#spring writing

His dark eyes flick to your hands, watching as you quickly pop some pills from your other hand and chug the rest of your drink, “Tell that to the bruising on your body you’re probably taking those pills for.”

Frowning you reply, “…and how exactly do you know there’s bruising?”

Antonio gets to his feet with a sigh, “You got out of bed to clean and that means I can’t sleep, so I got up to finish some paperwork. Don’t think I didn’t hear that big ass bang either.”

“And you didn’t check on me to make sure I didn’t break my neck?!” You cross your arms.

Antonio rolls his eyes, knowing this was coming, “Did I say that? Course I did but when you’re embarrassed and don’t want my help you always tell me to mind my business so guess what? I did.”

Scowling you move around the room in annoyance now, plopping on the bed and wincing as you did so but not without whipping your head back to the man who grabbed his jacket from the nearby desk, dark eyes still set on you.

“You’re an asshole, you know that?”

Antonio snickers, “I’m an asshole because I did what you asked? Okay baby, you got it. Next time wear shoes when you decide to mop the floor at 1 the morning, that way you reduce the risk of busting your ass.”

You’re a huffing mess because you know he’s right and the last thing you want to do is feed your boyfriend’s ego.

It’s silent but Antonio is amused without saying anything. He walks over to you, hand going up underneath your chin but you’re dodging his touch.

“Hey don’t be like that,” he says gently getting you to finally look up at him, “All you had to do was ask me to help but instead you wanted to be sneaky.”

“Would you seriously get up to help?”

Antonio pretends to think about it, “At 1 in the morning?…Probably not, no.”

Leaving you both to share a laugh, although you would have preferred not to.

“Is it bad?” His eyes are scanning over the rest of your clothed frame before meeting your eyes again, “Because when I saw you sprawled out on the floor like a chalk outline…I’m not gonna lie, you had me a little worried, mi amor.”

“I’m not telling.” You look away, sticking your nose up in the air, making Antonio snicker, already having an idea.

He sighs but it’s loving as he gets a good look at you, thumb caressing the side of your cheek now. “Fine then, do what you’re gonna do. But please try and get some proper rest now. Then eat something.”

Lucky for you, you had the day off but if you didn’t you were sure someone would have called out for you.

“This is all the breakfast I need…” you shake the empty can, “and maybe a kiss to feel better.”

Antonio laughs as you tilt your head back and pucker your lips, “ibuprofen and a red bull is not breakfast. But a kiss I can do.”

He pecks your lips three times as a silent way of saying he loves you before going in for a fourth, letting that one linger, so much that you’re tempted to make a call yourself on his behalf until he pulls himself away.

He lets out a breath, “I’m gonna be calling and checking on you, alright? Be good, kid.” He lightly warns with a point of his finger.

Which you can’t help but to bite, making Antonio almost regret clocking into his shift as he sat down at his desk, shaking his head with a smirk while he brings his clasped fingers up to his mouth, deciding to listen in on Voight telling them all about a new case.

[DANTE TORRES]

Torres meets you back outside in the misty foggy morning. The passenger side window is cracked down enough to hear and see him as he announces, “clerk said they only have one room left.”

It wasn’t that big of a deal but there was something in Dante’s green eyes when he said it. Like he was trying to read your reaction but you didn’t give him one. This case was a lengthy one that required a lot of driving outside of the city and you both got the clear to rest up for a few hours before continuing on.

Despite you thinking it wasn’t a big deal, your heart rate might have spiked spotting the singular bed in the decent but stuffy smelling motel room. You paused briefly in the door way before you realized Dante was behind you.

His tone often gentle, makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up while he declares, “I’ll take the couch.”

It’s so small, small enough to fit a toddler and looked itchy and you were sure he would have to ball up like a cat loaf to get all his limbs in there.

Your throat felt dry but you just give a dip of your head although he’s already moving into the room before you. There were light taps of spring rain that hit the windows but that was not enough to erase the sudden tension.

“You can have the bathroom first, if you want?” Dante brings his attention away from the files he spread out on a near by desk.

You clear your throat, “Cool. I’ll be back to check for bed bugs.”

“After you check the bathroom for cameras.” Dante added, but there’s a small smile playing on his lips.

You wink at him for knowing you so well before you take time to yourself in the bathroom. When you arrive back with a can of spray, you find the covers tossed back.

“I already got started,” Dante informs now sitting on a desk chair, “Of course you can quadruple check me before you get to spraying. I’ll be in the bathroom.”

It’s your turn to give him a tired smile as you whisper to him on his way by, “Thanks, Torres.”

“No problem.”

Once deemed safe, you find yourself being antsy pacing the room and even glancing at the files yourself until you feel your eyelids get heavier. The shower just turned off and you make your way to the window, ready to fully close the dusty curtains until you see a critter just chilling on the window.

It’s small, round, and spotted like a cow.

Regardless…it was enough to make you let out a scream and immediately jump away from the window with your knees high up in the air.

“You okay?” Dante says from around the corner, toweling his buzzed hair.

You suck air between your teeth as you shook out your hands, “No, I’m not okay! There’s something in here with us.”

Dante is on alert now, peeking around the area wondering how someone could have gotten into the room. “Where?”

“The window!” You point as he slowly enters the room dressed in a white tank and if you didn’t have fear in your heart, you might fold at the sight of his arms in full.

Dante cautiously makes his way to the window, peeking behind the curtains and then even out the window before he finds the insect crawling up the cool glass. His wide eyes slowly turn back to you, “…Are you serious? That’s a carpet beetle.”

“Its a need to go beetle.” You correct with sass and there’s a bubble of laughter in Dante’s throat.

He’s grinning, “I thought someone was on the outside looking in on you but it’s a bug. A harmless bug.”

You scowl as you start scratching at your arm, “i don’t care if it’s harmless, kill it!!”

Dante frowns, “…What if it has a family?”

“What if it lays eggs on our brains while we’re sleeping?” You exasperate before reminding, “After all you’re the one that’s staying closest to the window.”

“So…you want me to shoot it?” Dante rubs onto the back of his neck while teasing and you want to crawl away.

Iritation takes over, “I don’t care what you do, get rid of it Torres or I’m sleeping in the car.”

“It’s cold out there,” Dante shakes his head with a sigh, “You are aware you’re a cop right? A cop that’s afraid of bugs.”

“And you’re gonna be afraid of me if you don’t handle it.”

Dante laughs raising his hands in the air, “Whoa, okay! I see how it is. Let me just find some paper or something.”

You move to stand on top of the bed, arms folded as Dante moves around the room, stopping to look up at you, shaking his head before using an outdated pamphlet to guide the bug onto. He slowly turns towards you, stepping forward with the pamphlet and making you yelp as he playfully tries to set it onto the bed but moves it immediately after.

“I think I’m gonna ask for another partner if you don’t start respecting me!” You yell at his back as he shortly left the room.

He knocks on the door for you to let him back in but you take your time getting to it and peeking to make sure he’s empty handed.

“You’re cute you know that?” He says to you on his way by, making your heart thud against your chest.

However, externally you scoff as Dante attempts to get comfortable on the couch.

“Shut up, Dante.” You throw yourself into the covers, with your back to him.

Dante comments after some comfortable silence, “Don’t worry…your secret is safe with me, officer.”

Which felt equivalent to him saying you would always be safe with him too.

And you believe it.

[JOAQUIN TORRES]

Being up on the roof of your apartment building at night became a regular routine, with or without Joaquin. It initially started out as his idea in the first place, that one always had the brightest spontaneous (stupid) ideas, whereas you weren’t the biggest fan of heights and sure you could blame it on a frequent case of vertigo but it’s never been your thing.

You remember getting in trouble back in elementary, throwing your sneaker at the gym teacher because he tried to get you to engage with the rest of the kids that were up on the cargo net. You even had a ex who was into extreme sports and heavily into climbing and hiking. You’ve seen that movie, “fall,” and was NOT here for any of it, your family often wondered how that relationship even went on for that long when you two were complete opposites.

Now here you were, seated a good distance from the edge of the building, wrapped up in a blanket peering up at the night stars. There’s a creaking from behind you, the door opening and a smile appears on your face before he even speaks.

“i read your last article. you’re not half bad at this shit.” He greets you with his kindle tucked underneath his arm as he gets down to sit right beside you.

He’s been gone for weeks now, fulfilling his duties as the falcon and making you miss him all while trying not to stress out over his well-being. It’s strange how someone can go from being a complete stranger to possibly one of the most important things in your world.

You take your time meeting his eyes and every time you’re face to face again, it’s like the both of you are tracing each others features to make sure not much has changed. “Gee thanks, I appreciate the feedback: falcon_fan5202.”

Joaquin beams at you, “Damn and here I thought I was being discreet with my screen name.”

“You? Discreet?” You dip your head staring at him underneath your lashes before you both share a laugh.

He shuffles closer to you, shoulders brushing as he looks away for a moment to stare at the same sky. He’s of course happy to be back to see his family but most importantly to see you.

Joaquin couldn’t get to the apartment fast enough, ready to tell you the bits and pieces of his new world but you always figured out the in between since you were a writer so you had to know it all from his mouth. This was the first time you were requested to write on the falcon and you were patient getting Joaquin’s input on it before you did so.

He wanted to be surprised once the article released but knew he was in your good graces for the most part, so he didn’t feel like he had much to worry about compared to other cruel writers.

You bump his shoulder, getting his attention, “All is well?”

He grins, “Sure is! Never better.”

“Alright then, drink up.” You nod your head to the to-go cup that holds a decorative sleeve to protect his hands from the heat.

Reaching forward he grabs it, “I hope this is secretly liquor.”

“Oh please, as if you weren’t celebrating every other night you had a win wherever you were. That right there my friend is that good ol’ herbal tea.”

Joaquin scrunched up his nose playfully, “Oh boo abuela, boo.”

Which makes you shove his shoulder while he laughs, nonetheless he sips at it, sucking in some air after he gets it down his system.

“I’m glad that wasn’t that crappy Earl grey tea.”

You snort, “You don’t know quality.”

“Sure but that definitely wasn’t it,” he disagrees, “The whole grey aspect is very fitting. Felt like drinking liquified cement and it’s definitely top three of the worst things I’ve had to drink.”

There’s a smile on your face as you’re rolling your eyes but you can’t help but to rest your head upon his shoulder, closing your eyes as you listen to him go on a tangent about some specific health tasks he had to engage in when it came to training.

It was good to have him back.

Joaquin realizes that you’ve gone quiet, which isn’t anything foreign as you often were a good listener. However he can’t help but to rest his head right on top of yours, thrilled to have you just as close again.

“You’re so warm,” he murmurs with a smile before taking another sip of tea.

You hum, “All credit goes to the hooded Sherpa poncho you brought back from one your many adventures and this blanket. I’d share but…I don’t wanna.”

Joaquin laughs as he peers down to see that you were in fact wearing the poncho and that brings even a bigger smile to his face, “How kind of you.”

“Hey, I’ve already saved you some tea on this moody spring night.” You lift your head to pull the hood right over your head as the wind picks up.

“And I appreciate that, honey.”

There’s goes that look, as if you were the stars in the sky that were with him when he needed you the most during those missions.

You reply, “You better.”

He presses a kiss to your brow while you tuck yourself back into his side.

“Welcome back,” you breathe.

Joaquin looks out into the city lights, “It’s good to be back.”

‘With you.’ He thinks and your inner thoughts are just the same.

[KELVIN HARRISON JR.]

Kelvin is staring over at you adoringly.

He even lets out a chuckle seeing the pink of your tongue peeking out from the corner of your mouth while you put the last finishing touches on your painting.

He’s dressed in neutrals and you’re as colorful as a field of tulips. The air was fresh, high sixties but felt even warmer underneath the sun. It really was the perfect spring day as you sat across from each other painting portraits of one another.

