I raised my voice at you. If you let me I'd like to make it up to you, cheese fries on me? and not literally please " the male told knowing Yvonne could agree and dumb the lot on him and use his words against him. His eyes traveled over the female once more. She looked beautiful the prior night and today in the afternoon sun was no exception. In his opinion orange and yellow had always been her colors although he'd known better than to say so. " Nah this is all Maisie " Just the young version he remembered from his time before jail the only influence he could tell G having was keeping him in the dark as well. He wouldn't be surprised if G had a hidden camera somewhere just to see Sweets squirm. " I'm glad to hear, I'll have to have Gwen show me some of your stuff sometime " The girl had been attempting to convince his to upgrade his phone over the last few days and YouTube along with TikTok seemed to be her selling point stating he could reach more people with his job if he'd put some of his work on it, although he was still unsure. He shouldn't have however Sweets found himself reaching out for Yvonnes hand, if she allowed him to hold it he would caress it gently with his thumb as he spoke " You know I couldn't stay doll, my family needed me " He never regretted leaving his home town, it was for the best if his family got out when they did, but he regretted leaving yvonne the way he did. A half ass letter, sneaking to her window to say a quick goodbye before ultimately never hearing from her again. It was wrong but he felt he had to do it for the good of his siblings they had to leave it all behind that night or there was no telling where any of them would have been at, jail, dead or perhaps something far worse. It was hard to say but they all managed to figure their shit out eventually, Sweets just took a little longer to return than the others. " That's fair, i guess if you don't want to miss the engagement party i can always stay away that day " He debated correcting her on the amount of time he'd be around before deciding against it in the end. Perhaps if she hadn't known how long he was staying it would give him more time to make amends before he went again.
When Sweets mentioned that he was happy to see her, it felt nice to hear that. She rubbed her face in an annoyed manor to hide the fact that she was blushing softly. Yvonne did not have time for this, yes it was also nice to see him, but she wasn't going to gas him up. "I don't need your apology, and I don't want pity cheese fries," She said shaking her head. "I'm not wasting cheese fries on you, they are too important," She snapped. Why would she waste perfectly good cheese fries when he had a drink right there. They were even, not really. Yvonne had yelled at him multiple times so she could take whatever he was saying, although she was still hurt that he just left her. Although she could tell that he had changed by yelling at her, maybe this was the Sweets that people mentioned and she never got to see. Or maybe he was hiding it from her, who knew. Yvonne scrunched her nose when he mentioned that this was all Maisie and he had also been swindled by her. That annoyed her even more. She picked up her phone to send Maisie a text before he mentioned her still dancing. She placed her phone down as she glanced at him. "Yeah uh-huh," She added not believing him at all. "How have you been? What have you been up to?" She asked.
Her body tensed up when she felt Sweets grab her hand, but she didn't pull away. Yvonne huffed a little as she shook her head "It is not that you had to leave it is how you did it." She moved her hand from before pushing his away. She was about to say something else but Iris came back with her cheese fries, fried pickles, two small plates and extra napkins. She thanked Iris before she took a picture of the food. That would get Maisie back for this. Yvonne listened to Sweets talk about missing the engagement part as she placed some cheese fries and pickles on her plate. She moved one of the ranch cups onto her plate as she ate a few fries. They were so good, made this conversation a little more bearable. "No. We can both be there, I just don't have to speak to you. I would just be civil because that day isn't about us," She said softly. Yvonne popped a ranch dipped pickle in mouth and chewed happily. Now it was time for business.
"I guess we would have to discuss this sooner or later. First off I'm not apologizing to Em and I never will."
The situation around his leaving was a non-ideal one to say the least when he'd finally gotten his head on straight, he believed it was too late to be reaching out. Another reason why he was not as close with the Walters like he once was. It was a difficult task reaching out and asking for forgiveness when you could not provide the full story. The one time he attempted to gain information on Yvonne, he'd heard she moved and possibly was seeing a new beau. And while they were never anything close, he couldn't imagine another man not becoming jealous at seeing a beauty like herself conversing with someone from her past. While she had affected him greatly and been one of the many reasons, he'd chosen his career path he did not imagine that their brief friendship would have had an impact on her in the same manor. " Whether you need it or not, I do apologize " although he had not believed her words for a single second.
