The car ride home was filled with high emotions.

Jora was pissed that she didn't get to put her hands on Roxy.

Audrey was shaken up due to the quick escalation of the situation.

I, on the other hand, was worried. My brain went into overtime as all of these questions and concerns ran me into a frenzy.

What if somebody saw them? What if it was a setup on Edwards's part? Were there cameras that caught them fighting?

Edwards had nothing to lose. His chances at getting drafted into the NBA this year were slim to none due to his hand injury. This was Carson's last year; he had everything to lose. He was Captian of the team, his stats were off the charts, and he was rumored to be the number one first-round draft pick for the 2022 NBA draft.

All eyes were on him.

'' Babe,'' Sky grabbed my hand, squeezing it as she brought me out of my overthinking. ''Stop stressing, everything will be fine.'' I appreciated her trying to calm my nerves, I did. But everyone's emotions were high during the altercation– none of us took the time to think about the consequences.

I chewed on my thumbnail as the driver pulled up to our building. '' We don't know that. What if there were cameras hidden in blind spots of the parking lot? What if-''

Skylar covered my mouth with her palm, cutting me off from my rant. '' Take a deep breath in,'' I followed her instructions, inhaling a breath as she did it with me. '' Now exhale.'' We both exhaled. I found myself a little lighter than I was a few seconds ago, but it wasn't much help for my uneasiness.

'' Come on,'' she offered me her hand, helping me out of the car. '' The boys should be here any minute. Everything will be fine, Ayanna. Edwards isn't smart enough to come up with a plan to set up Carson if somebody paid him.'' I choked on my laughter as she charged for the elevator, punching the button to call it repeatedly.

'' Sky, punching the button over and over will not make it come any faster.'' Sky threw an incredulous look at me as the elevator door opened,'' So says you.'' I roll my eyes as I follow her onto the elevator.

'' I'm fucking starved,'' she fusses as the elevator starts to ascend,'' All this petty drama is making me hungry. A girl can only handle one headache at a time– now we have to deal with two.''

Skylar had me cracking up the entire ride up to our floor. She ranted about debating whether or not to send her therapy bill to Edwards and Roxy for the immense distress they had created today. I was doubling over in laughter, my stomach clenching so hard as I tried to catch my breath.

'' You are a mess, Skylar McKay.'' Sky shrugged her shoulders indifferently, watching me struggle to get my key into the keyhole.

'' I made you laugh, that was the goal,'' she grinned proudly, snatching the key from me.'' This is the wrong key, dumbass.''

I open and close my mouth; nothing came out as I blinked abashed as she unlocked the door.''Because that's not embarrassing at all,'' I whisper to myself, closing the door behind me as I shrug my jacket off.

We barely made it two feet into the apartment when Rhegan comes flying around the corner like a bat out of hell, a few pieces of clothing in her arm. ''Take these,'' she says, checking the sizes before throwing them to us.

'' Rhegan babe, did you have another meltdown and binge shop again?'' Rhegan smiles timidly, tilting her head to the side as her eyes wander the hallway.

''It was in New York when Dom was upset with me.'' I lift an eyebrow, wondering when she had time to binge shop between the fifteen-minute car ride and the time they had made up. Rhegan was the type to shop when her anxiety hit or when she was having an episode.

Some people went to therapy– Rhegan went to her nearest Saks.

'' When did you have time to do that?'' I gaped.

'' I don't remember,'' she spoke, pulling us through the hallway. '' Do you guys want brownies? Sade whipped up her special brownies.'' Skylar zoomed towards the kitchen at the mention of Sade's edibles.

Cannabis culture in L. A was everywhere; there wasn't a corner you could turn without there being a weed shop along the block. L. A was the Amsterdam of America when it came to good, quality weed. I personally preferred weed over cigarettes because there was a lesser chance of me having health problems, and the smoker's breath is nasty.

Cigarettes were nasty in general.

The only cons that I had about weed were the strong stenches. As if showing up to a class or event with red, hazy eyes wasn't enough, the stench made it ten times more obvious. Of course, it all depended on the strain you got and the brand of wraps.

