Damn, this fucking sucks.

I take a sip of my third Modelo, placing it down on the hotel bar counter and rereading the alcohol brands on the shelf. The TV that has the game on to see who we are going to play in the final four Duke and Arkansas. As the bar is silent, the weight on my shoulders feels even more heavier since Wednesday.

This is unfair.

My nostrils flare, trying to let air flow in and out normally so I don't break down again like this morning.

Just when I thought things were going to get back to normal, it falls into hell all over again. I feel like I can never fully be happy without shit hitting the fan first.

Gulping down more of my Modelo, a commercial takes over and I look down at the counter as light chatter comes from the hotel lobby.

Tonight, Lizzie was supposed to be here. She was supposed to give me the biggest monkey hug, big, big, big kiss, and receive a nice ass grab from me. I even finished making my sign saying Squeaker for her at the airport.

Damn.

She had so many plans. I had plans.

For starters, as soon as she got here she wanted to go swimming because Jordy bragged and told her about the slide and diving board at the indoor pool. He really thinks he's going to be an Olympic diver.

With a faint smile, I shake my head thinking how he does the jump stance and everything. He really makes situations brighter. It's his gift.

Damn.

Lizzie had this whole thing planned where we were going to have a pool party and pizza, even got Coach T on board to end practice earlier just for her.

Tomorrow, she wanted to do an April Fools Day prank on Maxine. She had this gag gift from the dollar tree of a ketchup bottle and when you squeeze it, yarn comes out. Maxine hates ketchup. On second thought, I'm glad we didn't do that because I still want to play Monday night.

On Sunday, she wanted to go to the PB & J factory on Sunday for PB&J day. She was so excited to have her Pinteresty photo op and brag about my good looks. Well, she didn't say that last part, but we all know.

Damn, I even wanted to tell her I love you. I had this perfect plan for her. I should have said I love you over the phone that night but I honestly was too scared it wasn't the right time and didn't want to say it to make the situation worse.

Frowning, I take another sip of my beer. Our shirts came in this morning, for us to match and Jordy's too. I feel so bad for the Kazoo player. I honestly do. I don't know what to fucking do and I feel like a terrible boyfriend right now. The tug in my chest constantly reminds me not to shrink back but I don't know what to do.

When she called me last night when she got to Mexico, I wish I could have teleported myself to snuggle up with Lizzie in her stuffed animal paradise bed and just hold her. Puffy and red, her brown doe eyes haven't changed back to her normal gingerbread color since last Saturday night. It's been a permanent color, dark and mourning. I hate seeing her pain.

I clear my throat as I feel the same burning sensation as when Lizzie told me she wished she didn't come home and that she spent her time with me. I kind of feel like shit because I didn't pressure her or work hard enough to ask more about her family but also feel like it had to be on her own to tell me. When she said last night that she just wants to be with me and not at home, it just... crushed me.

I know Lizzie's heart led her to make sure her dad was getting the best care but I'm actually glad she went home. She needs this trip, despite her family's fractured situation. I think that's why I was okay with our canceled plans. Any time you are separated from your family for so long, there can be tension that needs to be resolved just to make amends.

Lizzie needs some truth to settle her unwavering heart about her parent's divorce of what she left behind four years ago. But I hate that she's doing it alone.

Just because she's doing the right thing doesn't make it easy though. I was so lost for words the day she told me she had to go home. I was speechless. I actually almost booked a flight home to go see her to calm her down to talk her down.

She was crying so much, Alexis pulled the phone away from her death grip and told me she would call me back. I feel haunted by her saying I just want you, in a sorrowful whimper from her broken heart. It made me feel good that I can be her protection and comfort to rely on because I never really had that before.

With Lizzie being the big sister and glue to the family she never had anyone to look out for her and to rely on. The reality I couldn't be there to hold her hand on the airplane and have her lay on head on my shoulder to watch the clouds hurt me badly.

But we will get our chance. I actually bought a plane ticket to fly back with her from Indianapolis to ride the plane together back.

