It's been two weeks since me and Drummer have spoken and I have no plans on communicating with him. I have been checking on him through Brandon though because I've been spending a lot of time around him and Chanel, which is what I'm doing now.

"Lani, how has your part of the plan been going?" Brandon asks as he lets Chanel clean his gunshot wounds.

"Pretty good. Holloway has cozied up to me and we've spent a lot of time together. I think he's really falling for me because he's finally invited me to come to his house later which is exactly what we've been waiting for." I smile widely. "Also, did you make sure Drummer will do his part when the time comes?

"That's what I'm talking bout, Laniiii! You doing the damn thing. I put all the shit you'll need in that purse in your trunk. Just make sure you put on those gloves before touching anything inside the bag. No fingerprints. I know my boy fucked up right now, but he'll pull through like he always does. You gotta cut him some slack. His mama died."

Rolling my eyes, I start packing the clothes that Chanel tells me because we have a flight to New York for our pole dancing competition tonight. "I know his mama died so he has the right to be hurt and shit, but he's spiraling out of control. Even you said, you're worried about how much he's started drinking and smoking."

"Milani, I said the navy blue dress, not the royal blue one." Chanel buts into our conversation and I roll my eyes again.

"I'll make sure he straight. If you that worried about him, just pull up on him. All he talks about is you, Milani. He needs you forreal. You're probably the only one that can talk some sense into him. I know he left you at the hospital, but he just wasn't thinking straight." Brandon says as he throws away his old bandages.

Sighing loudly, I let Chanel take over packing her own clothes while I plop down on the couch in their bedroom. Although I won't admit it to anyone else, I do miss having Drummer around, but I think it's best we had some time apart because I don't wanna get too attached to him.

"So what are you and Holloway doing this evening?" Chanel asks me.

"I actually have no idea. I think he's just trying to spend some time together since we're leaving for New York tonight. I hope he doesn't try to kiss or fuck me because there's only so many feelings I can fake."

"Lani, I know we all have to complete our parts, but don't fuck that pig. If you can't do what you need to do then just make up a lie and dip. We can always figure out another way. If you do fuck him and Drummer finds out, ain't no going back with him. He'll hate you for that shit." Brandon tells me.

"Brandon, I'm sure he already hates me and the feeling is mutual so I'm sure fucking Holloway won't do any damage. I gotta go. I'll see y'all later." I laugh, knowing damn well I have no intentions of fucking him.

After leaving Brandon's house, I go back to my own place and start searching through my clothes; making sure I pack everything I'll need for our weekend. Finishing up, I take my bags to my car then take a long hot shower; getting dressed in an olive green t-shirt, black ripped jeans, tan booties and a long thick, tan cardigan. I walk into the kitchen and make myself a strawberry and banana smoothie then pour it into my cup and head out the door.

"Hello," I answer my phone as it rings loudly.

"Where you at, baby? Everything okay?"

"I'm on my way to you right now. Everything is fine, Keon." I say, using Holloway's first name.

The drive to his house is rather short because there's not much traffic. I really don't feel like playing nice with him today, but I know it has to be done.

Pulling up into his driveway, I park my car and grab a pair of gloves from my truck then slip them into my pants pocket. I grab the purse Brandon left for me and head up to his door, knocking softly.

"Damn, you look good." Keon smiles as he hugs me.

"Thank you. Your house is beautiful." I tell him as I step inside and sit on the couch; making sure to drop the purse beside my feet. "So did you have anything planned tonight or are we just chilling?"

"I just wanted to chill, drink a lil liquor , and watch a movie. I ordered us some pizza. It should be here soon." Holloway says as he brings out a bottle of Bourbon, two glasses, and an ice bucket.

Crossing my legs, I make myself comfortable on the couch as he walks away to dim the lights then we find a movie, deciding on Queen & Slim which happens to be one of my favorite movies; despite them dying at the end.

Holloway pours both of us a full glass of liquor and we both take sips, him taking more than me. As the movie plays, he cuddles me and I almost feel bad for what we're gonna do to him. I know he's an asshole, but spending time with him has showed me how sweet he is. Too bad he's the enemy.

"That's probably the pizza." He smiles as he heads to the door and pays. "You want me to sit the box on the table and we eat out of it or you want a plate?"

"Well actually I have a pizza routine." I smile before fake laughing. "I know it's silly, but I can't eat pizza without adding extra cheese, pineapples, and crushed red pepper then bake it in the oven on broil so all of the flavors can marinate together. It's kind of annoying because you literally have to watch the pizza warm up on boil for 5 minutes or it'll burn. Would it be too much for me to ask you to do that for me? You know if you have the ingredients." I lie quickly, trying to get him out of the living room for a bit.

"Milani, that's crazy as hell, but nothing is too much for you. I'd do anything to make you happy, even if it means I have to fix up your weird pizza combination and watch it for 5 minutes. I just hope it's good and doesn't give me the shits."