Then there were edibles.

I was wishy-washy when it came to edibles. You had to be extremely careful with how much you ate, or you would be in a world of trouble. For example, it was freshman year; and it was Lizzie's first experience with an edible. She ate a whole cookie without our knowledge.

That night, she went on a psychedelic rollercoaster. It's safe to say that that was the first and last time she'd eaten an edible unmonitored.

'' Maybe this will help ease your mind from overthinking.'' I snap my head in Rhegan's direction. She gives me a knowing glare. I couldn't get anything past her. '' We've been friends for how long? I know when you drive yourself up and down the wall with your overthinking.''

I could only sigh in response. She knew me like the back of her palm. Just like I could read her like an open book.

Upon entering the kitchen, I noticed that Audrey was missing. '' Where's Audrey?'' I asked, taking the knife from Elizabeth as she attempted to cut a brownie.

She gawked in outrage as I gave her the do you really want to go there look. Elizabeth accepted her defeat, shutting her mouth as she tapped her fingers along the marble countertop.

''Fine, whatever,'' she mumbled as she looked around.

'' She went to go change,'' Sade laughed, pinching Lizzie's cheeks as she teased her. '' Baby still has a lot to learn.'' Elizabeth slapped her hand away, a small pout forming on her face as we laughed at her expense.

'' It was one time,'' she whined.'' Are you guys seriously never going to let that go?''

'' Liz,'' Jora said in a nurturing tone. '' You almost did a striptease in front of the whole frat party we went to, so sue us if we don't ever want you handling edibles by yourself.'' Elizabeth covered her face with a few strands of blonde hair, trying to hide the red tinge that appeared on her cheeks.

'' Don't remind me.''

The brownies were passed out and distributed before we headed to the living room. We turned on the t.v deciding on watching a few episodes of a random real housewives franchise before the boys showed up.

''I'll get it.'' Sky almost tripped over the blankets she was tangled in on her way to the door. By the squeal that ripped throughout the house, it alerted us of the boy's arrival. '' Baby!'' Her squeal became muffled. No doubt due to her jumping into Marcus's arms before he even entered the apartment.

Multiple footsteps were heard walking down the hallway as the boys made their way into the living room. '' Oh, brownies.'' Haze reached for one as he walked towards the coffee table.

My eyes widen as alarms went off in my head. ''No! Don't eat those!'' I slapped his hand away from the plate. '' These are not brownies you should be eating during the season,'' I explained. A look of understanding replaced the look of bewilderment he'd previously sported.

'' Damn,'' Dominic muttered under his breath, nostrils flaring as I grabbed the plate from Haze.

Fucking feign.

I stood up, taking the plate of brownies to the kitchen and covering the plate with a lid. A flurry of butterflies went off in my stomach as I breathed deeply, inhaling that familiar musky scent. Tattooed arms wrapped around my waist, squeezing me tightly as he nuzzled his face into my neck.

I turned around in his hold, clutching his face in my palms as he studied me.

'' Is my girl high?'' He teased, walking me back into the edge of the counter.

I shook my head, biting my lower lip to keep from smiling. '' Absolutely not,'' I said in my best attempt at being sober. '' Uh-huh,'' he says, clearly not believing me.

''You don't believe me?'' I gawked as he shook his head. '' You look high as kite, baby,'' he pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. I giggled as he tickled my sides, happy that he was in a better mood compared to an hour ago.

'' Well shit,'' I whispered, his gaze twinkling in amusement at the situation. Carson pulled my body closer to his as I leaned back into his arms. Our bodies were now flush each other. We were so close that we had to be sharing breath. I could feel the muscles in his lower abdomen against my stomach as he pushed into me.

''C'mere.'' His finger pinched my jaw, closing the distance between us as he kissed me lazily.

I wrapped my hands around his neck as he abandoned my waist– wandering past my ass– squeezing it harshly before he lifted me, placing me on the countertop. '' We've been in this position before,'' I giggle.

'' All that's missing is the whipped cream,'' he smiles into our kiss.

