C H A P T E R
F O R T Y - S I X

"I'm just not understanding what's taking so damn long with his case. Marquette admitted out of his own mouth about who hit him and how his own biological father just watched the entire time. But yet somehow this nigga and that bitch still walking around free." Ahmad spat as him and Cali sat across from the case worker who was over Marquette's child abuse case.

"I understand your frustration Mr. Sinclair, but cases like these take time to handle. But until you all face a judge and he makes it a court right that Marquette cannot be around his father, Cali can not keep his son away from him." She tried to explain. "But trust me, I know it isn't fair nor is it really safe since clearly the child would be in danger under his roof but sadly that's the law."

Ahmad stood up, "That's bullshit man, this man is seriously tryna gain custody over a child he let get abused and I'll be damned if I let him go anywhere near that muthafucka'. The cops or whoever need to speed this shit up and charge him and his bitch ass sister for putting their hands on my son."

"Mr. Sinclair, with all due respect you are not Marquette's biological father so you don't have much of say as to when and if a man can see his child." She explained, but Ahmad was tryna hear none of that.

Frowning, Cali sat forward. "But I can, I made the mistake last time by ignoring the signs of abuse and allowing my baby to continue be around that monster and his sister and I will not make that mistake again. Regardless of what the law may say, my child is not safe in his home and he will not be over there alone with that man." Cali spat growing frustrated.

Ahmad and Cali both knew the woman was simply just doing her job, but with the way everything was going it was still pissing them off.

"Can you just tell us what we need to do in order to nip this shit? Like I know its a small chance he'll win custody, but what do we need to do in order to gurantee that he won't." Ahmad questioned.

Clapsing her hands together, she sighed. "Alright, its no doubt that you guys are in for a fight at this point. Reggie is gonna do whatever it takes to win, so with me saying that you two have to make sure things on y'alls ends are good. Another thing that I'm sure neither of you really want to do, but could be a big help, is having Marquette testify against his father and have him explain to the judge about everything that has happened to him."

"With Reggie and his sister having this child abuse case pending on their backs, the judge might automatically grant custody to Cali. But to at least have a plan incase things don't go smoothly, Marquette testifying would be best. Also did you guys take pictures of his face and body when he was in the hospital?" She questioned as she stared at the both of them.

"I did," Ahmad stated before pulling out his phone and pulling up the pictures.

Taking his phone and examining the photos, she nodded before handing it back to him. "Print those out and use it as physical evidence to the judge. I don't want Marquette in the custody of his father just as much as you guys and I do apologize for the dragging of his case, some cops tend to not take certain cases as serious. It's fucked up, but it's the society we live in sadly."

"Thank you Monica, we really do appreciate all your help." Ahmad told her and Cali nodded agreeing as they both stood up to leave.

"You're welcome, if I hear anything different I'll keep you guys posted and please let me know if its more I can do on my end to help as well." She replied as she reached her hand across her desk and shook both of their hands.

Thanking her one last time, both Cali and Ahmad exited the building together in silence. They hadn't spoke much since their last divorce meeting and in a way it was lowkey awkward between them.

The meeting got a little heated between the two of them when Ahmad stated that he would no longer be paying any bills for the house besides the property taxes. Cali didn't agree with that and felt since this was a house that they built together, he should at least help her manage some of the bills since she knew she couldn't pay them all by herself.

Reaching their cars, Ahmad being who he is walked over to her driver side door and opened it for her watching as she hopped in before shutting the door.

Rolling her window down when she saw he hadn't walked away, she waited for him to speak since she had nothing to say. "I'm really not tryna make this divorce ugly Cali, I want things between us to be cordial for the sake of the kids. I'm not helping on the bills to punish you or anything, I just don't feel the need to pay bills in a house that I don't even live in anymore. I got my own personal bills to pay for."

"Then what am I suppose to do? I have my own personal bills to pay as well like the shop and all its utilities. Me paying all those bills by myself will hurt me." She expressed and Ahmad sighed.

"Let's sell the house then. You can downsize and get something a little smaller and more affordable."

Scoffing, she rolled her eyes. "No, absolutely not! We built this house to be something that our kids could grow up and comeback too. We built this to be able create memories with our friends and family, we can't just sell this house Ahmad."