If that was so than why would she have attacked Em the way she had if according to Em the two women were on mostly friendly terms. " I'm doing well. I went to school for psychiatry but ended up starting my own therapist practice " Growing up the way they had he realized far more people needed someone they felt they could speak to who wasn't directly trying to push meds down their throats every few seconds or simply telling them to man up. Trauma was one thing everyone experienced just in their own doses and he wished to help others the way they were not able to get help growing up. A smile formed hearing her say they could both be there although he grabbed his drinks taking a sip in hopes of hiding it. So his little spider monkey had grown a bit in his absence. He was proud of her but knew better than to say so aloud. " I know you'll do the right thing Yvonne. But let's start small, Why attack her and not me " He hoped he could show her that he was the one she was mad at and by doing so she would apologize to the girl but there was no guarantee she would see things his way. " I took care of it so you don't have to if you really don't want to. Plus She already forgives you by the way. So i don't think you'll have to apologize unless you feel ready to do so" at leas that was
Hearing him apologize again she didn’t say anything since she already spoke her peace. She told him about how she didn’t need his apology. She didn’t need an apology for that she needed an apology for being abandoned and him recognizing how that hurt her. Yvonne was sure they would get there after the small talk, but she was unsure if she should mention being hurt because he would ask her why. She was not sure why but it did cut deeply. If she had to assume why she could but she shook her head because she couldn’t allow those thoughts inside.
“Really?” She asked him. Sweets opening his own practice. That was very nice of him to give back and give help he didn’t have. This made sense why he had to leave. Her heart sank just a little because that meant he would have to leave and stay gone due to his business. He had patients and he started his life over there. Yvonne didn’t want him to see the hurt on her face so she ate some more food to hide it. “Congratulations,” She told him with a forced smile. That was very selfish of her, she should be happier. Honestly she was happy for him but knew what it entailed.
When Sweets questioned why she attacked Em she paused. She couldn’t tell him due to jealous so she needed an excuse. “I did throw a drink on you,” She reminded him. “I can throw another to refresh your memory Sweets,” She smirked. “Anyway I was blinded by rage. Plus I told her about you didn’t use your name but she knows what you did and it pissed me off,” Yvonne told him. “Now why were you dancing with her? Trying to get your dick wet on the first day?” She grumbled.
Yvonne fiddled with her fingers as she gestured to the food. He had yet to take any of it. “You took of it? Why do you do that every time? You know I don’t need reputation defended? Feel ready to do so? I won’t. She deserved it I don’t give a fuck if she forgives me. She was probably just talking. “
That was what the female had told him the last they spoke but momentarily the thought that she could be lying had crossed his mind. Sweet pea however quickly brushed it away as the girl was G's sister and he could see nothing for her to gain by causing further strife between he and Yvonne. " You did but you could have done worse and you chose not to " it was not like her to hold herself back but perhaps she was simply showing restraint. Yet she still chose to go full throttle on Em and that was the part he was concerned of as the other woman painted the picture the two were simply friends he couldn't imagine why such a reaction was warranted.
A hardy laugh escaped his mouth hearing her speak before he decided to steal a cheese fry, consequences be damned. " She's G little sister " Sweet's told needing no other explanation as to why he wouldn't touch her. Just as he expected the males had shown him the same courtesy with his own flesh and blood he would do the same for them. " She wanted a dance, I didn't think it would end like that. If I'd known " he likely would have waited until he was certain the song didn't call for anything but something that couldn't be misinterpreted like it so badly had. " Since when were you so close to colt?"
Last he heard Yvonne wasn't exactly thrilled to be hanging around a group of white boys when eh first brought her around his friend group. Now she was heading to the dance floor with one. From his point a view several members of the Walter Simmons family wished to get on her good side and the male was curious where she landed in all of it.
A long sigh escaped his lips hearing her chew him out again. Even when he attempted to do good it failed. " You do, You said yourself you're doing P.R right now. What if someone recorded that and released it to the public. It would look better for you if the situation was already handled out right " And he quit frankly couldn't handle the girl having to deal with the shit end of the stick all because of his choices.
Yvonne made a slight hmph sound as Sweets spoke about her showing restraint. This was true, but she didn’t feel like answering him at all. She did show restraint but she was unsure if that was because of him or something else. Yvonne had been working on changing herself and become a better person. Most likely just getting a handle on her temper, not only for herself but now she had a brand. She was still a firecracker but she needed to learn when to lash out and when to hold her tongue. Although she was still learning on how to hold her tongue in certain situations and not give people these hands. With Em there was a difference like how dare she. She knew she was a thot and was pinning to sleep with Sweets. Look at him who wouldn’t want to do that, she was sure he was sleeping with people back home. Something about seeing him with Em felt different and put her in a rage maybe because she knew what Em liked to do and didn’t like her grimy hands all over him. That stupid bitch. Just thinking about it pissed her off.
a
Yvonne rolled her eyes at his excuse about why he wouldn’t sleep with Em. Yeah she doubted it. “Yeah sure Sweets,” She said to him. She ate another pickle before washing it down with some water. “And you didn’t mind her being all over you?” She asked him.
Yvonne raised an eyebrow as he questioned her closeness to Colt. It was a weird way to phrase it but she ignored it. “To Colt? You mean the Walters. Mostly because of Maisie but I like Winston. He is very sweet and they helped me in my business so I am grateful. Winston helped me with numbers, Colt helped with security and to get the word out. Plus now I am good friends with Julie. Colt’s step sister the twin to Em. So I kind of got wrapped up. Plus they now have a black daddy so,” She laughed. “But if you want to be specific a few years after you left and I moved back to town, is when we got close,” She answered.