'' There's some in the fridge.'' My lips brush against his as he reattaches our lips. '' Sounds tempting,'' he hums, big hands caressing the sides of my thighs, all the way up to my ass as we indulge in the kiss.

''Oh, shit!'' I jump at the sound of Audrey's voice.

Carson's laughter booms throughout the kitchen as he turns around, greeting Audrey with a smile as I hide my face in his chest from embarrassment. '' Wassup brave,'' Carson smiled as Audrey's face turned red in annoyance at the nickname.

The boys took joy in calling Audrey every character in the book that had red hair. She drew the line at pornstars, and so did the rest of us girls.

I smiled softly at her as she headed for the fridge, pulling out one of the many cherry cokes that we had stocked up just for her. '' That was a good game today, Balboa,'' she winked as I guffawed. Carson's shoulders shook with laughter as I slid off of the counter, his hands gripping my waist to steady me.

'' Touche,'' he nods.'' Touche.'' We left Audrey in the kitchen, knowing that she wasn't too far behind as we headed into the living room.

''Are you mad?'' Kyler questions Jora, tugging on her belt loop as she stares over his shoulder.

A heavy sigh leaves her as she shifts her gaze towards him,'' No, and I wasn't even surprised. I can't trust you, Kyler.'' She admits out loud.'' I'm not saying that you have to be faithful to me because we aren't together. But you can't say that you want to be with me and fuck other chicks every time your dick gets hard."

'' How is a relationship going to work out if I don't trust you ?'' Jora exasperates as he lays his head on her shoulder, fingers still looped around the belt loop of her jeans. '' I'm not about to be sitting around here looking stupid because of you.'' I frowned as her voice cracked, her bottom lip trembled slightly as she looked up at the high ceilings.

"No me veré estúpido gracias a ti. No la haré.''

( I won't look stupid because of you. I won't. )

I hated seeing her like that.

Between Jora and Rhegan, those two were the best at keeping up a strong facade.

Rhegan hated being vulnerable in front of anyone– it didn't matter who you were. She didn't like crying, feeling helpless, or looking weak. Jora, on the other hand, kept everything bottled up until she exploded with whatever emotion she was going through. She usually tried suppressing her emotions with sex or alcohol.

'' Do you care about me?'' He finally looked at her, making her return his gaze as he palmed her cheek. Jora's eyes looked glassy as she shook her head, lying. '' Don't lie to me,'' Kyler whispered as she closed her eyes.

Jora's eyes always gave her away– they were like the entrance to her soul. Her eyes were her biggest strength and biggest weakness at the same time.

'' I saw how worried you were at the game. Don't sit here and lie about not caring for me when you do. '' Jora shook her head, a soft gasp leaving her lips as she opened her mouth.'' I wish that I didn't. You don't know how badly that I wished I'd never cared for you, never got involved with you.''

''Stop being nosey,'' Carson tugged my arm. I gawked in outrage at his hypocrisy.

As we left Kyler and Jora in their private space, I could hear him shushing her, begging her to give him a chance. Her words came out muffled as small sobs hiccuped from her as she spoke.

'' You make me feel so sad.'' Is the last thing I hear as we walk away.

And that was the breaking point. I refused to stay quiet about the mistreatment of one of my closest friends. Sure they were grown adults, but that was pure pain in her tone.

I wasn't having this shit any longer.

'' You guys need to talk some sense into him,'' I stopped Carson. '' I love Kyler, I do. He's like a big brother to me, but I will not sit back and watch my friend get shitted on repeatedly. I know that they are both adults and are going to do what they want eventually, but this isn't healthy. We all see the way she turns to alcohol when he uses her one minute and is off with another chick the next.''

Carson runs his hand over his jaw, nodding his head in agreement,'' I don't even know what we can say.'' He admits,'' He tells us that he wants to be with her but does something that contradicts his feelings. I don't know what's going on with him but I'll try, I know how much you hate seeing the girls hurt.''

'' The twisted thing is that he really likes her.'' I believed him, it did seem as if Kyler truly liked Jora. '' I just don't understand why he constantly hurts her. It's like he likes seeing her hurt over him.'' He shrugs as I shake my head in disbelief.

