"I just want to thank you both for getting tested today. I love when young people come in to get tested because it stops the spread of stds. If you do not have any stds, you will not receive a call from the hospital. If you do have stds, we will call and let you know." The older doctor tells us before we leave the hospital.

About 20 minutes later, Drummer and I pull up to IHOP and get seated then order.

"Lani, you ready for the barbecue later?" Drummer asks me, but I ignore him. "Man, here you go with this silent treatment. That shit getting on my fucking nerves."

Ignoring him, I start eating my food when it comes out and walk back to the car while he pays for everything. By the time we get back to his house, there's only three hours until the barbecue so I walk into his bathroom and take a steamy shower; washing my wig in the process. After finishing my shower, I wrap a towel around my body and hair then stir around in my bag until I find my lotion and deodorant; getting dressed in a white v neck t-shirt, ripped jeans, and open toed black booties. I finish off my look by putting on my mustard yellow, black and white plaid flannel because it's chilly outside.

Once I'm dressed and have put on my accessories and makeup, I give myself big curls with my curling wand and comb them out.

"Damn, girl. You look so fucking good." Drummer says, trying to grab me, but I push him away.

Rolling my eyes, I walk down to the kitchen and grab myself a bottle of water and a snack until he's finished getting ready. He walks downstairs wearing a white t-shirt, black joggers, a plaid royal blue, orange, and white flannel paired with gold chains and Jordans. Although, I'm pissed about the shit with Ariyah last night, I can't keep my eyes off his sexy ass. As I follow him out of the house, his cologne fills my nostrils; making me want a hug.

After putting my mama's address into Drummer's phone, I use my own phone to text Chanel; checking on Brandon.

"Who you texting?" Drummer asks me, but I just keep focusing on my phone until he snatches it and puts it into his pocket. "You got so much shit to say on yo phone but ain't said nun to a nigga all morning. Wassup with you, Milani?"

Sighing loudly, I finally answer him. " Not that it's any of your business, I was texting Chanel to check on Brandon. Give me my damn phone back! Ain't nothing up with me. I'm just tired."

"Quit fucking lying! Yo ass ain't tired. You just pissed about last night. I don't know why you mad. You said you single so why the fuck you care so much?"

I immediately get quiet and try to calm myself down before I slap the shit outta him for talking to me crazy. Deep breath in, Deep breath out. "Drummer, I don't give a damn about what you do when you're not around me and watch how you talking to me before I put my fist in your eye."

He laughs at my words and shakes his head. "Milani, I know you care or you wouldn't be acting like somebody pissed in your Cheerios. You can drop the nonchalant act cause I know the truth. Look me in my eyes and tell me you not feeling me."

Turning towards him and blinking slowly with a straight face, I tell him that I'm not feeling him. Even I don't believe that shit but as long as he does, that's all that matters. I won't give him the satisfaction of hurting my feelings the way Tariq did.

"Aite Bet." He nods.

"Yeah, so drop it. Lets just go over the facts about our fake story and my family so you don't fuck up when we get there... so how did we meet?"

Drummer remains quiet as he looks at me with a confused look. "Damn Lani, I forgot."

"WHAT THE F..." I trail, but he cuts me off. "I'm just playing. We met through Chanel because I'm cool with Jarell and I used to hear her talk about you all the time when I was at their house, chilling with my boy. She had us meet at my bar which was amazing. I couldn't keep my eyes off you. We clicked immediately after hanging out a lot and I eventually asked you to be my girl over a candlelit steak dinner."

"You added details to that story that I didn't give you." I squint my eyes.

"Duh Milani, your story was dry. Mine sounds real and believable. I told you I got this."

"Yeah, yeah whatever. Tell me about my family." I tell him as he tries to light a blunt, but I stop him. "You don't need to be smelling like weed when we get there. At least wait until my cousins ask you to smoke or sum."

"Aite. Yo mama's name is Melinda and your grandma's name is Clarece. Your dad is bisexual and he's not around because he left your ma to be with a nigga. Your mama and your grandma are fake boujie. Y'all's family was close until you stopped coming around because of your ex marrying your sister and having a kid with her. Your ex's name is Tariq and he be tryna get with you on the low, but ima beat the fuck outta him if he do that shit today. What's yo sister name? Ion know if you told me that or not." Drummer says as he takes an exit.

"I'm surprised, Drummer. You got everything right except for the part about fighting Tariq. I told you don't start no shit because it'll be enough of that. My sister's name is Kimora."

I take a deep breath as the car comes to a stop in front of my mama's house. My palms are sweaty and my heart is racing because I have a bad feeling about today.

"Milani, you need to calm down. You're nervous as hell. I promise I won't let yo folks do anything to you. They better not even look like they wanna disrespect you or Ima be on their asses." Drummer says as he holds my hand when we get out of the car.