Letting out a sigh as he looked away, he just simply shrugged. "Then I don't know what you're gonna do Cali, I told you I'll pay the property taxes along with Mariah's daycare expenses everything else is out of my hands. You know I'ma help with the kids, by buying school clothes and shoes. So stop acting like so much is on you when we really in the same boat. I got my own shop to focus on as well and the rent for my apartment, plus light bill, cable bill, my carnote. I can't afford to be throwing money at a house I longer live in. All the bills you gotta focus on is the light bill, water bill, DirectTV and the wifi, no rent at all, nor a carnote since you paid yours off, so how is it gonna be so hard for you to manage all that?" He questioned.

When Cali actually sat and thought about what he said, she knew he was right. Letting out a sigh, she looked down at her hands before looking back up at him. "Okay, I get it. I was just scared that I wouldn't be able to handle it all since we had based a lot of the bills on both our incomes. I'm sorry."

Smiling small, Ahmad shook his head. "That overthinking shit gon' be the death of you Cal." He joked causing her to laugh as well.

Hitting his arm, she playfully rolled her eyes. "Don't judge me, I'm still a work in progress, I tried so hard to be so strong and perfect for everybody around me and I ended up losing myself in the process. But I promise you each day I'm working on bettering myself and finding who I am again." She admitted causing a bigger small to appear on Ahmad's face.

"That's what I like to hear, I'm really proud and happy for you Cal. You know at the end of the day seeing you do good and be good, makes me feel good as well. Plus I never wanted you to be perfect Cal, I know the perfect person doesn't exist besides God so I wish I could understand why you felt the need to seem so perfect and strong for me and others. I simply just loved you for you, but as long as you get the help you truly need thats enough to make me happy at the end of the day." He told her.

"Thanks for always being there and being supportive of any little thing I'm involved in." She expressed.

"Hey, at the end of the day despite what happens between us we locked in forever until one of us is six feet under. So we don't have time for the beef and the issues between us anymore. It's time for us to just grow and move on from what all happened and just focus on being a team and a good support system for one another and doing what we need to do in order to be the best parents for our kids." He stated as he leaned more onto her car.

"You're right."

"I'm always right, but I gotta get going so um I'll talk to you later. Drive home safe and text me when you make it." He told her as he removed his body off the car.

"I will." Putting on her seatbelt and cranking up her car, she went to put it in reverse and let up her window but stopped when she saw Ahmad still standing there.

"You okay?"

Nodding his head, he stared at her for a second before sighing. "Reggie ain't getting custody of Marquette, so please don't let this stress you out more than it should Cal. I know how you get, Marquette is good and I'm not letting Reggie win this time," He mumbled the last part, doing one last glance at her before walking away causing Cali to frown since she felt like that last sentence held a double meaning to it.

Not wanting to dwell on what he said since she had somewhere to be, she rolled up her window and pulled out of the parking lot passing his car on the way out.

The whole drive to her destination was quiet, she wasn't even in the mood to listen to the radio. She just needed complete silence to help get her thoughts and emotions together.

          After an hour or so of driving, Cali smiled when she saw the small building appear on the right side of the street. Pulling in she parked right in front, shut of her car then got out with her purse and keys before locking it behind her.

Walking into the building, she greeted the girl at the front desk and continued her journey towards the office she was meeting this person at. Reading the numbers on the door she stopped when came across, "Room 105."

Swallowing the lump in her throat she slowly rose her hand and twisted the knob as she stepped inside to see the lady already sitting there waiting for her with a big smile. "You must be Cali right?" She greeted as she stood to shake her hand.

"Yes'mam, and its really a pleasure to meet you and thank you for fitting me into your schedule so last minute."

Waving her off, she motioned for Cali to have a seat while she did the same. "When people call me wanting to seek help, who am I to turn them away? I'm just glad you're one of the ones who really mean it."

"But alright, let's get started." She stated as she got comfortable in her seat. "Well I first want to introduce myself properly to you, my name is Dr. Kimberly Page, but for short you can just call me Kim. I've been a professional therapist for the last five years and counting now and this is also my firm that I opened up just about a year ago. It's me along with four other doctors here with me and our jobs are to help people seek and face the problems within' themselves and overcome it. Outside of work, its just me and my two dogs Penny and Prince. I've never been married, but I have been in love. I have no kids and during my freetime, I like to travel and meet new people."