Yvonne frowned as she pushed some curls back. He was right she was doing some PR because she wanted to. “They already recorded it, which is why I have the PR. Mostly because Em is a popular influencer,” Yvonne told him. “But you can’t protect my sweets. Especially not after you abandoned me. I can handle myself.”
It was how Sweet pea had always been since he was a child, wishing to protect those around him but he understood that could not always be the case. There were many like Yvonne who had no desired to be protected but old habits often die hard. While it appeared that Yvonne was not convinced by his words for once the male had not tried to convince her otherwise. He knew his character and he would never allow himself to disrespect his best friend or family by having a one-night stand with one of the Walters-Simmons sisters.
" Yes that " the male said correcting himself as he finished off his drink. " Julie but not Em? got it " he'd have to remember that small detail in order to avoid another cat fight although he couldn't imagine the history the two had that made Yvonne attempt to drag the girl across the dance floor. So the girl was an influencer, it appeared a majority of the Walter-Simmons clan was in some type of public eye based on what he's overheard them speak of since his return. " Abandoned? Right " the male growled as he found himself becoming irritated.
It wasn't as if she was wrong. In some sense of the world Sweet pea had abandoned the girl but at least she had gotten a goodbye. There were others who were left by their love ones with so much of a see you later. But he was well aware that this was simply his trauma talking as the word was always associated with what he went through as a child. Running his hands through his face the male would attempt to calm his growing anger as it would only lead to more trouble for his friends and heartache for Yvonne. " I'll remember that next time. " the male assured her as he had little intention at this point to see the female outside of the engagement part as it was clear to him nothing good would come from it.
Yvonne didn't need to be protected and not from him. Not after what he did, she wanted to be protected from him to feel truly protected from a male that wasn't her family. That had failed, he had proved her point and confirmed her bias thoughts. That she wouldn't be able to trust someone, to be vulnerable to someone especially a male. They seemed to fail her often and she was beginning to think that Sweets was different, but sadly he was just the same as everyone else. He was just smoother and better at hiding the fact that he was untrustworthy.
"I am closer to Julie, always have been. Em is what I deal with due to them being twins and family. Julie is a good influence, like Rita," She said with a soft smile. "Since she will continue to be in your company, I don't have to be there unless necessary," She told him with another roll of her eyes. Yvonne cut her eyes at him when he seemed to get irritated about her saying she was abandoned.
Yvonne firmly put her hands on the table, not loud enough to be a slam but firm enough to get his attention. "Why are you upset about somethng that happened?" She growled. "That is how I felt, that is why I'm upset. I am happy that you have your family and a nice job you deserve it. But! I am pissed off about how you did it. Sweets you just threw me aside like I was trash. Like nothing and then, then you had the nerve to just show up like everything was okay! Out of everyone to hurt me I didn't think it would you," She told him nearly shouting. Luckily how loud it was with everyone watching sports help hide how loud she would have been.
At one point or another he believed he and Yvonne had a good friendship and even during his time away hoped that if the day had come when they met again that they might make amends although he'd known nothing would be the same, he could still feel the disappointment grow when coming to the realization that he would be lucky if she was even civil to him after the pain he'd caused her. " I'm not upset just... frustrated " the male told knowing even if he had reminded her of his feelings behind the term it wouldn't have mattered. The woman was entitled to her feelings on the situation and whether he agreed or not didn't matter as long as she felt seen and heard on the matter. And eh would simply have to push his anger to the side and admit his wrongs like he had done time and time again. " Your feelings are valid. But I never meant to throw you aside like trash " A small part of him hated his family for putting him in the position he was in by not allowing him enough time to say goodbye. But he'd known well that if the opportunity came to relieve the past there was little, he would do to change things. He did what was necessary to keep everyone safe and it was something he would do time and time again if he had to. Even if they had not asked him to or wanted him to. " If I had known you were here I wouldn't have " What was the odds of another person from their hometown traveling across coast and becoming friends with the others in a city as large as that one. He'd like to say practically nonexistent but it appeared it was more common than he believed as the number of Avondale residence seemed to be climbing by the day. " I thought about it...a lot. But by the time it was safe to return I couldn't disturb the life you had built not for a friendship of so little time that I was sure you wouldn't remember " The others he could understand as they spent a majority of their lives intertwined with one another but Sweets had never believed she would hold on to a friendship so short when so many others had a far greater impact on her life. He believed he was simply a blimp on the screen of her life and that even if he had shown up she wouldn't remember him than more then that guy she once choked out at the Cemetary. " I got it loud and clear though. I'll be sure to stay clear outside of the party Spider monkey, i mean Ms. Jackson"