Maicee sat in Ron's car, playing with her fingers while he talked about his shift. He asked a question but didn't get an answer, which caused him to look over at Maicee. He furrowed his eyebrows, looking over her.

"And then the pig came to grab my gun and almost shot me." He said not getting a response. He gently touched her hand, causing her to snap her head to him. "Are you okay?" 

"Yeah, I'm sorry I wasn't really paying attention."

"Mai.." He dragged out. "Talk to me Big Mama."

She closed-mouth smiled as tears came to her eyes. "So we have to talk." 

"Go head," 

"I saw Tyke and his baby mother earlier, and the way it fucked with me isn't fair to you." 

"What you mean?" 

"I thought I was ready to move on, but the reality of him having a baby is breaking my heart." She spoke, wiping her face. "And I don't want to hurt you." 

"Are you saying you need a break, or is this a breakup?" 

"I wanna do everything right regarding you, I don't want you to ever have to question where we stand because I will tell you. This is a break but I'm not telling you to wait for me. If you meet someone while I'm healing absolutely get to know her."

"I appreciate you being honest with me Maicee." He said a bit disappointed. 

"I'm sorry for not coming to this realization earlier to avoid wasting your time." 

"You good Big Mama," He grabbed her hand kissing it. "Just don't forget about me." 

"I promise you, I won't." She smiled. "I'll see you soon, okay?" 

"Go head, I'll watch you walk in."

She kissed his cheek and then got out of the car. She walked towards her house, but before she could go in, she turned to look back at him. He lightly waved his hand, making her smile and wave back, going into the house.

"Hey, dinner ready." Her mother called out.

"I'm just going to go to sleep." She smiled running up the stairs. 

Once the door closed in her room, she turned the light off and began crying. She plopped down on her bed, continuously seeing the image of Tyke smiling, holding Sage's belly. It was torturous and she could only blame herself.

She lost the man she was supposed to marry by being scared of being loved by him. Her insecurities fought her until they won and now she was feeling more insecure and defeated.

~

"And I'm done bitches!" Flaire yelled in the hallway.

She was now done with her finals and officially done with school; all she had left was graduation practice. She wrapped her arms around Keygan from behind, he chuckled continuing to clean out his locker.

"You gon miss it?" Keygan asked.

"Parts of it, but overall? Fuck no." 

"You say that now, Imma miss it." 

He threw his bookbag in the locker and then bent down so Flaire could jump on his back. He began running through the hall as she gripped onto him, laughing as loud as she could.

"Alright alright alright." She said through laughter. "Keygan, stop!" 

He didn't stop until he got into the cafe where Tyke and Ezra sat. He chuckled putting her down as she smacked his arm.

"What's this?" She asked, looking at the platter of food.

"Sage momma made some paella and fried chicken," Tyke told her.

"Oh fuck yeah." She grabbed two plates to make both her and Keygan's plates. "What's wrong?" 

"What you mean?" 

"You a lil down, fave, I could feel your energy." 

"Ran into Mai while with Sage, bought up some unwanted feelings," Keygan told her.

"Oh, I'm sorry, fave. You and Mai were cute, but she lost out on something she'll never get again. You tried to make it work; you did all you could. But don't forget you're the prize. To be loved by you is the prize." 

Nodding, he swiped his nose. "You're right."

"Hey baby," Haven smiled, coming to the table kissing Ezra. "Who made food?" 

"Sage momma." 

"Oh, that's nice. Can I get some?" 

"Go head." Tyke said.

Flaire was about to say something until she saw Mai walking towards their table, she stopped eating her food looking at Tyke who's head was down. She kicked him under the table making his head fly to her as she nodded towards Mai.

"Hey y'all." She greeted. "Tyke, can we talk?" 

Tyke looked towards Flaire who was looking already looking at him. Tyke didn't want to talk, and it was evident. "Maicee, he don't wanna talk. Give him a minute." 

"Respectfully, I'm not talking to anyone but Tyke."

"And respectfully, you're not talking to Tyke either. He has the right to want and need space right now, so just respect his request. He's probably willing to talk another time, let it be for right now." 

"I just want to tell you I'm sorry," Mai said. "Yesterday, I disrespected Sage, and I hope you can tell her I apologize. Seeing you with your pregnant girlfriend hurts, and I didn't react well. It was supposed to be me pregnant and happy with you, but I pushed you away too much. I wished I would've tried-"

"Why didn't you? I begged you to talk to me, bro; I begged you for three weeks just to have a simple conversation. Just to tell me what I did wrong, you just ignored me Maicee. You told social media you were single before me, and I did nothing, bro. You could've told me and we could've fixed anything, bro."