I sigh deeply, tracing my finger over the rim of my beer bottle. Shutting my eyes, I try to clear my blurred vision again.

Shit, I fucking cried my damn self to sleep after her phone call Wednesday night. I feel helpless all over again, not knowing what to say or do but I'm not going to abandon her. I learned to listen last time when I got overwhelmed with things out of my control.

Lizzie taught me to look at hard situations in the face and take them head on. So, the best thing I can do for her is to be there for her like she is there for me.

On the brighter note, I found out her green card has been approved. So, last night, we were talking about an amusement park called Knoebels in Pennsylvania as a possible trip this summer or creating a map to make a trail of ice cream parlors in Maryland for National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day, and, once again, I mentioned Disney. She furrowed her brows as she fell asleep on me.

The Disney trip is already in motion because I've been looking at the best time to go in July. But there are a few things I've got to do before it's considered actually going.

Maybe I'll stimulate her mind by actually going just to keep pressing the thought. Sipping my beer again, I look at my phone lighting up and displaying my lock screen of Lizzie mid-yelling at me for shenanigans. I chuckle softly as a notification of the final score of Arkansas and Duke...

100 Duke Arkansas 99

Damn.

Placing my beer down and gulping down the smooth beer, I begin reading the stats. I don't really want to play Duke but I guess this is where we are. If you are in the Big Ten, our greatest enemy is Duke. I know it will be a good game and it's going to take a lot of us to just push through it.

I can't believe we are back where we are again in the semi-finals tomorrow. It doesn't seem real yet again but it's a good feeling. With everything going on, it hasn't really hit me yet until I step on the court. I think my mental space is better off than what was last year with Ava's bullshit, PJ coming to see me play, and just team strife between all of us. This year is a different atmosphere and I want it to be that way.

Exiting out of the app, I get back into my messages to text Beanie Baby Hoarder.

Me: Roses are red, violets are blue, your big butt makes me crazy over you.

Pressing send, immediately Lizzie likes the message with a heart.

Giggles🧸: Roses are red and violets are blue, you are stinky but I still like you

My heart tugs because I wish it was the other L word but I can still like this for now. Twisting my lips, a thought pops up in my head.

"Hey, do you have a pen and a napkin? " I ask politely to the tender, an old man behind the bar. He turns around, digs in his black aprons, pulls out an orange pen, and slides me a napkin.

"Here, you better get some sleep." He chuckles, leaning back on the bar. I glance at him as he smile tenderly at me and I look down at the granite bar counter.

"I know I know, I just have a lot on my mind," I say, making a first stick figure of me.

"Sounds like woman problems." He folds his arms across his chest.

I arch my brow and glance at my empty beer bottle. "Not exactly."

"Well... Do you love her?".

"Of course," I admit, clearing my throat.

"Then everything will work out in place." He reveals a smile.

I don't even know the man for at least three hours here at the bar but just with his words alone, it feels like he knows exactly what I'm going through.

"Thanks," I softly say, finishing up my doodle.

It's two stick figures of Lizzie and me. I sorta l attempted a portrait of us eating cookies. I snap the photo and send it to her. If it was one thing I know about the Beanie Baby President is that it's the little things that matter. A sound of heels clack on the marble floor, making me draw my attention to see... fuck.

Let me leave.

I grab my wallet and take out two twenties. "Thank you."

"Absolutely, good luck tomorrow. Don't break my bracket!" He laughs.

I softly laugh too because Uncle Steve said the same thing earlier. Waiting for my change, a small black handbag gets placed on the bar near my elbow. Irritation flows through my veins, making my body warm up and I squeeze my hands into fists.

"You look so stressed." Gabrielle laughs softly, scooting her bar stool close to me.

Ignoring her, I still look forward to the bartender at the register. Her long finger taps on the napkin doodle I drew for Lizzie. "Cute. You never did that for me." She laughs again, why I have no idea because my face in the mirror behind the bottle wall shows I'm more pissed off than the cutout in Lizzie's bed.

