Please excuse ANY grammatical errors.

February 16, 1996

~Taimak's P.O.V~

While Tia was getting ready I went into a room that I've never been in. Why haven't I been in it? I don't know but boy was I surprised. There are stripper poles and all of the walls were mirror, from floor to ceiling. What the hell? I've been here a bunch of times but have never stepped foot or peaked in this room. What the hell is SHE doing with a stripper room? My girlfriend is a mystery and I'm learning that everyday. I mean, it's never anything bad but this is just... Different?

I slowly closed the door after stepping out of the room. I'll just ask her about it another time, maybe on the ride to where we need to go. I went back into the den and watched a little television while waiting on her to finish getting ready. Why the hell do women take so long to get dressed when the major things like hair is done? She's going to be late for her own birthday dinner.

"Hun, you're in here?" I heard Tia's footsteps approaching.

"Yes, I'm coming." I stood up and walked out the room. "Damn, okay. Look at you... Is this MY girlfriend?"

"She is." Tia put her arms around my shoulders to kiss me. I grabbed her face and deepened the kids which made her go harder. Then I rested my hand on too of her butt. She let out a loan then pulled away. "Mmm babe, I told you not to kiss me like that because-"

"You may need a hand..." I trailed off with a chuckle.

"Right. Let's go before we're late." Tia tapped my chin.

"We're late as is..." I opened the front door and we walked outside.

When we made it to the car, I opened the door on the passenger side but she ran to the other side of the car. I slid in the car from the passenger side and got in the drivers seat. Before I had a chance to lock the drivers side door, Tia opened it and sat on my lap. One leg  between mines and the other on the side of my right leg. "No you not! I told you, you aren't driving." I laughed out.

"Babe, you don't even know where the place is..." She pointed turning to me.

"I told you, I do." I tried to reassure her.

"Nahh, buddy. You don't even know the name of the place." She pouted facing me.

"Take a seat." I gestured towards the passenger side.

"But you're in my seat."

"So we just gon' sit here?" I asked her.

"Only if you don't move."

"Welp, if we're late it's on you. I got nothin' but time." I smirked.

"Babe... Please, I don't wanna end up in the highway stranded because you got us lost. You don't really know your way around Atlanta like that."

"Say's who? And why would I put YOU in a situation where you and me both are stranded? Hmm?" I asked her.

"No, but c'mon, just let me drive this one time."

"C'mon man... Get. Up. So. I. Can. Drive." Between every word she slightly bounced up and down. I inhaled sharply because this isn't fair how I'm not allowed to kiss her like I did a few minutes ago but she does this.

"Aye, aye, aye, aye, aye chill. I'm still a man and you bouncing on me. You're causing an uprising so you should rise up and take a seat in your seat." I told her. She attempted to move but we were kind of stuck and I'm just now noticing my that my knees are right underneath the steering wheel. "You moved my seat?"

Tia turned to me and nodded. "I did but didn't think THIS would happen."

"When did you do it?" I asked curiously.

"Earlier when you went over to my side to open the door for me. I pressed the button." She expressed sheepishly.

"And now you or me can reach it. I guess we do have to sit here and figure this out." I shook my head and chuckled. "Scoot back as far as possible and I'll lift up a bit."

"Whaaaa?" Tia said in a confused manner.

"Scoot back and I'll lift up as far as my knee's will allow me to." I repeated.

"But you just said-"

"Let's do it so we can go." I laughed. "I'll be fine, go ahead." I opened the door to give us a little more space. She scooted back against me and I took a deep breath.

"Ahh, man... I'm so sorry babe." She turned to me.

"You're fine. Just move your lower body as far back as possible and then lean down for the button." I said opening my eyes. She scooted back some more and then leaned down to try and reach the button. "You got it?" I asked her.

"No. Move your leg." She told me.

"Which one and which way?"

"Your right one."

"And squish yours?" I asked her. She turned to me quietly giving me a look. "What you looking at me like that for? I didn't get us in this situation." I laughed.

"Just do it." Indeed I did.

She moved against me again causing more friction, then leaned down, her titties junked the horn. I bursted into laughter. "It isn't funny." She said laughing.