"I don't have a reason for anything I did; I just was pushing you away, thinking you were incapable of moving on, and now seeing you moved on and happy hurts. I thought getting with someone else would make everything feel better, but I'm also hurting this man, and neither of y'all deserve it." Maicee said, wiping her eyes. "I don't know how to express myself, but I'm trying."

"You're doing good." Haven encouraged giving her a napkin.

"You're the love of my life, and yesterday hit me, knowing I will never be loved by you again. I broke up with Ron because I realized I was not ready to be in a relationship. No one will ever love me like you, but I hope someone will love you better than I do. You're the best person-"

Tyke sucked his teeth, pushing his seat back as he walked away from the table with tears in his eyes. He walked out of the cafe right into his car, pulling off. 

"Maicee, just give him time," Keygan said.

"You gotta understand that boy has been about you for five years, he had bitches on y'all breaks, but when it was you, it was just you," Ezra told her. "And you played him for a fool bro."

"Ezra, you aren't helping to make her feel better," Haven said.

"I'm not trying to. I'm being real and real talk you don't have a right trying to force him to talk and feel sympathy for you when he's healing. You're trying to make him go five steps backward when he gave you too many chances to been explain this." 

"You act like she isn't allowed to grow; she understands where she went wrong. It's not-"

"She's realizing telling social media she was single before her boyfriend is wrong six months after said breakup? I could understand the miscommunication, but you and she both knew that shit was wrong six months again. If you finna be apologetic and you really mean that shit, then stop acting clueless and be a hundred percent real." 

Flaire tapped her index finger and thumb together while nodding. Keygan also nodded, agreeing.

"Don't think this an attack either 'cause we loved y'all relationship. You bought out a different side of him, and we wished y'all worked out, but seeing the friend who you rely on making you laugh unhappy is not a good feeling." Keygan added.

"Saying it isn't an attack doesn't make it better than y'all are all looking at her or ganging up on her," Haven said.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Ezra scrunched his face up.

"Roles reversed; you would be trying to make Tyke feel better if he fucked up." 

"Because that's my brother; it's not my job to make your friend feel better. You go do that. I'm speaking for my brother since he can't do it right now." 

"He didn't want to talk, so you shouldn't be."

"Haven, it's okay." Maicee nodded. "I understand what they're saying. I need the harsh words." 

"But you don't because they wouldn't be harsh with Tyke." 

"You say that 'cause you don't know how we talk to each other," Keygan told her. 

"Keygan please, I grew up with y'all. Y'all don't hold each other accountable for anything. I know y'all, so shut up and-"

"Bitch, who are you talking to?" Flaire stopped eating. "Realize I will smack the fuck out of you."

"Haven, can we go talk?" Maicee asked.

"Yeah let me leave before I-"

"Before you what?" Flaire asked, tilting her head.

"Just come on, Haven." Maicee grabbed her hand.

"Relax." Keygan kissed Flaire's cheek.

"She has been tripping lately, and if I have to put my hands on Haven, I will never talk to her again." 

Ezra just sat back, not saying anything. He usually defended Haven, but he couldn't at this moment. He didn't understand what she had been doing, and he wouldn't make excuses for it.

~

Regina and her boyfriend, Don, lay down scrolling on their phones. Once Regina got too bored, she put her phone down, staring at him. He glanced over at her, then sucked his teeth, putting down his phone. She chuckled, throwing her body onto him. He immediately put his hand on her back and rubbed it.

"You're ready to graduate?" 

"I'm so ready to leave my high school years behind." 

"You're going to miss high school." 

"Maybe a few moments-"

"Coming from someone who graduated five years ago, you're going to miss high school."

"You're an old man." She poked, making him chuckle.

"I wanna take you to meet my mom." 

"In Hawaii?" 

"Yes. I want to purchase the tickets, but I want to make sure you're comfortable with it. I don't want to push any boundaries." 

"I appreciate you always thinking of my comfortability. Of course, I would love to come. Do you think I can bring my parents to meet yours?" 

"Of course, if they're willing to come, then I would love for everyone to get acquainted so they don't have to wait to meet at the wedding." 

"You're always talking about marriage. Do you seriously want to marry me?" 

"I do, Regina; you're the woman of my dreams." He kissed her forehead. "I have our whole life set." 

"Oh yeah, let me hear." She placed her face onto his.

"I'm going to propose once I finish medical school in three years. Then next year, you'll be graduating with your bachelor's, so we'll already be planning our wedding. My residency offers twenty days off, so we'll get married in Hawaii and take our vacation somewhere- maybe Thailand since you love elephants." 

"I do love Elephants." She smiled.

"By the time you're finished your finished getting your Masters, I'll be done by residency so we'll be planning our pregnancy journey also buying our home. We can't bring a baby into an apartment. Then, after my fellowship, we'll be planning another one."

"Our life together sounds perfect." She connected their lips, putting her tongue in his mouth.

