"Lani, babygirl, you can't stay in this lobby crying! Are you okay?" Chanel says as she pulls me up from the bench.

"No, I'm not okay, Chanel. The man I think I love has been playing me. I'm so damn stupid for even opening up my heart to him. I knew I should have stuck to being a cold hearted bitch because every time I start to care, someone reminds me why I turned my heart off in the first place."

"Come with me. You're spending the night in my room with me and we're going to bond and talk about all of this. We can't keep talking out here. You know bitches be nosey."

Laughing at Chanel, I dry my tears as I follow her back to her room and a sigh of relief escapes my mouth when I see that Brandon is nowhere to be found. Not only am I mad at Drummer, I'm mad at Brandon too because he was like a brother to me. I'd never expect him to put his loyalty to Drummer over his loyalty to me, but it still hurts to know that he made a bet with Drummer about me.

"Lani, make yourself comfortable and find us a movie then order room service. I'm paying." Chanel says as she gathers her clothes so that she can take a shower.

While she's doing that, I do exactly what she said. By the time room service comes, Chanel is out of the shower so she gets our food and snacks then we start watching, "The Hate U Give".

"Oh My God, that is so sad." Chanel cries out when someone from the movie dies.

"I knowww." I cry harder as I stuff a handful of original skittles into my mouth then pass some to Chanel.

We watch the entire movie before discussing what happened on it then she turns towards me. "Milani, we have to talk about that bet. I made them tell me what it was and apparently, Brandon bet Drummer that if he could have sex with you and couldn't keep your interest afterwards then Drummer owed him $500. If Drummer could have sex with you and could keep your interest afterwards then Brandon owed him $500. Either way, Brandon did think Drummer could have sex with you, he just didn't know if you would still be interested in him after that. He thought you'd want to hit it and quit it."

Thinking for a minute, I take a deep breath and finally speak. "That's fucked up that Brandon would even think like that. I don't know who I'm more pissed at Drummer for putting on a show just to get in my pants, Brandon for creating a bet like that about me, or myself for falling for Drummer and having sex with him. It's all too much and I don't know how to feel about it. Chanel, what do you think I should do?"

"Honestly Milani, I think you should follow your heart. No matter the circumstances, I am so glad that you started to care again. You gave Tariq too much power over your life by letting him make you heartless. Don't give anybody else that power, not even Drummer. It's okay to care. That doesn't make you weak. So what is your heart telling you to do?"

"I'm just so conflicted. My mind is telling me to shut my heart off so that I won't have to feel any pain, but my heart is telling me to forgive Drummer and love him. I know I'll be alone forever if I continue being heartless and I said I didn't mind being alone, but now I actually want him in my life. I just don't know if I can trust him with my heart." I sigh loudly, shaking my head.

"Whatever you decide to do, I support you 100%, Lani. If you do decide to be with him, I won't judge you at all but make him work to get back with you. Don't just accept a weak ass apology. Make him realize that you're the prize and nothing good comes easy. Just know that no relationship will be perfect. No matter who you be with, he will mess up so if you're expecting a perfect man, that'll never happen. You have to learn to forgive. I know you'll never forget, but you do have to forgive. That's the only way you'll move forward.

"I'll think about it, Chanel, but as for now, I just want to sleep. We both need to be resting for our competition. Thank you for the advice and everything, goodnight."

"Goodnight, Lani."

******

"Milani, get your ass up! You have to start getting ready!" Chanel yells in my face as she shakes me violently.

"Mmm. 5 more minutes."

"NOOO!! GET UP NOW!!"

Rolling my eyes, I drag myself out of bed and see that Chanel has already started to get ready which means she's been up a while. Stretching my muscles, I grab the key card to my own room and walk over there, using it to open the door; seeing a fully dressed Drummer staring back at me.

"Milani, I was just about to come talk to you." He says softly.

Ignoring him, I grab my bag and take it into the bathroom where I take a nice, hot shower and get dressed in my dance uniform then start doing my hair. After flat ironing my hair and wrapping it, I put on a scarf then apply light makeup that consists of only concealer, red lipstick, filled brows and mascara with lashes.

"Shit, you look delicious, baby. I just want to lick every inch of you." Drummer says as he slowly walks over to me and wraps his arms around me.

I try to push him off me, but he holds me tighter then grips my ass with his left hand while holding my face with his right hand. He leans down and kisses my lips softly before picking me up into his arms. The more I try to be pissed at him, the more my body betrays me; wetness pooling between my thighs.