When things fell silent, Cali slightly jumped when she realized it was her turn to speak causing Kim to laugh. "I'm sorry, I just got lost in thought."

"It's fine, speak when you're ready."

"Okay, well um my real name is Aubrey Sinclair but everybody calls me Cali. I am a hair dresser and I own my own shop here in Houston, I have four beautiful kids and um I am married but I am currently going through a divorce caused by Me."

Although Cali's introduction was short compared to Kim's, it still gave Kim enough information on what she needed to know. "Okay and what brings you here today? And what I mean by that is .. what is your end goal? What are you wanting to gain from all of this?"

"My end goal is to find myself again, I've lost who I was and what I used to be and I'm willing to do whatever to gain my old self back for the sake of myself and my kids."

Jotting down what she said, she nodded. "Lost yourself how? What are somethings you noticed about yourself that was different?"

Letting out a sigh, she got comfortable in the seat. "My actions mainly, I've been doing a lot of things that I wouldn't normaly do and hurting people that didn't even deserve it. Like my husband and kids for example."

"And was you hurting your husband the cause of the divorce?"

Slowly nodding her head, Kim jotted that down before adjusting her glasses and looking back up at Cali. "You mind if we stay on this topic of your divorce and marriage for a bit?"

"No, we can talk about it."

Smiling, she placed her notebook down and sat forward a little. "Describe what your marriage was like in your own words. You can tell me the good and the bad side of it, how you felt emotionally throughout the marriage and so on. Just give me a brief layout of it all."

Thinking back on her marriage with Ahmad she smiled, "My marriage with Ahmad my husband, was honestly amazing. Our relationship together as a whole was amazing, he was really my best friend and I always knew if I didn't have anybody left here on this planet to love me, I knew I had him." She stated as she looked down. "He wasn't perfect, but he tried so hard and that only made you love him more."

"But where I went wrong in the relationship was my want of wanting to just save him. I got so caught up in saving him and being there for him, that I lost myself in the process and in the midst of all that I became drained with our marriage."

Nodding her head, Kim reached over and handed Cali a tissue before sitting back in her seat. "When you say saved what do you mean exactly? What exactly were you saving Ahmad from?"

"From the moment I met Ahmad his whole entire persona gave off a cry out for help and something in me just wanted to be that person who took whatever pain he was feeling away and make him happy. He has been through so much in his life and as his woman I was there every step of the way. But then as our relationship progressed it seemed as if it was always something going on. I became so devoted to all his issues and problems, that I often felt like bringing up my own personal issues wouldn't do us any good since I thought it would have only stressed him out more if he knew I was suffering mentally."

Feeling the urge to just spill all her emotions and feelings, Cali sat forward and mentally prepared herself to finally open up. "After each of my pregnancies, I suffered from severe post partum depression. But not once did I ever tell Ahmad, and my reason being is because when Ahmad sees me down or upset or knows that mentally I'm not okay, he loses focus on what really matters such as work and puts all his attention on me."

Raising her hand to stop from continuing, she frowned. "But isn't that what you wanted?"

Cali shrugged, "I mean yes, but then again no. Ahmad is a very busy and hardworking man, who already deals with so much in a day to the point that I never wanted to feel like a burden by dumping my personal issues on him. I know its dumb to feel and think that way, but that's just how I felt. Plus, its not like Ahmad ever made me feel as if he didn't care for my feelings, I just chose to never be open about a lot of things on my own."

"I can understand that, a lot of times people often put their own scenarios of how situations may go if they open up, so it causes them to back pedal and never say anything. Most like how kids never speak out when they're being mistreated, they often don't wanna add more problems to their parents struggles." Kim explained and Cali nodded agreeing.

"Okay, so do you mind explaining to me what you did to hurt your family? If you don't wanna talk about it right now, that's fine. But I'm just asking to get a feel of everything so I can at least explain where you went wrong and what you could possibly do to get back right. But I am aware that this is an on going thing so if you aren't ready, I'll respect that." Kim expressed to her wanting her to feel as comfortable as possible.