"Thank you for doing this and oh yeah, I forgot to tell you my aunt, Maxine, is crazy as hell. She's really freaky so please don't be offended if she talks about sex. She's the cool, weed smoking aunt though so you can curse around her. It's only supposed to be us, my mama, grandma, aunt Maxine, my sister and her family here, but knowing my mama, everybody is gonna be out back."

Drummer nods his head and kisses the back of my hand then pulls me into a hug; kissing my neck. "Everything gone be cool. I got you." He whispers in my ear. Letting go of my stubbornness, I hug him back and knock on the door; being greeted by my aunt Maxine.

"Hey Lani, who is this fine ass piece of caramel cake?" She smiles, pulling me into a hug then spinning me around looking at me. "Girl, you getting thick. You got a bun in the oven?"

"Aunt Maxine, this is Drum..I mean Dallas and baby, this is my Aunt Maxine." I laugh. "This thickness comes from shit talking and good eating. I'm not pregnant."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Maxine." Drummer smiles and hugs her then whispers, "Don't worry, Ima get her pregnant soon."

"Shiddd why waste a nut on her when you can knock me up in the bathroom right now and call me Maxine. I ain't old and this pussy ain't neither." She winks before leading us to the outside barbecue pit where damn near the whole family is talking, playing games, drinking, and cooking.

"Awww shit, Ian never been to no barbecue like this. Yo folks really is boujie. They gone need some mo' food tho cause I can eat allat by myself." Drummer whispers in my ear.

"Boy hush, I can guarantee there's more food in the kitchen being heated in the stove. That's probably the last of it being cooked because we're late."

"My bad about us being late. Ian know if we was on white people time or black people so I went with my first mind which is black people time. You know we always late."

"Mhm, now shut up and let me introduce you to everybody before they come get in your face asking questions." I tell him as I drag him around to different family members, ending with my mama and grandma.

"Mama, grandma, this is my boyfriend, Dallas. I've told him all about y'all so he already knows y'all's names."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Melinda and Mrs. Clarece. Thank you so much for inviting me. Ms. Melinda, your home is beautiful and so is your daughter." Drummer says, sucking up to them; almost making me gag.

"Nice to meet you too." Mama and grandma say in unison then my mama takes over the conversation like always. "Well Dallas, we haven't heard anything about you! What do you do for a living?"

"Mama, don't start." I sigh, knowing how nosey she can be.

"Milani, I'm allowed to ask about my daughter's boyfriend." My mama says. "I can't believe I'm alive to see the day." My grandma chimes in with her unnecessary two cents.

"It's okay, babygirl. I don't mind answering questions. Ms. Melinda, I own a few bars, clubs, and restaurants around town."

"Bars you say? You must know a lot about that bar called Ray's. I don't know if this is true so maybe you can confirm that for me. I heard that the owner is a tattooed thug that deals drugs and shoots up people houses. I also heard he has sex with every female that walks through his place. What you think about that?" Mama says and I almost fall out. Where does she get this information from!?

Looking at Dallas, I buck my eyes because I know his hot headed ass is quick to snap, but he looks so calm. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad.

"Those rumors aren't true at all. I know this because Ray's is my bar. I do have a lot of tattoos, but I've never been a thug and I don't have sex with any female walking. There's no point in chasing after multiple women when I have the perfect one by my side. Maybe next time, people won't judge a book by its cover." He says, shutting my mama up and making my grandma smile. She loves to see my mama get told off.

"Mhm. Will you two excuse me? I have an announcement to make so that we can start dinner. Maybe we can finish this conversation later. Maybe not, we'll see." My mama says as she adjusts the microphone on the podium, preparing to speak.

Drummer and I have a seat while my cousins bring out the food and put it on the table, along with various alcohols. I look around the table for some shot glasses that I don't see. I desperately need a drink to loosen up a bit.

"Dallas, I'm gonna go get us some shot glasses. I normally don't drink while my grandma is around because she's so judgmental, but fuck it." I say as I try to get up, but he grabs me.

"Use pet names. It'll be suspicious if you keep calling me by my first name. Most couples don't do that." He whispers lowly.

"Oh right, I'll be back snugglypuss."

He laughs at my dumbness and lets me go into the kitchen. I talk to different cousins for a bit before grabbing the shot glasses and just as I'm about to walk out, Tariq stands in front of me; biting his lip so hard that I think he's about to chew a hole in it.

"What, Tariq? Ian got shit for you under these clothes so stop looking like that, ugly ass." I tell him with an attitude.

"You used to beg me to fuck the shit outta you, Lani. You ain't even gotta act like that! Ain't nobody gotta know what we do, girl." He says as he grabs my arm and backs me into a wall where no one is at, trying to kiss me.

"Aye bitch, get yo hands off my woman before I put a bullet in between yo eyes." Drummer says as he flashes the gun in his waistband, causing Tariq to let me go.

"Nigga, who you supposed to be?" Tariq asks, getting into Drummer's face.

"I'm the nigga that be fucking the shit outta Milani every night. I'm the nigga that be deep off in that pussy. Anything else you wanna know, hoe ass nigga?" Drummer asks with his gun on Tariq's temple. I gotta admit seeing his aggression towards Tariq turns me the fuck on. I'm talking bout, waterfalls.