“Stalker,” you playfully cough into your fist after putting your paintbrush to the side.

Kelvin gives you a blank look, “Wasn’t the task to admire each other and replicate it on this exact canvas in front of us? I was down to paint the park but nooo you wanted to make this difficult.”

“Who said that? Art is all about expression isn’t it? And there’s nothing difficult about this face, love. Please act like you know.” You place your hands on your hips, posing while Kelvin smiles at you.

He also admired your confidence.

“You’re not wrong…but you might feel a little different once you see my outcome.” He admits, muttering that last part as he jokingly puts his head down and scratches at the back of his neck.

You laugh as you reach for the bottle of sparkling lemonade and take a sip, ignoring Kelvin’s waiting hand for it next, since he was the main one who said he shouldn’t be drinking this considering he thought he had acid reflux. “It can’t be that bad.”

“Subjective, maybe?” He rewords, “Kinda like how I think chowchow’s look like cracked out Tasmanian devils but they’re like your top three favorite dogs.”

Frowning you squint up at the sun, “Actually I want a Affenpinscher.”

“A what now?” Kelvin crains his neck out, “I don’t know if I want to know what that even looks like but I’m pretty sure you said different this morning when we were getting ready to come out here.”

You tap your chin and shake your head, “No I don’t think so.”

Kelvin blinks, “You said their blue tongues make them even cuter.”

“Hearsay.” You flick your hair over your shoulder, while Kelvin caresses his facial hair trying to keep his breathing in check.

The man shakes his head at you, “No…you say! Are you trying to gaslight me right now? I know a chowchow beats afrobuttsniffer or whatever the hell you just said.”

You can’t help but to throw your head back in laughter, knowing just how to annoy your man. Reaching out for his hand, he smacks yours out of the way making you gasp.

“What? I didn’t know if you were trying to get me like those aunties in church who like to pinch you when they catch you not listening to the lord’s word.” He holds his hands out innocently.

You snort, reaching back out this time to actually whack his thigh since he smacked your hand first. He allows it with a laugh of his own before you lean back, stretching your arms above your head until he’s reaching around towards you, quickly making you hold your fist up, while rolling your right one to defend yourself.

“No way you’re thinking about beating me up when I’m just trying to eat some fruit,” he gives you a side eye as he plucks the container of raspberries from your side.

You lift your shoulders letting your fist rest, “Can’t catch me Slippin’ either.”

Kelvin rolls his hooded eyes, then he pops a few pieces of the red berries into his mouth before placing it to the side of him, talking with his mouth full, “Let’s do the big reveal on 3, not 2.”

“Okay.” You nod, picking up your mini canvas from its easel.

The both of you meet each other’s eyes, amusement clear in your faces as you count together before spinning your artwork to the other’s.

“You have many strengths; all i’m saying is that parallel parking is not one of them.” Is the first thing Kelvin comments, making you frown.

Tilting your head to the side after glancing at your work you reply, “That sounds like you’ve been waiting to get that off your chest because what does that have to do with my painting?”

“Painting is one of your many strengths, driving is not.” Kelvin informs, holding your stare, and peering at you underneath his hooded eyes.

You scowl, “Now that’s a backhanded compliment.”

“What? I was just thinking about the ride back and praying that we don’t hit anymore curbs…yet you made me look good, like 90s Denzel good.”

Leaning your elbow on top of the canvas resting on the blanket you say, “Well you are 90s fine so it’s not like it was hard.”

“But parallel parking is,” he’s snickering and you’re strongly considering pinching the shit out of him now, “Thank you, baby.”

“No, keep your thank you’s,” you hiss, “You made me look like Mrs. Potato head.”

“You can be my Mrs. Potato head.” 

“You suck!” You yell ready to toss a wet paintbrush right at his handsome face.

“Yet you love me.”

“Ehhh…debatable.” You give shaky hands making Kelvin gasp but there’s a dimpled grin threatening to slip onto his face.

He’s got that devilish look in his face as he tosses his canvas to the side, crawling over to you on his knees and then he pounces on you, knocking you over onto the blanket.

“Why was that necessary?” You peek up at Kelvin who’s lounging above you, just smirking.

“Cause I like getting on your nerves as much as you like being on mine.”

“it’s too loud in here,” you flick one of his necklaces making him give you a confused look, “i’m going to start biting people.”

Which sounded like an excuse to get violent to Kelvin.

Kelvin laughs, “Hol’ up now friend till the end, we’re at a pretty tranquil park and don’t need you locked up because I don’t know if you’re gonna make bail.”

“Well…that Mufasa money might say different.”

Kelvin rolls his eyes, “I don’t know if you know this but…I played scar.”

“And what does that mean?” You tighten your stare, silently daring him to say something you wouldn’t like. You were his biggest hype person and it never went unnoticed.

He exhales, not wanting to take it there, “That I also got that dog in me like Andre from Victorious once said.”

“Leon doesn’t like being referred to only that role.”

“Damn you know him?” Kelvin raises a brow, making you slide a hand up the side of his neck, smirking to yourself, “…But I get it.”

You nod pulling him down so you’re chest to chest glancing at his plump lips, “Yeah and I prefer this brotha right here.”

It’s Kelvin’s turn to smirk after licking his lips, “Say less.”

[CHAD MEEKS-MARTIN]

“i can’t come out tonight, i’ve got to re-pot my roses.” You say into FaceTime, patting the back of your hand against your forehead after re-entering your home.

Chad was always the one to bring you out of your shell and of course the bars were coming more alive now that spring’s breezy weather, part sun, and low percentage of rain for the night decided to stick around.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry I thought I accidentally called my grandmother Delia instead of you.” Chad is as sarcastic as ever, earning a swift middle finger from you.

He laughs while you disappear from screen to retrieve your notepad and bouncing pen. Chad is quiet for a moment, eyeing the beauty of you as you’re scribbling onto the pad, appearing to be busy.

“Can’t you like, do that another day? I mean we’ve been in this new town for months and we should get to enjoy it instead of constantly working ya know?” Chad attempts to persuade you as you scoff out a laugh.

It wasn’t work to you, simply a hobby.

You peek back at the screen, “I get wanting to have freedom, since we all definitely deserve it but I promised Mindy and I’s neighbor that I’d make the front of the home look nice.”

Chad gives you a look, “You mean the redhead neighbor that she’s screwing? Something tells me she doesn’t give a shit about flowers.”

You and Mindy were sharing a two bedroom townhouse in this coastal town, which was something all of you were not used to! Whereas Chad had his own space about fifteen minutes uptown, which still wasn’t far enough for Mindy but that was yet to be determined.

“…Are you avoiding me because I let Tara crash here when she came into town?” Chad suddenly blurts out, making you scrunch up your nose.

Your nose twitched and you scratched at it, “Why would I be avoiding you over our friend?”

“I don’t know…” Chad starts, “Do you think something happened? I know she sent you a story of us when we went out to your DM’s and you gave a thumbs up emoji…which isn’t really your thing.”

Your reassurance was not strong, “Chad babe, it’s not that deep, honestly.”

“Yet I feel like it is,” Chad asserts, “When’s the last time we even hung out for awhile—gone on dates—

“I don’t know you tell me.” You snap and Chad widens his eyes.

He’s figures you out.

“You know it’s not like that with me and Tara, hasn’t been or really been in a long time. You’re mine and no one else is and I want you to know that, okay?” He guarantees, always being the one to wear his heart on his sleeve.

You sigh, “That’s great Chad. I’m gonna go.”

“No…not when this doesn’t feel right.”

“We’re fine!”

Chad urges while he wants to hold your stare from behind the screen, “Do you mean it?”

“…”

“Yeah no, that’s not good enough for me, baby cakes.”

That cringe pet name doesn’t even get a reaction out of you and that’s how Chad knows it’s bad. It’s not like he didn’t ask you if it was okay for Tara to stay with him. Sure you and Mindy had a sofa bed that she could have used yet she chose Chad’s one bedroom that he wanted you to move into with him. Although you said it was fine it still felt odd since the two once had a thing and you were always in the background.

You took the leap of faith and made yourself heard once Chad was officially back on the market and actually taking time out for himself. Which you didn’t want to disrupt but you got tired of constantly bottling up how you felt. It sorta just happened after you admitted your feelings but it wasn’t some fairytale.

Not in this story of your lives.

He didn’t immediately share his feelings since he was in shock that you would actually go for a guy like him.

Which also made you want to horse kick him for even thinking that.

You took things as slow as possible and that works for the both of you, although time was always limited.

“The roses are calling, gotta go love you bye!” You rush out, hanging up the call, leaving Chad to let out a long groan at his apartment.

At least you said you loved him still?

Yet that didn’t make the athlete feel any better.

You’re unsure how long you’ve been in the front yard, the sound of birds chirping happily gradually began to fade as the sound of waves hitting the rocks in the far distance began to pick up took over, while you consistently switched over the vibrant flowers into brand new pots that you dragged Mindy and her…friend Van to get last weekend. It was team work dragging bags of soil into the cart but you three made it work all on your own. Chad even set the picture Mindy sent his way of you kissing your bicep and stepping on the bag of soil as his screensaver.

The guy was ridiculously in love with you but here you were feeling a way about Tara. A girl that you did consider a friend but felt a way about her being here on her own last weekend.

Sharing an apartment on her own with your boyfriend!

Mindy told you that Tara was actually dating and exploring around herself in a city named Tarnșoara, which so happened to be outside of the country that she lived in with Sam, and that you had nothing to really worry about but your mind can definitely pay tricks on you.

Normally you’re not rough handed when dealing with your garden but the thoughts took over and made it appear as if it you were taking it out on the flowers.

“And you tell me I’m heavy handed.”

It’s not the voice that haunts you but you still find yourself pointing the trowel up on alert.

“Hey! It’s just me, your dream guy and boyfriend! And I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t add any more wounds to this glorious body.”

Exhaling you drop the gardening tool, “Chad! What’re you doing here?”

“Well it’s been awhile and you weren’t answering my texts.” He’s sheepishly standing above you, clearly holding something behind his back.

You’re frowning, patting the pockets of your apron for your phone as you ask, “What time is it?”

You see it’s dinner time and the last time you talked to anybody it was after 3PM.

Check ins are crucial in this friend group.

“Wow…time really got the best of me.”

Chad laughs a little, eyeing the work you’ve done, “I can see that…can I help with that last pot?”

“Um…yeah, as soon as you show me what’s behind your back.” You get to your feet.

The twenty-something year old tilts his head to the side, peeking at you from one eye, “Don’t you trust me, babe?”

You feel your head nodding before your thoughts can even give you the wrong idea.

Chad pulls out the item he’s holding behind his back, revealing it to you, “I brought you croissants. as like, um, an olive branch.”

A crooked smile appears on your face as you hold your hand out for the box of pastries, “Are they gluten free?”

He rubs at his neck, “Um…not sure. Don’t tell me you suddenly have an allergy to gluten? I can always return them and get you something else. Like a branch in some olive oil maybe?”

How creative!

You snort, “No, no. I’m just fucking with you, this is great really, thank you.”

It was one of your favorites and this means he was thinking of you so of course you were grateful.

The little things do matter.

Chad lets out a whistle, “Nearly gave me another heart attack, girl!”

“Another?” You question.

“Uh yeah…after I sat on the situation I can see how I was wrong and maybe even disrespectful to you and I’m sorry about that.” Chad looks you in the face to show you how genuine he is and deeply inhales, “The last thing I would ever want to do is ruin what we have over not understanding each other’s boundaries.”

Your heart swells, “No it’s not only on you. I needed to communicate better and I didn’t even know I felt icky about it until after I said it was okay. It’s not really your fault, you were just being a friend. A good one.”

