Lori walked briskly through the familiar neighborhood until she stopped infront of her house.
She closed her eyes taking a deep breath. She said a silent prayer, praying that he wouldn't be too hard on her. She held her breath as she knocked on the door thinking it would be great if he wasn't home at all. To her dismay, the door swung opened revealing the man half dressed with a cigarette hanging out his mouth.
He removed the stick and blew the smoke right in her face uncaring of whether she had a problem with it or not.
"You got the money?"
Lori, unable to look at him found herself looking downward.
"I-I... he wasn't there." She made sure not to look him in the eye otherwise her lies may be discovered.
"You said, you could get the money. You know it's time to pay the taxes on this damn house and it's almost time."
"That's why I suggested we move."
"Ain't nobody moving."
Lori opened her mouth then closed it deciding arguing with him would lead nowhere.
"You ain't gone speak girl?"
"I am doing what I can." She stressed.
"You better be. Come on in."
Lori walked past him into the house and released a sigh of relief.
"Thank you for understandin-"
His palm connected with her face knocking her to the ground. She held her face in shock and tried to crawl away.
"What kinda bitch can't get her millionaire ex husband to lend her a couple thousand dollars? A worthless bitch you are I tell ya."
Lori's face scrunched up and the tears appeared.
"Don't you start all that damn crying girl. You know you ugly as hell when you get to crying. Lip all twisted up, get your ass up."
Lori wiped her tears then stood.
"Aughta girl. Don't come back here without that money. You wanna blame somebody for this, then blame ya mama. The coked out whore."
Ever since the divorce Lori had been staying in the house Rick had purchased her parents in Buckhead, Lori was always extremely close to her mother and wanted to keep her close otherwise she'd miss her too much...
Or so, that was the story she told Rick- In truth, she wanted to keep her close to monitor her abusive step father, but with the divorce final, she could no longer maintain that lifestyle. A high school teacher's salary could not maintain that house.
Between the utility bills and the property tax she just didn't make enough. She wanted to downsize, but he wasn't having it.
She retreated to her room and remained there for the remainder of the night.
...
Andrea walked through the door of her home and saw that Michonne's things had been retrieved. She sighed and threw her keys on the glass end table in her living room.
She walked up the stairs tiredly and lead herself to the bathroom. The first thing she wanted to do was take a hot shower.
She turned the water on letting it warm up while she undressed. Stepping into the shower, she let the water cascade down her body washing away the dirt and grime of the day.
After a long shower she looked at her phone to discover that she had no messages, no missed calls, no social media notifications, no anything. It was what Michonne would call "dry as fuck"
Andrea chuckled as she thought of her. Then her smile slowly faded as the reality of things set in. Andrea leaned against the wall and shut her eyes, she then sighed before moving to the kitchen and scrounging the fridge for something decent to cook. Usually, at times like this, she would call Michonne or Rick and they would go out to eat but those days seemed to have passed.
It was unfortunate but the damage was done.
She made herself a turkey sandwhich then another memory flashed in her mind.
*"How many times are you going to say that you're hungry Mich? Go make a fucking sandwich. "*
*"That's too much work! Bread, mayo,meat, cheese if desired, lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard. No thanks I'm going to sit on my sexy ass and order chinese."*
Andrea shook the memory from her thoughts.
Andrea took a bite of the sandwhich and sighed at the mediocre dinner she was having tonight.
After 'dinner' she sluggishly walked up the stairs again then nearly jumped as she spotted her reflection in the mirror.
Her face looked sunken, her usually neat wavy hair looked like a tumbleweed atop her head, her bags were dark and her smile lines looked more prominent from all the frowning she's been doing.
No. She wouldn't be one of those people who let her job and lack of love life lead her into letting herself go.
Though she personally hated that term, it was fitting for how she felt at the moment. She wouldn't lose herself over this, she would beat her loneliness.
She sat at the vanity mirror and gave plucked her eyebrows then filled them in, next she put on eye shadow, eye liner and mascara. Last was lipstick. She smiled at the reflection which smiled back at her.
Andrea pulled out a small black dress and the smile faded slightly as she remembered where she got it from.
*"Mich what is this?"*
*"It's a freakum dress. "*
*"A whatum what?"*
*"A freakum dress. Wear that when you're feeling lonely and dry. Go turn all the motherfucking heads in the club. I bet you leave with at least a few numbers, then VoilĂ , multiple dicks to choose from."*
Andrea shook the memory away again but she slipped the dressed on. Tonight, she was taking past Michonne's advice.
...
