Once again I wake up to a pounding headache and loud noise coming from the kitchen which scares me because I know damn well I live alone. Quietly getting up from my bed, I look around my room and spot my long umbrella in the closet so I grab it and tiptoe into the kitchen. As my eyes land on a chiseled back making breakfast, I prepare to swing but he hears me then turns around and catches the umbrella.

"Milani, if yo lil ass had of hit me in the back of the head with that motherfucking umbrella, I would've forgot who you was and gave you a quick two piece." Drummer says as he throws my umbrella on the floor and puts the food onto plates. "Now sit down, eat yo food, and take this medicine cause I know yo head hurting."

Rolling my eyes, I do as he says because I'm too tired to argue. We both sit down at my table and eat our food, my eyes constantly looking at his tattooed body. I don't know if I'm still drunk or what, but he looks so damn good right now. I just wanna swallow his whole body up.

"I know you like what you see, but damn, you ain't gotta stare." He smirks cockily, ruining my mood.

"Why you here and where yo clothes at?" I ask, taking the medicine he gave me.

"Lani, I know damn well you remember last night. You came to my bar, we got fucked up, you was being a tease then I saw Ariyah and Holloway together, you and Ariyah traded words and you beat her ass. Brandon called himself putting us in check and you was too fucked up to drive home so I drove us here in your car. We had got a lil freaky and after I got up to piss, you was slumped when I came back."

"I really don't remember that much. It's all a blur, honestly. I'm glad I whooped her ass though. She deserved it." I say as I start washing our dishes. "Thanks for the food, but you can leave now. I need to get to the studio and let my girls know that we're not going to the competition."

"Why you gone do that?"

"I used the money you gave me to fix the windows for something more important. I'm not about to have them practicing with no windows. That's dangerous! Someone could walk by and steal their bags off the floor or attack us and at night, it gets cold. I don't want them to get sick because they can't perform if they're under the weather." I explain before calling a window repair company to see if they can install new windows ASAP.

"What did they say, Milani?" Drummer asks, seeming concerned.

Sighing loudly, I run my fingers through my hair. "They're booked for two weeks and they have to be the ones to fix my windows because they're the only company that specializes in those type of windows. They were glare proof so that the sun wouldn't blind my dancers."

Drummer takes a shower in my bathroom while I lay in my bed then we switch places and I do the same. Once we're both dressed, we lay in my bed; both of us still tired from last night's shenanigans.

"Lani, I know you're upset about the competition, but I'll pay for the windows to be fixed whenever the company is free. Can you drop me off at my car? It's still at the bar." He asks me, getting up from the bed.

"Thank you, but you've already paid once. I'll cover it this time. yeah, I will. Hurry up and lets go. I'm sure Chanel is waiting on me. We've gotta discuss if we're still going to do our pole dancing competition or not. We don't need the studio to practice because we've already learned our routine so we could still go. Chanel might not wanna go though."

The two of us get into my car and I drive Drummer back to Ray's where he motions for me to let the window down; leaning his head in and resting his arms on my window seal.

"What?" I ask as I blush under his gaze.

"Nothing, you're just beautiful." He tells me, biting his big, juicy lips. "Can I come to the studio after I go home and change outta these clothes? I wanna see yo routine and judge if it's good or not. I know you don't wanna practice with no windows, but I'll be there to protect you."

"Ugh, you just can't get enough of me, huh?" I smile as he sucks his teeth. "Yes Drummer, you can come."

After nodding his head and kissing my lips, I drive to the studio where all eyes are on me when I walk through the door. Chanel bucks her eyes and grabs my arm, dragging me to the side.

"What's your problem?" I ask her, confused.

"Girl, you got three big ass hickeys on your neck!! Did Drummer do that?"

"What!?!" I yell then use my phone to look at my neck. "Omg! I can't believe he did that shit."

Chanel smirks and raises her eyebrows, "So he did do it. Ooouu girl, you gotta tell me about your night! Brandon already told me about your fight with Ariyah."

