"Damn," Flaire spoke out of breath as she straddled Keygan. "That gets better every time."

Keygan didn't say anything as he just looked up at her rubbing her thigh; he waited until she got up to go towards the bathroom to shower. Flaire walked into the bathroom. They showered together and then got dressed.

Flaire got onto her phone while he just lay there.

He was thinking really hard, it was so much on his mind, and he felt like he was dragging along like a zombie.

"What's wrong?" Flaire asked, feeling his energy.

"Just thinking." He mumbled as she turned to lay on her stomach to be eye to eye.

"Talk to me, baby."

"It's just a lot of shit on my mind; I want it to be empty. I feel overwhelmed."

"You're still not saying anything; what's on your mind?"

"I don't wanna talk about it right now, but soon love." He kissed her forehead standing up.

She nodded her head; she knew Keygan sometimes liked to solve things by himself and then come to talk to her. She felt it was best to let him sort out his shit so he wouldn't feel pressured to do anything.

"Are you okay, though?"

"For the most part."

"You want to go downstairs and watch a movie?"

"Yeah, we could do that."

They walked to the living room seeing Alana, Genesis, Haven, Devon, and Indigo watching Juice. Keygan sat down, making Alana climb off her father to run to Keygan.

"You dead ass?" Devon asked, frowning.

"She needs to get over her crush; this my man." Flaire jumped at her, going into the kitchen to get snacks.

"Can you give me some kitkats?" Genesis asked.

"Yes, I'll take some-" Indigo stopped talking as they paused the movie.

"Some of what?" Flaire asked, getting three bags of chips, the kitkats, and two bottles of coconut water. "Some what? I'm not standing here all day. Hellllo?"

Flaire raised an eyebrow, wondering why everything was so quiet; she walked into the living room, seeing them all standing facing the front door. Her eyes trailed there, seeing her dad, Brat, and parents.

Flaire dropped everything in her hand and ran to her dad; she jumped into his arms while he tightly engulfed her. She started sobbing while basically choking him; she felt like this was a dream.

Haven tears started running down her face as she looked at the man in front of her, he looked slightly different, rougher maybe, but she couldn't believe her eyes.

Indigo was feeling mixed emotions, guilty being one. She hated this man and wished death upon him many times, and she didn't know how she could make it right with him.

Flaire jumped down, allowing the rest of them to hug him. They all took turns as he held Indigo tightly while she broke down into his arms; he picked her up, giving her all his love through the hug.

"My princesses." He kissed her forehead wiping his eyes. "I missed y'all so much., let me look at y'all. Y'all so beautiful."

"Hi, BFF." Brat smiled, hugging her.

"Why didn't you tell me this was happening?" Flaire asked, trying to stop herself from crying.

"We wanted to surprise you." Brat smiled.

"What's wrong with your face?" He asked, gently gripping Indigo's face.

"She got jumped a few nights ago; she's good, though; Flaire and I took care of it," Devon said.

Devon got a few girls from his block to make every girl who touched Indigo wish they never did.

"How are you here?" Flaire asked.

"I went to the judge who saw all the evidence and called for a new trial, but the DA didn't want to have the press all over them, so they decided to settle quietly," Leval explained.

"I don't like that." Flaire frowned.

"They didn't quietly drag your name through the press when you were a cop killer; they confidently told everyone you were a murderer."

"How will you get your life back?" Flaire asked. "How can you get a job? How can you have a quality of life?"

"He settled for twelve million," Leval said, making their eyes damn near pop out his head. "He is now the chief of the whole department running all firehouses. His quality of life will not be less than."

"I can make all my baby girl millionaires, and I get to be in your lives; that's all I could've asked for," Aziel reassured them. "The worse part about being framed was not being able to console y'all with grieving for y'all mother. She loved y'all so much, and her love may have altered from me, but ultimately, she chose me. She chose to try again with us, and we would've made it work for you guys; I hate we never got the chance to see us fall back in love."

"Well, at least we can start making new memories to replace the bad," Genesis said.

"I want to know everything about y'all lives; update me." He smiled, going to sit on the couch.

"Actually, can I just pull away for a second?" Haven asked. "Ezra's outside, and we haven't talked in a few days."

"Make sure he comes in and speaks to me," Aziel said as she nodded and walked to his car.

She subconsciously smiled when she got into the car, seeing he still had her picture on his dashboard. They were so cute before real-life situations altered their relationship; she could barely look into his eyes.

"My dad is in the house." She blurted out since it was awkward.

"What? This house?" Ezra asked. "How are you feeling?"