Michonne tossed in the bed as the images played in her head.
An image of her pleading Jasmine for her life flashed in her mind. Then another of her brutally murdering her father and his mistress.
"No." She breathed in her sleep. She shook her head frantically trying to escape the scene that was replaying in her head.
"NO!" She popped up from her sleep.
She gasped and placed her hand over her heart to steady her irregular breathing then over her still sore wound and hissed.
Rick ran into the room flicking the light switch on.
Michonne squinted as her eyes adjusted to the different lighting.
Rick was shirtless, he wore a pair of grey sweatpants low on his hips.
"Are you alright."
"Yeah...it was just a nightmare." She averted her eyes.
"Will you be ok in here by yourself."
"I'll be fine."
Rick walked over to her cautiously and said. "It's ok not to be ok."
Michonne looked up at him and blinked back tears. "Then will you stay?" She was almost too embarrassed to ask but her comfort was more important than her ego.
"Of course." He said softly.
Michonne lifted the comforter allowing him to slip in bed beside her. The bed in the guest room wasn't as large as the bed in Rick's room so he was extremely close to her. He didn't want to make it awkward so he tried his best to make sure there was a space between them at all times.
Just as he was dozing back off to sleep He heard Michonne speak.
"Rick?" She asked in a whisper.
"Hmm?" He responded without opening his eyes.
"Can you hold me?" She asked shyly.
He scooted closer to her tentatively.
"Like this?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around her and snuggled close to her from behind.
She bit her lip and nodded. "Yea... thanks."
"Doesn't it hurt laying on your side like that?" He said noticing she quietly winced every time she moved.
"I'm ok."
Rick sighed, "Michonne, stop being stubborn, lie on your back if you're uncomfortable."
Michonne clicked her tongue then did as he suggested. She stared at the ceiling awkwardly not knowing where exactly to focus her gaze.
Rick caressed her arm causing the tension within her to dissipate instantaneously.
It was not long before sleep found her. Rick smiled softly at her while he still caressed her arm. He leaned in placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before allowing himself to fall asleep as well.
...
Not even twenty minutes into her night out and she had already found the man she was going home with.
He had been sending her signals from the bar since she set foot into the jam packed nightclub. She finally approached him with a mischievous smirk. She sauntered over to him and introduced herself.
"Hey." She said tucking her hair behind her ear.
He bit his lip seductively.
"Hey yourself." He said, his hands firmly gripping her hips.
"You've been watching me all night." She said with the slight lift of her eyebrow.
He licked his bottom lip and squeezed her hips tighter.
"Well... when a woman walks in here wearing a dress like that, leaving ab-so-lutely nothing to the imagination..." his hands slid to her ass and he gaze her a not so gentle squeeze. "Then hell yea I'm watching her. Especially when she as fine as you."
Andrea leaned into his touch and giggled at his forwardness.
He spoke again in a low, throaty tone. "I don't think you know the things I would do to you."
"Then maybe you should take me home and show me."
"Don't tease me if you don't mean it."
"I mean it and you better not be all talk."
The man smirked at her and lifted himself from his seat, he grabbed her hand and lead her put the door. They walked for a bit until they approached his car.
"Ladies first."
"What about my car?"
"We can swing by and pick it up in the morning. Cool?"
She nodded.
He opened the door for her and helped her into the seatbelt and then entered the driver seat and drove them towards his home.
...
When Rick awoke that morning, he looked to the side of the bed where Michonne should have been laying but there was no trace of her. He ran his hand over the door and it was no longer warm, thus, long since she'd vacated the spot. He arose tiredly and swung his legs over the side of the bed.
He grabbed his phone from the dressed and looked at the time 7:15. He called Michonne's phone and was startled when it sounded from somewhere in the room. He lifted the covers and sure enough, it was tangled in them.
Where would she go without taking her phone.
Rick shut his eyes tightly and sighed, he frustratingly ran his hands through his hair.
What had he done wrong this time?
"Are you ok?"
Rick jumped slightly before turning to face a fully dressed Michonne standing at the door's entrance.
"You're here."
Michonne's eyes roamed the room wondering if he was still half asleep. Of course she was here. She squinted before asking, "Where else would I be?"
He shrugged. "I just thought you left."
"Why would I leave without my phone?" She joked.
"I don't know... I just thought you left."
Michonne then understood that he must have thought since she wasn't in bed with him when he opened his eyes that he must've gotten the wrong idea.
He thought she left him.
She smiled and walked over to him until she was standing right infront of where he was sitting on the edge of the bed.