Taking the napkin away, I stick it in my pocket and she laughs again. My teeth clench at the sound.

"What part of staying away from me you don't understand?" I begin, avoiding eye contact with her.

I could feel her eyes stinging my skin as she awaits for me to look at her. She places her hand on the table taping her nails like a drum.

"Jaylan, why can't you just be civil? I'll have a Cosmo and he'll haveeee..." she drags, gazing right on the side of my face. "Nothing, I don't want anything."

I have stayed here too long and don't want to get caught up with her bullshit again. Last year, I was sitting here depressed because I was alone, digesting all the shit with our team falling apart at the last minute and me getting thrown as captain. I just needed someone to talk to, like my mom and Uncle Steve wasn't answering because we had an argument about PJ influencing me. Aunt Lisa wasn't answering because she was busy with a newborn baby from the hospital in foster care.

So the feeling I'm feeling right now is dangerous and I need to escape before I say something stupid. Remaining quiet, my attention is drawn at Gabrielle texting on her phone. Her engagement shining so brightly from the phone glow sickens me because all she wants is the limelight and not real connection or love. She never did and I don't think she ever will.

The bartender turns around, looks at the both of us, and I clear my throat. He hands me my money back and I take it. "Have a good night," he says.

"Oh, he is staying. He is going to have another Modelo." She digs through her purse.

"Goodnight." I hop down from the bar.

"Jaylan," she says, huffing loudly.

"What? Gabrielle, what do you want?" I say angrily, balling up my fist.

"Can we please just talk?" she softens her voice, which at one point I would've entertained but now only irritates me further.

Getting a glance, she was dressed down casually when she typically dressed up with high end designer clothes.

I groan loudly because I really don't want to talk to her but I need to settle this once and for all. I sit back down but move my bar stool away from how close in proximity she is. "Talk."

"How did we get this way?" she softly says.

In a tone of voice a lot calmer than how I feel inside, I offer, "Gabrielle, we got this way because you were playing too many games."

"Don't shift this on me, you were fooling around with Ava!" she snaps.

"What did you expect?" I blink at her quick turn around, which she must have been holding onto with how quickly she tossed that at me. "You led me to no other choice."

She flares her nostrils and clenches her jaw. "Because I wanted better than your thug life," she challenges back.

I laugh bitterly and look down at the counter. "You knew I didn't choose that."

"But you still did it," her tone shifts and she glares at me. "You think I was going to wait for you to ruin my life over your senseless one?"

"Gabrielle, we were in fucking high school for fuck's sake, I was still learning and figure the shit out. You know how PJ was," I clip back and rub my jaw roughly. "You knew the shit he put me through and you didn't care, you never did."

I won't lie, there were times when I ran away to her house to be away from Uncle Steve and Aunt Lisa fussing with me about PJ's toxicity. I'm thankful now to have my uncle and aunt, but back then I just felt torn because all I wanted was a relationship with him, holding onto hopes he would turn around and see the light but he was still trying to find it. I was helpless and felt like nobody understood what I was going through until I met Lizzie.

She gives me a sharp look. "I told you." She slants her eyes at me. "You had a choice."

"Kind of unfair don't you think?" I'm starting to see vision spots at this point but take a slow, steady breath in. "Look, since you want to be civil, here it is. My feelings for you are no more and I don't want anything to do with you. If you are still living in the past and in this 'what if' situation, that's on you."

She just blinks at me but I'm not done. "I got my life together and I don't need you fucking it up again. I said my peace and you can either take it or not but we are done and there is no us anymore." I cross my hands swiftly.

Her eyes observe my face taking in the silence. Before I move she reaches for my hand "Jaylan..."

Snatching my hand back, I repeat sharply, "No I said what I said, what we have is over and it's been over."

"I don't believe you," she says quietly and looking at her drink, stirring it with the black straw.

"You don't have to. I don't have to prove anything to you," I hint, moving away from her again.