"Oh, don't forget about the dog we're going to get. We're going to call him or her Hanai."

"What does that mean?" 

"To nurture."

"Beautiful name." 

Regina kissed him again as he graciously accepted it, she began grinding into him, feeling his member come to life. She reached down to his body, about to touch it, but he stopped her.

"Reg, you-"

"I'm okay."

"Are you-"

"Stop talking." She told him, going back to kissing him.

She put her hands into his sweatpants as she heard him groan while she stroked him; he stopped himself from taking control so she could be comfortable doing everything. She nudged his waistband as he lifted, allowing her to take off his clothes. He flipped her around, never breaking the kiss.

"May I?" He asked, looking into her eyes as she nodded.

He pulled down the shorts she had on; he slowly played with her clit while looking into her eyes. He lowered his head down beginning to kiss her thighs while opening her legs a bit, she coached herself to stop overthinking. 

It was as if her brain shut down as soon as his tongue connected to her clit. She moaned out loud while he devoured her soul; she could've sworn she heard fireworks due to the feeling she was receiving. 

He spent a total of eight minutes giving her oral until he felt her cry out pushing his head, her vagina also got a bit creamier. He kissed her throbbing clit, then stood going to wipe his face and hand her a towel. He was about to wipe her, but she stopped him.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Wiping you?" He questioned.

"I'm ready to have sex." 

"Reg, you don't have to have sex because you think we have to."

"I want to." 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes."

He walked to his drawer and grabbed a condom. She moved up on the bed watching him slide the condom as countless thoughts went through her head, she closed her eyes trying to get her brain to stop again. 

She felt tears come to her eyes and jumped once he touched her. He furrowed his eyebrows looking at her.

"Open your eyes Reg."

She opened her eyes as a tear went down her cheek, she quickly wiped it then looked at him.

"Reg, I can't do this when you crying. I don't-"

"I have to get this over with."

"Says who? What's the rush of us having sex?"

"It's been too long without sex, I don't want you to go looking elsewhere."

"You think I'll cheat because I'm not getting sex from you?" 

"No I don't but I also don't want you to feel like you have to because I'm broken."

"Real talk, stop talking about my girlfriend like that." He said making her smile. "You're not broken, you went through real trauma that you're fighting through."

"You aren't mad?" 

"Hell no," He chuckled. "Because I know when it's time, we'll both be satisfied." 

She pulled his hand kissing him again, pulling again harder he was now on his side kissing her. She began getting turned on again and stroked his semi-hard shaft.

"Go head."

"Reg..."

"I'm good."

He got on his knees as he positioned himself at her opening; he lifted both of her legs and slowly entered her. He had to apply a bit more pressure due to her clenching, he leaned down to kiss her to get her to relax. He slowly began stroking while she moaned enjoying the pleasure. She opened a bit wider allowing him to go deeper while he sped up.

She couldn't contain her moaning, the feeling was out of this world. She had already came within sixty seconds and couldn't believe she had been missing this feeling. She didn't realize how much she missed sex.

She loved Don was so patient and she anticipated getting more comfortable to show all her tricks.

She couldn't wait to tell Indigo this.

~

Ezra woke from his nap yawning, he tried to call Haven but she texted him telling she'll call him back. He wiped the sleep from his eyes then went to piss, he FaceTime'd his groupchat while washing his hands.

"You miss me?" Brat asked since she was the first one to answer.

"I do, you coming to our graduation?" 

"Of course, gang, but I gotta leave the same night, my graduation the next day."

"Why didn't you say anything so we could come?" 

"Y'all can still come." She chuckled. "I figured nobody wanted to take that drive again."

"Drive where?" Tyke said, getting on the call.

"Sup whores and bitches?" Flaire spoke.

"To me." 

"Oh, we out?" Tyke asked.

"Where y'all going?"

"To Brat." He filled her in. "What time? Are we getting ready now?" 

"Nigga, we talking about for graduation. Hers right after ours, and she thought we wouldn't wanna come." 

"Girl bye." Flaire said.

"Where is my favorite brother?" Brat asked.

"Girl, Devon do not come here anymore since they moved out," Flaire told her. "And remember I told you that shit happened with Haven, they definitely not coming." 

"I'm about to add him to the call; I miss him." She said, adding him.

"Where the fuck my brother?" Tyke asked, noting Keygan wasn't on the call.

"He's in the shower, he should be out in the next few."

"Y'all together?" 

"What y'all little fucks want?" Devon joined the call.

"No," Flaire answered.

"Ooh, that's how you are coming. I said I missed you." Brat asked.

"Girl, you don't miss shit 'cause if you missed me, you could text me. You want something, so what is it?" 

"Damn, I could never put nothing past you." She frowned. "Can you make some stuffed shells as a graduation gift?" 