"We can talk about it. I've kept the truth in long enough, no point in hiding it any longer." Cali stated as she shrugged. "What I did to hurt my family, was I cheated and I didn't just cheat, I let another man into my home and I don't mean into my home like we had the affair there. I confided in this man, I let him get in my head and in the end I broke the one man who has never done wrong by me heart."

"Got in your head how?"

Letting out a sigh, Cali played with her fingers. "Reggie, the guy I slept with on Ahmad is my first son's father. Reggie and I met back when I was younger and he was like my bestfriend and it just sprouted into more which led to me getting pregnant. But by time our son got here we had broken up, he had got engaged and all. We co-parented for a while and things were great, then I met Ahmad and things between Reggie and I just turned to shit. He became so jealous of my relationship with Ahmad, he did a lot of spiteful things due to his jealousy and I'm not gonna lie it hurt to see him change the way he did."

"Because as the days passed I just knew this wasn't who he was, deep down I wanted to believe that he was still that same person he was when we first met. That he was the same guy who loved his son and would never do anything to hurt him, but I failed to realize that people change and no matter how bad we may want them to go back to who they were before doesn't mean they will." She explained and Kim nodded.

"Yeah so that night I cheated, I was over his house and we were discussing things regarding our son and things of that sort and for the first time in such a long time he became the man he was before the jealousy and I got hooked on that. I ended up venting to him like I used to always do in the past and I don't know for that moment it felt right, but I knew after it was dead wrong. But what sent me over, was when he pointed out how much I had changed. I at first wasn't sure what he was talking about, but then he further explained, how mentally and emotionally I wasn't the same person. He stated how I often looked drained or sad then proceeded to state how the issues that Ahmad was facing constantly was taking a toll on me and he was right for the most part because they were."

"I tried so hard to be Ms. Perfect Patty all the time, I wanted to be strong for Ahmad and the kids not wanting to show no sign of weakness and I didn't realize how much I had changed until he said something. He helped me remember who I was before and apart of me started to miss that girl and that's what led to us reminscing on old times, that night I smiled a genuine smile, I laughed without it being forced and ended up doing something so dumb." She sniffled.

"I lied about it for months and that alone didn't help with my depression so that only added on to it due to that guilt eating me away. Ahmad of course noticed immediately and was trying to do everything in his power to get me to start feeling better, but of course nothing worked because I was dealing with a burden of knowing I cheated on him when he did nothing to deserve it whatsoever." Using the tissue to wipe her eyes, she let out a sigh.

"Yes, we went through a lot together but he never asked me to stay and deal with it. I could have left when he went to jail, I could have left him alone when shut me out after his sisters death but I chose to stay to be his rock, to be what he needed. I took on more than I could handle and kept quiet about it so that was my fault."

"I still have yet to tell Ahmad this, because I know he'll feel as if I'm saying I was never happy with him when that wasn't the case. I was happy with Ahmad, I just- I can't even explain what I was thinking. Maybe because I wasn't, maybe it was because I for one second forgot what I had at home and let someone blind me for a moment. I can't explain it, anybody who knows Ahmad and knows how much he loved me would call me stupid for doing what I did and they would be one-hundred percent right."

"Then to top it all off, even after all that he was still willing to give me another chance but it was like I still wasn't seeing how blessed I was. I wasn't putting much effort to make things work, instead I was just expecting him to just come back, forgive me and we move on. But then I had to realize after talking to my best friend that this wouldn't be real life if that happened and by time I realized what I was doing it was too late. He was done and was ready for a divorce and I just have to take that L and accept what I did and move on."

Kim nodded with a slight smile on her face, "Thank you Cali for sharing all of that. It takes a lot of courage to admit your wrongs and to want to correct them. I'm down for this journey of helping you find youself and be a better you as long as you are down."

"I'm down."

         Later that evening across town, both Shanice and Crystal stood dancing and singing together, while dressed in only some big white oversize t-shirts and their panties as they drunkenly sang along to Monica's hit song, "Don't Take it Personal."

It was pushing almost nine o'clock at night and the turnup wasn't ending anytime soon for either of them. The two had planned to have a little girls night in with no men, just to unwind from work and life for a moment and to get drunk with no regrets.

Holding a spoon to her mouth and jumping down off the counter when the song changed to, "I Remember," by Keyshia Cole. Crystal had to close her eyes and envision herself in a music video as she sung along with the words loudly and horribly.