She looks down, bites her lower lip, and looks back up with me with glossy eyes. "Why couldn't I be the one Jaylan?"

My eyes widened then slant quickly, thinking of the complete manipulation she's trying to pull here. Why would anyone want to still be with someone who could care less about them? Control is a messy thing and I will no longer be controlled by women who don't look out for my best interest. I'm blessed to have Lizzie looking out for me when no one else is.

"Because you never tried to know the real me. The woman I'm with now gives me time and helps me heal the right way, not be angry and make me forget!" I laugh bitterly. "You are not worth fighting for because you never fought for me."

She slams her fist on the counter. "I did, Jaylan. I did!" Her words get broken up.

My nostrils flare again. "When Gabrielle?"

Silence fills the bar and I attempt to get up again but she holds up her hand to stop me. "This isn't fair."

My words come out like fire and brimstone with the amount of emotions I'm feeling right now, "When I showed one ounce of weakness, you bailed. You told me yourself that dwelling on negativity, like the death of my mom, that I should move on."

My fingers tremble and my throat is squeezing in on itself but I push through," That's what you said and therefore I closed myself off because I knew you were just like everybody else."

"After everything I did for you!" she rasps harshly.

"Like what, Gabrielle? You did it for you," I bang one fist on the bar counter. She remains silent and takes a sip of her drink.

The rage inside of me tenses my fist up. Before Gabrielle says another empty, worthless word, a big, black clutch bag plops right between us and a familiar redhead sits right in the middle. A half-smile pulls on my face as she digs through it, pulling out her mirror and lipstick.

I observe her dressed-up attire. She must have gotten back from dinner with Marcus. She turns so her backless back is showing towards me and leans on the bar.

"Hi, can I get a dirty martini?" Big Red velvets her voice.

The bartender nods and turns his back, making her drink. Internally rolling my eyes, she opens her mirror, tracing her lips with red lipstick. In the mirror, she glances in the mirror with an arch brow and mouths your dead. I gulp, cursing inwardly what she could possibly mean or how much she has seen Gabrielle and I interacting.

She shifts her evil green eyes over and her mouth gapes open. "Oh my God, are you Gabrielle Johnson?"

"Uh, yeah..." she says uneasily as she looks at me and I avert my eyes down.

Maxine clasps her mirror down, echoing where we were at and creating more tension than we already have. "Maxine... Maxine Jordan." Maxine extends her hand to shake.

Gabrielle observes Maxine as the bartender places her martini in front of her.

"Thank you," Maxine says snootily. Gabrielle tries to look at me but I break eye contact looking at my phone to see Lizzie take back.

Giggles🧸: [ Photo]

Giggles🧸: Happy Belated Crayon Day!

As much as the tension feels thicker than Jordy attempting Gravy, happiness seeps in me as I look at the picture Lizzie drew of us, with more color and life than my napkin drawing. I don't know why I'm so tall, touching the sky. I let out a soft chuckle but Maxine elbows right into my right side making me flinch.

Gabrielle continues to observe and her eyes light up a bit. "Ohhh... point guard for Maryland, right?" shee notes, letting out a faint smile.

Maxine presses her lips and takes a sip of her martini. "Right, you said you want an interview, right?"

"Now's not really the best time," she drags and I feel her shifting her eyes at me.

Getting ready to slip down the stool, Maxine kicks me gently with her expensive high heel in my right ankle. Cursing inwardly, I grimace and turn my face to the side. Reaching my ankle carefully to rub it, makes her heel dangerously touch my knuckle. Why the fuck do they give women spikes on their heels.

Max ignores me completely and focuses on Gabrielle. The fake sincerity in her voice makes me smile. "Oh, how come?"

"I was in the middle of a conversation," Gabrielle's tone stays friendly but distant.

Maxine hums and digs her heel more into me making me cringe every second. "Oh, it looked like it ended to me from afar." She points over her shoulder.

"Right, well maybe we could get one tomorrow." Gabrielle tosses back as I could still feel her eyes on me but my attention on this stinging pain of Maxine's heel.

