"Momo, you sure y'all don't want to use the jet? I don't want y'all on the road."

I shook my head watching Pops try to talk our grandparents out of driving up to the resort. We all would've flown on the jet, but Mama was not ready for the twins to fly yet. Even though they're at the age they can, she still wasn't ready. I busted out laughing once Momo popped him in the lip. Paw just sat there and shook his head.

Momo waved him off. "Boy hush. My other grandson, Savion, is driving us. We're going to be okay."

"Crazy ass lady." Pops mumbled and ran away before he could get hit by the slipper.

I shook my head and walked into the kitchen, going towards the sink. I washed my hands and grabbed two paper plates, loading the first one up with hot wings and the second with two slices of alfredo pizza and a slice of sausage. Being that the house is kind of chaotic right now because of last minute gift wrapping, cleaning up, and last minute packing, Pops ordered food so Mama wouldn't have to cook. It's not like she was going to anyway. She said she wasn't cooking this week because she was cooking for the two weeks we're going to be gone.

I grabbed a strawberry lemonade Gatorade and the buttermilk ranch from the refrigerator. I dipped one of my drums into the ranch and bit into it.

"O'mari!"

I sighed and dropped my wing, hearing my name come through the intercom. I swear, it's like your parents know when you're relaxing. I wiped my hands with a napkin and grabbed a slice of pizza before heading upstairs because it was none other than my mama summoning me.

"Yes ma'am?" I stood at the threshold and bit the pizza, chewing as I watched her pack the twins' duffle bags. We were only going to be gone for two weeks, but babies need more stuff than we do.

"Where's Juice?"

I stopped chewing and stared at the back of her head. It took everything in me to not smack my lips so she wouldn't go upside my head. She knew she could've asked me that when she came downstairs. I finished chewing and swallowed. "She'll be here soon. Her family took her out today because this is their first time spending the holidays apart."

She nodded her head. "That's right. I know she is going through it. 12 brothers? I used to lose my mind with just Savion, hell."

I laughed. "She definitely does. What did you get her for Christmas?"

She straight faced me and threw a bottle at my head, making me duck and run out of the room laughing. Well, I tried. I hit the stairs going back down so I could finish my food.

"Jay!"

I turned to see Emmie driving her Range Rover. Her smartass knew how to drive it by herself now instead of being controlled by the remote. "Wassup boo?"

"Hiiiii!" She dragged out waving and drove off, making me laugh. Her badass is supposed to be at school, but of course, our grandparents picked her up before coming here. I shook my head and walked back into the kitchen.

I warmed my food back up and took a seat at the table to finish my food because I hadn't eaten all day. I had been too busy loading both vehicles up with gifts and luggage. A youngin is tired. I finished my food and went back upstairs to finish packing. I need to finish wrapping gifts as well, but I'll do that once we make it. I hit a few buttons on the wall, making the surround sound system play only in my room.

"You liking what you see? Everything' designer, that's on me. That's water when I walk. Lookin' like you, just tryna fuck, yeah!" I sang along to Heat by Chris Brown as I moved around my room. I grabbed my black Coach Canvas bookbag and the matching Venturer duffle from my closet, tossing both onto my bed.

I had already packed my main suitcase; now I was about to pack my hygiene products, a few art supplies, and my PlayStation. I refuse to be bored in the mountains for two weeks. I already know Uncle Sav and Pawpaw are going to drive me crazy. I went into my bathroom and squatted in front of the cabinet, grabbing a new bottle of body wash, a box of toothpaste, and a new spinbrush toothbrush. Before leaving the bathroom, I grabbed my hair and face products.

Having long hair is a lot of work. I have days where I want to cut it but instantly kill that thought because I would never. I made sure all the tops on everything were secure before placing them in the bottom of my duffle bag.

"Brotherrrrr!"

I shook my head, not even bothering to turn around. "Niyah, I'm not buying you anything or giving you any money. Christmas is days away!"

She smacked her lips, making me laugh. "What type of brother are you?"

I turned around and jumped at her making her trip. "I'm a good brother. You're just a spoiled brat. What do you want?"

"Let me wear your brown Amiri hoodie. It matches my outfit for the road."

I shook my head because I should've known. I threw my head back towards the closet. She's cheesed and kissed my cheek before skipping in there. Damn brat. Going towards my TV stand, I pulled one of the doors open and pulled out my PlayStation travel case. I dusted it off and began packing it with the system as a whole and a few games.

About a couple hours later, I was almost done with everything on my list. I sat my pillow and queen sized throw blanket on top of my bags by my door. My mama had the cleaning supplies, so I didn't have to worry about that.

"It's like you caught up in a maze. But you keep on going in circles, girl when you're trying to find a way out. But it's time I put on my cape and put that's on my chest! Girl, I wanna come and save you, but I'm stuck in the middle of seeing you hurt." I sang along to Mario's Crying Out For Me as I walked around my room cleaning and picking up.