She placed her body between the space of his opened legs and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Instinctively, his hands rested at her waist.
"I haven't gone anywhere." She assured him.
He nodded his head almost timidly and she ran her fingers through his curls.
"I have to talk to my advisor to see what I can do about the absences I've been racking up." She offered him an explanation as to why she was up and dressed so early. "I wanted to get there before anyone else." She giggled
He smiled up at her. "If you sit tight for a little I can take you."
She tilted her head, "I have a car, I can drive myself."
He scratched the back of his neck nervously averting his eyes. "I know but I was thinking we could stop by the coffee shop and.." he stopped talking when he noticed her smile had faltered. "Oh, sorry, I wasn't thinking, we could go somewhere else."
"No, we can go." She wouldn't avoid the place she knew he enjoyed just because of Andrea.
Andrea would just have to deal with it. She was done putting Andrea's feelings above her own.
"Ok." He stood. "I'll take a quick shower and be right out." He kissed her lips and she smiled a smile that reached her eyes.
"Thank you for last night." She said.
He framed her face with his hands looking her dead in the eye. "Anything I can do to make you comfortable, I'll do it, without hesitation. I'll do anything for you."
His eyes lowered to her lips, he dipped his lips to hers and kissed her- softly at first then he angles his head deepening their liplock.
Michonne tightened her grip on his curls as their tongues battled for dominace.
Rick lifted one of his hands from her waist gripping her locs pulling her head back just enough for him to attack her neck.
She placdd her hands on his firm back pulling him closer to her- she could feel his bulge grow harder by the second she then rubbed him through his jeans as his assault on her neck continued.
At this rate, despite their plans, neither of them were going anywhere for a good long while.
He bit her neck and she moaned, riling him up more than he already was.
Rick roughly gripped her waist and she jumped back inhaling a sharp breath. "Ouch." She winced holding her wound.
"Shit, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
"It's ok." She took a step back from him still breathing heavy.
"I.. should grab that shower." He laughed nervously.
Michonne offered him a smile and nodded her head.
"I um... won't be long."
She shook her head "No, It's fine. Take your time. I'll just head that way now." Michonne smiled tentatively. "Rain check on the breakfast?"
Rick frowned at her and he hoped she didn't notice, he wasn't angry, just disappointed. He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible especially considering that her stay was merely temporary.
"What's the rush? It's too early to head that way." He chuckled nervously
"I'll see you later." She dismissed with an awkward wave.
Rick watched her leave the room.
...
"Sorry I'm late!" Andrea said rushing towards the counter tying her apron.
"You're already late, don't rush now." Maggie said.
Andrea rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh shut up. When I tell you why I'm late, you won't be acting that way."
Maggie turned with her hands on her hips to squint at her.
"It better be some good gossip."
"Oh it is." She wiggled her brows.
Once all the customers were served. Maggie looked at Andrea and said. "Ok spill."
Andrea wasted no time. She couldn't wait to til someone how she was feeling. "I met a guy." She sighed dreamily.
Maggie looked surprised. "That's great Drea!"
"He was amazing Maggie."
"Aw, that's sweet. Now if only I could find a man." Maggie pouted. "Where'd you meet?"
"We met at the club last night and he took me to his place-"
"-the club?" Maggie asked with her face scrunched up.
"Now before you judge me, people meet the loves of their lives anywhere these days."
"The love of your life? Already?"
"Girl no, I'm just using that as an example. But I do plan on seeing him again." She smiled
"Who is this guy that's got you cheesin like this?" Maggie nudged her.
"His name is Shane. God even his name is hot."
"I don't know, sounds like a one night stand to me." Maggie laughed while rolling her eyes.
"You're just jealous." Andrea stuck out her tongue.
"Hello. Welcome to Pel-Rick, good morning!" Maggie greeted brightly.
"What can I get you?"
"The usual."
Rick pulled out the exact change without having been told the price, He handed Maggie the money and then headed to his booth. He stopped short when he saw that the table was occupied.
He sighed looking away from her.
"Lori..."
"Hello to you too Rick. Sit, please, hear me out."
Rick took a seat opposite of her and looked away.
"I won't be long."
"You stalking me now?"
"What?" She asked with a scoff. "Rick... listen, I'll cut straight to the chase, I need money."
"Money? For what?"
"We're in trouble, I can't keep the house with my teaching salary, it's not enough, it's what I was trying to tell you at your house."
Rick laughed humorlessly and stared at her. She was fidgety and unable to make eye contact.