"If it wasn't, you wouldn't be laughing." I said through laughter.

"Touché." She scooted back some more but this time there was more pressure on my crotch.

I closed my eyes tightly while biting my lip. "You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Tia turned to me with her tongue to the roof of her mouth. "Do what?" She moved back more.

I exhaled smoothly through my mouth. "Please just press the button. I'm sure you can reach it now."

She lifted her right leg and spread it to the passenger seat, leaned down again, and was able to get to the button, then moved the seat back as far back as possible. "We're FREE!" She said slightly raising her tone.

"Yeah, now can you get up." I told her and moved her forward to give myself a relief.

She moved back more looking me directly in the eyes with a slight smirk. Tia then scooted over to the passenger seat and sat there. "What?" She squinted.

"See..." I pointed at her then adjusted myself.

"Of course I can see." She batted her eyelashes. I kissed my teeth at her then started the car. "Kissing your teeth for?"

I shook my head at her with a chuckle. "Nothing."

"Mmkay." She shrugged and turned to look out of the window.

"Mmhm." I mocked pulling up to the gate waiting for her guards to open them so we could go.

She leaned over and kissed me deeply. My heart did palpitations and her kids lingered on my lips. "I'm sorry for being childish."

"It's coo-" She squeezed my manhood pleasurably which caused me to let out a groan. This is the FIRST time she's done that and I'm taken aback for a moment. I grabbed her hand and held it. "You know that isn't fair, right?." I said driving through the gates.

"What isn't fair?"

"You grabbing me and backing it up etc but me kissing you like you just did is a okay but not the other way around."

"Oh, I know." She shrugged her shoulders.

"If you know then why do you keep doing it?" I asked her.

"Because I can TELL that you like it." She chuckled. "Do you not sir?"

I looked at her, lifted her hand and kissed it. "I do, we both do."

"Do you want me to stop?" She raised an eyebrow.

There was silence for a while. "No." I finally answered her.

"So why bring it up?" She batted her lashes.

"To bring it to your attention." I shrugged.

"It got my attention alright." She chuckled.

"It got your attention because you caused it." I chuckled and kissed the back of her hand.

"It's the center of attention."

"Ahhh, I get it." I laughed. "Nice pun."

"Oh, snap." She said putting on her seatbelt.

"Damn okay, it really was the center of attention, huh?" I laughed. She laughed shaking her head. "Remember this day last year?" I asked her.

"Yes, of course."

"Those guys were annoying as hell that day." I told her.

"Yes indeed."

"I think your boy Woody wants you. NO, I KNOW." I emphasized.

"What makes you say that?" She turned her body to face me.

"Everytime I'm around, there seems to be some type of animosity. I never did anything to the guy for him to come at me the way he does."

"I have noticed that when you come around he gets hostile or an expression on his face when I mention your bame. But I put him in his place when he does get out of line, do I not?"

"You do but that shouldn't have to be. A women shouldn't have to put a man in his place. He should already be in it and KNOW his place, that place being the space I fill in your life." I told her.

"True." She nodded.

"I know. Is a person really your friend if they're constantly stepping out of bounds with you?" I asked her.

"Woody and I aren't friends. We're associates, meaning I only share thing with him pertaining to school. I don't think he likes me, he doesn't even know me on that level."

"You're on television. Do you know how many people watch television, not personally know a celebrity and STILL like them?"

"Yes, I've done it in the past and and I'm sure you have too." Tia replied.

"Then it could be one of those cases."

"I don't think so babe."

"Why is that?"

"People never really stepped to me on that level. It was always on some friend type of stuff or them wanting to screw me."

I turned to her. "Maybe because they're intimidated by you. Ever thought of that?"

"Intimidated for what? I'm always nice to people."

"It's not about that. You got your shit together at a young age and know what you want. Probably afraid you'd reject them." I told her honestly. "Let me tell you this, most men don't feel like men if they aren't on the level you're on financially. Most men who say it's okay are most likely there to use you. It's like an ego thing."

"Yeah, my dad taught me that." Tia said referring to her step-father. "Without him there to tell me, I probably would have had to to learn the hard way."