Once I take my hair down to cover my neck, I walk over to the students who are sitting on the floor looking up at me. "Good evening girls, as you all can see our windows have been broken out which means we can't use the studio to practice. This also means that we will have to back out of the competition. I know you're all upset, but we'll make it up to you somehow. As for now, you'll be getting some rest by staying home. The studio will be closed for two weeks. You may all call your parents and tell them to pick you up."

The girls moan and groan before getting picked up, sadness present on their faces.

"Milani, they'll be okay. Like you said, we'll make it up to them. Are we still gonna do our pole dancing competition?" Chanel asks as we sit down on the floor.

"It's up to you. I don't mind if we go, but if you don't wanna do it then that's fine too."

"Well I think we should do it. It'll be one hell of a trip without the girls. We can dance then enjoy our time there. It'll be the only time we can actually relax instead of stressing about them and their performances."

"Oouu you're right. We're definitely going. You still got the routine down packed?" I raise an eyebrow, while changing into spandex shorts and a long sleeve shirt, Chanel doing the same.

"Yeah, I do. I need to relieve some stress and I'm thinking we have the same idea right now." She says letting the poles down. "Lets dance."

Nodding my head, I turn on the music and we start doing the routine. We both hear the door open so we look into the mirror and see Drummer sitting down on the floor, next to Brandon. Taking our eyes off them, we complete the routine twice before getting down and slipping on tights over our shorts.

"Well, what did you think?" I ask Drummer as I walk over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist when he pulls me into him.

"That shit was fire. Real sexy and smooth. I like seeing you on that pole." He smiles and kisses me.

"Uhhh excuse me, are y'all a couple or something?" Chanel asks with Brandon's arms around her waist.

"We could ask y'all the same thing." Drummer tells her. "But nah, we ain't no couple. We just chilling. Same thing y'all doing."

Brandon's loud stomach interrupts the conversation and we all look at him. "Damn, y'all ain't never heard a stomach growl before?" He scoffs.

"Lets go to a club, get drinks, and food." Chanel suggests with a smile.

"Awww hell naw! Both of them banned from liquor because of the shit they pulled last night. Acting like two damn fools." Brandon says loudly.

Me and Drummer look at each other and laugh loudly as he lets me go. "Fuck you, Brandon. Ain't nobody stutten yo ass." I smile, playfully punching him in the arm.

"Lets just go to a burger joint. Me and Lani gotta get ready for tomorrow. We can't be out all night." Drummer shrugs and I nod.

"Damn Lani, I never thought I'd see the day where a nigga tells you what to do and you agree." Chanel says with a shocked expression on her face.

Just as we're walking out of the door and I'm prepared with a mean ass comeback, Ryleigh's mother storms into the studio; dragging Ryleigh behind her.

"Milani Ross, you've got some goddamn nerve taking my child to get a fucking abortion!! Are you crazy!?! I'm gonna beat your ass, bitch!!" Her mama says but Drummer steps between me and her.

"Look lady, ion know you, but you ain't finna touch her."

"I might not be able to get your ass right now, but you best believe I'll have my old brother in law, Jarell, get yo ass!! He's the shit in these streets!!"

Walking up to her, I get into her face and say, "See dumb bitch, that's your problem! You sitting up there letting Jarell solve all your problems when he was the one who raped your fucking daughter! If anything I did you a motherfucking favor!!"

Everyone except me, Ryleigh, and Chanel are shocked at my words. Ryleigh's mother turns towards her child with tears rolling down her face.

"B-babygirl, is that t-true? Did Jarell rape you? I thought you said it was sum boy from school."

"Y-yes. It's true. I only lied because I thought you wouldn't believe me. You never really listen to me and neither does daddy so I lied. Please don't blame Ms. Lani and Ms. Chanel, I begged them to help me." Ryleigh says softly. "Ms. Lani and Ms. Chanel, I'm so sorry. I didn't tell her until she found my pain pills and threatened to call the police if I didn't explain. She thought I was an addict or something."

Me and Chanel wrap our arms around Ryleigh and give her a big hug, whispering encouraging, comforting words in her ears.

