I slowly crept into the house, trying my hardest not to be heard. I looked up at the clock on the wall and it readI was exhausted. I'd been dancing all night, trying to make enough money to at least pay some of the late bills for the month. I had yet to count the money I made but I knew it would be enough to at least pay one or two.

Making my way upstairs and into my room, I looked around for Josiah. He was no where to be found until I heard the toilet in the hallway bathroom flush. Panicking, I quickly took off my outside clothes to make seem as if I'd never left.

As he washed his hands, I snatched my hoodie off and then my sweatpants, throwing them both into my small closet. I then put on the pajamas I'd had on before I left the house and took my hair out of the slick bun that it was in.

I could hear his footsteps coming back toward my room as I hopped into the bed, pulling the covers over me.

"Montana." His deep voice spoke as I opened my eyes to look at him.

"Goodmorning." I played it cool.

He simply looked at me as he made his way back over to the bed and got in beside me.

"Goodmorning." He smirked, leaning in to peck my lips.

The room was quiet as we laid there, looking into each other's eyes. He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him before deciding to speak again.

"Where were you?" He asked like I figured he would.

"I was downstairs.."

He stayed quiet as he looked at me, I could feel that he knew I was lying but I wasn't sure if he actually did.

"Montana, where were you?" He asked again, removing his arm from around my waist.

"I told you I was do-"

"You left this house around two something this morning and you're just getting in the crib. Where were you, Monty?" He licked his lips, looking up at the ceiling.

"Okay. I went to work. Remember I told y'all that I had to work?"

"So work requires you to be there at two in the morning and lie to me when I ask about your whereabouts?" He raised an eyebrow, looking at me again.

I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him so bad but I knew that I couldn't. He'd kill me before any explanation and then he'd make me stop all together. And I couldn't have that. I had bills to pay, whether I liked it or not.

"It's a warehouse job, Joey and they only had overnight slots available." I slick lied through my teeth, looking down afterwards.

"I thought you'd be upset that I left you in bed alone, that's the only reason I lied." I lied again.

Looking at me for a while, he said nothing as if he was thinking deeply.

"Why didn't you wake me up and let me take you?"

"It's not far from here. Plus I knew you were really tired since I put you to sleep." I spoke slickly as a smile crept onto the both of our faces.

"Yeah Aight." He laughed, pulling me to him and leaving small kisses on my cheek.

"I'm about to go back to my crib to shower and shit then I'm going to grab us some breakfast." He suggested as we both pulled away.

"Okay." I nodded, hungrier than ever before.

"Whatchu want?" He asked, getting out of the bed and grabbing his shirt that was on the floor.

"The usual." I told him, meaning pancakes, eggs, bacon and grits from the breakfast place that we always go to.

"Aight. I'll be back in about an hour."

"Okay." I yawned, pulling the covers onto my body and snuggling into them.

He leaned over to kiss my cheek and then my lips as I looked up into his eyes.

"I love you, Montana."

My heart fluttered hearing those words.

"I love you too." I spoke, my heart skipping a beat.

We didn't say it a lot but every time we did, it felt like the first time. Love was rare in my life but Joey, I knew he loved every part of me which is why it hurt me so badly to lie to him. He didn't deserve that.

He's my best friend for god sake.

Breaking myself away from my thoughts, I watched as he walked out of my room and closed the door behind him. I sighed deeply once he did, feeling like complete shit.

What a life.

*

I'd just gotten out of the shower to rid the essence of the strip club. After drying off and getting dressed, I grabbed my duffle bag that I managed to cram into my closet. I pulled it out and unzipped it as I sat on the floor and began to count all of the one's and bigger bills that were thrown for me last night.

It took about 45 minutes to do and once I was done, I realized I'd only made half of what I'd need for all of the bills. Meaning, I would have to put what I'd already had saved up for myself together with the money from last night to make ends meet because I knew my mother couldn't. She never could.

After putting all of the money together, it was the exact amount of money for bills. Meaning, I didn't know how I would eat tonight or any other night this month unless I got back on the pole.

Fuming, I didn't allow the urge to cry to takeover. I sucked up the tears and grabbed all of the money, taking it downstairs.

I could hear the living room TV playing Good Times as I made my way down the staircase. Once I made it to the last step, a cloud of smoke invaded my lungs, making me churn my face up.

"Hi, mom." I spoke simply, fanning the smoke as she looked up at me with dead eyes.

"Hey, Monty." She spoke with no enthusiasm, pointing at the remote that was directly in front of her on the coffee table.

"Grab that for mama." She said while I rolled my eyes, doing as told.

Once I gave that to her, I put the stack of money on the table as well.

"That's for the bills this month." I explained and she nodded simply.

"You sure that's enough? Looks light."

"It's enough." I rolled my eyes.

"Good. You know I always say I'll get around to it but forget all about it." She chuckled and I said nothing, making my way back upstairs.

"Come here. I didn't say I was finished talking." She spat, making me smack my lips.

"Snack them again." She taunted while I looked up at the sky, coming back down the stairs.

"Ignorant ass kids." I heard her mumble and shake her head.

Coming back downstairs, I stood there and waited for her to speak.

"You had Josiah in this house last night?" She asked, putting the cigarette to her mouth.

"And don't lie because I saw him when he left."

Okay then what the hell is the question?

"Yes." I spoke simply and she shook her head.

"What the hell did I tell you about him staying here?"

"I already told you I ain't raising no damn babies, Montana. I keep telling you."

Staying silent, I just looked at her in disgust. She obviously never wanted to raise anyone. Not even me.

"Don't have him spending the night in this house no more. I done already told the both of y'all." She spat and I rolled my eyes, going up the stairs.

"All of that stomping and rolling of the eyes shit, you can do outside my house!" She went on as I stomped up the stairs. I was sick of this.

"Trifling ass little girl." I heard her say.

Closing my door, I laid my back against, collecting myself. Before I could even get upset, my phone lit up and I already knew that it was Josiah.

Thank God.

"Hello." I answered.

"Come outside."

"Coming."

*