Shanice couldn't help but laugh and hype her up, "Sing that shit bitch." She yelled back then soon joined her.

After a few more love and heartbreak songs played, Crystal felt like getting turned up and listening to some bad bitch type music. Connecting her phone to Shanice's bluetooth speaker, she played her party mix and when Nicki Minaj's remix to Freaky Gurl started to play, both women got hyped as hell.

"Oh I get it, oh okay niggas tryna niggas tryna tryna be on some slick shit. How you gone do a freaky girl song and not include Nicki Minaj. I mean come on now you know my fuckin name let's get it. Period pooh." Crystal said as danced along to the beat.

Pulling out her phone, Shanice went straight to her snapchat to record her and send it to Ahmad.

🎶Shes a very freaky girl don't bring her to mamma
First you get her name then you get her number
Then you get some brain in the front seat of
The hummer, then you get some brain in the front.
Seat of the hummer,🎶

"Uhnn you want a freaky girl? Welcome to Nicki world N-N-N-Nicki's world, N-N-N-Nicki's world. Umm let me think, what could I do to kick it off, how bout I cum all on your dick and then I lick it off. I mean it's something so funny when it get soft, I like to play with it, squeeze it like a stress ball. He say he like to hear the sound of me slurpin it. Turn off his phone cause them hoes keep churpin it." Crystal rapped all in the camera.

Deciding to take over, Shanice flipped the camera onto her and rapped the next part while Crystal hyped her up and danced up behind her. "Tell me that I got the fattest pussy in the whole world and if I let him eat it I can be his ole' girl. Fuck I look like turning down some head, I mean that's sorta like a bird turning down some bread. You can eat it like a treat, you can squirt it, you can skeet, I'm a freak, I love to beat just don't get none in my sheets. But every time I pop the coochie gucci start chokin' me now I'm kinda scared I got a feelin gucci stalkin me."

"Sex game kinky, niggas call me pinky, fuck a president! I am Nicki Lewinsky!" They both yelled the last line before laughing together and ending the video.

Watching the video over, Crystal nodded her head in approval. "My ass looking fat, send that to him."

"I lowkey wanna invite him and Dave over, I miss my man and we could make this like a couples night or something. I got some adult card games we could all play and we could go to the pool." Shanice pouted as she sent the video.

Crystal laughed and shook her head as she walked over to her phone to change the song. "I don't mind, I haven't seen Ahmad all day and I miss his annoying ass too. He called me earlier but we wasn't able to talk long since I was in the middle of doing a client's make-up."

"Well, I'ma step out real quick and call Dave." Shanice told her before disappearing towards the back of her apartment.

Lifting her phone off the counter, Crystal went straight to Ahmad's contact pushing the facetime button.

Soon as the ringing stopped and she was met with his beautiful face and voice, she couldn't help but smile. "I see you over there showing out and shit. Tryna get beat up I see." He stated and she only laughed rolling her eyes.

"Boy whatever, we just chilling over here. What you up to?"

Watching him shift in his bed and clear his throat, she waited for his response as she started walking around the kitchen. "Shit nothing, just laying here watching ATL and eating a bowl of cereal. I was actually enjoying it until somebody interrupted, I ain't gon' say no names though."

"See and here I was about to invite you over here since Shanice wanted to have like a couples night, but since you wanna act stank you can stay ya black ass over there and eat that stale ass cereal." She stated followed by a laugh when she saw him cough from almost choking on his cereal.

"Shanice always tryna do something, but I'll be over there. I'm tryna rub on something. Whatchu got on under that shirt?" He questioned being manish causing her to shake her head and roll her eyes.

"You just gon' have to come over here and find out buddy."

"Bet, give me time to take this quick shit and shower and I'll be over there."

Scrunching up her face, she made a disgusted look in the camera before laughing. "You did not have to say all of that. That was too much information big head."

"Ight well since you don't care for my good shits, then don't come bringing ya short ass in the bathroom and taking a seat on the counter while I'm doing it anymore." He stated acting salty as he got up out the bed to head to the bathroom.

"I only did that twice since you was constipated and wanted company, so don't sit here and try to play me like I run to the bathroom everytime you have to shit to sit with you nigga."