“Aw, you think so?” He sways from one foot to the other, “How am I on a scale of 1 to 100 when it comes to being a boyfriend though?”

You bring your eyes together, “You really want me to rate you, right when we’re trying to make up?”

“Well…I brought you your fav carbs, against my coach’s judgement.”

Of course he contacted his new coach about this!

“I’m sure you’ll work it off in the morning after we indulge in these.”

He pops up at the mention of, “We.”

“Oh…you’re inviting me into your home? I don’t know if your husband would like that?”

You laugh resting the box on a side table that’s sitting on the porch for now. When you turn around, Chad’s already doing the honors of moving the roses to the last open spot.

Leaning against the railing you say, “No husband yet, I’m still pretty young.”

“Noted,” Chad dusts off his hands and smiles over at you, “Can I stay for dinner?”

You stare at him for a moment and roll your gloved hand out, “Come on in.”

Chad nearly runs over to you, lifting you from the steps with one arm. He sets you back on the porch so that you’re face to face and you hold onto his chest.

“I love you so much.” He tells you.

You nuzzle your nose against his, “I know. The feelings mutual, peanut.”

He whoops, throwing a fist in the air as he lifts you by the waist to kiss your lips. “Hear that everybody! My baby loves me again!”

“Chad,” you giggle as he sets you back on your feet, “Let’s get inside, the temperature is dropping and I can use a shower and food.”

His brows are wiggling as you turn from him to head to the front door, “Am I also included in this shower of yours?”

“Depends what you do with those croissants.” You smirk over your shoulder.

Chad grins as he charges after you, “I make a mean breakfast roll on a croissant that even the French would be jealous! So yeah, it’s safe to say I’ll be taking that shower with you.”

He closes the door behind you before he quickly opens it back, snatching the flaky box of pastries off the table and locking the door before chasing you up the stairs.

[JEY USO]

Weddings in spring could be interesting…not something you necessarily would have picked for your own but the things you do for your cousin/bestie! You were fighting to stay awake, seated on the toilet in your robe rubbing in the whipped butter into your skin while trying not to fall over.

You’re a giggling mess and unsure what time it was but a time was definitely had at your cousin and Sikoa’s wedding.

“WHERE DEM FANS AT?! WHERE DEM FANS AT?!” You can hear Jey screaming from your attached bedroom, it was clear he didn’t care what time it was either.

Laughing some more, you screw the top back onto your moisturizer and stumble getting to your feet but catch yourself. So you may have had one too many as well but at least you weren’t having your own concert, risking the police to come knocking at your door.

Gasping to yourself after closing the drawer to one of the bathroom cabinets, you spot Jey dancing in the doorway, performing the line dance, disappearing and coming back again with a half eaten burger in his hand.

“Hey, you better not have touched my food.”

Jey scrunches up his face, head thrown back into view, “Uh…what’s gon’ happen if I stole a couple of fries? That’s right, nuthin!”

Sucking your teeth, you turn hoping the room wasn’t spinning and couldn’t wait for the meds to kick in as you charged out of the bathroom after turning the lights off.

You’re tempted to jump right on his back but Jey turns around, waving the burger towards you and stepping as he sung, “Oh whoa oh whoaaaaa!”

There’s a crooked smile on your face as you shake your head. Jey loved this song so much at the reception, he had the DJ play it at least four times until he got dragged away from the dance floor by Jimmy and Jacob.

He was boisterous and so proud to witness his baby brother become a husband. If he had it his way, he would have been the DJ the entire night since the DJ did fumble all entrances into the hall.

“Yeah, remind me to not hire this fool for my wedding.” Jey said loud enough in the lobby as he stood with the rest of the groomsmen and Solo, earning snickers from most, while you tried to keep your heart steady as he sent a wink and grin in your direction.

You’re too busy day dreaming to realize Jey all up in your face.

Your head goes back, “Damn, can I help you, Joshua?”

His face is serious as it’s locked on your eyes while he slowly chews, “How’d you get that?”

“What?” You deadpan as you’ve heard this before, “This ass? I’ve told you before Bobby Valentino—

Jey shakes his head waving his hand along too, “Nah nah. We’ll get to that later…I’m talking about your eye.”

“What’s wrong with my eye?” You frown slightly turning in the direction of the full length mirror tucked in the corner in the oversized master bedroom, “Don’t tell me it’s finally swollen from all that awful pollen?”

Jey watched as you moved from him in your robe, before quickly following after you to stand behind you in the mirror. He crossed his arms while you leaned forward to see a black ring underneath your right eye.

“I didn’t even notice it after spending all that time making sure the makeup was off,” you shrug, lifting a finger to poke at it to see if it hurt but it didn’t.

Not to say it wouldn’t in the morning!

Jey scowls, “Neither of us are leaving this room until you tell me how you got that shiner.”

You chuckle, “Well yeah because we’re having a midnight dinner in bed.”

Just as you mention the food you stopped at the drive-thru to get on the way home, your stomach rumbled like thunder. Jey doesn’t even bother to make a joke since there’s evident anger in his frame now.

“Jey, it’s fine.” You reassured, lightly squeezing his bare arms before you try to go around him but he blocks your movements, making you raise a brow, “I know you’re not about to play with me when it comes to my food, Joshua.”

He barks back, “Seems like you’re playin’ with me since you won’t tell me what happened.”

“I don’t even know if I remember what happened!”

“Try!”

Tilting your head to the side at his tone you attempt to reason with the glossy eyed man, “You really think if something went down with me when you went off to change that you wouldn’t be the first to know about it? As big as y’all family is along with my dad’s side of the family? Come on now! So let me eat my damn tenders in peace.”

Jey pinches at his bottom lip, thinking it over in his drunken haze. You’re seated on the bed, peeling open the box with force now, feeling yourself getting hot although you just showered. Jey was usually the dancer and wants to fight when under the influence, whereas you tended to laugh at almost everything and wanted to hug on everybody.

Right now?

You didn’t want to hug this man since he messed with your time to eat.

“So…you remember something since you said it went down while I went to change.” Jey started as he plopped on the bed, almost knocking over your sauce before leaning on his elbow.

Guess he wasn’t that drunk!

Holding onto one end of the chicken tender you tap it right against Jey’s nose, making him swat at you with a frown. “That chicken ain’t that good to slap somebody. And I’m not just anybody.”

“It’s good to me, now be quiet.” You sass.

Jey’s still ready to debate, “You think I’m not gonna find out?”

You sigh as you take your time chewing, hoping he goes to sleep but you forgot who you were dealing with as he pokes you.

It’s your turn to swat him from poking you in your boob again, “You’re acting as if someone did it on purpose…”

“I dunno, did they?” Jey rolls his head to the side now as he presses you.

You shake your head, letting some more slip out, “It was an accident to that exact song you’re obsessed with. Cousin Lasa didn’t mean it, you know the boy is lanky.”

Realization passes over his face, Jey rubs at his jaw, “Cousin lasa huh? I’ve been meaning to drop him on his head since he was born.”

You smack his shoulder, making sure it hurt, “Don’t do him like that, he’s just a kid.”

“A kid that looks twenty-five.”

“Isn’t he like fifteen?”

“I know there’s a five in there somewhere…that’s good enough to get a beat down in my eyes.” Jey decides.

“Okay, now you’re doing too much.” You shake your head, “Go back to singing.”

Jey says, “I’m just standing ten toes down for my woman, what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing until you’re talking about terrorizing a whole child.”

“He’s six foot one! That ain’t no child.” Jey maintains as he stares at you from underneath his eyelashes.

“Leave him alone!”

Jey groans, “This how you gonna be when you bless me some boys of our own? S.O.F.T.?”

You hum, “I don’t know, ask me when you end up with girls. You’ll be just like Ro.”

Jey laughs, “Yeah, whatever. Man gets to decide anyway.”

“So now you’re an endocrinologist?”

“…yeah, yeah I’ll sign the documents as soon as we leave the venue.”

There’s a frown on your face now as Jey lets out an obnoxious yawn, briefly closing his eyes. You shake your head at the man, laughing to yourself some more as you shove more fries into your mouth.

It’s giving chipmunk as Jey peeks at you through one eye but he obviously finds you still to be the cutest thing, “can i help with your hair?”

At the mention of the classic pin up curl bun, you suddenly feel all the Bobby pins shoved into your hair. “As long as you don’t rip the pins out like last time?”

“I wont, you know I gotchu girl.”

“Do you?” You ask with humor in your tone, “I couldn’t tell after the threats you were making towards a entire teenager and a family member at that!”

Jey scoffs looking for his phone but you grab his neck, catching his attention as you squeeze, making him peer up at you then down at your lips. “I Always got you, don’t you ever doubt that and remind me to set a reminder to give Lasa a call in the morning.”

“No,” you whisper before placing your lips right on his.

And let’s just say…Jey wasn’t fighting you on this one.

[ZILLA FATU]

“You don’t need that hoe.”

You would have missed his voice if Bhad Bhabie’s diss track from your AirPods didn’t just fade out. It was ironic really that the song just ended and this man was lingering to the right of you while you ran your errands.

You’re holding onto a pastel Christmas tree, that was actually kinda ugly but you had to get your home ready for Spring and Easter and a few more decorative pieces wouldn’t hurt. Honestly you didn’t get it either, not every holiday needed a tree but overconsumption knew how to target you.

Stretching a smile onto your lips, you hold Zilla’s dark stare while you place the tree right into your cart. Who the fuck was he to tell you what you didn’t need?

“Oh it’s like that?” He rests his hands on the cart, briefly breaking eye contact to peer into your cart, which was filled with a couple of things he was also sure you didn’t need but it was clear you were going for bright and bold.

Pausing the shuffled music with a sigh, you take your time answering him since you had a feeling you weren’t about to leave this store without him harassing you. “Hell yeah it is. What do you want, Isayah? I got places to be.”

He doesn’t hesitate, looking over at you from underneath his lashes, “What do I want? You. I thought that shit was obvious?”

Resting your arms against the handle of the cart you breathe out a laugh, “Cheating on someone you claim to love while they’re up in the hospital is a funny way of showing it.”

The both of you broken up at least a month ago and Zilla hardly faltered reaching out to you. It was to the point you were ready to file your own restraining order against him. It was too much, him constantly showing up, calling with you not picking up the phone, showing up to your job that you threatened you would let the dogs out of the cage to bite him right in the ass if he didn’t get away from you, sending flowers, and even paying for any of your routine appointments beforehand.

He was feeling the guilt as he should.

While you were in a minor car accident, he was out in the club you told him to stay out of and the night that you didn’t go out with him, it all went to shit.

“I know ma, I know.” Zilla hung his head low, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I fucked up. None of it meant anything, it was stupid type shii. It’s my fault and I’m always gon’ be sorry about it.”

You’ve heard the excuses plenty of times before. He even tried to hide it until the proof got sent right to your phone and it wasn’t somebody random, it was someone who was a friend of your best friend’s. You always said you didn’t trust her since she was known for sleeping with people’s men, you often joked that your best friend was lucky she was a lesbian or else she would have to be careful but look what happened!

This was all a mess that you didn’t want to be part of but Zilla put you in this situation. For as long as you’ve know him, since you were kids and he got locked up for constantly doing stupid shit, you still held him down even if it was only as a friend then.

Look where that got you.

“I don’t really care for your apologies,” you shrug your shoulders, “I just want you to leave me alone like you did in that hospital.”

Zilla tightens his hold on the end of the cart, “I eventually showed up.”

“And showed your whole ass. You broke his fucking nose! He had to see a plastic surgeon because of you, when he actually walked away from the crash just fine until you pulled that shit.”

Zilla immediately sucked his teeth knowing it was only a matter of time before you brought that man up. Of course he jumped to conclusions hearing that you had some dude (a co-worker who was actually happily married) in the passenger side of your car and the fact that he stayed around for you and got smart with Zilla? Yeah Zilla swung and he knew he shouldn’t have but what’s done is done.