"That too, you have a father. Yes, he isn't your father biologically but men are intimidated by that as well. You see, most fatherless women have lower standards and it isn't their fault. It's their father's fault for not being there to teach their children about men. I was like that once upon a time. I just KNEW who was who by their actions. Just like with men, I'm sure people know what guy didn't or doesn't have a father growing up or one who actually cares."

"I can." Tia nodded in agreement. "We're you intimidated by me?"

"A little, especially when I found out about your age. A woman who knows who she is and is confident about it this young? I was taken aback but then asked myself, is this the type of person I want a future with and my answer of course was yes. Many women are in their forties making mistakes people make in their teenage years. Some are still that old trying to find themselves."

"Men too..." Tia trailed off.

"Of course. Excuse me for that, people in general." I corrected myself.

"You missed two of the main turns already. So are you sure you know where we're going?" She side-eyed me.

I sighed loudly. "Ahhh, here we go again. I promise you, I know where we're going. It's called a short cut." I chuckled at her.

"Okay... Just don't make me more late." She trailed off listening to the low music.

"You know..." I said breaking the silence besides the low music. "I used to wonder what was in this one room in your house." I told her.

"And?"

"And now I have my answer- well, partial answer. I saw two poles with mirrors as walls and some chairs. What's that about?" I finally asked.

"You don't know?"

"I wouldn't be asking."

"I'm a stripper." She responded nonchalantly.

"What?" I turned to her confused.

"I'm jiving. I took pole dance classes for a while. It's good and fun exercise." She laughed. "Your face!" She laughed louder.

"Really?" I asked her.

"Yes."

"So you know how to dance on a pole?" I asked just to clarify.

"I can do more than dance..."

My eyes widened as my head jerked back. "Damn, okay... It's like that?"

"I said what I said. Take it how ye wanna." She shrugged.

"You always surprise me. You ever danced for somebody else?" I asked turning on my turning signal. I mean, like I said before, she surprises me.

"No- well, Elijah is the only one besides the instructor to see me do my thang."

"Ahh, okay." I nodded. "What about me? Would you do it for me?"

"Mmm, we'll see..." She trailed off.

We drove in silence for a long time listening to the radio. "I love you." I lifted up the hand I've been rubbing and holding, then kissed her knuckles.

"I love you." She replied. I pulled into the parking lot. There are a bunch of cars here. "This isn't the place." I stepped out of the car and closed my door. I opened her door once I made it to her side. "Babe, this isn't the place."

I shook my head laughing. "Just come with me babe, trust me."

"Says every serial killer boyfriend ever, 'Just trust me.' it sounds like a setup." Tia said stepping out if the car. "I told you before and I'll tell you again, if you out your hands on me or have someone else do it, you better not go to sleep or blink your eyes because I'll be right there." She pointed.

"I know... Now let's go. Just come with me- there's Jax there." I pointed as he walked up to us. "Now let's go." I grabbed her hand.

She sighed loudly. "Remember what I told you."

"Mmhm," I waved her off and we began walking. "This way." I told her. We entered the "empty" room.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone yelled from their hiding places.

Tia stayed silent and was confused. "How is it a surprise if I knew I'd see y'all today? Thanks though. I'm grateful." She said going around and hugging people.

"Surprise!" Her grandparents yelled, mostly her grandmother.

"Grandma! Grandpa!" Tia yelled and ran to them. "I missed y'all!" She hugged them individually.

"We missed you too." Her grandmother responded.

"How ye doin'?" Her grandfather asked.

"Good!" She hugged them again.

These are her grandparents on her father's side, her biological father or what she call a sperm donor. She hasn't been able to see them in a long time due to her busy schedule. So they're here! I spoke with them briefly before I went to pick Tia up from work. Before, I was helping to setup things or was in the way. Her mother and Elijah did decorations before he had to leave.

"What are you both doing here? It's my birthday..." Tia asked them.

Oh, yeah. Her grandparents are Jehovah's Witnesses so holidays aren't celebrated. Well most if them. They celebrate the rising of Christ and anniversaries. They seem like pretty nice people. Her grandfather really isn't a Jehovah's Witness, he just say that to avoid Christmas presents. Wells that's what Tia told me a while back.