"A little bit overwhelmed; seeing him without my mom felt weird."

"Imma go in there and speak; that's my boy." He chuckled. "How you feeling about what happened?"

"I feel heartbroken."

"That's why you can't look at me??" He asked, grabbing her hand and bringing it to his mouth.

"You're throwing me off, Ezra; you sending me mixed signals."

"Haven, what's it been four days since we talked?"

"Four days since you broke up with me, yeah." Haven rolled her eyes.

"Let's have a real honest talk, pretty girl." He said, leaning back. "Do any part of you understand why I feel the way I do?"

"Yes, I understand why you're mad, but you don't understand me."

"I do not understand you," Ezra admitted. "So explain to me."

"You and Regina being friends are intimidating; you guys have something we can never have. When I see Regina, I see her pulling my hair, punching me, and talking about my deceased mother. How can you know everything she did to me and still want to be friends with her, but when I do something, it's your cut-off?"

"You still don't understand." Ezra shook his head. "I don't give a fuck about what you said to Regina; I don't give a fuck if you slapped the fuck out of her every time you see her. I would never tell you how to feel, Haven; those are your feelings."

"Then what's the problem?"

"My problem is going behind my back to search through my phone, knowing I didn't want to tell you her business."

"But why not? There shouldn't be anything that I don't know."

"Haven, if it were my business, then that would apply. You know everything about me; Regina doesn't have shit to do with you; Regina's abusive ass past doesn't have shit to do with you. I didn't have to tell you that shit."

"But Tyke and Keygan knew so Ezra-"

"Tyke and Keygan know because Regina told them I have never repeated her business because I'm not a bitch. I'm not gossiping. Have you ever heard me talk about Tyke or Keygan? Nah, 'cause I don't do that shit."

"I just don't think you understand me."

"I understand; she caused you hell you wanted to reciprocate the energy. Once again, Haven, I understand that completely. I'm not faulting you for what you felt or did; I only care about you going behind my back. You don't seem to understand that."

"Because I had to!" Haven raised her voice. "Regarding her, I can't get shit out of you. It's like y'all have this exclusive club, and I can't get in."

"Haven, for real, cut the bullshit out. When was the last time you saw me spend time with Reg? Before you made her stop talking to me when was the last time I chilled with Reg? Talked to Reg by herself? Did you hear me say anything about Reg while you were on punishment? Bro, you bring her up more than me. Shit, you talk to Reg more than me, the fuck!"

Haven tried to think of a time, but she couldn't. She stopped to take a moment because maybe she was tripping. Ezra prioritized her, and he always showed her she was the only girl he was interested in.

She wasn't over what Regina did to her, and she felt like since she didn't like her, Ezra shouldn't, but she disregarded their bond. They were trauma bonded, and he saved her many times; it was unfair to Ezra to keep making everything about her. She was being selfish.

"Pretty girl, I apologize for how I spoke to you the other day. I asked for space because when I get mad, I don't think; I never want you to see me mad because I never wanna be mad at you. I don't want anyone but you; I love you too much to mess with another female."

Haven wanted to apologize also, but instead, she listened to the devil on her shoulder, that always self-sabotaged.

"You told me you'll pick Regina over me any day."

"I said if the side you showed the other day was your true colors, then I'll take Reg over you any day." Ezra corrected.

"That's the same thing."

"Pretty girl, are you aware you've changed?"

"I stopped letting people play with me."

"And I applaud that part of you; I always told you you'll grow into your voice. That's not the change I'm talking about. It's like you got a chip on your shoulder, I can't explain shit thoroughly, but the Haven I asked to be my girlfriend would've never pulled the shit you did."

And once again, he was right; it made Haven physically sick when she saw the look on Regina's face when she said what she said, but some part made her feel good. She knew she had changed but didn't see how harmful it was until Devon told her she had to get her shit together.

"Ezra, what do you want out of this conversation?"

"My relationship, the fuck? I gave both of us some days, and now I'm collecting my girl. I don't think you understand me, but that's okay because it's shit that's bigger that could break us."

"Honestly, I can't get over how you said you'll choose her over me." Haven shrugged. "New me, old me, changed me, it's still me. The only way I'll get back with you is if you cut her out of your life. You don't have enough room in your heart for both."

"And you're serious, Haven?" Ezra asked in shock. "Fuck me for putting my pride aside and still trying to fight for this relationship?"

"You wouldn't have to if the problem wasn't there from the beginning." Haven shrugged.

