"Boog, the insurance check came.."

I looked at my mama and nodded my head before heading up the stairs. Fuck that insurance check because it's not gonna fix my emotional damage and no amount of money in the world could compare to how much that building meant to me. After all these years, I had finally found my purpose. I finally had something that was mine, MINE! And it was taken away from me. Shit was stupid, and I'll never get over it; and no one could make me.

I pushed my bedroom door open and locked it behind me as I started taking off my clothes. I threw everything into my basket and fixed my briefs before climbing into bed. I laid flat on my back with my hands behind my head, watching my ceiling fan just spin. Shit was just too fucked up to even enjoy life right now. It's been about two weeks since everything transpired. So much just done went wrong. Still in disbelief, somebody burned my gallery down. Bad things always happen to good people. Like, what did I do to deserve this? I'm just grateful my in-laws had it in their mind to pack me and my students' pantings. I don't know how, but I'm glad they did.

"Who the fuck are you?"

I sat up quickly once I heard my mama's voice. I slipped some shorts on and stood up.

"Bitch where yo weak ass son at?"

I shook my head and laughed because, nah. I just know that's not Kambria's pussy ass brother. That's the wrong one, playboy. I am so sick of muthafuckas playing with me and my family. People mustn't know I lived in the trenches before Cedar Grover. I laughed again because people keep trying to play me soft because I'm rich. I snatched my second closest door open and grabbed the 12 gauge shotgun from the gun safe and ran downstairs. The twins' cries made my ears perk up as I hit the last step. I made it to the foyer and pumped the shotgun with one hand while holding it up.

"Can you think of one reason why I shouldn't blow your shit back?" I grabbed my mama and pulled her behind me. I kept the gun pointed directly at his head because the way I'm feeling, I won't hesitate to pull the trigger. He held his hands up in surrender and stepped out the door, walking backwards as I walked towards him.

"I-III-I jj-just wanted to talk about what you did to my sister."

I laughed because I got this bitch stuttering. "Instead of trying to talk to me, you need to be talking to your weird ass, delusional ass sister. I didn't touch her. She did that to herself. Kambria cheated on me! She's the reason the relationship ended. Next time, make sure you have all the facts straight before you risk yo freedom by being dumb."

I raised the shotgun and hit him in the face with the butt, making him fall. "And that's for calling my mama out her name, bitch! Fuck off my property!"

I turned around and pulled my mama into me, hugging her. "You okay?"

She nodded her head and squeezed me tight while I rested my chin on her head. When will this shit end? I had more peace in jail, man. I shook my head and grabbed her hand, leading us back into the house. "I'm going to go put this back up and I'll be right back down to help you with the twins."

I ran upstairs and put the gun back in the safe. I didn't bother locking it because I had a feeling I was going to be using it or another one soon. I'm so ready to get away from Jersey man. My Bug's birthday is not coming fast enough. Since we're both unemployed, I changed the dates to a week instead of a few days. After the festivities are over, her brothers are coming back, and we're going to stay for an extra few days. Hell, that's if I'm able to leave. Fucking court appearance. Kambria dumbass is deadass ruining my life. Fuck man!

I went back downstairs and grabbed Sahil from his swing and wiped his face. Their fat butts are teething. I walked into the kitchen, went to the freezer, and grabbed the tittymilk popsicle. We sat at the kitchen table and I adjusted him in my arm as I fed him the popsicle because he wasn't strong enough to hold it.

"Jayyyyyy!"

I smiled as I shook my head, because that wasn't anybody but my Rugrat. I stood up from the table, still holding Sa in my arm, as I walked into the living room. She attacked my legs and moved her body from left to right as she looked up at me, grinning silly. "Emmmmie! Hey boo!"

"Look! I painted today!"

She held up her paper, making me gasp dramatically. She giggled and gave me a high five. "You want some ice cream?"

She nodded her head rapidly, making me laugh. "Go put some shoes on, boo."

She took off running, God knows where. I looked at my daddy, who was all in Silas's face making him giggle. I looked down at Sahil because he was too quiet. I shook my head because he had managed to fall asleep. I held the popsicle in my hand and wiped his face with his bib before setting him back in his swing. I grabbed his pacifier that was in a small bucket of ice and pushed it into his mouth.

"Boog! Come with me."

I turned to see my mama in one those "I'm a wife and mother of four" outfits. I shook my head because where were we going? "Where?"

"Sam's! We going grocery shopping. Your daddy is going to stay and watch the twins."

I nodded my head. "Yes ma'am, let me go change real quick."

I ran upstairs into my room and grabbed a random pair of sweatpants and a hoodie along with my Ugg slippers from my closet. I grabbed my wallet and phone from the nightstand before heading back down. I scooped up Emmie fast and tossed her into the air, making her giggle. I adjusted her sweat pants and made sure her crocs were on the right feet. Babies are so slow when it comes to shoes.

"Bye, Dada!" She screamed as we walked out of the door. Mama hit the locks to the Range Rover since that's where Emmie's car seat was. I buckled her in and made sure it was secure before shutting the door. I don't know why I didn't bring her iPad. I pulled my seatbelt across me and buckled it, getting comfortable.

"You know why I asked you to come with me?"

I looked at my mama and shook my head. "No, why?"

"To get you out of the house. You've been cooped up in the basement since everything has happened. I know you are hurting, and I promise you won't be for much longer. If I have to get rid of Kambria myself, I will. You're going to be okay, Boog. This was just a setback for a major comeback." She pinched my cheek and continued driving.

