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“Sure you do, Barbie. You’re dyin’ to see what kinda shithole of a den I didn’t want to present you with today,” he joked with a wide grin, raising his glass to her all Leo as Gatsby style. “I might take you eventually — can almost see it from here actually, if you squint real hard.” He pointed to some random spot on the horizon. Hell if he expected her to have any idea what street they were on, much less what cardinal direction they were facing. “You lookin’ to get yourself a husband and settle down, huh? Somehow didn’t think you were the marryin’ type — least not yet,” he said, trying to save his ass with that last addition… even the chicks who swore they never wanted to get married usually did, and they certainly took offense if you suggested they couldn’t. “Guess I sold to a guy or two who can’t possibly fill a whole walk-in-closet on their own, if you’re really on the market. Whole ‘nother matter if they’re worth your time, though.”

He chuckled at the whole Mr. Reeves thing, almost gave him goosebumps in all kinds of places. “Well, I got the keys, ain’t keeping us out,” he even dangled them in front of her for emphasis, “Could plant some shit and shut the whole place down if we wanted,” a kind of sheepish grin appeared on his face, “… hypothetically, you know. Not like I’ve ever done that in the past.” Fucking hell, this one was gonna get him in some trouble, more ways than one probably. “Nah, there’s more on the business side but highly doubt you want me to get into all the financin’ rambles,” he said, pushing one of those blonde locks back away from her face, “Don’t wanna get punched in the nose again.“

“Nah. More like if you show me yours I’ll have to show you mine and this Barbie’s world is a well-kept secret.” she tried to keep a straight face, but it was always so hard to do that around Roscoe. He was like a big clown who made her laugh constantly with dumb jokes or dumb shit he said. “Only the lucky ones shall pass. Are you lucky, Ro-Ro?” It was impossible to not laugh at that, while slowly making her way toward his direction and wrapped both arms around him from behind. “Oh, sure -- I’m looking to settle down, yeah. Be pampered and not have to cook or clean after my husband’s shit while he screws his secretary. That’s the dream life, yanno. I can be screwing the pool boy or the real estate guy and we’re all happy.” she exclaimed, giving him a gentle squeeze when she brought up the ‘real estate guy’. Her mom had been married to a douchebag, then left -- why would Kenna ever want to follow those steps? Not that anyone would actually want her for anything more than a few wild nights. “Pretty sure I’m too ‘trashy’ for those guys so. It’s okay, I don’t think I’d fit in their world anyway.” 

She let go of him and moved to look outside the large windows again. “I cannot believe you.” Laughing lightly, big green hues turned to glance at him. “You.. didn’t. You wouldn’t! Oh, Mr. Reeves, you’re a mischievous one!” giggling lightly, the blonde shook her head. It was actually funny and she was up for it, as long as they didn’t end up behind bars. There was no way anyone would bail her out. “Yeah, no. We all know how that can turn you on.” Kenna replied with a smirk. “You can’t have a hard-on while talking about finances now, can you?” 

Yo kept her head resting against Kenna’s, not sure what she was meant to actually do when she let go of her… so she just stayed attached. This was why she didn’t hug people, it was so awkward. “You think I wouldn’t be pretty if I was sad?” she asked, mostly rhetorically and that was definitely how it should be taken if Kenna knew what was good for her.

“You got more stuff? She perked up a little and actually let go of Kenna in her excitement to see what else was going on, “What is it?” Fully excited now, she glanced around, even gave one of the balloons a smack to send it flying across their living room. “It better not be a boy because I’m not dressed for that… is it tacos? I really want tacos.“

The mission of the day was accomplished, so Kenna could go around with a proud smirk on her face. She didn’t expect to be actually embraced so that meant she had done an excellent job when it came to surprise her friend. “Nah. You’d be prettier, which is actually not fair. I look like I’m having a heart attack -- only in a sexy way. This is why I don’t cry, so people won’t have to call 911 right away.” the girl joked, rambling along. 

“You can’t know, unless you blow this candle and make a nice wish. Don’t waste wishes, these can actually come true you know.” Kenna smiled, motioning her head toward the cake. “Why would I gift you with a boy? That’s cheap, I told you I’m not that cheap. It’s actually great stuff plus tacos.” 

His gaze panned backward, a smile forming despite the pain in his head tugging at the back of his mind. Spinning around in his stool, he pulled her in by the sides of her waist. 

“Anyone else and I would’ve had them thrown outta this joint, doll,” he insisted. “You think if I spoke like that to her she wouldn’t turn me into soap herself?”