“What am I supposed to think when some dude that’s hanging around you that I don’t even really know puffs his chest out to me, mayne? He tried to keep me from seeing you, disrespected me and I’m just supposed to take that? Nah.” Zilla argued, his brows furrowing.

Deeply inhaling you respond, “He was doing us both a favor. You were fucked up and didn’t have a clear mind. The last person you needed to worry about is me not being loyal. I would never do you dirty how you did me. That’s not my character but you couldn’t give me that same grace. You’re lucky your ass isn’t locked up since I talked your team into splitting the cost of what his insurance wouldn’t pay. And talked him out of pressing charges.”

Zilla didn’t know that part, just the fact that it was handled and no one showed up with cuffs to bring his ass back to jail.

“You did that for me?”

“I didn’t do it for you,” you snap, “He’s my friend and a good guy. He didn’t deserve your bullshit so I figured it out.”

Despite you saying this both you and Zilla knew it wasn’t only for some guy you worked with and considered a work friend. If you didn’t care about Zilla you wouldn’t have been around this long. If you didn’t love him or even yourself enough, you would have stayed in this unhealthy pattern.

“Regardless of what your mouth says…thanks for being bout it.”

You roll your eyes, looking away to the shelves again but there was nothing else to really browse. Zilla takes his time looking at you and although it was clear you now wanted to be anywhere else but here, you were still the baddest thing he’s ever had.

“Let me take you to lunch, I know that ass is hungry by now since you’ve probably been at this since eight this mornin’.” Zilla tries to persuade you while you stare at him as if he’s transformed into an alien.

Scoffing you say, “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You’re out and about walking around with a boot on your foot, I think you can roll with me.” Zilla nods his head towards the exit.

Shaking your head you’re firm, “No.”

“Whatchu mean no?”

“I don’t know how else you want me to say it.” You answer, “You think going to lunch to see how I’ve been when you know exactly how, is going to fix things? You got things you need to figure out without me so do it. When I said I was done I meant it. So if you’ll step to the side—

Of course he doesn’t move, even when you’re ready to ram him with cart. His dark stare is fixated on you, a look that could make anyone shrivel up in fear and listen to him.

You didn’t scare easily.

“You maybe done but I’m not.” Zilla tells you, “i’m scared of the things i feel for you.”

That makes you frown.

“Yeah, yup. I’ll admit it.” Zilla explains, “Not once did I ever enter that club with intentions to hurt you as bad as I did. I know what we have is good and something I’ve been holding onto. I’m a fuck up, it’s what I do but you know better than anyone that I’ve been trying to get right and I was doing aight until that night. I ain’t never loved nobody as hard as I love you. I made a poor choice, I came to my senses as soon as I woke up. You’re my whole heartbeat and when I realized what I did…it felt like it just fell out of my chest.”

“…you tried to hide it. But I knew something was up and it wasn’t just because you were lit and chose violence.”

Zilla nods, “I was hurting too and took it out on Lil Fizz’s twin.”

That actually makes you laugh and you want to push it back down where it came from.

“You need more space…I can try my best to give you that but it’s far from easy because you know I need a heart to keep going.” He informs and runs a hand down his face trying to hide his vulnerability, “As corny as it sounds it’s anything less but true. I miss you. I want you. I need you.”

Sure anyone could fold if you look at the history between you two. You were two years older than him, always looking out for his best interest, even when he had his moments of not wanting to hear you out, but there was a time where there were talks of having a future together and even had a scare which would take things to new heights. This shit wasn’t just for fun, the both of you were locked in.

Yet he picked the lock.

“I hear you, I do but I’ve got to get going.”

Zilla’s shoulders almost deflate, “Aight busy woman, I guess I’ll let you go. Take care of that foot and yourself.”

He wanted nothing more than to throw you over his shoulder and go home together. However today wouldn’t be that day.

After that interaction you have no interest of looking around the store or even buying what you had in your cart. So being one of those people you unfortunately ditch it in one of the aisles and hobble out of the store.

“I’ll be seeing you in two weeks!” Zilla calls out to you.

You pause seeing him posted up against the store building.

Quickly your brain tries to remember what’s happening in two weeks and realize it’s usually a spring break trip that happens around this time. Sikoa sent you the details back in January and he was the designated host, it was basically a birthday trip although his damn born day is in March, his girl morphed it into a part two celebration since she was a April baby herself.

“You’re going on Sikoa and Nai’s birthday trip?” Your head is tilted to the side as you stand on the sidewalk, “We must be in eternal hell.”

Zilla laughs, “Guess we got our redemption arc and all that. There’s still room for more though.”

His hint throwing was not subtle at all.

Scoffing you fold your arms, “…Sounds like a set up to me.”

“I mean…I could have just shown up to the airport on your ass but I heard you already put down your portion, so there ain’t no backing out now. You’re gonna have to see some more of this mug whether you wit it or not so…enjoy your space, ma.” He says into your face after pushing off the wall, even going as far to roughly kiss the side of your cheek on his way by.

And you glare over your shoulder, watching as he hopped in the passenger side of his ride.

Guess it was your turn to have problems with the whole bloodline.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 -ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 -ˋˏ ༻❁

You’re sitting up now, “I see better in the dark remember? That fall looked like it hurt, you good?”

Joey scoffs, “no! I’m not good, I just busted my ass because of what?”

She listens carefully as you clink a wrench against the side of the toilet and her blood feels like it’s simmering as she recalls the reason for your actions, “…Why did I let you remodel the bathroom?”

“To save us money, duh.” You respond as you get up to head over to the brunette.

You hold out your hand, waiting for Joey to find your hand in the dark so you can pull her up. It’s much quicker than anticipated but you help her to her feet anyway. Now she’s moving around you to flick the dim lighting of the room on and gets a good look of the small space. The tub was no longer a tub—being broken down and leaving a mess all along the floor, there were multiple paint swatches on the wall, the mirror above the sink was still in tact along with the toilet.

Joey blinks, “aren’t vampires supposed to be wealthy? Why not have someone else do it for you?”

You cackle, which always sounds like windchimes.

“My carpenter of a father didn’t leave shit behind for us and always expected us to work for our own…just imagine how disappointed he was to hear that his eldest daughter wanted to be a cellist for a living—which was somewhat satisfactory centuries ago. Then my mother? A complete gambler? it would be a miracle for us siblings to even see a hundred dollars. I have the skill so I can do it and you’ll thank me later once my craft leaves you stunned.” You bounced on your toes with a grin while Joey just shook her head.

She never thought after what happened at the manor that she would ever interact with vampires again. Foolish woman. Yet you came along months later when Joey was trying to get her life together and all of a sudden she had a new roommate. Who happened to be a damn vampire! You tricked her and although her guard should have been up, you swore you didn’t want to drink her dry—stating that you weren’t a fan of AB negative blood—you still threw that threat around that you would although it happened to be a empty threat.

Joey was still aware of the strength that you had. And living with a vampire wasn’t so bad until now, with you renovating and her forgetting the crime scene you committed days ago in this same bathroom. You liked to keep the hunts outside of the apartment since the clean up took up quite a lot of time and the stench stained your nails that you had to stop seeing your manicurist and do it yourself! To put it simply, matters went left that night all because of your fling Klaus and Joey came home a lot sooner than expected! You’ve noticed that Joey’s been under the weather a lot lately, being in a brain fog that she seemed to be forgetting things, cold, and sleeping a lot more.

She didn’t relapse, which was great considering everything she told you one late night when she couldn’t sleep. The pack of lollipops were commonly on the list to pick up but as long as she kept up with her meetings and dentist appointments then there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, right?

I know you didn’t believe that.

“Every time you say that, that always equals another outcome,” Joey’s gripping the sides of the sink now and exhales.

You twist your body back and forth as you innocently say, “not sure what you mean buttercup—

“Ugh, shut up! Don’t do the pet names, it makes me nauseous.”

You lightly ask, “Are you pregnant?”

“What the hell did you just say?” Joey is baffled as her head whips to where you stand.

“Just a thought.” You lift your shoulders, “i thought you hit it off with…shit I’m so bad with names.”

“The guy that you forgot to mention was a fucking mutant? I don’t even know what’s worse a mutant or a vampire?!” Joey growled before taking a deep breath after glancing at you pouting at her, “You don’t need to worry about my love life, what you need to worry about is us having a functioning bathroom!”

You point the wrench in the direction of the said item, “the toilet and sink still work. I didn’t mess with the pipes yet! And as your roommate and best friend you’ve ever had or only had—it’s my job to make sure you’re spicing things up.”

Joey lifts a brow, “you think I need a man of a mutant to do that?”

“…if that’s what you prefer, unless you state otherwise…” you place your hand on your hip in anticipation.

Joey huffs, “I’m not doing this with you this morning—

“It’s one pm.” You inform but pull your lips together as Joey glares at you with her dark downturned eyes.

“Could you leave the bathroom so I can actually use it?” Joey manages to get out, feeling a chill and a turn of her stomach wash over her body.

You nod, “sure! Do you think it’s roughly going to be a five minute sesh or forty five because I can get started on dinner or brunch?”

Joey picks at the back of your shirt, actually lifting you off your feet to walk you out of the bathroom, tossing you a bit into the adjacent hallway wall, before slamming the door behind you.

“That wasn’t pleasant,” you sharply exhale as you fix your shirt and make your way down the hallway.

You pass by the kitchen, through the living room to your bedroom which you leave the door open just a crack as you plop down onto your bed belly first. Reaching for the copper rotary, your fingers rotate against the numbers before the ringing begins in your ear.

“Hammy! How are ya? Are we still on for dinner tonight? My friend is getting worse and could really use your help.” You keep your voice leveled just in cause those senses kicked in too.

No matter what Joey thought, you were friends and you only wanted what was best for her.

This life was just not that, in your opinion.

You had to prepare for the worst before she was even aware of what this all was. However tonight with the visit of Abraham, would open her eyes some more unfortunately.

You met him back in ‘13 after taking on an action role, which would be filmed at the newly built casino: The Medallion. That same place of business that always got him into some shit—yet he always knew how to polish everything up so nicely regardless of any heat that went his way. Of course there was some attraction that formed over the six months of filming although he didn’t have a major role on screen versus behind it, his presence was surely felt. It took two years after that at the premiere of another film of yours for any relationship besides professional to form and sometimes you wished you would have stayed away.

This was one of those times.

To be in a relationship since mid 2015–minus the minor breakups just for it all to truly crumble now was the biggest punch in the face. And you may not be one of his Bloodline fighters but you were sure about to hand him one.

When he enters the house, not long after you’ve been going into a deep dive of everything from watching the video to various gossip websites and landing on Twitter of all places, you place the phone down face up as you rest your hands on the island counter. He pecks your cheek multiple times as he holds your hip, not picking up on the tension just yet before he takes a place on the other side of the island. Your jaw was set as you used the sleeve to wipe his kisses from your skin, eyes burning flames at the clueless man across from you.

“Smells good as hell in here. How was your day?” Is the first thing he says, finally looking up from his phone.

And you can’t help but to scoff at this, “it was going well baby, until I found out that you and your dick went swimming at The Medallion.”

Which lead to a heated stare from Roman, “…What’re you talking about?”

“Stop being stupid, Joe! Unless you can’t help it. Everybody knows including me! Y’all played in my face for who knows how long and you thought coming in here all regular was gonna be cool?” The pointer and thumb finger were jabbed right in his direction as you spoke before you were gripping the island so tight, it should have snapped but only quality was allowed in this house.

Roman kept his face straight as he clips, “I think you should start with watching your tone and talk to me with some sense.”

“Why? When you don’t have any?” Your head was tilted to the side, just begging for him not to continue to get smart with you because things will start to fly in a minute if he kept it up.