Waving her off, he sat his phone down and proped up the camera so they could still see each other. Watching as he pulled his pants down then sat on the toilet, she laughed to herself and shook her head at him. "So you really just gon' show ya ass on camera like that?"

"Is that your way of saying you wanna see it again? Cause I can easily stand back up and give you and my FBI nigga a good show."

Busting out laughing, she looked back at Shanice who was now entering the living room before focusing back on the camera. "Why do you play so much dude? Just hurry the hell up and bring your ass over here and make sure you clean your ass good."

"I will mama."

"Bye boy."

Hanging up, she tossed her phone and looked over at Shanice who was already laughing. "Y'all was really in here talking about shits?"

"That was him, he will literally make a conversation out of anything."

"Sounds like Ahmad, but Dave is on his way with some pizza and wings and I told him to bring something to swim in."

"Let me tell Ahmad the same then, its lit." Crystal said as they started getting hype.

          After an hour or so passed Dave had arrived with the food, but they where all still waiting on Ahmad to show face. Laid out on the couch, Crystal held a pout on her face while Dave and Shanice were boo'd up in the kitchen.

"Can this nigga hurry the hell up?" She called out.

"He said he stopped and got gas about twenty minutes ago so he should be here any minute." Dave replied before he went back to kissing on Shanice's neck while she made their plates.

Feeling her phone vibrate on her stomach, she grinned when she saw Ahmad's contact name pop up on her screen.

Papi Chulo💦
Come outside real quick, I got you something.
- Received at 10:42 pm

Hopping up off the couch, she slipped on her slippers and headed out the door to see his truck parked out front.

Growing excited, she ran to his driver side just as he was getting out. Running into him he laughed a little before lifting her up and kissing her on the lips. "Damn, I was missed huh?"

"Yes, why you take so damn long?"

"I had to take a shower and get gas, but I'm here now so that's all that matters. Now gimmie a kiss and stop crying."

Kissing him again but longer this time, Ahmad moaned into the kiss when she bit his lip and slid her tongue inside his mouth. Pecking his lips one last time, she wiped the gloss off his lips with her fingers before he let her down. "Now whatchu get me? Let me see it."

"Oh yeah, turn around and close your eyes."

Doing as he wanted, she excitedly turned around with her eyes completely shut anxious to know what it was he got her.

Feeling him come up behind her, she flinched slightly when he reached his arms around her but relaxed when she realized he was just placing on a necklace for her. "You can open your eyes now."

Opening her eyes, she looked down at the diamond necklace and grinned big as day before turning around to give him a hug. "Aww pooh, this is so beautiful. Thank you." Pecking him on the lips, she examined the necklace in awe truly grateful for the gift.

"What made you buy this? My birthday isn't anywhere near close." She questioned.

Pulling her into him as he leaned up against his truck, he looked down at her as he wrapped his arms securely around her waist. "Just to show my appreciation for what you did the other day. You probably didn't think much of that shower, but how you made me feel that night was needed and I thank you for that."

"You're welcome, you're so sweet. Thank you baby."

"I know I am, but come on before Shanice bring ha knock kneed ass out here."

Hitting his arm, she laughed. "Don't do my girl like that."

Entering Shanice's apartment holding hands, Shanice immediately stood up from the couch to give Ahmad a hug. "Took your ugly ass forever, we was about to start without you."

Frowning as he hugged her back, he looked back at Crystal. "Start what?"

"The game, take a seat."

Sitting on the love seat with Crystal sitting on his lap, they got comfortable against each other and watched as Shanice set up the area to get ready for their game night.

"Okay so the first game, its called Mix n' Match cards and that's only because these cards have a little bit of everything on them. You have a few truth or dare cards, Never have I ever cards, and some What is question cards. I'll sit the deck of cards in the center, we'll all go counter clock wise order and whoever turn it is you pick a card and read whatever the card says out loud and choose who you want to answer. I'll start." She stated as she reached for the card.

Flipping the card over, Shanice read it to herself before reading to everybody else. "What is your favorite sex position? And Crystal, I choose you to answer this."

Laughing, Crystal looked down at Ahmad who held a smirk on his face as he waited for her to answer. "Damn, I know you said these were adult cards but I ain't think they where this x-rated."

"I got them from Spencer's so I figured the questions would be freaky."