His reaction surprised her, enough to cross her arms over her chest and put some distance between them. Lukas deserved getting scolded, but who the hell said he could touch her? 

“Try parking it on another stool,” Lukås remarked snidely without looking at the other he’d so rudely dismissed. Taking a much-needed sip of his drink, he sighed discontentedly. “Plenty of free seats not beside me, so go make use of that fact and fuck off.”

[ @euphoriatus​ ]

“How about..” the blonde began, her hand reaching toward the back of his head before slapping him gently. “I kick some sense into you, huh?” Delilah hissed, not even bothering to bother with the male’s wish. “Is that how you talk around Rory? I’ll turn you into soap, Carrington.” 

Roscoe chuckled at her teasing comment, “Hey, don’t you keep hurtin’ my feelings, or you’ll never get to see my actual place up here.” Honestly, his own Nashville apartment wasn’t quite as fancy as this one, and most people would probably think it was stupid to show off these truly spectacular places before his own… but well, Roscoe was not most people. “You’re lucky I don’t hold a grudge” he said, wrapping one arm around her shoulders as he led her over to one of the big windows near the kitchen. Mainly to be cute or whatever, but also he didn’t really want her taking off on her own and messing with anything. Better keep an eye on her, and that was not an issue in the slightest.

“Don’t think it does,” he said, but his eyes quickly scanned the corners for any cameras he didn’t know about. Couldn’t hurt to make sure. As he opened the fridge to grab that bottle, he found himself rambling. “Security doesn’t get much better than it is here, 24/7 guards by the gate and all that shit, so no need to board up the windows up here… but guess I’m not tryin’ to sell the place to you,” he interrupted himself with a grin, as he handed her a tall crystal flute, “Unless you’re lookin’ to buy, ‘cause then I’m your man. Gotta swear on that.”

“The thing is.. do I want to see your place?” Kenna joked, being extra careful not to touch anything that could possibly break. Shit in that apartment cost more than one of her lungs so she was always a little nervous about moving around. She wasn’t dumb, she knew that if she had gotten any access in his place then he would have to get access in hers and that.. complicated things in a way. It was better if neither knew where the other lived.. right? “Even if you did, I bet I’d find a way for you to forgive me.” Biting down on her lip, the blonde raised a brow. Who were they kidding, she could have her way with him. Her arm went around his waist and green hues focused on the view, a slight smile forming on her lips. It was fucking beautiful. “I could get used to this view.” Kenna mused, “Maybe I should find me a rich guy to marry. What do you think? Care to introduce me to someone rich and good looking?” 

“Good.” she replied, leaning into his side. They wouldn’t have to delete shit before leaving, it made things easier. Still watching at the view in front of her, the blonde smiled. “Interesting... tell me more, Mr. Reeves.” Kenna added, turning to look at him with a grin. “I don’t know, maybe I’m looking to rent. For a night, I think I can totally do a night.” Take a step toward him, her green hues watched Roscoe, curiously for the most part. “So.. this is all the business charms of yours?”

Yo wasn’t exactly famous for her patience, but she closed her eyes again as instructed. Did not even take a peek, as much as the suspense of it all was killing her. She knew that if she did ruin her surprise, Kenna would be the one killing her instead… and knowing her friend,  that was going to be far more painful than the wait.

When she finally got the go-ahead, she peeked around the corner, following Kenna’s voice. Her eyes widened at the sight of their place all decked out with balloons (and not least the cake), and she pulled Kenna into the tightest hug she could possibly give. Maybe Yolande wasn’t a hugger, but this level of effort deserved it. “It’s so beautiful, I’m going to cry,” she said, actually tearing up a little as she planted a big kiss on Kenna’s cheekbone. Also entirely called for. “I hope this is your present to me and our house is just like this now.”

This wasn’t going as planned and a part of Kenna wanted to scream -- but she couldn’t ruin everything she worked for so hard. The whole living room looked different from before and by the amount of the balloons anyone could think it was a five-year-old’s birthday. 

It didn’t take long for her features to lit up, as soon as she saw Yo’s reaction. This is exactly what she wanted for her best friend’s special day. Happiness, real happiness and for her to feel loved... because she was. Laughing lightly, wrapping an arm around the blonde and squeezing her gently. This was nice, Yolande wouldn’t give hugs that easily, so it was a special moment. “Don’t cry, you’re gonna ruin your pretty face.” she joked, the kiss taking her aback (but hey, she wasn’t complaining). “Nope -- I got you more stuff. I may be cheap but I’m not that cheap.” Kenna joked again, nudging her friend’s side. “Let’s do this properly, shall we?? You gotta make a wish.” 