"Girl, you interrupting my shift over some fucking food?" 

"Hold on," Ezra sat up, hearing the background. "That nigga just said Haven's name?" 

"What you talking about?" Tyke asked.

"Shut up." 

"You be on some bullshit; this why Indigo told you the youngest sister with ya amateur ass." They heard Milly's voice.

"He on the phone with Haven?" Ezra asked.

"Yo, Milly who you on the phone with?" Devon asked.

"Ya sister."

"Which one?" 

"Haven." 

"Why the fuck y'all on the phone?" 

"That's my friend."

"When the fuck they become friends?" Ezra asked. "She declining my calls to be on the phone with another nigga? I'm bout to wring her neck. Hold on." 

He hung the phone up calling her and once again she declined the call, he called her again and she repeated her actions. He stood up, beginning to pace. Haven was playing with him, and he was getting mad.

"Ezzy?" He heard, making him look towards the open door and seeing Reg.

"Wassup?" 

"You okay?" She furrowed her eyebrows.

"I'm good, wassup?" 

"Okay, well, I just wanted to tell you I just had sex." She excitedly jumped up and down. "I finally stopped picturing getting raped." 

"Nah, that's good, Reg." He dryly said, making her tilt her head.

"What's wrong?" 

"Just some shit with Haven."

"She's okay?" 

"She not going to be once I strangle her." 

"Woah, you-"

"Hey, momma said come eat. Now." 

"Let's go eat," Ezra said, throwing his phone on the bed and calming himself down. 

He walked downstairs and sat at the table where they were already talking; he ignored everybody continuously thinking. He was trying to talk himself out of going to Haven's house and cursing her out. He figured for the sake of his relationship; it would be best if he stayed home and attempted to have a conversation. 

Haven could have friends, and he trusted her, so why was he tripping?

But why didn't she tell him?

She has anxiety talking to new people, so obviously, they've been talking for a while.

Was Haven cheating?

The more he played scenarios in his head, the closer he got to crashing out.

"So I have a question," He heard Regina say, getting his attention. "Don wants me to meet his family, and I was wondering if you guys would want to come as well."

"In Hawaii?" Ezra's mom asked.

"Yes, his family owns hotels there, so you won't have to worry about boarding. Just flights, he's paying for mine. I don't want y'all to feel pressured-"

"Do you want us to come?" Ezra's father asked.

"Yes, I would love it if y'all came. Y'all are my family." She smiled. "I know it's a bit short notice so you have to request days-"

"I don't gotta request anything when I own the building and pay the employees." 

"My man a business owner." She said as he kissed her cheek multiple times while she smiled in a daze.

"Y'all doing too much." Ezra's brother said, sucking his teeth.

"Just let us know the days, and we'll be there." 

"I'll get the details." Reg smiled. "Are you coming?" 

"I gotta see, we going to Aruba for our graduation, so they might overlap." 

"You okay, baby?" 

"Yeah, I'm about to go in the room. I'm tired."

"Okay, I'll wrap your food up." 

"Thank you, momma," He stood, kissing her on her cheek, then walked back up the stairs. 

He grabbed his phone, not seeing any missed calls or texts. He returned to the group call, hearing Tyke and Flaire go back and forth.

"Wait, Ezra what she say?" Brat said.

"This girl still not answering the call." Ezra chuckled.

"Wait, what?"

"You lying." Tyke said.

"She sending automatic text talking about can't talk, I'll call back."

"Hold on," Flaire said, standing up as she walked into Haven's room, hearing her laughing. "Somebody got something to say." 

"Fuck you doing that you declining my calls?" Ezra asked as he heard mute the phone.

"I'm sorry; I thought I texted you and told you I was on the phone." 

"With who?" 

"Maicee," Haven said, making Flaire's head fly to her phone.

"Oh aight, call me when you hang up." 

"Okay, baby I love you." 

"Love you too," 

Flaire walked back out, lying down as everybody got silent, looking at Ezra on the screen, who looked to be in deep thought. He just busted out laughing, shaking his head.

"That's that crashout laugh," Brat said. "Been there." 

"I wasn't expecting her to lie," Flaire said.

"It's cool." Ezra chuckled.

"You good?" Keygan asked.

"I'm cool." Ezra nodded, turning on his game. "Fuck it." 

"What you about to play?" Tyke asked. 

"GTA, I gotta finish this heist." 

"I'm about to get on," Keygan said.

"BFF, are we staying on the phone while they play?" Brat asked.

"Shit, why not?" Flaire asked. "I don't have anything to do." 

Ezra let their voices fade as different thoughts remained going through his head. He couldn't believe Haven was playing with him like this, but he wanted to know her end goal. If she wanted to be single, she could. She never had to hide her true feelings; he would let her go.

____

I hate writing sex scenes. So cringy. LOL.