If I can't count on anyone else, I know I can count on my mama. She has had my back since day one. The vibration of my phone startled me, making me fish it out of my pocket. It was an incoming call from my Bugga. I swiped the answer bar over and placed the phone up to my ear. "Wassup Bug?"

"I miss you! It's been weeks and I'm having withdrawals. I just wanna lay under you. You take all my pain and worries away and at this time, I need that."

I laughed and shook my head because she was being a dramatic brat. But I could understand where she was coming from. My love needed a break, a mental break. Her mother's return has been messing with her heavily, and on top of Mr. Orion's heart attack, she's been working over time. "You want me to spend the night or are you coming to the house?"

"Can you come to me please?"

"I gotchu Bug. After me and mama finish grocery shopping, I'm on my way." I looked out the window as my mama sped down the road. Her heavy feet.

"Thank you, Pooh."

I shook my head, smiling. "It's nothing, baby. You need anything while I'm out?"

"Just my favorite snacks. I'm making ziti and garlic bread from scratch."

"Ooo, not authentic Italian food made by an Italian. I bet you're using your grandma's recipe too."

I could hear the smile on her face. "You know it."

After grocery shopping for about two hours, we finally made it back to the house. My mama knows she can spend some money. Gah damn. I threw my seatbelt off and climbed out of the drivers' seat. I popped the trunk and opened the garage door, yelling for my daddy. While mama took care of a sleeping Emerie, my daddy and I took care of the groceries. I grabbed two cases of water and headed inside to the pantry before returning back to the garage. We did that until everything was in the kitchen. I separated me and Juice's stuff before heading upstairs.

I cut the light and went into my closet to grab my duffle bag. I grabbed some stuff from my drawers, packing at least a week's worth of clothing. I grabbed my Coach bookbag and added my electronics before leaving out. "Parents!"

"In the kitchen, Boog!"

I made a beeline for the left and shook my head at the sight. My daddy's long ass was sitting at the bar with my mama between his legs as he rubbed his hands across her backside. It was just disgusting.

"Where you going?"

Before I could even answer him, my mama beat me to it. "He's spending the night with, Juice."

"Night? Hell, it looks like he's moving in."

I bust out laughing and headed down to the basement. After I destroyed everything, my grandparents replaced everything and my mama reorganized it. I grabbed two medium-sized canvases, some brushes, and paint, placing everything in my travel case. I turned the light off and headed back to the kitchen, grabbing the bag of snacks. I threw up the peace sign as I walked to the front door.

"Let us know when you make it!" My mama loud ass. I shook my head and looked at the bowl of keys, trying to see what I wanted to drive. I'm ready for the winter to disappear so I can ride my bike. I grabbed the keys to the Bentley and walked out of the door.

Once I hit the keyfob, I pulled the backdoor open and sat my bags on the backseat before sliding into the front. I pushed the start button and pulled the seatbelt across my body. I sent a quick message to my girlfriend, letting her know that I was on the way. I palmed the wheel and pulled out, driving down the driveway. I opened the gate and pulled out, making sure it was closed before I continued down the road.

"Baby!" Juice screamed and jumped on me as soon as she opened the door. I dropped the bags so I could secure her in my arms. I spun us around as she tightened her grip on me. I squatted down and grabbed my bags and walked us into the house.

She jumped down and gripped my face in her hand. She pecked my lips before leaning back in giving me a few more. I smiled against her lips.

I smirked. "You didn't miss me that much now."

She matched my smirk before rolling her eyes playfully. "And what if I did?"

I shook my head as she grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her. We walked upstairs to her room, and she took my bags, setting them in her closet. I closed the door behind me and pulled my hoodie off along with my sweatpants. I folded them up and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her in between my legs. I rubbed my hands up and down her thighs. She rubbed her hands through my hair, seeing that I had it down. That's when I realized we both needed an escape from reality within each other.

"Are you ready to eat?" She asked while looking down in my face.

I nodded my head. She caressed my face before walking out of the room. I slid back on the bed, against her headboard, and grabbed the remote from her nightstand. I flipped through the apps before finding our show of the month, which was Without a Trace. I went to the correct season and episode we were on. I grabbed my phone and sent a text to the group chat between me and my parents, letting them know I had made it.

"Here you go, Pooh." I looked up to see Orianne walking my way with a tray. It was holding the bowl of ziti, a small salad, and a cup. She placed the tray across my lap and slid it into the bed beside me.

I missed the side of her face. "Thank you, Bugga. Where's Pops?"

"You're welcome, Pooh, and he's sleeping. He took his medicine and knocked out right."

I nodded my head and started eating my food. I grabbed the bowl of pasta and took a bite, shaking my head. Either I'm just hungry or it's just that good. Juice wrapped her arms around my waist, laying on my stomach as I ate my food. I knew it wouldn't be long before she started snoring softly. Without A Trace is a good ass show. I don't like Sam at all. It takes two to tango, but at the same time, she should've left that married man alone. She wasn't over Jack and started playing with Martin's feelings and had the nerve to be upset because he broke up with her. Crazy.

"C'mere." I pulled her into me and she just sighed, a sigh of relaxation. After I ate, I let her sleep for a little while, then woke her up so we could take our showers. She wanted to be skin-to-skin tonight, so we were laid up in the bed as I rubbed the tips of my fingers up and down her back. She shivered against my touch. I spelled my name with my finger and made a heart.

"Thank you." She whispered, and I knew then that she was shortly on her way to sleep. I smiled and kissed her forehead. Although she didn't say a lot, she did. I knew my baby wasn't the type to talk about things headon, but she's working on that. She loves to communicate, but she sometimes has trouble getting her words together.

Before I went to sleep myself, I prayed that this storm would be over soon for the both of us.