"I can hear your heart crying out for me! I can hear your heart crying out for me! And it keeps on saying, come on in, come on in come on in and save me! And it keeps on saying, come on in, come on in come on in and save me! I can, baby, I can hear your heart crying out for me!"

My ears perked up, making me whip around. I smirked at my lovebug singing and dancing her way into my room. She dropped her bags and made her way towards me—wrapping her arms around my neck, moving side to side as she continued singing. The way her eyes were sitting low let me know that she was on a tipsy-high. Her Italian ass knew she liked her wine. My assumption was correct once she rubbed my face, grinning.

"Hiiii pooh!"

I laughed because she was definitely feeling it. I placed my hands under her thighs. "Jump."

She did as told and wrapped her legs around my torso. I like my big baby. I walked us into the bathroom and sat her on the counter. I opened the left drawer and grabbed her pack of Crayon Case wipes and began removing her make-up.

"Our parents are downstairs talking." She swung her legs with her eyes closed, making me smile and shake my head. Baby was too gone. I already knew she finna crash once I put her in the bed.

"Whaa? Not the governor in my house." I spoke in a surprised joking tone, making her smack her lips.

She opened her eyes, laughing, and looked at me. "Boy hush."

I grabbed another wipe just to make sure I wiped all the make-up off before throwing the used wipes away. I grabbed a towel from the cabinet and saturated it with warm water before wiping her face. "Are you showering tonight or in the morning?"

"Tonight. I just wanna lay down right now. The room spinning."

I busted out laughing because, yea, the wine is winning. I walked out of the bathroom to grab a gown from her drawer and returned to the bathroom. I helped her out of the dress she had on because she went with her family right after work. I pulled the gown over her head and took her to bed. "You know what you're wearing in the morning?"

"Yes, it's in my MCM tote. Pops put my luggage in the car when I pulled up. Are you going to wake me up so I can shower?"

I nodded my head and turned the big light off, leaving the lamp on. "Yes bug, go ahead and take a nap."

While she was about to take a nap, I was going to finish cleaning my room so when we returned I could just drop my bags and get into my bed. I'm really going to be running on E because as soon as we get back I have to hit the ground running for my grand opening. I've sold over 500 tickets, and that's not even including the workers and my students. I'm glad my building was big and two stories because the fire marshals would definitely be shutting me down. 500 wasn't even the cut off, but I had to put a cap on them. I doubt all 500 will show up, though.

I finished cleaning up and covered up Orianne's lower half before grabbing my MacBook and exiting my room. A lot of people don't like the thought of infatuation because they don't agree with it. They think it's only a strong sense of attraction towards someone, but it's more than that. When I say I'm infatuated with Orianne, I'm infatuated with all of her and not just the attraction and lust. I'm obsessed with everything that pertains to her. I like her work ethic; it's very important to her, so she puts her best foot forward every time and I like that about her. I like how her nose crinkles when she's deep in thought, the way her thighs move when she walks, just everything about her is infatuating.

"Xavier!" I yelled as I hit the stairs going down into her kitchen. I yelled again once he pulled one of my braids. I sat my MacBook on the counter so I wouldn't drop it, but his ugly self still had a grip on my braid.

"Aight! Let it go, Pops! I'm sorry." I tried to punch him in his stomach, but he jumped back.

"I told you about messing with my baby." Mama smacked his bare back, making him hiss and letting my braid go. I laughed and sighed in relief.

"I need the company card, so can I order the champagne. Ma have you talked to the decorator? What's the bill?" I asked as I took a seat at the bar. I opened my MacBook and looked at her as she prepared to wash Emmie's hair. She had washed and braided mine last night. She does a lot as a mother to five kids and a wife, which is why I'm cashing out for her and Juice for their birthdays.

"Here, use mine, Jay. It'll be part one of your grand opening gift."

I looked up and Pawpaw was holding his card out. I grabbed it and shook my head. "Thank you, Pawpaw."

"The decorator has been taken care of already, and before you ask, no, it wasn't us."

I furrowed my eyebrows watching her put that ugly ass smirk on her face. If they didn't do it, then who did? Because they knew we had an agreement to at least let me pay for something for the grand opening out of my own pockets. I'm all for them helping me with whatever. I will never deny their help, but the art gallery is mine and I just wanted to at least pay for something. "Who did it?"

She shrugged and raised her hands. "Can't tell you that."

I smacked my lips. "You're annoying and we fighting once you get done with Em's hair."

"I don't care." She sassed, knowing damn well she did because the last time we fought, she lost.