"Sure." Max nods at the bartender as he sets down her drink. She sends Gabriele a glare and, honestly, it's nice to see them not aimed at me. "Oh, by the way, I saw your venue for your wedding online. How is that going?"

Gabrielle shuts up about me at this point and Maxine rests her elbows on the counter, tilting her head to the side. "It's going."

"I'm sure," she coos out. "You get married this June, right?"

Gabrielle frowns, then drains her drink. "How... Why does this even matter?"

Maxine laughs sarcastically, making me slightly scared of the situation right now. Maybe I should text Marcus. "I mean I didn't think an engaged woman would be talking to a man who isn't her husband and on top of that ex-boyfriend."

"I don't think that's-"

"It actually is my business," Max cuts in and leans toward her. "Because you see here, this man is my best friend's boyfriend. And if I ever see you with him again, I'll make sure you'll regret it."

Gabrielle's spine stiffens. "I'm not afraid of you."

Maxine sizes Gabrielle up and she moves her red hair to the side. "You should be." She beams evilly, cheers her martini to Gabrielle, and takes another sip. "And why should I" Gabrielle grits her teeth.

"Because, if you don't..." Maxine scrolls through her phone and slides it to Gabrielle. "I'm sure everyone would love to see these."

While Gabriele blinks down, Maxine clears her throat from drinking. With a flick of her finger across the screen, she adds, "Oh, and this one too. Good look with the Duke Point Guard, you really get around."

I turn my head, holding my fist up to my mouth from trying not to smile at the burn Maxine is giving right now.

Gabrielle looks at me and back at Maxine, wanting me to interject but I remain silent. "Really, Jaylan?" Her mouth drops open.

I shrug, "I already told you my side, Gabrielle," I conclude.

Maxine looks at me, turning up her nose and looking back at Gabrielle "It's best if you don't make more of a fool of yourself as you already are. I smelled desperation before I came into the bar. Best you can do is join Blondie in the slow-to-take-a-hint club. I'm sure she would love new members," Maxine jabs.

Gabrielle scuffs, swiping her purse off the table. "Real mature!" She gathers her things and throws money on the bar counter.

"Oh, tell Omar I said hi," Maxine finishes.

Gabrielle scoffs and stops her heels away. I crack a smile, looking down at the counter and Maxine kicks me harder with her heel. "Damn it!" I yell.

"Why must I have to get you out of the craziest situations?" She glares at me. "Are you stupid or are you dumb?"

"Gee, thanks," I groan, rubbing my ankle.

She does again but I shift my legs away from her. "Parker, I actually came to you to tell you to get your ass upstairs to bed because Marcus keeps complaining you've been down here all evening during dinner."

"Okayyy," I drag.

This time she got me and man, that shit hurts. "Fuck, Maxine what the hell?"

"Get your shit together and stop moping around, Lizzie's coming," she clips.

"You're not making the situation better," I warn her, grimacing at the sharp pain.

"Why was she here anyway?" Maxine's voice darkens.

"She's been following me the whole time since your game," I snap.

Maxine scoffs and takes a sip of her martini and looks at me with her narrow eyes. "You better tell Lizzie when she gets here about her. You should have told her since Ava."

"I didn't think I would meet her again and I am," I admit honestly. "I will tell Lizzie."

"Jaylan, she is an ESPN reporter. Are you kidding me?' Maxine deadpans.

I shrug and Maxine rolls her eyes at me. "What?"

"Nothing. Nothing." She shuts up.

"Okay, well I'm going to bed, so tell Marcus not to get worried." I cheese big, still grimacing at my bruised ankle. I get off the bar stool and wave the bartender goodnight.

Before I turn, Maxine sighs loudly. "Parker get back here," she orders.

I groan, circling my head and placing my hands to my face. "What now, Big Red?"

"I... ugh, don't give me a hard time." She furrows her brows. She points her finger at the bar stool seat and I remain glued where I'm standing. Silence takes over and we just exchange argumentative looks until I cave.