His big ass included.

Roman clenched his eyes shut in frustration before replying, “i honestly don’t know what you’re talking about, so please feel free to enlighten me.”

Humorless laughter bubbled past your lips as you decided to play this game just for a bit, “honestly, when’s the last time you saw Losi?”

His shoulders lifts, “a day or two ago. She’s taking personal time off, why?”

“Sure she is! Right on time for everything to unfold like the messy bitch that I told you she is.” You exclaim with your hands up in the air, “was this y’all plan all along? To humiliate me?”

As the silence filled the kitchen, it was shortly interrupted by the vibrating of your phone which rattled on the counter and finally the pinging from Roman’s own phone. A quick glance Roman sends to the device, it was a simple text from Losi herself which read: “I’m so sorry ro!”

He’s truthfully had a blind eye to what has been happening. Roman’s been back and forth between the casino and the ring along with a few meetings in between that he barely looked at his phone until he walked through his home’s front doors. There’s a furrow of his brows then at Losi’s text but it doesn’t take him long to figure it out when he thinks back to the accusations that you previously just thrown in his face combined with your attitude.

Your head was still tilted as you cooed with petty intent, “Uh oh…doesn’t look like there’s a smile on your face now when reading anything Losi says.”

Roman runs his hands down his face in exhaustion and guilt. When he opens his eyes, yours are still glaring at him. This conversation was going to be bad tonight whether he wanted to have it or not. He made this bed so now he had to lay in it.

“Babe—

“Na uh! Don’t start that shit now because you’ve been caught.” You held your hand up in the air, “Weren’t you the one who told me that you didn’t want to fuck her? Then you went and did it! When?!”

Roman runs his tongue over his bottom lip and bites down on it, “I don’t even—a few weeks ago? It didn’t mean shit though and I want you to know that. I don’t and won’t ever love her the way that I love you. I fucked up and i can admit that.”

If this was love then this man can keep that shit forever. Never did you ever think at this point in your relationship that the downfall would be Roman’s attention turning to another woman for a night.

“You can? Were you ever going to if this didn’t come out? You’ve been sitting on this for weeks and she’s been smiling in my face and more chatty—ohhh.” You knocked your finger into the air in realization, “she’s been plotting on this moment.”

Roman blinks with a shake of his head, “what? No.”

“You let the balloon stuffed booty fool you, baby.” You clapped, “along with the cute shy office siren thing she had going on the outside. I been knew she was feeling you and I couldn’t be mad at that! I knew what I had. As long as she didn’t try anything but it only took a year for you to fold right when everything was falling into place.”

He had another personal assistant who’s been working for him since The medallion began to stay consistent in flourishing, Ms. Charlene, who was older in her mid-fifties and actually good friends with your aunt. She was probably the best one Roman was ever going to get but she decided to retire early? And moved all the way out to Liberia but still did her original role as a tax preparer on the side but you didn’t hear that from me—your narrator.

“What do you mean?”

“Think about it, joe. The gym just had its successful grand opening after its bombing a month ago, you just announced that you were expanding the medallion to be worldwide with plans of doing the same for Bloodline. I’m hosting the Tony awards, you’re planning to propose, and Losi is trying to start her own business by creating some plant spa, which gives her just enough motive to leak the tape so she’s financially taken care of while we’re here looking dumb as fuck.” You deeply exhale while Roman pressed his tongue into his cheek in thought.

He didn’t want to believe that either but one thing about you? Your mind was always going and connecting the dots. He knew that there was something about Losi that you didn’t rock with and he didn’t see. When it came to his businesses he wanted to be the only one running things and sure he never wanted to make you uncomfortable yet he and Losi went way back and her resume was top notch. Overall Roman believed that the two of you could just coexist at some point, although Losi put in more effort to be friendly with you, you weren’t feeling it.

Ultimately you had to agree to disagree on the subject. It wasn’t a big problem until it unfortunately became one of course. He didn’t have the ring and it’s been in the works since last year but he knew what he wanted it to look like based on your preferences and kept the sketch secured and out of sight…so he thought.

He knew he wanted forever with you but he allowed himself to get stupefied by someone he thought was a friend and should have stayed in that place.

“Nah Lo’s not like that, she’s a good girl.”

Roman didn’t know if he believed that himself anymore but it still came out of his mouth.

You felt your eye twitch, “you keep telling yourself that and that’s probably what you praised her with when you were hitting it from behind too right?”

“Relax,” his stare is hard from underneath his eyelashes, as if he’s attempting to command you in doing so, “I didn’t know she was filming us, Alright?”

That much you could tell.

“Yeah okay, so that makes it better?!”

“No it doesn’t! And I’m aware of that. I want to marry you which you somehow know—

“Then why do this to me? To us?! We were doing so well and came so far just for you to ruin it all like this was for nothing.” You tried to focus on your breathing but from Roman’s stance he could see that it was more of a panting from you, to keep from crying.

The last thing you wanted was for him to comfort you but he did find himself reaching his hand out some over the island, just in case. He hated that this was happening, that he was causing you pain and not the fact that this was biting him in the ass, he knew what he had done and had to pay the price, he could take that but he didn’t like the twist in his chest at the sight of your anger, your pain, yet he didn’t really have a reason to justify this. There was no justifying the infidelity or the past gaslighting of your concerns you expressed once Losi came along. You had dreams and took that as a sign just as much of what you witnessed in person. Roman would always reassure that it was just your mind lying to you and being paranoid until he proved everything to be true.

“It’s not for nothing…we’ve been through so much shit together that we can get through this too.” Roman states with determination in his eyes, “I don’t know what exactly you want to hear from me but I’m telling you that choice I made that night meant nothing. It happened once, I was on one that night, should have known better than to let my guard down and I told her we won’t ever do that shit again because I’m in love with you. I need you.”

It was your turn to bite down on your lips and nod your head, “that sounds nice, really but there’s no way you expect me to just leap back into your arms just because you’re looking at me that and all the sweet nothings you hand over will magically make this okay when it most likely won’t be.”

He swallows, “What are you saying?”

“Look around! You can’t have that much trust in her to believe this wasn’t calculated can you? I mean you trusted her enough to not let your hot steamy night get out but look where that got you. A tape! You had that girl in my face, in this house, trying to get us to be besties long before and this is what y’all go and do? The disrespect is so real so…you know what? Fuck her and fuck you too!”

Roman dips in his head in understanding, even if he has to make a jump back from the plates of sides that are sent his way but that doesn’t mean he has to take it. “I get that you’re in your feelings but I’m telling you right now, I’m not gonna take any more of you talking crazy to me tonight. It’s been a long day.”

“Excuse me?!” Your brows are raised, “I’ll call you every name until the sun comes back if it makes me feel better—

“But that’s the thing, it won’t so why waste your breath?” His chin is raised in such arrogance.

It’s your turn to be wide eyed now. Did Roman expect you to just not react like he was good at doing? You studied him then, noticing how stoic he was but his eyes said different before he tightened his stare. He was letting his ego come out to play and that was a dangerous game.

“Hmm let’s see what will? Should I dump this gumbo right in your face? Mess your precious house up? Or get in touch with Jey to see if he has any insight to how quickly the success of Bloodline got back up and running. He’s been quiet since the grand opening and that’s not like our boy.” The smirk on your face was enough to get Roman to charge over to you and get in your face.

Jey was family, always would be no matter how ugly the business got. First it was his twin, Jimmy who Roman kicked out and you knew Jey was feeling not only a way about that but also Roman’s big headed authority. It was only a matter of time before Jey stepped down and you knew it was coming based on conversations you had. Roman also had a feeling that you knew more than what you were saying and withholding information was a huge negative, although you weren’t part of the business you would be if you took that title of being Roman’s wife.

You stared up at Roman sweetly while he pressed his forehead harshly into yours, “you don’t scare me and you don’t want to ever cross me, love of my life or not.”

Running your hands up Roman’s clenched torso and up over his biceps to grip his shoulders tightly you say, “well…this old love of your life, is about to show you just how much you’re gonna lose and I know how much you hate to lose.”

He squeezes your neck pulling you so that you’re nose to nose, “if that’s how you want to play, then you better not miss.”

“Great talk, baby. Now let go.” Her nails dig into his shoulder blades while it’s Roman’s turn to tighten his jaw.

Eventually he lets go, running a palm over his mouth as you get back to breathing although your insides want to ache but you numb it down. You crack your knuckles before reaching forward to wipe the crumbs off the counter into the sink and turn to leave but not without glancing at the contents on the floor.

“Hey, I think I would have loved being your wife but the world is always turning right? Better luck next time I guess.” You shrug your shoulders, “and you might want to clean that up before you get some ants that look like Losi. See you soon, Joe.” You explain with a cold wink that reminds the man to breathe after you leave the home for good.

Roman didn’t know what he was going to do just yet or what you had in mind but for right now, he had to sit on his loneliness over a meal that you prepared which he didn’t get to share with you at the end of the table this time around.

[2 weeks later…]

The saying April showers brings May flowers could apply here, depending on how you looked at it. It was difficult being back in your own space, once sharing it with the Cane Corso, “Atonga,” that Roman gifted to you last year for your birthday and what you sent back days after you left his house. You were ready to send everything back (or donate) but Roman wasnt having that, anything that got sent back to his place or his businesses he redirected most to your parents with the power for it not to be sent anywhere else.

As for Atonga, he was waiting for you on your doorstep one morning with a simple message attached: he’s closer to his mom.

The gift of Atonga was for protection and you built a strong bond with the dog, overall you’d be lying if you said you didn’t miss the boy so you didn’t put up much of a fight when it came to him. As for the outside noise? The paparazzi followed your every move even more so now, you didn’t keep your head down but you kept it on mute with every outing. You didn’t need the advice of your publicist on what to do because regardless you had your own media training due to previous work and would ultimately do what you felt.

You didn’t have to offer the world a damn thing.

Your relationship with Roman was one of the most trendiest relationships to talk about and it was killing them not to know much more of what was going on. However Roman gave some crumbs on the recent interview he was on and spoke some with the paps that followed him around but it was enough for people to speculate you have broken up again.

A relationship that had so many sides to it was stuck on being face up at this time.

Over these two weeks you weren’t cooped up in the house crying over this mess, you got to deep cleaning, self-care appointments: nails done, hair done, everything did, spent time in the gym mostly with a personal trainer that Roman never cared for but he mercilessly stopped responding to your meeting requests after the second day, which left you to train with the twins and Naomi instead, and being in the club with the widest of smiles.

After all that you were slowly getting back into work. Thankfully your manager agreed to put a pause on the work load until you were ready, where you got the outline on paper on how award shows were meant to run, then you would make the trip in a few weeks to see how the stage was in person.

“YO,” Jey calls out your name from downstairs, his voice echoing all throughout the house that you forgot he was even still here. Probably eating up all your food while watching ghetto ass Tubi or BMF—they were the same thing honestly.

Getting so wrapped up in the outline, you push yourself off your bed and head out into the hall and call back, “what I tell you about using your outside voice in my house, jey?!”

The barking that sounded as you got to the steps made you frown, actually making you put more speed in your steps as you went down them. When you peered up on the second to the last step, you spotted a familiar face standing at the front entrance of your home while Jey stood off to the side holding Atonga back.

There stood Miguel Alfaro, a ex-boyfriend of yours who sported his dark SWAT attire.

“You got company,” Jey muttered as he eyed the pale buzzed hair guy.

Deeply exhaling you step down and make your way over to the men and fold your arms, “Miguel, what’re you doing here?”

“Can’t be anything good,” Jey adds while he continues holding Atonga by his collar.

Miguel blinks at him and then the dog, “Mind if you put him away so I can have a civil conversation?”

Jey sucked air between his teeth with a grin, “oh this little guy? He’s a sweetheart.”