Holloway disappears into the kitchen and as soon as I make sure he's not coming back, I quietly slide my gloves on and reach into the purse; finding the clear pill that I need. Checking behind me once more, I break the pill over his glass and let the powder fall into it, watching it dissolve quickly. Once I'm finished, I make sure his liquor doesn't look any differently then take off the gloves and slip them back into my pocket.

"Back already?" I turn around and smile as he walks back into the living room with the pizza in his hands.

"Of course. Couldn't keep you waiting too long. I know how much you like to eat."

While we're eating and continuing the movie, I almost gag at the nasty ass pizza combination I created, but I suck it up and eat it as if it's my favorite thing so I can keep my lie believable. I can't even focus on the movie because all I'm thinking about is how I'm going to get Holloway to drink his liquor; without that powder in his system, I can't do what I need to do.

"Whew, Milani, that shit was good as fuck. I'm glad I trusted you." He says as he takes the empty pizza box into the kitchen and returns; looking me in my eyes.

"What are you looking at, Keon? You know I don't like when you stare at me. It makes me blush."

"I'm sorry, baby. You're just so damn sexy."

As soon as I'm about to respond to his compliment, an idea pops up in my head. "You know what's sexy to me, love?"

Holloway thinks for a minute and licks his lips, "What? Tell me Milani, what is sexy to you? So I can fulfill your fantasies."

"A man who can match my energy when it comes to drinking." I say then chug my entire cup of liquor, hoping he'll do the same.

Picking up his glass, Holloway keeps his eyes on me as he chugs his entire glass then pulls me towards him; whispering in my ear. "Did you like that, baby?"

"I loved it." I whisper in his ear and pull him so that his head is laying in my lap while I massage his scalp and focus on the movie. "Now lets enjoy the movie. After it goes off, we can head upstairs to your bedroom and get a bit more comfortable."

"Mmm. Now that's what I like to hear."

Holloway relaxes in my arms and about 15 minutes later, he's knocked out cold from the powder I put into his drink. Rolling his heavy ass off me, I put my gloves back on and grab my purse. As I make my way upstairs, I finally find his bedroom and walk inside. The dark blue room is quite beautiful and clean for a man. Looking around, I try to figure out where I'm gonna stash everything.

"Shit! Think, Milani. Think. Where can you hide this where he won't easily find it?" I ask myself then realize that I have to make a spot because I can't risk him finding the stuff.

Pulling out the small screwdriver and hammer from the purse, I unscrew the screws that are drilled into a huge framed photo of Holloway and his friends after graduating from the police academy. Once the photo is down, I use the hammer to make a hole in the wall then dump the stuff Brandon gave me into the hole. Grabbing the screwdriver, I put the frame back onto the wall to cover the hole and screw it in; shaking it a bit to make sure it's secure. Looking down at the floor, I pick up the small fragments that fell when I made the hole.

Jogging back downstairs with the purse in my hand, I dig around in his trash and bury the wall fragments. I send Holloway a text on my way back to my car saying that I had to leave for a family emergency and didn't want to wake him because he looked so peaceful while he was sleeping.

Getting into my car, I pull the gloves off and drive to Brandon's house where him and Chanel are waiting on me in the car. Brandon helps me get my bags into the trunk and turns to look at me. "It's done, Brandon. Here are the gloves back so you can dispose of them."

"That's wassup, Milani, but did you fuck him?" He asks as he starts driving.

"No, I didn't fuck him, but even if I did, I wouldn't tell you because you'd break your thumbs trying to text Drummer and tell him." I scoff, looking at the ugly suitcases beside me on the backseat. "Who ugly ass suitcases? Chanel if they're yours, we're definitely going to buy you new ones in New York."

"You damn right, I would. I can't let my boy go out sad and those are mine, Lani. I'm taking D on a trip out of town so I can see where his head at." Brandon says as he focuses on the road.

"Yeah yeah, can you drive a little faster? You're gonna make us miss out flight, grandpa."

Chanel laughs at my words, but nods her head which makes Brandon speed up; getting us to the airport quickly.

"Alright , either get a room or break it up!" I yell at Brandon and Chanel who are acting like Jack and Rose from the titanic. "Can we go already? Damn, y'all gone see each other again!"

Brandon ignores me and continues kissing Chanel until she breaks the kiss. "Don't be bitter, Milani. You'd be the same way if you and Drummer would stop beefing."

"Fuck him." I say with an attitude.

By the time, Brandon and Chanel quit kissing and hugging, it was almost time to board our plane. Luckily, the staff was cool enough to let us rush the whole process so that we could make it to our flight on time.

"You ready to relax and enjoy New York, Lani?"

"Hell yeah! We deserve this break, Chanel. This weekend is going to be sooo much fun!"

Chanel smiles widely, "yes it is! You're in for a big surprise, girl."

"A surprise?" I ask with a raised brow. "What is it?"

"You'll find out, soon enough. Now stop talking so I can sleep." Chanel laughs and I do the same; preparing to sleep as well.

Six long hours later, the plane has finally landed at the airport. Chanel and I hurriedly get off the plane and call an Uber to come pick us up and take us to our hotel.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!?" Chanel yells at the receptionist for the third time in two minutes. "You mean to tell me that you can't put us in the room that we booked and paid for?"