"N-nah. You m-made your point. W-we good."

Once Drummer lets Tariq's scared ass go, he places his hands on my face and looks into my eyes, "you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"I'm fine, mr. cuddly bear." I smile, making him laugh and mush my face. "Milani, stop calling me that lame ass shit. Yo crazy ass need to think of better pet names."

The two of us join my family at the table once again and I pour us three shots of Tequila that we down quickly then focus on what my mama is saying.

"Family members, I need ya'll to be quiet while I'm talking or you gone be eating ice sandwiches." My mama says until everybody stops talking. "Now, I've gathered y'all all here for this barbecue because my daughter has an announcement to make. I don't know what it is, but personally, I think she's adding a new edition to the family. I've waited long enough, Kimora, get up here and tell us all then we'll eat."

Looking over to my sister, she looks nervous as she walks up to the podium and Tariq looks confused as he tries to follow her up there, but she tells him to sit down. We all expect my sister to say something, but she never does.

"Uhhh can I talk to my sister for a minute please? Lani, come up here."

Drummer takes his arm from around my waist and I walk up to the podium, looking at my sister who fumbles with turning the microphone off. "Girl, what is it? I don't got time for your foolishness today. I'm just trying to get this shit over with."

"I know, I know. I-I didn't think this through. I can't make this announcement! I feel so guilty and here I am pretending like everything is okay." Kimora says with tears in her eyes.

"What are you talking about, Kimora? what's going on?"

"Mama was right about me being pregnant, but the thing is, I've been cheating on Tariq and I don't know if the baby is his. Yesterday, I found out that I have herpes. I think I might haven given them to Tariq too because he's mentioned that he's had some pain, itching, and sores on his dick. We got into an argument because I accused him of cheating so that he wouldn't suspect it was me."

My mouth drops open after she finishes talking, but I can't focus on her because my phone keeps vibrating in my pocket so I pull it out quickly. Kimora sees the horror on my face as I use my hand to cover the last three messages from Drummer, only showing her the first message.

"Oh...my...God!" Kimora gasps as she sees the entire family looking at her then runs into the house.

Me, Tariq, and my mama run after her but she has already locked herself in her old bedroom.

"Kimora, open this motherfucking door! I'm gone kill you, man!! You old dirty, hoeing ass bitch!!" Tariq screams, shaking the door knob.

"I know you're pissed Tariq, but the only person that's gonna get killed is you if you don't stop disrespecting my sister. You cheated on me and got with her and now it's coming back on both of y'all. You need to be worrying about getting tested instead of acting like a damn fool." I tell him and he scoffs loudly then walks over.

"That was nice of you, Milani. Now go be with your man and I'll handle your sister." Mama tells me but I shake my head side to side "Naw, mama. She needs me. No disrespect, but you're not the best listener or advice given."

"Fine then. I'll go outside and eat with everybody. Call me if you need me and I'm proud of you for stepping up when she needs you. Hopefully you two can put the messiness behind ya'll."

I just nod my head as my mama leaves then softly knock on the door. "Kimora, it's just me. Open up the door and lets talk."

Moments later, the door opens up and Kimora is crying on her bed; her makeup running all over her face as she hugs a pillow.

"You must think I'm terrible, Lani. I heard what you told Tariq about the cheating coming back on us. You're probably right. This is my karma for betraying my only sibling. I'm so stupid. I really do apologize for everything and I want you to forgive me. I miss you, Milani. We were best friends until everything happened."

Pulling my sister into a hug, I cry into her shoulder as we squeeze each other tightly. "Kimora, I forgive you, but your apology is a little late. We've missed so many important things in each other's lives and it's gonna be hard for me to forget what you did. It'll take some time, but I'm willing to mend our bond. You don't know how long I've waited for an apology. We'll get though this but your main focus should be on your health and your family. You don't have to worry about me and you right now. I love you, Kimora." I explain to her as I dry my tears then hers.

"I love you too, Milani. I'm so glad that you've got a man that loves you. I can tell by the way he acts that he's madly in love with you. Cherish that and don't make the mistakes I made."

My sister's words hit me deep but also, scare me because I don't think I'm ready for someone to love me. I don't even bother telling her that Drummer isn't my boyfriend. After talking about everything, I find out that Kimora cheated on Tariq with his brother and she's almost sure that it's her brother in law's baby. I give her words of advice then leave her in the room to fix herself while I join my family.

"Where's Dallas?" I ask when I don't see him.

"Over there." One of my cousins points to the set of rocking chairs next to the open fire pit. "Thanks." I tell him.

Walking over to Drummer, I see him accepting a blunt from aunt Maxine who's sucking and licking all over a whole cucumber as if it's a dick. She is always playing with the vegetables instead of cooking them.

"Auntie, you tryna seduce my man?" I ask as I sit in one of the rocking chairs.