Miguel raises his brows in disbelief, one hand that was resting on his waist moved to where his firearm was, which the two of you noticed. Jey met your eyes and with a nod of your head, he quickly pulls the dog away to one of the guest rooms for a moment before making his way back.

“You don’t look that happy to see me,” Miguel attempts to joke with a raise of his hands, “that kinda hurts my feelings.”

Lifting your shoulders you reply, “I can’t say the expression on my face would be any different if you didn’t have that monkey suit on but—

Jey snorts out a laugh, which he clears his throat afterwards once Miguel sends him a sharp look before Miguel turns his attention back to you.

Miguel shortly exhaled through his nostrils, “Right, this suit is actually doing you a favor so I’d be a little more thankful.”

“Whatchu mean by that?” Jey clasps his own hands in front of him, defense mode was activated now.

You exhale, “Miguel, I don’t have time for this push and pull shit you commonly like to do, so just spit it out so you can get out my house.”

“I see your attitude still hasn’t changed. I thought we squashed our beef and it was all love?” Miguel’s mockery was still there and highly irritating.

Tilting your head to the side you cackle, “was that before or after you trashed my character to the tabloids over a little relationship when we were what? Eighteen?”

Miguel frowns, “I wouldn’t call my first serious relationship of three years to be little. Which is why I said what I said, if things don’t benefit you then you couldn’t care less. Maybe that’s why Roman did what he did and you didn’t give enough.”

“You don’t know me you spineless bitch!” And you stepped to him but an arm goes right across your torso from Jey before he shields you completely from Miguel.

Jey shakes his head while Miguel breathed out a laugh as he pinches at his straight nose, “I think you should stop instigatin’ and just say what you need to say, bro.”

“That’s officer to you, bro.” Miguel clarifies with a sharp stare but Jey just mockingly nods his head back and forth.

“My fault, officer pig.”

You grip Jey’s wrist and move to stand beside him, meeting his eyes to show him that this was mainly your problem not his.

Miguel ran his tongue over his teeth in annoyance but to your surprise he takes the higher road, “you’re right, I apologize.” He starts but directs that apology mostly at you, “I didn’t come here to start shit, I truthfully came to tell you something that’ll benefit—that’ll be useful to you.”

Clapping your hands together you rolled your hands about, awaiting for him to just say what needed to be said since he first opened his mouth to you.

“It’s Roman.”

Both you and Jey felt your blood run cold at this.

Miguel flicks his eyes from the both of you as he says his next words, “He’s been out in Florida this past week and recently made a purchase on a building to potentially expand either The Medallion or Bloodline. Miami’s team been watching him since he’s touched down in their city but a major red flag went off after recent events.”

Both you and Jey shoot confused glances at each other.

“Don’t tell me you two aren’t aware that Celosia Darlington was found dead yesterday night off route 41?” He deeply scans their faces for any changes in their expressions, “It appears that she was in a hit and run accident, she was thrown from behind off her motorcycle and it’s being investigated by my team.”

Jey has his eyes in slits, “and you think Roman had something to do with it? You just said he was in Florida when this happened.”

“Correct, yet a vehicle registered to him was found on surveillance…which leaves us to believe that he knows what happened and who was driving his vehicle.” His eyes lingers on you for some time before carrying on, “Also the building he purchased in Miami belonged to Celosia’s step-brother, who has been missing since March.”

Massaging the space in between your brows you couldn’t believe what you were hearing. “What does Celosia’s step-brother have to do with Roman?”

“Roman loaned Celosia’s step-brother the funds to purchase that exact building back in January and her step-brother has a history of money-laundering.”

“Fuck.” Jey hisses.

This was bad, real bad.

Roman wouldn’t just loan a large amount of money without purpose, especially to someone he couldn’t trust. If he did this for Celosia’s step-brother, there had to be a reason and if he was missing? Then things really were turning to shit and it’s possible that Roman had something to do with it. However you and Jey both would never reveal that.

Miguel continues, “He’s been arrested and flown in to us. And I’m here to let you know that you’re also being suspected. The team will be here in the next fifteen so…that’s just a tip from me to you.”

“Why are you looking out for me?” You suddenly ask.

“Because believe it or not, I really loved you once upon a time,” Miguel disclosed with a soft sigh, “I want you to win and don’t want to see you get hurt any further. Especially if it’s at the cost of a grown ass business man who goes by: The tribal chief.”

“Aye, watch yourself. You’re not part of what we got going on, so you wouldn’t get it.” Jey warns while Miguel raises a hand in surrender, although he wants to laugh in the bronzed skinned man’s face, thrilled he could return the favor of striking a nerve.

Miguel looks at you one last time affirming, “fifteen minutes.”

“Fifteen minutes.” You dip your head, “Thanks, Miguel.”

“Ah, don’t mention it.” He winks, “but also don’t forget it.”

Which makes you roll your eyes although a small smile appears on your lips which Miguel mirrors with a crooked one. Jey breaks that up real quick, waving the swat member towards the door, followed by a forceful close of the door after Miguel takes his sweet time whistling along and eyeing the downstairs of the home.

Jey blows out a breath, “I see your type is assholes.”

“Jey, now is not the time.”

“I know sis.” Jey grips the back of his neck feeling some stress coming on, “I think I need to slide, hit up Jimmy, Sikoa and check on bloodlines where the rest of the family is most likely at.”

“Yeah you shouldn’t be here when they get here but please be careful…they’ll probably be on all of our asses now.”

Jey nods and steps forward to grip the side of your neck and place a kiss to your forehead while you hold your hand on top of his. “Can I take Atonga with me?”

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re trying to steal my dog.”

“What can I say? Everybody loves uncle Jey!” He pops his collar with a grin while you fan your hand at him as a signal for him to do so.

Fifteen minutes gives you enough time to set a timer, change from lounge clothes to another set, have a cup of raspberry lemonade, and have your bag near by ready to go once that knock came at your door. You kept offline because you’re sure anything you did up to the time swat came to your door, would be monitored.

You kept calm as those fifteen minutes came around quickly and took your time getting to the door once the harsh knocks sounded. Turning the tv down, you take some seconds before getting to your feet, remote still in hand as you head to the front door, eyes fixated on the tv as you pull the door open.

Turning to the familiar three faces you meet each of their eyes in faux surprise, “Hondo, Deacon, Tan? I’d say it’s good to see you but I’m sensing this isn’t a friendly visit.”

Hondo dips his head to confirm that as he says your name, “hey…we’re gonna need you to come with us.”

You blink, “okay…and it takes three of you to do that?”

“It’s a special situation,” Deacon tells, “involving your boyfriend—ex-boyfriend? Roman Reigns and his personal assistant Celosia Darlington who was murdered last night.”

They all watch your face at this news.

Sucking in your cheeks you answer, “Well…I guess you’re right then, it is a special situation.”

Tan and Deacon share a glance at your words.

“Target the people that had the most interactions with the deceased.” You nod.

Hondo tries to ease how this appears to make it sound better but he knows you’re smarter than to believe his attempt to smooth over the truth of your words.

Tan is the one to speak next, “You know it’s nothing personal and how this goes.”

You give a tight lipped smile, “right so…which one of you is going to watch me grab my bag or…do one of you want to grab it for me?”

How did you have ties to SWAT? Your father was part of a team out in Long Beach back where you grew up and did some work with the twenty division in his remaining years before a serious injury left him paralyzed ending his career. You ended up following in his footsteps at twenty-one, working for the LAPD and working your way into the S.W.A.T. field before you gave that up to…you guessed it! be a full-time actress once you caught your big break.

And sure they still liked to give you shit for “abandoning,” them but it was evident that’s not where your heart laid, although you proved how big of an asset you were for the short time you were part of S.W.A.T..

“You’re not being charged with anything so that’s not necessary.” Hondo states with a hand for you do so.

Tan mutters, “Yet.”

Which earns him a warning glance from Hondo while Deacon does in fact, keep his eyes on you. You’re turning off the tv, reaching for your bag, then heading back to the front door, and hold up a finger to step back and grab your keys off the side table by the door. They give you time to lock up your home before you follow them to the charger.

You’re quiet on the ride to headquarters and the men aren’t sure what to make of that but they decide to not press you on the ride.

There would be enough of that once you’re in the questioning room.

Holding onto the strap of your bag, your eyes are looking all around the building seeing how much has changed and what hasn’t. There’s mostly new faces that already made up their minds as they eye you on your way by.

Guilty.

When you see Roman in passing, in handcuffs being lead in the opposite direction by the commander, it feels like many films you shot before with this moment being in slow motion. Roman can’t take his eyes off you and you see just how everything was taking a toll on him. He may appear collected to everyone else but you saw the stress underneath his eyes, along with the longing for you in them and how his hair was left hanging instead of neatly slicked back into a bun.

You don’t owe him any comfort but you’re not sure if you want to see him suffer either. When you love someone, that means you open up your heart but what happens when you open it up too far and that person leaves it badly bruised?

Start looking out for yourself and hold your own, that’s what.

Shifting your head, you carry on as Roman is almost breaking his neck watching you leave from his sight yet again. He was waiting on his lawyer and had nothing else to say, which meant he was being sent right back to the holding cell while it was your turn to speak your peace.

“Colombian?” You quiz Tan who slides a mug your way with a plastic cup full of ice on the side.

Tan is half sarcastic and half joking, “only the best for our superstar.”

You snicker, knowing just how to get underneath his skin for simply existing before he leaves you alone with Hondo.

“Given the circumstances, you can already guess why you’re here.” He starts as he watches you carefully plunk the ice cubes into the mug before using your pinky finger to spin the contents together.

You sip at the homemade iced coffee, “Losi’s been murdered and the sex tape she made with my—Roman was leaked. Did anyone find out if she was behind it?”

“We can confirm that she was and was supposed to receive $25,000 for it but only received $10,000.” Hondo responds with his hands clasped on top of a folder.

You snort, “tough titties.”

“How so?”

“It’s evident that she was money hungry.” You notify, “I don’t get involved in Roman’s businesses but I know he had to be giving her a good amount since he didn’t have a separate assistant—that I know of—to take care of the gym business. Bloodline has much more value to him than the casino.”

“Right…because he comes from a family full of fighters except for his mother.”

“Yup.” You answer and add more sugar, stir, wipe your finger clean on a near by napkin and take another sip.

Hondo opens the folder and spins it to face you before spreading the crime scene photos along, “Was the money the last straw for you? Enough to make you so angry to chase Celosia down the freeway, run her down, get out the car, and finish her off with specific shots to the body: one to the Radial Artery as she pleaded for her life, one to the Aorta, and right to the head to end it all? Did it make you feel any better?”

You swallowed the coffee as you looked away from the photos to meet the bald man in front of you, “It’s real tiring, hearing how everyone dictates how I should feel or questioning how I am feeling because of some shit someone else did. I get by and no I wasn’t expecting to hear how tragically Losi’s life ended, yet I can’t say I’ll shed a tear for a snake.”

“A snake that also asked you for money over the phone after the tape got leaked and you laughed at her.”

You lifted your shoulders not bothered that they knew this information, “what else was I supposed to do? I didn’t owe that girl a damn thing after she slept with my man.”

“Then you killed her.”

You stare up at the ceiling in frustration thinking about how it was once upon a time on the other side, “I’ve played a criminal in a few movies, doesn’t mean I am one in real life.”

Hondo pushes his lips out with a shrug of his shoulders, “Sure but you’re also dating a crime boss.”

You laugh, “Hondo, are you forreal? No. Innocent until proven guilty.”

“You’re still covering for him.” Hondo sighed with disappointment, “we know that both the medallion and bloodline partly stands for some underground organized crime and if we can’t get Roman for the murder of Celosia then he’s going down for the disappearance and presumed murder of her step-brother. Along with drug-trafficking, aggravated assault, and conspiring to commit money laundering. When he goes down, so will everyone else involved with him.”