"Bro, before I started fucking with you, I told you everything! You had an out; you had a choice to stop fucking with me when I told you the truth about Reg and I dynamic. You want to play like a victim, and you are so in the dark about shit when you choose to continue being with me."

"You getting this mad because I said you gotta cut your girlfriend off is insane."

Ezra opened his mouth to say something, but instead, he chuckled, nodding; he was over the bullshit coming out of Haven's mouth.

"Haven, I tried, and when I say that, it means I'm done." He continued chuckling, not to pinpoint his hurt feelings. "You could be petty, talk yo shit, do allat but just do it single."

Haven's eyes started watering, she knew it was coming, but she still didn't think he'll do it. In her mind, he thought she would just say something sweet after that, and it'll be over, but she let her pettiness defer their relationship.

"And I'll never force no nigga to be with me."

"You didn't have to force shit, I wanted to be with you but it's cool Haven." He chuckled opening his door.

Ezra got out the car walking into the house, he saw Aziel sitting down and as soon as Aziel saw him he couldn't stop the smile. Aziel stood up hugging him as Ezra hugged him back.

"You got big ass hell man, y'all ain't no little kids no more." Aziel smiled. "Where Tyke childish ass at? I know he still little."

"Tyke a state champ, ain't nothing little about my boy. We all grew up." Ezra chuckled.

"Get him over here, I wanna see everybody. Blaire too."

"Oh, my man on his way anyway." Brat smiled making Aziel look at her.

"Watch yourself." He pointed making her smile drop as Tomika chuckled.

"Cause she think she so fucking grown."

Ezra walked in the kitchen to call Tyke but he didn't answer, as soon as he was about to go back in the kitchen Tyke FaceTimed him. He answered waiting for it to connect as he turned off his WiFi.

"Where you at?" Ezra asked.

"Sage house."

"Damn, again?"

"I'm finna leave, wassup? You gotta wave?"

"I'm at Haven shit-"

"Y'all back together?"

"Nigga, let me talk." Ezra smacked his teeth making Tyke laugh. "Aziel wanna see you?"

"Nigga, Aziel who?" He basically yelled. "They father? Oh aight, I'm around the corner. My boy still owe me money."

"Man, get off that." Ezra chuckled.

"Wassup with you?" Tyke asked noticing something was off about him.

"Nothing, I'm cooling."

"Nigga, come outside in two minutes. Call Key so he could pull up."

"You know he be up Flaire ass, the nigga been here."

"That nigga like a thong." Tyke joked. "Actually stay on the phone while I leave cause y'all niggas be too delayed. I already got something rolled up too."

Tyke took three minutes to come around the corner, Ezra and Key got into his parked car just as Blaire was parking.

"Wassup niggas?" Blaire said. "Let me in."

Blaire, Key, Tyke, and Ezra was all now in the car passing two blunts back and forth while catching up and listening to whatever Tyke had on the aux.

"What's wrong with y'all niggas?" Tyke asked. "Y'all throwing me the fuck off."

"I thought it was just me, y'all energy dead as fuck." Blaire cosigned.

"Shit, just in my mind. Y'all know I be overthinking and shit, I'm just thinking about everything. I wanna go out of state but I know I'mma be miserable wherever Flaire not."

"You think you gon be miserable or you don't think the relationship strong enough?" Blaire asked.

"I think that's what it really is." Ezra added. "Y'all just got back together so you not sure if y'all gon last with the distance being placed."

"I ain't wanna say that shit out loud." Keygan shook his head.

"You and Flaire been together for years bro, y'all took seven months apart and it made y'all stronger. You think a few months gon do y'all in?" Tyke asked. "And let's think about it, you gon spend two months away from her until thanksgiving then like two weeks apart then you got the whole winter break with her then you back in school for like two to three months then spring break then back in school for the last two months then it's summer break."

"Y'all got this bro." Ezra confirmed. "I believe in y'all, you just gotta believe in y'all too Key."

"Nigga get off me, what the fuck wrong with your ass?" Key said tired of talking about his self.

"I'm single, that's it." He shrugged.

"You lying." Tyke side eyed him.

"Why you ain't just apologize?" Keygan asked.

"He wasn't wrong, fuck he gotta apologize for?" Tyke asked. "She went through his phone then went to ole girl acting like he was pillow talking about her situation on some bitch shit. Haven knew her ass was wrong and that's why she never told you what the fuck she did man. Everybody grown as fuck and they know what the fuck they actions doing."

"You still hurt over Maicee bro?" Blaire chuckled.