"Put me down, Drummer. I'm not having sex with you." I sigh loudly as he puts me down and backs me into the wall.

"I know you're mad, but that doesn't change how I make you feel. I bet that lil pussy so wet right now." He whispers as he firmly grips my neck.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and look at him with a straight face. "No, it's not."

"You're lying, Milani."

Drummer presses his body against mine and uses his knees to spread my legs open then puts his hand into my underwear, feeling the wetness. He licks his lips as he fingers me and starts kissing down my neck then grabs my hand and places it on his dick.

"You feel that? That shit happens all the time. Just hearing your name drives me crazy." He says lowly into my ear before licking and sucking my earlobe. "Tell me to stop and I will. Tell me that you don't want me to fuck the shit outta you and I'll let you finish getting ready." He says as he fingers me harder and faster between each word that escapes his beautiful, plump lips. Letting out a low moan, I melt into his touches and start massaging him through his pants. He moans into my ear as I stick my hand into his boxers.

"I knew you wanted this dick. Bend over."

Doing as I'm told, I slide my bottoms off and bend over; touching my toes. Drummer gets behind me and positions himself at my entrance. He slowly slides himself into me and rests his hands on my hips.

"Mmmmm shit." I groan as I feel his dick hitting my spot.

He repeatedly rams into me as my juices gush down my legs and his. Low moans escape my lips, getting louder and louder when I feel Drummer's thumb in my ass.

"Fuck, I'm finna bust." He grunts as I feel his hot load flow inside me.

His moans and grunts take me over the edge and I let my orgasm take over. I push Drummer onto the floor on his back then climb on top of him. I slowly lower myself onto his pulsating dick and run my nails down his chest. Looking into his eyes, I do a split with him still inside me and twerk both of my ass cheeks; making him grab them.

"Shitttt shitttt shittt, Lani."

Drummer grabs me by my throat and pulls my ear down to his lips, "I love you." He says lowly then lifts me off him and holds me up over his mouth. I sit on his face while he buries his tongue deep within my hole, making me cum almost instantly.

Releasing myself from his hold, I flip myself around and start sucking his dick while he eats my pussy and ass like he's having his last meal. We both moan loudly until his cum shoots down my throat and my juices cover his lips and beard.

Drummer kisses my lips softly then helps me up off the floor and sits me in his lap; facing him. "I meant what I said Milani. It wasn't just the sex. I do, love you."

"Yeah, I hear ya. Just know, sex changes nothing between us. I'm still pissed at yo dumbass." I say as I get off him.

"Fuck the sex, things changed between us the moment you said you loved me last night. I'm gone make it up to you. Ima make things right between us. All I need is another chance."

Ignoring him, I walk back into the bathroom and take another shower then get dressed again; covering myself with a long sweater dress and leather jacket with boots. I rather not have everybody looking at me in my dance uniform until I'm actually at the competition.

Making my way to the lobby, me and Chanel try to get an Uber, but Brandon insists on driving us so of course, Drummer tags along; sitting in the back with me. The four of us sit in awkward silence as Brandon follows the GPS to the dance arena. Turns out, this car is one of many that Brandon leaves in storage here in New York so whenever he visits, he never has to use an Uber.

"Baby, you gone give me another chance?" Drummer whispers as he pulls me closer to him.

Rolling my eyes, I ignore him and push him off me then reply to the multiple messages from Holloway. Drummer snatches my phone out of my hand and starts reading the messages, his face distorting into a frown.

"This shit really bout to piss me off! You a lil too invested in his ass. I know you doing yo part, but damn. The fake love between y'all seeming a lil too real!!" He yells out, making Chanel turn towards us.

"You have no fucking room to accuse her of doing anything with Holloway after the shit you pulled, nigga!" Chanel scoffs loudly.

"Chanel, stay outta their shit." Brandon tells her.

"Brandon, why are you talking to me? I told you not to say shit to me today."

"Mind yo business." Drummer says to her.

Closing my eyes and leaning back on my seat, I ignore all of them and try to clear my mind for the competition. Once we pull up, park, and go inside, Brandon and Drummer follow us backstage.

"Chanel, I know we're not on good terms right now, but good luck and again, I'm sorry for the bet."

"Thank you, but I'm not the one you should be apologizing to." Chanel shrugs and walks away.

Brandon walks over to me, but I hold up my hand. "Don't bother. I shouldn't have trusted you in the first place." I say and try to walk away, but Drummer grabs my arm.