"Why do you think we're over here. We ain't celebrating nothing." Her grandmother responded.

"So Tia's got herself a man, huh?" Her grandfather asked.

"Yes, this is Taimak and theses are my grandparents." Tia introduced.

"We met him already. I hope y'all ain't shackin' up. You know what Jehovah says about that?" Her grandmother asked us.

"I know. I'm not shacking up grandma. I've told you my stance and I'm sticking to it." Tia told her.

"No ma'am. Nothing like that." I responded. I told her that earlier when she mentioned it. It was literally the third question she asked me upon meeting me. There was her asking my age, my intentions, then to are we shacking up.

"Well, you're glowing." Her grandmother pointed.

"It's because I'm happy and not because of what you're insinuating. When you love yourself, it shows." Tia laughed.

"Mm, well you know you shouldn't wear things like that. You got a nice shape and you don't want the wrong kind of attention."

"That's what I'm here for. To ward those people off." I laughed.

Tia didn't make any type of expression. "Grandma, I'm covered up. It's just fitted."

"Leave the girl be." Her grandfather chimed in. "She's not doing anything to anybody. Like she said, she's covered up."

"Well, I'm just saying." Her grandmother replied.

March 3, 1996

~DeVanté's P.O.V~

"Get y'all asses back!" I yelled at the dogs. "Nigga, hold it this way!" I yelled at JoJo.

"Nigga, you gon' stoo yelling at me when I'm helping you out." JoJo said raising his voice.

"Right, I will drop yo shit!" K-Ci said butting in as he and Dalvin carried my other couch.

"Drop my shit and imma drop my boot in yo ass K-Ci." I said as it started to drizzle outside. "I should've lead the pack because damn JoJo, you slow as fuck." We made it into the house and sat the furniture down. "We can wait for the rest of the stuff. I don't need my shit getting wet." I said taking the plastic off the couch, then took a seat.

Static came from the back. He had just put up some furniture. "Fuck y'all sittin' down for? We got more shit to do."

"Nigga, sit your stump sized ass down. It's rainin' outside and it's cold as hell." Dalvin said laughing.

"I know yo lil bat faced ass ain't talkin'. You ain't domesticated nigga, so take yo ass outside and find a cave for the night." Static cracked on him.

K-Ci ass was loud as hell with his laughing. "He said bat faced. Bitin' niggas and givin' them rabies and shit."

"Fuck y'all!" Dalvin said laughing.

"In all honesty, K-Ci is the bat, Dalvin is the dog and I mean that figuratively and literally." I told them laughing.

"Who you then? JoJo be too." Static asked.

"Nigga, I'm Dr. Sexy in this bitch. Every woman wants the Swing." I patted my chest. "JoJo is JoJo man..." I shrugged.

"Nigga please. I get more bitches than a rich man with riches." Dalvin patted his chest.

"Probably why you lost yours..." JoJo side-eyed him.

"Oooooh!" We all yelled out.

"Damn, JoJo that was a low blow. I expect that shit from K-Ci not you." Static said laughing.

"Some thing's just ain't meant to be." Dalvin shrugged.

"The real question is would you go back to her if she asked?" I asked him and he stayed silent. "There go to answer right there. This nigga ain't over her." I shook my head.

"Say's the man who moved down here for a girl." K-Ci mumbled.

"Yeah, and don't she live like ten- fifteen minutes away too, right?" Dalvin said getting the topic if him and Tionne.

"Nigga what? I'm never the type to move somewhere because a woman." I clarified. "Fuck outta here with that nonsense." I threw my hand in the air at them.

"You would usually say bitch but that proves our point." JoJo told me gesturing to the rest of the fellas.

"I moved here for a new scenery and because it's just TOO fucking cold in New York man." I shook my head. "I'm tired of Puffy cheerleadin' ass and his shit. ALWAYS seems to be around."

"He's under the lable we're signed to nigga. Fuck you expect?" K-Ci shook his head.