October 29th had rolled around, and birthday mode was on — Ted had even generously given her the whole day off to celebrate. Of course she had still woken up far too early for most people, and she’d already had breakfast at Beau’s place, a margarita-fueled lunch with Summer, and even gone to the gym. She was more than ready to come back to the house and hang out with Kenna like she’d promised, but apparently her 28th year on the earth was the year of being ahead of time.

When she was immediately greeted with a ‘nooooo’, she stopped in her tracks. “What did you do?” she asked, dutifully shutting her eyes at Kenna’s request, “If everyone is in the house, I’m going to be mad, Kenna.” She wasn’t really but there were important principles to uphold. What was the point of having a carefully planned birthday look in her wardrobe if she was already standing in front of the entire town in yoga pants and a Star Wars shirt? Without even a celebratory beret on her head, it was unacceptable. “When can I look?“

Freezing in her position, both hands were holding up as if that would have helped cover the entire thing. Why was she back so early? It made no sense and Kenna -- she hadn’t finished unpacking the food yet. The alcohol was on the table, but there was no food out. “I didn’t do anything BUT don’t open your eyes yet!” she warned, frowning slightly. “Uh, never...” the blonde joked, “Just, keep them closed, give me two minutes okay? I’ll be right back. Do not open your eyes!” 

She could have simply said she was naked with a dude in their living room, but would Yolande really not look? Throwing the balloon behind her, Kenna rushed in the kitchen and opened the fridge, taking out the cake. This was her roommate's favorite, she could complain about the calories later. Lighting the small candle, the blonde grinned like a fool and was soon making her way back into the living room. “Okay, you can open them now.” 

@euphoriatus​

“This more to your likin’, princess?” he teased, holding the door open for miss Barbie to enter the next penthouse on the list. Roscoe was honestly admiring his own gallantry. What was meant (in his mind at least) to be something of a quickie had turned into a whole thing. At least Kenna was good company. If he had to maneuver someone all around the fanciest quarters of Nashville, she was not a bad option, not bad at all.

As he closed the door behind them, he shot a bright and very professional smile at the nosy old neighbor lady staring at the two of them. “Least this one’s got some furniture in it. Ain’t my style, really, but,” he gestured around the place, “Guess they were goin’ for some regal vibe. Gotta admit I don’t know shit about interior design, but I do know someone left some half-decent champagne in the fridge.“

Don’t call me a princess, Kenna opened her mouth to say but the moment she looked at the interior of the penthouse; words wouldn’t come out. People who lived like this had it good and she wasn’t getting enough of having a glimpse into their world. Thanks to Roscoe, that was made possible while they had their fun. It was nice. She liked their deal enough to promise not to punch him in the face. What else could he ask for really? “...---Yeah, this is more like it.”  

She stepped into the bright room and grinned from ear to ear. “You have a style?” the blonde teased, throwing her bag over the expensive sofa. They were selling it off, so they obviously didn’t care much about it. “Sounds like you’ve been here before.” Kenna mused, shooting a look at him. One of the positive things about these places was how the walls weren’t thin. She could only imagine how that could affect his job. The view, the view she loved most. All of the houses he had taken her, had an amazing view. “So.. champagne and chill?” she joked, “Does this place have any cameras?” 

Balloons were covering the whole living room, lights hanging from the walls. Kenna had spent hours decorating, hoping to create a fun and exciting environment for when her roommate would come back. She had moved some furniture around, to come up with a pillow fortress in the middle of the room, a happy birthday banner hanging right over it. This had to be perfect, the blonde thought while blowing air into one of the balloons. The more they had, the better. Keeping the cake in the fridge, Kenna checked the time and felt relieved it was relatively early still because her friend wouldn’t be home for another hour of so. 

Having filled her bedroom with balloons and a few gifts, Kenna grinned at herself as soon as she added the last balloon in the colorful chaos. Just when she was about to turn around and walk into the kitchen, the door opened and her eyes widened, “Shit, nooooo --- don’t look!”

“Maybe we’ll have to strap you in because if you move, it’s going to fuck the whole picture up,” she teased, figuring Kenna could take it. Both the teasing and the pain. And even if she backed out, Yo was still there for herself too, so it wasn’t going to be for nothing. “You’re so emo, stop it,” she nudged Kenna back. The whole ‘big bad wolf’ thing seemed a bit much, kind of overdramatic to her, but then she vaguely knew about Kenna’s life back there so maybe it wasn’t. “Is anyone messing with you? You know I have access to a crematorium, right? So just tell me and,” she snapped her fingers, “Not a problem.”