I unlocked my Mac, went to the saved file, and added another page so I could edit the VIP guest list, which was nothing but family. I needed them upstairs and out of the way. The names West and Wright were two powerful names, and the people of New Jersey knew that. I know my family isn't going to do anything, but I have to worry about other people provoking and creating situations where my family won't do anything.

Once I completed the VIP guest list, I made sure to put that Kambria Robinson was not allowed on the regular guest list. Being that once you purchase a ticket online or at the center, your name is automatically entered into the system and it generates a list for me, all I have to do is edit. When I first started selling my tickets, I noticed Kambria bought one, and I instantly refunded her. She kept purchasing tickets and I kept refunding, but eventually I said fuck it. Security will just have to escort her off the premises. If she shows up, I know for sure that's the only problem I'll have that night, but I'm praying she doesn't because there's going to be too many cameras rolling. My mama is crazy, then my sister got some loose screws, and Orianne mob ass is definitely not wrapped too tight.

Lord, pray for me.

"Come on, bug, it's time to get up. I've let you sleep long enough." I sent a hard slap to her ass, making it jiggle and her groan into the bed.

"Pooh, that shit hurt!" She looked up, pouting. I laughed and wiped the slob from the side of her mouth, grabbing her hand and pulling her up off the bed.

"Yea yea. I got you a fresh gown and everything in the bathroom. Go ahead and shower so we can cuddle."

She kissed my cheek before stretching and walking into my bathroom. I had already taken my shower prior to waking her up, so I pulled my shorts off and adjusted my dick in my briefs before sliding into bed. I grabbed my remote and flicked through, looking for something to watch. I eventually decided on Scary Movie II because nothing else appealed to me at the moment. I placed my right hand at the waistband of my briefs and got comfortable. Tomorrow was going to be busy and long. Pawpaw said we were leaving at 8, but I doubt it. Black people don't leave on time for nothing. The ride was about 8 hours long, and if I didn't sleep tonight, I would definitely sleep on the road tomorrow.

"You want to see a picture of me in prison?" I asked Orianne as we sat up in bed. It's been about two hours since she showedered, and we are just sitting up in my room.

She laughed. "You got pictures of yourself while in prison?"

I nodded my head laughing as well. "Yes, my mama would always snap pictures of me while she was working. Our bond is really deeper than the surface. She's my rock. Lady kept me sane. It was tough on me because Taraji gave the judge authorization to put me in the program, a program I feel no child should be in no matter the crime they committed."

I grabbed my phone, went to me and my mama's message thread, and scrolled through our photos before tapping on a picture of me in my orange uniform.

"Waiiiit! Why are you mugging so hard?" She grabbed the phone from my hand and shook her head.

"The boys I used to call my friends approached me in one of the rec rooms trying to talk like everything was sweet."

She whipped her head around, looking at me. "Hold on, you ain't say you were locked up with them."

I nodded my head. "Yup. I was only in max because of the program. If Taraji didn't tell the judge it was okay for me to be inducted, I would've been in the west wing with them, which is actually for juveniles. I don't even know how they got into the rec center because they weren't supposed to be on my side."

"They're receiving their karma every time they wake up. They're inside and you're outside, living a wonderful, amazing life. I see that look in your eye when you're thinking, and I don't want you to dwell on the past, or what ifs. You made it pooh. You survived that dark time in your life. You didn't let it make you, you made it." She smiled before cuffing my face and kissing me all over.

"Alright! Everybody needs to use the bathroom now because we are not stopping until it's time to get gas the second time."

I smacked my lips and pushed my daddy as I walked out of the front door. Because if I gotta pee, I'm going to pee and he's acting like if mama says stop, he's not going to stop. He better gone. It's too early for him.

"Ms. Niyah Buchanan! Tell the people what you're wearing."

I shook my head watching Juice put her reporter voice on while my mama was holding one of her many cameras, obviously recording. She had the mic attached and all. Lord, what am I going to do with them?

"Today I have the pleasure of wearing an Amiri MA Bar Logo hoodie in the color brown. My bottoms are Nike Pro leggings from this year's spring line, and on my feet I'm sporting a pair of Chestnut Tasman Ugg slippers. All provided by my lovely brother, Jayden." Niyah pointed my way, which resulted in me giving her a blank stare.

Mama turned around, putting the camera on me, making me stick my middle finger up. I busted out laughing once my mama mugged me. It is too early to be playing with them. Finally, after everybody stopped playing around, we all piled into both vehicles. In the Yukon XL, my parents occupied the front seats; the twins and Emmie occupied the middle row in their seats, while me and Juice had the last row to ourselves. In the Tahoe were Momo, Paw, Sav, and Niyah. This ride was going to be really interesting.

"Pooh, let's take a picture for our album."

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder, pulling her into me. She held up her phone, with the camera already open.

"To our first trip together!"

We cheesed and she tapped the button. I stuck my tongue out and licked her cheek as she took a few more.