"That's not my problem anymore, I'm not worried about your financial problems Lori, that ended when you asked for a divorce. Besides, you got a lump sum from that, I'm not an idiot. No way in hell did you blow through that money."
Tears pricked her eyes, she kicked her lips and nodded in agreement. "You're right, it wasn't me. My... it was Robert. My mom is back with him and you know he has a gambling problem... and she's using again- I know she is, I can tell, between the two of them, it went fast."
"You sure it ain't that new car? Or those fancy clothes and purses you keep buying?"
"Rick please." She clenched her jaw saying a silent prayer, praying he would help her out.
"Ask Shane." He said harshly just as Andrea brought his order to him.
She looked between the two ex-spouses and smirked.
"This isn't very gentlemanly of you " she said to Rick. "Cheating on your girlfriend already?"
"Not now Andrea." He glared at her.
She lifted her hands in defense and backed away.
"Ok. Well let me know if you need anything."
Lori watched the exchange with intrest. "That didn't sound very friendly, I thought you were friends... but then again I don't seem to be very updated on what's going on with you... you even found yourself a new girlfriend, didn't take you long."
"I'm not having this conversation with you so if you don't mind, I'd like to enjoy my breakfast in peace. And about the money, like I said, ask your boyfriend."
"His salary isn't much better than mines- Rick, please. Or should I ask Michonne? I'm sure she'd be willing to help an old friend."
"Leave her out of this." He warned.
Lori sighed then looked down at her hands which were folded in her lap.
"Alright Rick... can I finish my coffee before you make me leave?"
He sighed the nodded. "Sure but for the love of Christ, please take off those oversized sunglasses, we're not even outside. Who are you? Kim Kardashian?" He snorted while shaking his head.
Lori bit her lip to keep from laughing at the memory that just popped in her mind. She was unsuccessful in holding back her laughter.
"Remember that time I tried to follow a Kim Kardashian makeup tutorial for our fourth anniversary?" She covered her mouth as the giggles escaped her.
Rick snickered reminiscing. "How could I forget? I couldn't tell you then but now I can finally tell you how horrible it was."
Lori's mouth dropped opened as she threw her head back in laughter.
"Oh shut up!"
"I don't know about makeup but I know it's not supposed to look like that." He laughed.
"It was my first time wearing that much makeup, I wanted to surprise you."
"Oh I was surprised, believe me. It was like a stranger was in my home."
They both laughed at the memory.
Their laughter died down and the awkwardness set back in.
"So... my coffee is all gone... I guess I'll go now." She smiled sweetly at him.
He returned her sweet smiled and nodded. It was nice to enjoy her company instead of dread it. Rick looked away shyly when he saw the look she was giving him. It was a familiar look, it was the look that reeled him back in every time. No matter what argument they had, if she gave him that look, he was powerless.
"We should do this again." He said without thinking.
Lori perked up and her smile grew. "You think so?"
He wasn't sure what the hell he was doing but he nodded anyways.
"I would enjoy that very much Rick."
Her sweet look grew seductive. She stood from her seat slowly and eyed him before she headed towards the exit, sensing that his eyes were still glued to her she looked over her shoulder confirming her thought. She stopped walking and he knew that meant she wanted him to follow her.
Andrea pretended to busy herself with the coffee makers. She couldn't help the scoff that escaped her as she watched Rick take Lori's bait.
...
"Where are we going?" He asked once they were on the parking lot.
"Wherever you want." She whispered as she leaned into him.
She rubbed her thumb across his bottom lip and his breath hitched.
"Wait." he said grabbing her hand.
Rick shook his head then gentle pushed her hand back towards her.
"Not again, I'm not doing this again... I did enjoy your company just now but I don't want anything more with you. I'm... I want to try with Michonne. Really try, I don't want to do anything that'll mess that up."
Lori smiled sadly to the ground. "You fall in love quick Rick, you always have."
Rick nodded his head then averted his
eyes. "If we do meet for coffee, it has to be as friends."
He couldn't go back down that road with her. He had love for her and he felt bad for her current situation but they were a thing of the past. He had momentarily wavered but now he was snapped out of it.
She gave him one last look then smiled sadly before walking away.
Rick released the breath he was holding , he ran his hand down his face before releasing a frustrated sigh.
...
Rick sat in his office thinking about this morning with Lori. He felt embarrassed that he almost fell for her charms. What would have happened if he allowed her to go further?
How would Michonne feel about the whole thing?
Would she even care? He wanted her to care.
For what felt like the hundredth time, he sighed.
...
...
Thanks for reading my loves.
So many of y'all thought Lori was possibly pregnant and to that I say hellll no.