You nod, “that’s the thing…I’m not involved with him anymore and I don’t have any clue about any of what you just mentioned. I’m also innocent.”

“Bullshit!” Hondo slams his hands down on the table, “you know, I’d hate to see everything you worked so hard for go right in the trash because of someone like him. I thought you let go of Swat to have a different safe life but you’re in just as deep. On the wrong got damned side! Are you sure Roman ever loved you because if he did? You wouldn’t be sitting here.”

Those words had weight especially training underneath Hondo. It stung but one can’t forget, you were also part of this team not too long ago, so you would never show just how much it did.

“Hondo…are you charging me or am I free to go?”

Funny, Roman said the same thing pretty fast with the request to call a lawyer and they had more on him than on you.

“I think you should keep that seat warm a little longer and I’ll be back.” Hondo advises with a stern look before he scrapes his chair back to exit the room.

In the quiet you sit, one hand on the cup of coffee while the other rests on your lap. It’s parallel to Roman who sits in the cell, elbows buried in his knees as his wavy hair curtains his face. He couldn’t believe he was here, how everything was slowly crumbling all because of a screw up, although he’s had many voices tell him before that everything would catch up to him at some point.

He didn’t think he’d see the day, not when he was just getting started. It was just like you said, he wasn’t good at taking any loss and he hasn’t yet. If he had to lose it all then he was damn sure determined to build it back up again with his bare hands if he had to. And every king needed its queen no matter which way she decides to play her own cards.

Roman’s played defense before and his queen wanted to be offense. There became more than one head of the table (secretly) when he met you so perhaps now was the chance for you to make some shots, not all.

Lifting his head, he closes his eyes and cracks his neck before clasping his hands together.

And he waited.

The door behind you opens, revealing heavy footsteps that tap rather than clunk as they make their way around the table. A small smile forms on your lips at the rim of the mug as you swallow, lowering the cup back to the table.

The man in the tan suit chooses to sit on the edge of the table and sends you his award winning smile as he says your name in greeting.

“Rock,” you address the burly man, “what took you so fucking long?”

His body lifts in laughter, “I’m a busy man lady but I always make time for family.”

Which lets you know he’s made a visit to the bloodlines first. You didn’t call him but you knew who did.

“So how can I help?”

“Can you go back and make joe not stick his dick in Losi?”

Rock exhales, “wish I could but you and I both know that was a Roman move not Joe.”

Which you already had time to think over. You had your own stage name and persona you had to put out into the world. Except you didn’t do too much in the public where it’ll reflect badly on who you were behind closed doors.

“I know,” you breathe out reaching over to rest your hand right on top of Rock’s who turns his own to squeeze yours warmly, “doesn’t make it hurt any less though.”

He pats your hand with his other, “we’ll get through this, we always do. Just hold on.”

“Always do, my grip is vice.” You wink while Rock nods his head, getting back to his feet.

“So I’ve heard, and that’s why you’ll always classify as a bloodline and if you ever want a career change—

You snort, “ha! I think I’ll choose early retirement before I change anything else.”

“Hold up, what’re you?! Thirty-one? You’ve got more fight in you than you say, this I see. So c’mon and continue to give ‘em hell so that they’ll never underestimate what the vice is all about.” He rests a free hand on your shoulder, giving it a squeeze before the door is pushed open, revealing Hondo and Deacon.

Rock fixes his suit jacket, “my client and I are finished here.”

“Wait a minute, aren’t you going to stick around for further questions?” Deacon’s eyes are in slits, clearly finding this suspicious.

Rock sends them his beaming smile, “you must have forgotten how well she’s capable of handling herself. You have nothing on her and all of this is just theories. I give you the next thirty to forty-five minutes to release my client and if you’re not done by then, I’ll remove her myself.”

“You have no authority here.” Hondo bites.

Rock’s smile never falters although a brow threatens to arch, “ah, so you haven’t checked my credentials yet…huge error on your part don’t you think? Gentleman.” He bids his farewell and Deacon follows him out with a clenched jaw.

Hondo turns back to you, resting his hands on the cool table as he leans towards you, “the hell are you all playing at?”

Wiggling your fingers in the air you sit back against the chair, “I’m just an actress.”

“Yeah…well we’ll see how good of an actress you really are.” Hondo snaps as he begins pacing before folding his arms, “now start talking, from the point you found out about the tape.”

Rock got a head start away from Deacon, sneaking his way into the holding area which is empty besides the person he’s looking for. He’s whistling now, shades covering his eyes as he strolls through the quiet area. He knows he has to be quick but he also knows that Deacon has lost sight of him. Rock makes his way over to the cell, still whistling as he spins, pressing his elbow against the cell before tossing his arm back with a white slip in Roman’s direction.

“Uce,” is all rock says before he circles back around, still whistling and then exits back out of the area unseen…well that’s until they look at the cameras later.

Roman waits for Rock to leave his sight before he pushes up to his feet, walks to the space where the white paper is resting, covering it with his foot before he shuffles all the way back to the bench. Once seated, he bends an arm down to pick at the edge of paper underneath his shoe and carefully unravels it.

His eyes quickly peers over the words and a smirk appears on his lips.

Offense: 1

S.W.A.T.: 0

Defense: ?

“Oh here you go,” Jey threw his hands up in the air, “If I wanted another food critic, I’d just call your damn father.”

Your father has his own successful restaurant here in California and back up North where you were originally from. Majority of the time if your family was over, Jey did everything in his power not to be the one who was solely on food duty because your father was very critical especially when it came to food.

That’s that Virgo shit.

“Chowder includes milk right?” You didn’t get the culinary trait but you watched enough cooking competitions and attended plenty to know the basics. You weren’t the biggest fan of seafood, although that was the common type of chowder, there was no seafood in this dish.

It still didn’t taste right to you.

And Jey usually knew what to do in the kitchen, more so on the grill but still he got by and knew Gordon Ramsey would approve of at least a few of his dishes. If not? His bitch ass could certainly see Jey’s hands. Not your pops though, he wasn’t messing with him at all.

Jey scoffed, “yeah.”

“Hey, I’m not feeling your attitude.” You addressed over your shoulder as you went to the fridge to open up.

Jey shot back, “well I’m not feelin’ you sneaking and holdin’ two handfuls of my ass but here we are.”

It was one hand but whatever fed his ego.

He was really about to bring the hangry out of you if he kept it up to be honest. Your hands went to the top shelf, immediately spotting the now empty glass milk bottle. Yanking it out, you held it up in the air for your husband to see.

“Did you seriously use the last of the milk for this?” You questioned, one hand on your hip now.

He blinked between you and the glass and then back again, “I thought it would taste good!”

Your eye twitched, “With expired milk, Josh?!”

He scrunched up his face at this news, “be for real,” he starts as he makes his way towards you to grab the glass, “…how was I supposed to know?”

Jey’s fingers quickly unscrewed the silicone dispenser cap to take a sniff of the inside and recoiled.

“By doing that like you normally do.” You respond, “also there’s a label on the back that aways gets written with the expiration date.”

Jey snarled, “Why can’t we just keep the damn carton instead of this aesthetically pleasing bullshit?”

“That’s rich coming from Mr. Leo the flashy asshole himself.” You tilted your head to the side, sending him the same type of energy.

“Why am I catching strays?” Jey pounded on his chest, voice naturally booming off the walls, “it’s my fault I like nice things?”

‘And that I tried to cook us a meal?’ He thinks to himself.

“No but it’s mine?” You repeat his motions, pointing at your own chest while Jey sighs, “I tried to remind you this morning before I left, that the milk needed to be dumped.”

Jey scratches at his ear with his lips pushed out in thought, “I heard none of that.”

“Well, I put it on the grocery list!” Your voice went up now and you can only blame your hunger.

Jey slides the bottle onto the white surface of the pale blue counter, “I didn’t think I needed the list!”

“You clearly did!” You laugh humorlessly at the fact that you just ate partially spoiled food.

It was funny how your husband picked and chose what he wanted to remember. Granted it was pretty early when you told him this, waking him up from his snoring slumber as you pecked his cheek on your way out. Last night in bed he said he would hit the store for a few quick items you needed for the house and milk was the first thing on the list. He didn’t remember that but he knew you had a hair appointment since he insisted on paying for it, he always loved your fro and didn’t mind seeing you change it up.

He was very vocal if he didn’t like a look either, even if you were pranking him a few times with stiff wigs from Tyler Perry Amazon, which caused many more lashings from the both of you that it sometimes got personal. The both of you could take the shit talking from each other but once it actually stung just a little too much? And if it happened to occur in front of family? Oh the silent treatment was more lethal than the actual words.

“Now I see why your ass was so clenched when I came in here. You were trying to poison me, or encourage me to go vegan, my own got damn husband.” You scoffed while Jey rolled his eyes at your dramatics and that was saying a lot, since he was the number one Thespian.

He makes the noise of a buzzer, “wrong answer forehead! My fatty is too well rounded for it to be clenched. Especially if it was glute day yesterday. There’s no high booties around here and I’m highly offended that you think I would do that to you when you’re my whole heart.”

You stuck your tongue out giving him a thumbs down, “don’t try to butter me up, I’m still aggy and I’m trying to big my back, not make my stomach touch my back.”

And just like that he grins as he moves to grip the sides of your face, “I’m sorry ma, you know I always got you and already have a back up order for dinner if this didn’t turn out too well. Plus, I got something else that could feed your appetite. A appetizer if you really think about it.”

His smile turns devilish now as he moves to place his hips on yours to feel exactly what he’s serving up. You shove at his chest as he goes even further to try and kiss up your neck, “Nope, if you don’t get off me! You’re not getting none of that.”

“Why not? We got at least twenty-five minutes before option B is ready and I can make it work.” He’s chasing after you now.

You’re on the other side of the white and blue island with a shake of your head, “for one, I have no nutrients in my body and it’s really sounding like you want me to cross over to the other side.”

Jey interrupts as he stares at you in all seriousness, “never.”

Holding up fingers you continue, “Two, my laser appointment isn’t until Wednesday.”

Jey caressed his beard in thought licking his lips, “oh word, hump day? That’s even better but fuck all that we grown! Let me get you that jug of fruit water you made and then that ass is mine.”

You laughed, “you think I’m gonna just fold after you deprived me of Kopai? You really done lost your mind and it’s all KDot’s doing.”

“Nah, leave my boy out of this.”

You gasped, “That switch up is crazy.”

‘Guess we know who Jey’s shaking that ass for and it’s not just for me,’ you cackle internally before focusing back on what your husband’s response would be to picking with him. You knew better than to let that slip through your lips because you wouldn’t hear the end of it and your body was already going through it okay!

From getting your hair done and WORKING OUT!

Get your mind out of the gutter you hoes.

“I mean I didn’t say I was going to completely cut BBL—

Your eyes went wide as Jey smacked a hand over his mouth. You pointed at him and hopped up and down to prove your point.

“Be quiet.” He hissed before he made his claim, “I mean sure if im in the car I’ll bump Drake over Kendrick but he had something on his chest so some shit talking needed to be said.”

“And did.”

“Exactly but Drake’s still my guy.” He shrugged.

You shake your head as you pace the floor as if you were analyzing Jey like you were in some courtroom instead of your kitchen, “That’s just like you, taking up for the light skins.”

“Aight now you dragging it.” Jey sent a glower in your direction.

You laugh as you leaned against the counter feeling like a nap but not without facing the issue here, “so…what’s actually on the menu since you lied to me about the Kopai and then flopped the chowder.”

“It wasn’t a complete flop!” Jey argued with a deep furrow of his brows, “the flavor was on point, I just messed up with the dairy portion.”

You stated, “Goat milk would have been superior.”