"Um, well shit um I guess my favorite sex position would have to be backshots. I don't know." She shrugged as she covered her face from embarrassment.

Laughing, Ahmad kissed her shoulder. "She a baby to the world and wanna act all shy and shit, but when we in that bedroom its a whole different story."

Hitting Ahmad on his arm, she winced when he pinched her side. "Shut up, anyways who next?"

Ahmad rose his hand before he leaned over and grabbed a card, "Never have I ever had a threesome. Shanice I choose you to answer that, and if you have ever had a threesome you gotta remove one piece of clothing."

Looking around the room as they all waited for her to answer, she relunctantly sighed before raising her arms and removing the oversize shirt she was wearing causing everybody eyes to go wide. "Damn, I ain't know you was getting down like that Shan. Let me find out."

Waving him, she tossed her shirt across the room and fell into Dave more. "I was young in college and was just trying something new with my homegirl at the time and her boyfriend." She explained quickly, not really wanting to dwell on it.

"Crystal its your go."

Reaching for a card, she held it up and laughed to herself before looking at everybody else. "It's truth or dare, so pooh truth or dare?" She asked glancing down at Ahmad.

"I ain't a bitch so dare."

"I dare you to give me a lap dance." She laughed as she watched his face scrunch up.

"I'm not giving you no lap dance, I can barely dance as is."

"You said dare Ahmad, you gotta follow through with it. So getcho ass up and start shaking that ass for my girl." Shanice urged as she grabbed her phone to play some music.

Pushing Crystal off him, he looked over at Dave for some help but Dave simply laughed to himself and looked away as he sipped on his drink.

"What song you want me to play?"

"I can't believe I'm really about to do this shit," He mumbled to himself as he shook his head. "Play Feenin' by Jodeci."

Shanice quickly typed the song in and clicked on it, waiting for him to give her the greenlight. When he came up out his shirt, Crystal and Shanice both shared a look with each other smiling big as day, while Dave just shook his head laughing at it all.

When Shanice got the greenlight to press play, Ahmad stood directly in front of Crystal as they locked eyes. Picturing them as the only ones in the room, Ahmad stiffly started grinding his hips in the air causing Crystal to just laugh and blush at the sight.

Ahmad could not dance whatsoever but it was the fact that he stepped out of his comfort zone for her just because he knew it would make her smile, that touched her heart and made the moment ten times cuter and of course funnier.

When he walked towards her Crystal just shook her head, wondering what he was about to do. Dave was recording the whole thing laughing his ass off, and ready to send this shit to Marcus and Shaun so they could get a good laygh.

Straddling her lap, he held onto the back of the chair then started to grind into her when the chorus came on causing her to scream. "Oh my gosh," She mumbled covering her face.

"Said I'm feenin' for you. I don't mind. It's all on you, baby. Girl, I'm so strung out. All I do is wish for you. So, tomorrow if you're not here, then girl, I'm down, so I need you near. I just want to make it through the night, so hold me tight, then girl I'm all right." He sang in her ear as he continued to giver her a lap dance turning her on, she knew her panties were soaked.

🎶I can't leave you alone. You got me feenin'. I can't leave you alone. You got me feenin'. Girl, I'm feenin' for you. 🎶

When he stradded her lap and continued grinding into her, Crystal rubbed her hands up and down his back enjoying the show. He was so stiff, but he wasn't half bad just wasn't as smooth as most people would be.

When he backed up alittle and spreaded her legs before stroking as if he was fucking her, Crystal let out a light moan that could only be heard between them two due to the music being so loud. Raising his hand up he wrapped it around her neck, before pulling her into a lustful kiss as he continued to thrust into her.

When the song ended, Ahmad pecked her lips one last time before pulling away and retaking his seat with a smile on his face. "Well that was sexy as hell, Dave get up and dance for me."

Scoffing, he stood up. "Yeah no, you want some more wings?"

"You ugly, but yeah give me bout four more."

Laughing, Ahmad turned to Crystal who was sitting there quietly and pulled her more into him. "You good?" He questioned and she slowly nodded still sorta flustered from what just happened.

"Where you still tryna go to the pool Shanice?" Crystal asked as she stood up and pulled Ahmad up with her.

"Yeah, we can go now, but y'all can go head and head down there I gotta use the bathroom first and finish this food."