"Nahh, but Puffy is a cheerleader in more ways than one. That's why I don't party around then no more. They do some weird and questionable shit almost ALLUM. The people in his possé, including The Notorious B.I.G." K-Ci said shaking his head.

"You told them about that shit. You catchin' dude on his knees?" Dalvin asked K-Ci.

"Nigga, we all done saw something pertainin' to that." I shook my head. "On the other hand, they do some fucked up shit. I can't be around that and get caught up. I know for a fact they did that shit and Pac took the blame. I don't wanna be the next victim if them or want them blaming me for shit I ain't do." I told them.

"If you know them why not tell?" Static asked me.

"Nigga, these dudes got some people on them and we need solid proof. How the fuck did Puffy get above Andre like that?" Dalvin asked us.

"Fucked his way up." I answered. "Stop asking' questions you already know. ANYWAYS."

"What's up with you and Ms. Rolita?" K-Ci asked me.

"Ain't shit up. We get our rocks off and that's it." I shrugged. "Damn why y'all all up in my business like that?" I chuckled. "Is this a fuckin' DeVanté Swing interview or what? Damn..."

"I'm just asking nigga! Gahhhhdamn!" K-Ci raised his voice.

Not to be an asshole or anything but I don't like Rolita like that. The only future I see with her is fucking. She cheat in her nigga with me, what the fuck do I expect her to do if we were together? THE SAME DAMN THING! I can't go for that shit. I ain't going down as a simp again. That shit ain't happenings. I'm a ass sexy motherfucker and I know that shit. Can't nobody tell me otherwise and now I got my shit together which makes it even better and me even more attractive. I tuned back in after tuning them out for a few minutes.

"That bitch told me her throat was an orphanage so no child left behind." K-Ci said laughing. "She proved me right!"

"She dumb as fuck. No child left behind is used to school not an orphanage. Y'all be fuckin' some dumb bitches." I said shaking my head. "What the fuck is y'all niggas talking about anyways? How y'all get on this subject?"

"Nigga... Us? We fuck dumb bitches? You was with the definition of dumb blonde! That bitch the most dumbest of Dummy Land!" K-Ci said laughing. "Everybody had to clear the room because we couldn't take that shit!" Everybody in the room was laughing.

"Derek couldn't even take that shit." Dalvin said laughing. "That nigga was like, I gotta go! Yo they was doggin' yo girl outside to room."

"We was!" JoJo said laughing.

"Fuck was you thinking of being with her!?" K-Ci yelled. "Her booty look like the first bread slice on a bread loaf."

"But she looked good didn't she?" I asked.

"In the face! The ONLY thing that was attractive." K-Ci exclaimed.

"Her titties too!" Dalvin told him. "Those were a nice set." Dalvin nodded in approval.

"That she bought!" K-Ci yelled out again.

"Tell me De, were they hard?" JoJo asked. I stayed silent.

"I take that shit as a yes!" Static laughed.

"Nahh, her shits was real. She was a dumb broad but she shits were real." I clarified.

"Then what you stay silent for?" Static asked me.

"Because I ain't gotta answer to you niggas."

"Okay..." Dalvin said nonchalantly.

"What's with you and titties though?" K-Ci asked me.

"Nothing. I'm an ass man. I just enjoy a nice set of titties to match. A REAL ones because you can feel the difference." I told them.

"Aman to that!" JoJo yelled out.

"Like ya girl Tia." Dalvin said to me.

"Why does she ALWAYS seem to come up in a conversation?" I asked him. "Huh?"

"I mean, were we not talking about a nice set?" Dalvin asked everyone.

"She does have a nice set. I like that in a woman too. Look at my baby Mary." K-Ci added.

"Mary has ass, but let's be real, she has pecks." I told him. "You gotta punch her shit to get a grip." I laughed.

"True. Do you think women sit around judging men like we do women?" Static asked.

"You petty for that De. Shit my

"Hell yeah they do!" K-Ci yelled out.

"Yeah, they talk about how good it bad our sex is and our sizes. I heard Tionne and her friends doin' that shit. Had to tell her don't mention us." Dalvin told us.

"Welp! You ass ain't gotta worry 'bout THAT no mo'!" K-Ci said laughing.