“Oh hell no, wait until I tell your father about that one.” Jey’s shaking his head in disgust, goat milk was only great for a skincare routine and he could say that based on experience but far as consuming? Jey was good on that.

“Wait until I tell him that you tried to give me food poisoning.” You countered with a heated stare.

Jey deeply inhaled and sucked his teeth, “aight let’s roll before you get my blood pressure up to the point I need to be hospitalized.”

He turns the stove off and moves the pot to the side while it’s your turn to make your way over to the tatted man. You nuzzle your head into the back of shoulders while hugging him, “it’s only fair that we get on each others nerves.”

“You’re lucky I love yo ass.” He mumbles, resting a warm hand on top of your clasped ones.

“And you’re lucky I love you right back and didn’t take a bite out of your behind for depriving me of food.”

Jey scrunched up his nose at that and side eyed as he turned to face you a bit but you held his stare, letting him know that you weren’t joking. “See, I knew it in my spirit that you were one of those kids that liked to bite. I’ve seen baby pictures and that’s something I’ll have to keep in mind when we’re blessed with children.”

“Says the fighter out of the marriage.” You quirk up a brow but Jey just shrugs.

“I own my shit.”

“Whatever bro…where’s your keys?” You remove yourself from Jey to look around the kitchen while the said man follows you.

He buries his forehead against the side of your temple bumping you, “i’m not your bro so I don’t know who you think you’re talking to.”

You push him from your space, “stop playing with me, Joshua. We don’t have time for this!”

“Come correct then.”

You roll your eyes with a flick of your hair, “keys or I’ll go get my own.”

“I’m driving, I don’t need you acting like the streets are Mario kart like you probably did on your way here.” He states before he sarcastically jokes, “You’re not you when you’re hungry.”

Let’s not talk about driving skills…of course you didn’t say that but Jey could tell you were thinking it. So he steps to you, holding out his hand but kept his eyes on you until you placed yours in his. He led the way back downstairs to the front level of the home, keys already in his pocket as he locked up the front of the house before heading to the garage.

There was tension on the first five minutes of the drive but not to the point where you two knew you wouldn’t get past it. You fumbled with the radio as the wind whipped across your profile and before you both know it, you’re both singing along to music from 2018, which was reminiscent back when things were starting to heat up between you two. Back when Jey was inviting you to family barbecues and being too afraid to ask you to be his girl and making an ass out of himself to his family when they questioned what you were.

It was all trial and tribulations that led to your marriage a year later. This bickering was nothing compared to what the both of you dealt with prior. And what’s a perfect marriage?

“By the way, the new look is sexy.” Jey comments as the both of you sit in his car digging into your food.

He chose Japanese…which was satisfactory since you loved the Wagyu beef tacos here and he was tearing into the BamuBamu wings, licking his fingers and everything that you knew his mother would be slapping the back of his head if she was in the backseat.

“Thanks baby, we’ll call this look: Gaia or Alani.” You posed, hands still holding a taco.

Jey nods, “ooo, Gailani is fire! See how I just did that?”

“Hope you come up with better earthy names for our future crotch goblins.” You told him while Jey frowned at you mid-bite.

“No way you just said that.”

Shrugging you say, “I mean I don’t know how pregnancy is going to make me feel so that’s their potential nickname.”

“I mean…how would you feel if I referred you as a gremlin?” Jey questioned, not liking how you were picking on your unborn children already.

Listen to him being the sensitive parent! He cared deeply for his niece and nephew, he also didn’t play when it came to them either so he can only imagine how he would be with his own.

“…I’d blame the children you played a part of helping create. Like child like father.”

“That’s cap and not exactly how that works, that’s right, I paid attention in biology class! You’ll probably start taking it out on me, I’ll have to have doc on speed dial for tetanus shots.” Jey winked at you while you elbowed his arm, “but nah I’ll love y’all through it regardless because like it or not I’m a pretty great guy.”

You snort, “You say that now.”

“I mean it though and I know you know that. I couldn’t have picked a better person to ride through this rollercoaster of life with and the world deserves to have mini versions of us roaming the earth, plus I’m always down to get to practicing.” He winks at you while you shake your head.

“I can tell, you almost leaped over the counter to take me down.”

He pointed, “You started it by grabbing my ass and the new look isn’t helping my urges.”

“Well,” you shrugged with a smirk on your lips, “it’s definitely not happening since you like to pull hair and you didn’t buy the milk.”

“There’s a farmers market right up the street, they got to have some and then will you chill?”

“I’m chill now.” You chew with a smile as you slump into the passenger seat while Jey deeply exhales.

“Yeah, cause you’re spoiled.”

“You made me this way.”

“I know.” Jey smiles at you adoringly before shaking his head, “my own personal pain in my butt.”

“But I do appreciate the effort…although my stomach might feel different in a few hours.” You pout a little, feeling it flip just a smidge.

Jey widens his eyes at you, just hoping that didn’t happen, “nah we getting probiotics or some type of cleanse at this market, let’s go before they close. Seatbelt please.”

“I’m eating.”

The side eye he gives you makes you do so but you hold onto your taco a little tighter in the process. Driving across the street to the open parking lot that sat to the side of where the market was set up, he’s ready to hop out the car, door tossed open, without you since you were still eating but you call out to him to wait for you.

The farmers market was one of your favorite places to be, especially on a Sunday and there was no way he was going without you. He was the main one that said the both of you were always going to be by each other’s sides wherever you went. When it came to grocery shopping, Jey was the type of shopper that wanted to get in and get out. Anything else? Clothes? Cars? He could spend all day there.

Yes he was huffy as you took your time, knowing they were about to start closing up in the next fifteen minutes. You had to search his car for your gum, lipgloss, and micro wallet that you stored in here just in case you didn’t have your purse (which was sitting pretty back at home on your bed) and stole Jey’s car for the day.

“C’mon,” Jey says your name impatiently, “what’re you doing?”

“Where’s my green mini wallet I had stored on the side of the rati?” Your hands are going along the pocket of the black Maserati.

Jey answers, “that little thing? I been took that out and threw it somewhere in your drawer back at the crib. What do you need that for when you’re with me anyway? Let’s go, ma.”

Then he questions why you’re a pain in his butt!

Checking your lips once more, you get out the car dusting off any crumbs from your lap before you circle around the car to intertwine your fingers with Jey’s. You huddle closer to him as the wind is at your backs before you enter through the tarps of set up sections. He’s on a mission while your eyes are wide, trying to look at any and everything to the point he lets go of your hand to keep searching for what you’re mainly here for.

Usually it’s mostly food here but occasionally they’ll have a few clothing, accessories, and even home decor shops set up as well. It really was the best of both worlds when that happened. Jey already knew that you would search for one of those while he stayed where the food was at. He chatted with the elderly man who had his own farm about forty miles from here, got three jugs of milk: oat, goat, and coconut. Along with a nice tip before he bid his farewells then began checking for you around the sizable space.

“Hey baby,” you greet as he eventually finds you at a vendor that wasn’t selling food yet you’re holding a few fruits and fruit juices in your hands, “I got us some more papayas and pineapples. It’s already paid for since the lady took Zelle but I want to show you something else.”

You finally shift the items into the netted bag onto your other wrist as you reach out for Jey’s wrist to drag him back to a few vendors over. It was some shop that was selling antiques and he’s now standing in front of two figurines.

“Wouldn’t this be cute for the mantle above the fireplace?”

Jey glanced at you, “yeah if we wanted to be murdered in our sleep at some point.”

“Joshua!” You shushed him, “I thought they would add more color to the mantle since the fireplace is black.”

“And the marble on the bottom is white along with the rest of the furniture that’s light and the walls except for that one kitchen wall that’s a chalkboard.” The man blinks as he vividly remembers your shared home, “We don’t need anymore unnecessary stuff, especially no dolls that look like annabelle and her possessed friends.” Jey tells you while you frown as he grabs your wrist now.

You’re being dragged away while the woman laughs and sends you a wave as you attempt to persuade him one last time on one other decor piece sitting on a table, “But look, this is on sale!”

Jey mutters, “there’s a reason why majority of her items are. I know evil when i see it.”

“Not the judgement. You don’t know that lady, Josh and you need to stop watching so many scary movies lately, they’re making you so paranoid.” You sassed while you two made it back to his car.

He peeked at you before he grabbed his seatbelt, “did you see her pet possum on the leash sleeping underneath that dusty red chair?”

“Her what?!”

“Uh huh.” He nods, starting the car while going into detail about how the vendor felt off the moment you dragged him closer to it.

By the time the two of you get home, you’re heading into the master bedroom to grab your floral bonnet while Jey heads up stairs with the food. He does the clean up of the soup, finishes up his wings while you eventually make your way upstairs to eat your own food. When you meet Jey’s brown eyes across from the dining table, the both of you share a laugh at your matching low-lidded eyes. The Itis. You’re the first to move, discarding your food since Jey finished way before you and pull at his hand for him to stand.

Wrapping your arms across his shoulders before moving one hand to play with the end of his hair, he leans down to grasp your back before slipping his hands down to your ass to lift you against his hips. “That’s how it should be,” he tells you as you kiss his lips and he makes his way over to the couch.

You warn your husband, “Watch my head, we know how heavy handed you are.”

“I got it, I got it.” Jey mocks as he protects your head, laying you down first before he climbs over you to rest against the couch.

He loops an arm across your shoulders as you move around trying to get comfortable thanks to your new do. Finding that your left is less painful than your right, you face the coffee table, two living chairs, and tv instead while Jey lightly wraps his arm around your neck instead.

And you’re fine just like this, well fed and in the arms of your man ready to get a nap in until…

“I can’t find the remote.” Jey breaks the silence that makes your eyes peel open with a flare of your nostrils.

You want to fling your entire body back but your neck said different, leaving you to only side eye Jey as he sheepishly smiles at you.

“I’m actually going to kill you!” You inform him, “i said leaving the remote in the drawer of the coffee table makes it easier so we don’t have to go crazy looking for it.”

“And I may or may not have done that.” He says nonchalantly, not bothered that he was pushing a button again, “I like to leave it tucked in the cushions along with my leg in there because you know how that stupid thing likes to overheat sometimes and it’s always cold in there.”

Only Jey y’all.

Only Jey.

Once you go quiet and manage to face the brown eyed man again, you smile softly at him as you caressed his face, “that lady at the market that you were shook over, ain’t got shit on me.”

“Whatchu mean? Aye!” Jey yelled as you started to playfully ring his neck.

The only way to get you to stop was for him to slap his hand right on top of your sore head and wiggle it and what did he do that for?

“OW! Why would you—I’m done.”

You hop off the couch and circle around it but not without yanking a pillow and slamming it against Jey’s stomach, “disrespectful ass.”

“So I’m just supposed to take you son-ing me?” Jey sat up on his elbows, grunting at the attack before shoving the pillow to the floor.

You snapped over your shoulder, “I don’t know, I thought you might like that since you like your ass grabbed, although you try to deny it as much as possible.”

“What?! Now you just saying shit.”

“And you’re always doing shit!” You yell back, out of sight now and heading back downstairs.

Jey sighs as he settles back against the couch again, “Where you goin’?”

“To bed!”

“It’s 4pm.”

“Goodnight mullet! You play too much.”

Jey felt his chest bubble with some laughter but said back, “I LOVE YOU!”

“So?!”

“I SAID, I LOVE YOU!” Jey called back out but when he didn’t get any response, he jumped up to his feet and raced down the stairs just to see you laughing waiting to slam the door in his face.

Yet you were too slow, making Jey barge into the room to latch onto your body to pepper your face in kisses.

It was the little things that he did that he knew would get on your nerves (which was mutual) but ultimately you loved that man down no matter what.

Jey could say the same even if you got on his case majority of the time.

You were his everything and more.