"I'm so sorry ma'am, but that is exactly what I'm saying. There was a mistake in our system and that room was already taken, but the system allowed you to book anyway. How about I offer you two separate rooms at a discounted price?" He says, trying his best to come up with a solution.

Before Chanel can curse him out again, I take over the conversation. "Sir, that'll be fine. Can we have our room keys?"

"Milani, we are not staying in separate rooms! That's so dumb. The whole point of the trip besides dancing is to bond and spend time together."

"Chanel, it's fine. Think about the bright side, we both can get ready in our own bathrooms instead of fighting over the shower." I say as I take my room key, forcing her to do the same.

We both get into the elevator and ride it up to the third floor where both of our rooms are on separate ends of the hallway.

"Goodbye, my love. Time will come where we will see each other again." Chanel calls out to me from her door.

I laugh loudly before using my key card to let myself inside my room. "Quit being dramatic! Also what are we doing tonight?"

"Clubbinggggg!! Get dressed right now! I already have multiple party flyers saved in my phone. You know I got the hookup on the turn ups."

"Mhmm!" I say back then shut my door behind me.

The loud clank of my suitcase hits the floor as I drop it and plop down on the soft, memory foam bed. The bed dips and curves around my body, making it hard to get up, but I know if I don't get ready; Chanel will beat my door down.

Walking into the huge, white bathroom, I take a hot shower then get out and get dressed in a black blazer, glitter fishnets, and heels. Plugging up my flat iron, I straighten my hair before answering my door to find Chanel wearing all white.

"Aww shit. We look like salt and pepper." Chanel says as she looks at our outfits.

"Well maybe I can sprinkle some of this pepper on a nigga tonight." I shrug as Chanel playfully hits me.

"Milani, you ain't sprinkling nothing on nobody. Don't try to show out just because you and your man going through it. Brandon would kill me if let you fuck somebody else."

"Chanel, you're supposed to be on my side, not his. Everybody keeps taking Drummer's side and it's pissing me off. He had no right to snap at me like that and I wish y'all would realize it! Damn."

Grabbing my purse and sticking the room key in it, I storm out the room with Chanel hot on my heels as we go out to the Uber that she got us.

"I'm sorry, Lani. I didn't mean to make it seem like I'm taking his side. Yes, he was wrong but like Brandon said, his mama had just died. He probably didn't know how to deal with that. I just want you to be happy and fucking random niggas won't help. You'll only end up with a STD." Chanel explains before telling the Uber driver where we're going.

"Yeah, I hear you. Enough about him, we're here to have a good time." I say as I fold my arms.

By the time we make it to the club, I have nothing on my mind, but liquor so I quickly drag Chanel to the bar where we take rounds of shots before dancing for hours. The more shots I take, the more my thoughts revert to Drummer and I start getting pissed at myself for thinking about him. He doesn't deserve to be in my thoughts. Pushing my thoughts into the back of my mind, I order some food and scarf it down when it comes to our table.

"Lani, are you okay? You spaced out again!!!" Chanel yells over the music.

"I'm fine."

"You're lying! Tell me what's going on or I'm gonna tear a hole in your fishnets!"

I frown quickly. "You better not touch my fishnets! Nothing is wrong. I was just thinking about Drummer."

"That's normal to think about him, Milani. I'm your bestfriend! You don't have to hide the fact that you miss and like him. I know the real you and I know you're holding back with him because of Tariq. You better stop playing before somebody snatches Drummer's fine ass up." Chanel tells me and I roll my eyes.

Taking three more shots and finishing my food, I finally make a decision about me and him. I'm gonna call him. I have to know that he's okay then it's back to us not talking.

"Chanel, lets go!! I need to go back to my room and call Drummer! I know it's the liquor in me that's making me do this but fuck how it turns out! I won't remember when I'm sober." I yell loudly, slurring over my words.

"Milani, are you sure that's what you wanna do? If so, I'll call another Uber!"

"Y-yes, I'm sure. It's n-now or never."

30 minutes later our Uber driver arrives and takes us to our hotel. Me and Chanel stumble into the building and fumble with the elevator before finally getting inside; the buttons spinning underneath my fingers as I press our floor.

"I-I'm so d-drunk. It's h-hitting hard." I spit out, making us both laugh.

"I know you are. I have a secret to tell you, Milani." Chanel whispers.

"What is it?"

"I'm not drunk. I just had to pretend to be drunk so I could get you fucked up. It's all apart of our plan!"

Blinking slowly, I try to figure out what she's talking about, but my brain won't allow me to think at this moment. Shrugging my shoulders, I let her help me out of the elevator and to my room.

"I hope you don't hate me for this. If you do, you'll get over it. I'm only trying to help you be happy and I know he needs this too." Chanel says before using my key to open my door and pushing me inside.

"AHHHHH!! W-who are you!!?" I scream when I see a man with his back turned towards me. He's smoking a blunt and staring out the window.

When he hears my scream, he turns around slowly with a confused look on his face.

D-Drummer, what are you doing here?" I ask then release the contents of my stomach on the floor and pass out.