"Drummer, let me go. I don't wanna hear shit else about the bet or you loving me. I'm not about to let this shit cloud my mind and fuck up my performance."

"Milani, no matter what you say and how you feel, I do love you. Good luck, and I'll be waiting for you after you win. I apologize for being a dumbass."

Nodding my head, I walk away from him and find Chanel then we take off our outerwear, leaving us in only our dance uniform. While the duo in front of us is finishing their performance, we grab each other's hands and close our eyes with our heads bowed.

"God, please allow me and Milani to give our all in this performance. Let our minds remain clear and focused on the task at hand. Let us make it out of this performance injury free and healthy. Amen."

"Amen." I say as we walk out onto the stage.

As the music begins to play loudly and the crowd grows silent, we both take deep breaths before starting our routine. My mind is completely clear as the words to invade my ears, my body hitting every beat. Chanel and I complete our entire routine with no mistakes and hug each other after we've walked off stage.

"We killed that shit, Chanel!!" I smile widely then grab my bag.

"Hell yeah, I already know we got that W." She says as we walk to the audience and sit in the section reserved for the dancers. "So wassup with you and Drummer? I was coming to your room to borrow your eyeliner when I heard y'all fucking. I thought y'all was good until we got into the car."

"Just because we fucked doesn't mean we're good. It'll take more than dick and head to make me change my mind about not fucking with him anymore." I shrug and check my phone to see a message from Holloway asking where I was at. Ignoring him, I lock my phone and put it back into my bag.

"SHHHHHH!!" One of the dancers says to us.

"Watch your mouth, lil bitch. I'll drag your ass all over this place and stomp your teeth out, hoe!" I tell her, about to stand up until Chanel grabs me.

The girl turns around quickly then stands up and jog to another seat, far away from us. Smirking softly, I focus my attention back to the announcer as he calls all of the competitors back onto the stage; meaning that they're about to announce the winners.

Me and Chanel make our way on stage along with everyone else who competed. The two of us laugh when we see the girl I snapped on, trying to avoid eye contact with me.

"NYC Dance Inc. would like to thank each and every one of you for participating in our competition. You all were amazing and very skilled which made judging all the more hard and intense. Personally, if I could make all of you the winners, I would, but unfortunately, there can only be one winning duo. We would like to present the awards of a 1,500 dollar cash prize, a 1st place grand adult pole dancing trophy, and an invitation to choreograph a dance for Teyana Taylor's new music video to our winners from MRDance studio!! Please come claim your prizes!!"

Chanel turns towards me and we both hug each other then jump for joy before running to claim our prizes! We knew about the money and trophy, but we had no idea about choreographing Teyana Taylor's music video. After accepting the prizes, taking many pictures and getting dressed, I spot Chanel and Brandon kissing as he gives her flowers. Looking at Drummer who is empty handed sparks a fire within me, pissing me off. Hell, I wanted flowers too.

Storming out of the building, I start back walking to the hotel; my feet and back paying the price from the difficult dance routine. Ignoring my pain, I finally make my way to the hotel and I'm shocked at the person looking back at me, flowers in his hand. I guess the saying be careful what you wish for is true. I wanted flowers, but not like this.

"Um Holloway how did you know I was staying here?" I ask, trying to remain calm.

"I'm a detective, baby. Did you forget that? I just wanted to surprise you with flowers for your competition." He laughs, a huge smile on his face.

Before I can formulate an appropriate response, I hear Drummer, Chanel, and Brandon talking loudly as they near the entrance of the hotel.

"I'm so tired of y'all lovey dovey asses." Drummer says to Chanel and Brandon.

"Nigga, don't be jealous cause yo girl mad at you." Brandon says back.

"Man, Lani ass know wassup with me. Ion know why she still mad. She know I fucking love her. Guess ima have to dick her lil ass down again till she get some act right."

After those words come out of Drummer's mouth, they all walk inside and I clear my throat loudly making them look at me and Holloway. I can tell by the look on Holloway's face that Drummer's big mouth ass done fucked us up.

"You've been playing me this whole time, haven't you, dumb bitch!?" Holloway scoffs loudly as he throws the flowers down, stepping on them. "All y'all gone die!!" He screams before storming out.

"Shit, I hope he doesn't figure out what we're up to. Damn Lani, you gotta keep yo hoe in check." Drummer sighs, shaking his head.

"The only hoe I have is you."