"I-I'm sorry. Thank you for helping my daughter. We have to go." Ryleigh's mother says and drags her daughter away from us.

"So Jarell out here raping lil girls? I'll kill that nigga." Brandon yells out.

"Death is too easy. That nigga gone get what he deserves, believe that." Drummer nods. "Y'all go ahead without us. Ian feeling dinner no more."

Brandon and Drummer dap each other up while me and Chanel hug each other then get into our cars. Drummer follows me back to my house and once we're inside, I take a long hot shower. By the time, I'm finished Drummer is sprawled out on the couch.

"I'm so over everybody and their drama. I just need a fucking break." I sigh loudly, pouring myself a glass of wine and wrapping myself in my silk robe.

"We'll take a vacation soon, Lani. I know you need it and so do I."

I just nod my head, not believing him and continue to sip my wine until I hear a knock on the door.

"I got it, lil mama." Drummer tells me and looks through the peep hole. "Awww hell naw, I'm finna put a bullet in this nigga skull." He says, reaching for the gun in his waistband until I run towards him, stopping him.

"No! Go have a seat and I'll get it." I say and push him away from the door.

Opening the door up, I almost gag at the sight of Tony standing outside my door looking like a lost puppy. "What the hell are you doing here, Tony?"

"Baby, I came to apologize and make things right between us. My family probably scared you with their lies and I just wanted to speak my truth."

"So they were lying about you molesting boys? Really?" I ask, folding my arms.

"I-I mean it was the truth, but I put my right hand to God that I haven't did that shit in a long ass time. Honestly, I think Drummer was the last boy I touched like forreal."

"Tony, I don't give a damn how long ago it was. I refuse to be with a child molester. No matter how long ago it happened, it still happened and I can't get over it. Things between us will never be the same! The sight of you disgusts me. You took the innocence of young boys and they'll never get that back, you sick ass bitch."

"Well fuck you too then, hoe. Gimme the shit I left over here and we can be through. Just watch yo fucking back, bitch."

Within minutes, I hear footsteps behind me and gasp loudly when Drummer hits Tony's forehead with the butt of his gun.

"Nah, you watch yo back, nigga. Don't come over here calling her outta her damn name. You ain't getting shit." He says and shuts the door, leaving Tony on the ground, rubbing his head.

The two of us ignore Tony's groans and go into the kitchen where Drummer makes us shrimp poboys and fries.

"This shit is so good." I moan after taking a bit.

"You keep moaning like that and ima put some else in your mouth to taste." He smirks, licking his lips.

While we're eating my mind keeps wondering back to Tony molesting those boys, no matter how hard I try to forget it.

"Drummer, when Brandon found out about Tony, he said I needed to get tested. We always used protection, but like I don't know how to feel. You think I should get tested?"

"I doubt that he still be touching on boys, but it wouldn't hurt to get tested. Better safe than sorry."

"Yeah, that's true. I'll go get tested tomorrow. You wanna go with me?" I ask, putting my plate into the sink.

"Yeah, Lani, I'll go. We gotta go early tho. Did you forget your mama's barbecue is tomorrow?" He says as he puts his shoes on. "I'm bout to head out. I got some business to handle."

"OH SHIT!! I totally forgot!! You can't leave! We gotta get our story straight about all the details, I know my family will ask." I sigh loudly, blocking him from leaving.

"Pack a bag. You just gone have to come handle business with me and you staying at my house afterwards. It's gone be too late to bring you back here." He tells me, easily moving me.

"Drummer, I don't know about all that. Ain't no telling what you finna do and ain't yo bitch ass fiancé still at your house? Ian got time to deal with her shit."

"Oh so you scared? That's what you said?"

I step back with my hand on my chest as if I'm shocked by his words then walk into my room, packing a bag.

"You ain't never thought I was scared. Lets go." I scoff, pushing him out the door and locking it behind us then getting into the car with him.

"Mhmm, yo lil ass love a challenge. I like that shit." Drummer says as he kisses my neck, making my panties wet when I feel him smile against my skin. "Now, put your seatbelt on so we can go."