If that was true; then Kyler needed his ass kicked and handed to him.

'' Jora is my best friend, she's my sister,'' I say. '' I don't know how much longer I can bite my tongue over this and not blow up at him. We've all somehow non-verbally agreed to not get involved, but at what point does that change?''

''When Jora's in a fucking rehab facility because he's driven her to drink so much ?'' The words hurt to say but it was the truth. The girls and I were just happy that she didn't turn to the bottle when she found out about his latest betrayal. She turned to sex instead. Not saying that it was healthy, but it was better than the bottle.

Carson's face softened as he wrapped his hands around my neck lazily.'' That's not going to happen, baby. We'll talk to him, I promise.'' I pursed my lips, nodding in agreement as he placed a swift kiss on my lips.

''I'm going to change. I'll see you in the living room.''

I pulled away from Carson's hold, heading towards the stairs to get out of my clothes. As soon as I entered my room I began to strip out of my clothing, leaving a trail of clothes to my closet.

I felt more relaxed once I was changed into a long sleeve black v-neck and some old navy flannel bottoms. It was partially due to my high settling in and the fact that I was in comfortable clothing.

After picking up the trail of clothing and placing them into my laundry basket, I grabbed my phone and left my room.

Jora was coming out of her room as I passed her door. "Are you okay?" I stopped, taking in her tear stained cheeks, her eyes red as she laughed weakly.

"I'm fine," she chewed on the inside of her lip." I jus- I just don't want to be here right now." My eyes drift to the keys, coat, and purse in her hands.

We're both in our pajamas and sporting semi-messy hair dos. " You know, I'm kind of in the mood for ice cream." I wiggle my eyebrows suggestively.

A slow grin spreads on her face," Salt and Straw." I nod my head, grabbing her head and leading us downstairs. We passed the glass door of the balcony, noting all the boys sitting around the fire pit.

Carson stood with his arms crossed as he spoke quickly, the others nodding their heads in agreement at whatever he was saying. Kyler sat in front of the fire pit with his head in his hands at whatever they were telling him.

"Imagine if I did this shit to Sky. You would've kicked my ass all the way back to Boston. This is one of her best friends Ky—" I could hear Marcus's muffled voice as we passed by.

I picked up the pace as Jora looked over her shoulder trying to see what was going on."You guys, we're going to get ice cream!" I yell.

The girls rounded around the corner, shoving each other out of the way to get to the hallway closet. Audrey took her time, laughing loudly at the scene unfolding in front of us.

"These brownies are really good."

No.

Jora and I snapped our heads so quickly in Audrey's direction that we got whiplash. Low and behold, Audrey was finishing off a brownie.

"Did she just say brownie?" Sade poked her head out of the closet. Rhegan followed suit with a look of alarm on her face.

"Ashanti is going to kill us," she whispered as Audrey looked confused.

"What?" She asked.

"Well," Rhegan starts." You kind of— you kind of just ate a— a weed brownie." Audrey slowly sucked on the index finger that had been in her mouth, pausing as she stared blankly at us.

" How many did you eat?" I asked cautiously, not wanting a repeat of Elizabeth's experience.

Audrey pulled her index finger out of her mouth, licking her lips as she shrugged." A half of one."

Okay— that was good.

" Why are you not freaking out?" Elizabeth shrieked. "Why is she not freaking out?" She turned to us as if we knew the answer.

Audrey laughed at Elizabeth's dramatics." I saw the cannabutter box in the trash can guys. It's fine." I blew out a breath of relief, glad that she knew what was in the brownies when she ate them.

"Are we going to get ice cream or what?" She asked unfazed.

The girls finally started moving, all of us filing out of the door and closing it behind us.

" Should we tell them where we're going?"Audrey asked once we made it to the garage. Jora and I exchanged looks with the other girls.

"Nah!"

HEY BESTIES!!!!

I literally cried writing this chapter last night. J+K is going to put me through the ringer... I just know it.

Thoughts on this on chapter?!?!