"What now?" I breathe out loudly and she slumps her shoulders.

"Lizzie.... And Marcus," she sheepishly admits.

I don't like the tone of her voice, so I spun my Nike Slides and get back on the bar stool. "What?"

She clears her throat while gulping down the rest of her drink. She turns and looks at me, slanting her eyes at me. "Are you in love with Lizzie?"

Slanting my eyes, I know Marcus is the culprit for bringing it up but I bite the inside of my cheek to shut up. "Yes."

"When did you know?" she asks softly, spinning her hair with her index finger.

I clear my throat and fiddle with a napkin. "I knew, well, I thought I knew the day she went with me to my mom's grave but it didn't click until I left."

She laughs softly and shifts her eyes at me with pressed lips. "I knew that was going to happen the day you arrogantly told me that there is no girl on campus that's worthy enough."

Laughing softly, I think back of that night with Ginger Demon, when Marcus made the winning shot of beer pong and took Maxine home as a prize.

"You got me," I admit.

"I sure did." She moves the black straw of her drink, whirling around.

"Can I let you in on a little secret?" I confess.

She narrows her eyes at me and I let out a sly smile. "What."

I press again, "Can you keep a secret?"

"If I kept Lizzie from you all this time, this is a piece of cake," she clips.

I suck my teeth and she gives me a sarcastic smile, which I'm going to wipe out with one sentence.

"I'm going to propose to Lizzie." I blurt out.

Maxine widens her eyes and nearly knocks over her glass but holds it by the skinny part, making the bartender arch his brow. "What!?"

"I'm going to propose to Lizzie, after she takes her nursing exam in June."

The feeling of admitting that feels good, until Maxine kicks me. "Have you talked to her dad?" she mumbles through her shock. "He doesn't even know you are dating her."

I sigh because I really do want to talk to her dad but it's going to be a huge language barrier. Maybe I could get her sister to talk to him if he can make it here for her graduation. "I mean, that was the plan before he had his stroke."

"Parker." She drags, flaring her nostrils.

"What."

"When do you plan on doing this?"

"I was thinking the end of July the beginning of August"

"Do you even have a ring? Do you know what ring she wants, are-"

"Chill, chill... Chill, I got to get-"

Maxine rudely gets on her phone in mid-sentence, I suck my teeth when a flash of bright light comes to my eyes.

"Damn it," I grumble, pushing her phone back from my face.

"This is what she wants." She taps her finger on her screen. She mumbles under her breath that she can't believe I have a tiny dick and brain too. Pressing my lips, I watch as she presses the FaceTime button to call Alexis.

"Alright, well I'm going to bed." I point my thumb behind my shoulder. Before I can move, Maxine blocks me with her heel again. Alexis appears on Maxine's phone with a crinkled nose, sipping a glass of wine.

"Hello?" Alexis' voice sounds dryly.

Maxine rolls her eyes. "What are you doing, this is an emergency!"

Alexis narrows her eyes and looks at me shaking her head. I give a sheepish grin and Alexis smiles back. "Yes?"

"It's an emergency!" Maxine states again.

"What's the emergency?" Alexis laughs softly. "Broken condom?"

Maxine eyes widen and my mouth spreads wide knowing if it's one thing Marcus can't wait to be a better father than his father could ever be.

Me too.

I know he would take real good care of Noelle, if Maxine would let him.

Maxine huffs. "Don't speak that blasphemy to me."

The friendship between the two really puzzles me, they way they both insult each other. But Marcus and I do it all the time, so I guess it makes sense but when those two do it, it's scary.

"Tiny Dick here just revealed something to me tonight, about our sweet Lizzie," Maxine babies her voice at the end.

Alexis sips more of her wine and arches her brow. "What, that he doesn't want you around her anymore?" Alexis laughs and I do too.

"Good one, Alexis," I offer, which earns me a heated green glare.

Maxine rolls her eyes. "Shut up... You won't believe what he just told me, Lexi!"

"Spill already," Alexis says in annoyance.