“Oh, strap me in.  Sounds kinky.” She winked at Yolande, before shoving her hands into the pockets of her jacket. Staying still for a few minutes didn’t sound like it was the most impossible thing in this world and besides, Kenna really wanted to get this tattoo with her friend. “It’s one of those days, what do you want.” she smirked, shaking her head. “Seriously, you have no idea with what kind of people I ran with, in New York.” the blonde added, a more serious expression taking over her face now. It was true, Julian was the big bad wolf most in the city feared. “Look at you, where did sweet Yolande go?” laughing lightly, the blonde shook her head. “I’m fine, no need to vanish anyone. Not yet.” 

That was a way to describe the blonde’s thoughts right now. She had never expected those two lines to change her life again, but the universe had a different plan or was surely playing a sick joke on her. Once everything was falling in place, just when her life was taking a turn for the better… these two little lines had to appear and haunt her for two whole weeks now. This easily explained why Jennifer was feeling so exhausted - why food didn’t look appealing at all.

Baby blues stared at her own reflection at the mirror of the elevator. The closer it came to the floor she was going to stop, the sicker she felt. The sleepless nights had not helped at all - the fear building stronger with each day that passed didn’t help either. She was sure of one thing, Caddock had to know. It was the right thing to do. Spending weeks guessing his reaction, the blonde was over it now. She had made her mind; if she could raise one child alone, she could certainly raise another. At least now, she wasn’t a scared sixteen-year-old who had no idea what the future held for her.

The elevator doors opened, and the young woman stepped outside at the hallway. A little lump was forming on her throat, yet she couldn’t stop now. She was no coward. Walking up at the door, Jennifer pressed the small button at the corner and rang the bell, waiting for the older man to open.

“I’m just teasing, it’s really not that bad… except my head, that hurt,” she said, scrunching up her nose. Definitely done messing with that. Unless she got some awesome idea that just had to be done, but thankfully that would have to be another day. She had already made up her mind, even before Kenna had agreed to come with her and make a whole trip of it. “I don’t understand that,” she shot Kenna a confused look, “When I lived here in Nashville, I was not known at all, but now I think I know pretty much everyone in Beaumont. Isn’t it easier in a small town?” She paused for a second, giving Kenna’s ass a quick tap, “I don’t think there’s something wrong with being known for that either.”

Kenna had never been one obsessed with bodily art - she would rather be on the other end, where she would come up with awesome ideas for tattoos. Still, getting a matching delicate tattoo with her best friend didn’t seem like the worst idea. “Okay.. but if it hurts, I’m out.” the blonde responded with a cocky smile, and nudged Yolande. As if. “Let’s just say I ran with the big bad wolf back in New York.” Kenna said with a low voice, “It’s different for me. I’ve been doing that since I was what -- thirteen? I knew the place, the people -- they knew not to mess with me.” she went on, only laughing when the other taped her ass. “Nope.. at least that’s like the only thing that stayed the same.” 

@dejjavus

“Are you ready to get stabbed a million times or did you get cold feet?” she grinned as she led the way through the streets of her old neighborhood. There was only one person in the entire country whom Yo trusted to put a needle to her skin, so there was no other option but to drag Kenna to his shop in the city. It was a welcome little adventure as well, considering how her trip home had left them in need of some quality time, just babe on babe exploring the streets, all so much busier than anywhere in Beaumont. “It’s weird I used to live here, it feels so big now… but I guess it’s nothing like New York, huh?”

“You know if I was having second thoughts... you’re not really helping.” she made a face, but smiled at the blonde regardless because there was no way in hell Kenna would be going through with it if she didn’t feel ready. Body art was nice, as long as it didn’t make people look like they came straight from hell. Things were so much better now that Yolande was back home. Refusing to admit over and over again how much she had missed this one, Kenna would rather show it with a trip in the tattoo studio. “Yeah.. I kinda miss New York though. I was known there. Here, I’m like the cute little waitress with the nice ass that likes to curse.” 

“I’m not in Paris,” she corrected immediately, rolling her eyes at the camera. Fucking Americans, always falsely assuming. Even though this was Kenna, it was still a pet peeve of hers. Especially because she hadn’t even gone near Paris in almost a decade out of sheer distaste for the place. “I will be back in August, so not that long,” she said, matching Kenna’s pout out of solidarity, mostly. She was just about ready to go home, honestly, but she also knew she was going to be homesick for Marseille as soon as she got back, so she was determined to remain happy to be home. “I can’t believe you didn’t show me, I want to see them! Your photography skills are missed here too, my mom doesn’t have your talent, so my bikini pics are not as Insta worthy as they should be.”