"You must be bad or something." JoJo laughed.

"Nigga, shut yo FAT ASS up! Over there sweatin' barbeque sauce!" K-Ci yelled at his little brother.

"Good you can clean my teeth you fuckin' toothpick!" JoJo yelled back laughing.

The phone rang and I let it go to voicemail. "DeVanté Swing telephone and if you ain't sayin' shit worth listening to, don't leave yo name or number. If you important, I MAY get back with you. Peace!"

"This Jay, nigga yo pizza out here!" My guard said and I picked up the phone.

"Let 'em through." I told him.

"A'ight, man." Jay hung up the phone.

All of a sudden there was a bunch of barking and a scream. "Oh shit, the dogs!" I jumped up and went outside. "Get the fuck back!" I yelled at them. "Tryna get me sued. My bad man..." I said grabbing my wallet from my back pocket to pay him. "Thanks man." I said grabbing the pizzas.

"DeVanté Swing?" He said surprised. "Thanks man."

"You- didn't I say get the fuck back!?" I yelled at my dogs. "A'ight man, see you." I waited until he got in the car because my dogs tripping today and like I said, I don't need another lawsuit. I went back into my house and walked in on a conversation.

"-eah, nigga ain't stopping shit." Dalvin said to them.

"Who ain't gon' stop doin' what?" I asked closing the door.

"Give me my damn pizza!" K-Ci yelled.

"Your's? Motherfucker, I bought this with my own damn money." I said putting my feet up after grabbing a slice of pizza.

"If you don't-" Dalvin got up and grabbed all the boxes. He then sat down in his seat looking through them all. "After we helped yo ass love all yo shit. Nigga, we eating somethin'!"

"The best part of moving is the food." JoJo said to us.

"Here you fat ass go." K-Ci said grabbing a box.

"But you eat more than me." JoJo said getting mad.

"Aye, chill on the day jokes bruhh." I told him then snatched the pizza box I ate from. "Gimme my damn pizza." I plopped back on the couch and ate my pizza.

We each had a box to ourselves. I don't know about you but I can eat a whole box of a large pizza by myself. (How do people eat a whole box of pizza!? I can eat two triangles slices and three is pushing it. Not from a large box though.🤣)

"Nigga you chew like a fuckin' cow! Close them fat ass lips of yours and chew." Dalvin said throwing something at me.

"I'm sorry but do we not have the same fat lips you gettin' on me about?" I asked him. "Besides, these day ass lips are sexy as fuck." I said licking the sauce off my lips.

"Nigga, you did not just have to do that shit..." K-Ci said with a blank face.

"I can do whatever the fuck I want K-Ci. I pay my own fuckin' bills in this bitch!" I told him straight up. "Anyways I had sauce in my lips. You know I had to get the extra sauce."

"People usually get it on the side to dip or pour on top. You told them to out it on your pizza. Yo shits soggy as a pissy diaper." JoJo told me.

"Why you think I ain't touch his is shit? Should've pushed that soggy shit on the floor face down." Dalvin said laughing.

"You do some shit like that and imma beat yo ass like you was a stranger." I told him.

"Sound like mama." Dalvin shook his head. "Except more vulgar."

"You damn right." I told him then continued to eat.

If you're wondering where El aka Genuine now is, this nigga left while I was in rehab. That's fucked up but it's whatever. Fuck that corny ass nigga. I still got my niggas from day one with me. I know I fucked up on my part but don't give empty promises. If you wanted to leave, you're free to. I don't hold hostages. I still need to apologize to a lot of people. I just want it to sound as genuine as I am.

Jodeci has a few shows coming up in April. I'll be attending these concerts and it's when we'll announce our hiatus as a group. We still will make music for other people though and K-Ci and Jojo will be doing their own thing. We just think it's time and don't want to be a group that people forget. People are more into rap these days anyways. We're all still tight though.

"You got our gear together for the show?" I asked Dalvin.

"Yes." Dalvin mumbled with a mouth full of pizza.

Word Count: 5,075
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Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read another chapter of this story. Thank you for staying despite the slacking.💚🖤❤💜💙💛