"Um, I think we're actually gonna go ahead and head out. If that's cool." Crystal stated.

Ahmad frowned and went to protest, but when Crystal gave him a certain look he shut up with the quickness and grabbed his shirt.

Picking up on what was going on, Shanice smirked. "That's fine, see you guys later."

After giving them hugs and watching them leave, Shanice smiled as she shut the door and turned towards Dave who was sitting on the couch. "Welp, I guess its just you and me. Did you still want to go to the pool?"

He shrugged, "Doesn't matter to me, I'm down for whatever."

"Bet, I'll be right back."

Once Shanice used the bathroom and changed into her bathing suit, she walked back into the living with towels. "Okay, I am ready let's go daddy."

After they grabbed their own towels to dry off with, Shanice and Dave both walked to the pool holding hands. "It feels good as hell out here, like its not too hot or chilly."

Shanice nodded agreeing, "Yeah it does. I'm just ready to get in this water and wet my hair."

When they approached the gate, Dave opened it and let her step inside first before following in behind her to see it was empty just how they wanted it to be.

Removing his sweats to showcase his swim shorts, he watched as Shanice came up out the shirt she was wearing to see the two piece bikini she had on.

When they walked over to the  building where the Jacuzzi was in, Dave opened that door letting her go inside first, before shutting and locking the door behind them for privacy.

Dave decided to get in the water first then rose his hand to help her inside. Sitting in separate corners, Shanice sighed in content. "The water feels amazing."

"It does, but why you all the way over there? Bring yo ass right here."

Walking over to him, she shrugged. "I don't know, I just don't know what it is that we're doing Dave. Like I'm enjoying what we're doing, but I'm just wondering if I'm somebody you actually see yourself being with. Because I have noticed how one minute you'll be all over me then you'll back off. If you feel we're rushing this, just please let me know."

"I don't feel like we're rushing and I do see myself with you, but I sometimes just overthink shit and sometimes feel the need to fall back to save myseld. But then I start missing you and seeing that you aren't like Courtney. I promise you, I'm not tryna waste your time at all. I like you a lot Shanice, and I do see us getting serious in the future."

Shanice nodded, "Okay good, but um the other night. Did I make you uncomfortable when were in bed? I wasn't tryna push up on you or anything, it was just I was in the moment and got a little carried but if you aren't ready for sex, I'll wait and ease up on certain things I do."

Laughing to himself, he shook his head. "It was nothing you did trust me, I should have said something sooner and that was my fault. But um I'm practicing celibacy, I know its not common for a man to do so but it is something I feel the need to do and strongly believe in. I understand if that's something you don't want and decide not to wait either."

Shanice stood there sorta lost for words since she wasn't expecting that, she thought all those times he got weird whenever things got a little weird was due to him not being fully attracted or being over his ex-wife. But overall she respected his choice and was gonna practice it with him as well.

"It's other things we can do besides having sex or anything sexual period, and if you think sex is what's gonna drive me away then you clearly don't know who you're messing with." She explained with a smirk plastered on her face. "I respect your choice and I'll practice it with you."

Smiling at her words, he looked at her and shook his head. "You forreal?"

"Yeah, if its meant to be for us in the future then shit I'll wait and we'll within' time if this is something that's worth taking it to the next level." She stated followed by a shrug.

Pulling her into him, he kissed her on the lips a few times feeling truly blessed. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm glad you're accepting me and willing to do this with me. I ain't gon' lie and say I was scared of the thought of possibly losing you behind this."

With her arms around his neck, Shanice scoffed as she straddled his lap. "If you wanna get rid me, you gotta come harder than that baby boy."

Not saying anything else Dave kissed her roughly really appreciative of her. "I love you man, you might not love me just yet but I love you forreal and I appreciate you so much."

Growing shocked by his outburst, she eventually smiled. "I love you to."

The rest of the night they spent their time in the jacuzzi boo'd up while discussing about what being celibate means and how it all works both feeling their feelings and emotions grow for one another as time ticked on by.

-

Thanks for the love & support guys!
- Denise💋

Hey guys and for the ones who did text me and I did not get back to you, my phone is in the middle of updating and is taking literally forever so I'm not even on it at the moment. Soon as I can, I will message each of you back that were interested in the FOREX TRADING opportunity.