Kenna smirked, giving her friend one of those who cares looks and quickly cleared her throat. If it wasn’t Paris where Yolande could spam her with photos of the Notre Dame why give a shit?? “I’m counting down the days. This town is fucking boring without you.” The blonde admitted, thinking of all the fun opportunities they both missed when it came to parting. Beaumont was more alive during the summertime and it was a pity Yo was missing out to all the free drinks a nice pair of boobs you get them. “Well, I’ve got a video but unless you come home I won’t show you. Have something to look forward to, okay? You know, you can wear your bikini and we can go by the lake and look hot as fuck.” 

“Hey, don’t call me bitch, it’s rude,” Yo said, but she wasn’t really that upset about it… just not a fan of the word. At all. She was beyond happy to be face to face with Kenna, though, even if it was just over the phone. As great as it was to be home-home, she missed Beaumont a ton. “That sounds like heaven, I am in,” she said, smiling brightly. Nice to know that plans were still being made in her absence. “Just a few more weeks and I will be back with you. Did I miss anything good? Apart from your boobs?”

              Protest spurred to life with a glare and parted lips, acidic tongue readied to shut her down, tug away. Julian hated dancing. The connotations behind it –– allure, fun, freedom –– were all clichés, gift wrapped and presented as a state of vulnerability that he, the bagman, could not afford to give. So he’d fix himself against a cool wall at the back of a club instead, pupils dilated and hungered, waiting for the sin to come to him: a deal, a conversation, sex in a bathroom stall. But now, with the thin blonde’s grip fierce, her resolve fiercer, before any objection could escape him, he was trapped in a flush of people with her grip only keeping him a float. Blue eyes caught the frame of her, sinful silhouette in the steam of bodies and manufactured brume, a Lilith among fallen angels. The male licked his lips. Forbidden heat rushed with blood beneath his navel and Kenna the catalyst. Kenna, his partner in crime. Kenna, one of the few he’d consider a friend, whatever that meant. It was hard to place, what she was to him in that moment. 

                          Was she the only anchor among delirium? 

                                                                            Was she the delirium? 

              It wasn’t a question, but a choice. A choice he chose to make when a pocket in writhing bodies and bouncing floors opened up for the two of them, sweat beaded on their skin and coolness foaming at their necks. He chose to abide. He chose to let his hands find her hips as rhythm guided the rest. He chose to press against her, heat to heat, chest to chest. He chose to let the pyretic breath of his lips mist across her neck, pulling her closer, closer, closer. And he chose to dispel two pills from his pocket with a break in song; one taken by him, swallowed to euphoria, and the other placed on his tongue–– small in a sea of burgundy velvet, dark blue as his eyes that lay heavy lidded, and burning. Take it, they urged silently. Show me just how fearless you are.

          There were two things she knew about the dark haired male. First, he never danced. No matter how many times they had found themselves in the club, his feet were rooted away from the dancefloor. No matter how many times a gorgeous girl threw herself at him, he would take that business elsewhere. Secondly, Julian wasn’t one to crack easily.. and that was the reason behind her obvious surprise when he didn’t protest. He didn’t resist, he didn’t pull away -- he didn’t even curse her for coming up with an idea like this. Expelling her breath in a whose, the blonde’s smile dangled on the corner of her lips. Was she really going to have it her way this time? She always wondered why they would come to a place like this if it wasn’t for dancing. The music wasn’t bad, the electric atmosphere surely had some sort of effect on her and there was cheap alcohol. Maybe this place was magical enough to make him dance.

He wasn’t the boss tonight, no. There was nothing authoritarian about him. Nothing that told Kenna to not cross the line, to take an order blindly and focus on making more cash. His hands moved on her hips, and soon, the distance closed between them once her arms wrapped around his neck. He couldn’t hold this against her, he was the one who started it. She was unsure about this feeling on the pit of her stomach, so the blonde blamed it all to the heat; the way their bodies pressed together and swayed to the music. 

Although using your own product was a big no-no, Kenna licked her lips, waiting for him to share. Pressing her fingers onto his shoulder, her blurry from the lights vision focused on his moves, the pill right there for her to take. Why was this so tempting? When was the last time she thought before doing something dumb? There were no red flags telling her to stop. Her hand quickly moved to cup his face, gentler than she had ever expected while an unfamiliar eagerness developed. Was this just about the pill? Brushing her thumb over his lower lip, the chaotic thoughts disappeared as soon as Kenna pulled him in all the way in until their lips met.