"Hell yeah, I'm hurt. I ain't afraid to admit that." Tyke said. "I keep fucking bitches because that pain go away temporarily but when I get home I gotta sit there and keep telling myself not to text or call her. I gotta wipe my own tears and get the fuck over it because bitches threw away four years for shit."

"This shit do hurt." Ezra chuckled with his eyes watering. "I been trying to get myself mad so I don't feel this shit but this shit actually hurt. I apologized to her, I took blame even when I wasn't at fault, I tried to compromise and you know what she said? Pick because you don't have room in your heart for both. She fucking stupid brah."

Nobody said anything as they let him vent, he obviously needed to.

"Pick between what? My relationship or my friendship? Why the fuck should I have to do that? I always been truthful to Haven even when my mind said lie! I have never lied brah, she the fucking liar. I treat that girl so fucking good and she worried about a bitch who not even worried about me! I could have full blown conversations with her nigga, laughing with him, chopping it up and Haven can't even fucking allow me to say hey to Reg."

"Maybe Haven think you still see her as the girl who was getting bullied so maybe she trying to stand her ground with both you and Reg." Blaire summarized.

"Honestly, you and Reg barely talk since she moved in so I get what you saying." Tyke said. "In Haven head it's on some if I got beef, you got beef but she being selfish because Regina also somebody in your life that you care about."

"I think she thinking you picking Reg over her. Cause like you said you and Reg barely talk now so why not fully cut her off?" Blaire asked. "I feel like you shouldn't have to but we can't just downplay her feelings either."

"Bro, I told her multiple times I understand everything she on and if she wanted to go beat up Reg I'm with allat. When it comes to Haven versus Regina, I'm one hundred percent picking Haven but why do you have to make it you versus anybody? Reg got so much shit going on in her life that Haven don't even come up but Reg live rent free in her head. That shit stupid as fuck."

"I went through this shit with Sapphire and Flaire. Sapphire was intimidated about my friendship with Flaire and it bugged me but sometimes they make shit up in their head and it just sticks with them. Haven insecure when it comes to Regina and it's because Regina have made her life a living hell so knowing she had you the same is probably just bringing up shit."

"Just cause they both had me, don't mean they had me the same." Ezra said. "I have never been with a girl how I am with Haven. Reg ain't get one fourth of me how Haven got me, what Reg begged for Haven get willingly and everybody see that but her."

"I see why bitches get mad at their nigga when they friend beefing with their nigga cause you got me bout to ask Brat wassup." Blaire said making them laugh.

"Blaire gon beat your ass, that's the difference." Tyke chuckled.

"Y'all niggas gon be aight, bitches come and go and if this the right one y'all gon be back. Take time to y'all selves, shit give them time to thierselves. Maicee and Haven still growing up, this they first relationships let them learn before y'all disregard them."

"Maicee been disregarded seven bitches ago." Tyke chuckled. "I ain't never going back on that roller coaster."

"Nigga, fuck outta here. She text your phone right now, you gon go back." Keygan chuckled.

"Bro, your breath smell like ass since all you do is be up Flaires." Tyke said making them laugh.

"I bet it do since I just finish eating it." Keygan said getting out the car making them stop laughing.

"Dirty ass nigga." Ezra chuckled getting out the car as they all walked back in the house.

"My nigga Ziel!" Tyke yelled walking in the house. "Where my money man?"

"What fucking money?" Aziel laughed.

"My twenty dollars you was supposed to give me three days before you got bagged, I know you lost your memory and shit but gimme my shit."

"Tyke, watch your damn mouth." Tomika popped him.

"Oh shit, ma I ain't even see your ass." He hugged her. "Oh fuck, I'm still cursing. Shit my bad, damn I'mma just shut the fuck up. Damn, there I go again. Fuck wrong with me?"

"Tyke!" Flaire yelled out while her and Brat busted out laughing.

"He play too much." Genesis laughed.

"Man, I'll give you your little funky twenty dollars. That ain't shit."

"My daddy a millionaire, twelve million at that." Flaire bragged.

"Word? Your shit got interest, we probably at like twenty thousand now." Tyke said making them laugh.

"Oohh, let's have family game night!" Brat smiled.

"Y'all still be doing that?" Aziel smiled.

"Of course!" Flaire chuckled. "Daddy on my team!"

"Flaire, get over yourself. Daddy on my team." Genesis said.

"I'm the youngest so he should be on mine." Indigo smiled.

"Daddy I'm the smartest." Haven joked.

"Girllll bye, I was first to call dibs." Flaire grabbed his arm.

"You missed this, didn't you?" Devon smiled.

"Hell yeah." Aziel chuckled.

He was never letting his girls go again.