"He wants to propose to Lizzie in July or August!"

Alexis spits out the wine in her mouth, followed by sputtering and a wet cough. "Wuh-what!?" she strains her voice.

Concern washes over me as her eyes water a bit from choking. I'm sure Lizzie would do a full nursing assessment over that.

"He wants to propose to Lizzie at Disney World," Max deadpans.

"Seriously? Oh, my God! There's so much planning! Does he have the ring already?" Alexis gushes.

Maxine rolls her eyes "He isn't that smart."

"I'm right here." I slant my eyes at Maxine, who's bouncing her shoulders from laughing. "I'd propose with a candy ring and you know she'd love it."

"Oh my gosh, Disney proposal would be so cute! Jaylan, I'll send you ideas," Alexis squeals, beaming.

"Lexi, you were supposed to be mean." Max frowns at the screen. "That's the main reason why I called."

"Why would I be mean? This is a happy thing, dumbass," she snaps. "Just because your ice cold heart doesn't believe in marriage -"

As the two continue to argue, I slowly slip away whispering goodnight to Maxine from the bar and head back to my room. I chuckle at the hotel elevators as I hear it get louder. Shaking my head, I look down at my phone to see another text from the bride to be.

Giggles🧸: Get rest tomorrow you have a big day! I'll be watching you from Mexico isn't that cool!

A smile pulls on my lips as I enter the elevator, I press my floor button and text as I text her back.

Me: Wow Mexico? I feel like a celebrity

Sending it, I know she probably furrowing her brows but I hope it made her feel something inside. I guess it did because she is calling me right now. All the emotions stirring from earlier slowly slows down in my system as her beautiful face appears.

"Hi Jaylan," her voice crackles with feedback in the elevator.

I let out a smile because she is in her childhood bed, cuddling up with her stuffed animals. I wonder if she is going to bring them all back?

"Hey Squeaker!" I say loudly, stepping out the elevator heading down the hall to my room.

"How come you're not asleep yet?" Lizzie observes, looking at me curiously.

"Eh, I miss you, can't sleep yet," I reveal honestly.

She shrugs up her left shoulder and dips her chin down slightly. "I miss you too." She hums as she looks over as I hear this weird machine going on in the background. It starts to beep loudly, Lizzie holds up a one sec finger and crawls out of her bed. I know is an inappropriate time but fuck. She has this long, old grey shirt on, with no pants clearly.

Entering my room, I'm welcomed by Jordy snoring loudly. I quietly shut the door and lock it.

He is going to be a good husband. Left the lamp on and even has it feeling like Antarctica in here.

I shake my head as I hear Lizzie rattle a couple more things. I wonder what's in her room. I chuckle as she whispers softly but aggressively in Spanish to what sounds like her sister, as I grab some joggers out the dresser drawer. I finally folded and put them away in here, just for Lizzie to see I was being good.

Damn.

I enter the bathroom and prop my phone up on the sink counter. Lizzie quickly hops in her bed and snuggles up in her covers. I chuckle softly and she holds this money stuffed animal close to her. "Pantless queen."

Her face turns red and hushes me, causing her sister to laugh but sounds like Dark Vader. "I just wanted to say good night," she says softly.

Warmth spreads across my chest. Knowing if she was here, she would have been passed out in a corner curled up or laying across, forcing me to sleep in Jordy's bed. "You don't want to talk to little, ol' me?" I joke.

She smiles looking down at her money stuffed animal and back at me. "You're not little."

"I know." I flash a smile, throwing off my shirt.

Lizzie gasps and I laugh, softly winking at her and she covers her monkey beanie baby's eyes. I suck my teeth and she laughs softly. "Jaylan."

"Yeah?"

"You are my favorite candy."

I love you too Lizzie.

Knowing what she means, I look down and look up leaning on the counter getting really close to my phone. "Lizzie, you are my favorite piece of candy too."

Edited and spiced by still_just_me!

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One thing Maxine is going to do is come through. 

More underway!