Surpriiiiseeee:
KateyBee42: Aw thank you so much, you're too kind. It has been super busy, but I'm trying to get back in it! Yaayy I love Star! Her and Cindy definitely have personality similarities. LOL I personally wouldn't be saying I love you *that* soon all like that, but you know some people... Yeah Cindy messed up and she was definitely wrong on how she went about that with Riley, the poor thing. LOL so you dislike Tish and distrust Landon huh? Interesting ^_^ and why does he call her Cynthia you ask? I guess we'll have to find out :) thank you again so much for your review! :)
Parity Air: Omg your review took me out, I'm going to PM you back lol! Thank you soooo much! And again for all those kind reviews on every chapter :* :* :*
SuadamPanyuthapum: Lmfaooooo you said start over and get new friends XD XD yeah Cindy did do him wrong though and is acting super messy. Needs to get it together and turn it around ASAP! Thank you so much for the review! :)
NarutoPlug: Hahaha nobody likes Landon, it's so funny to be. And yeahhh you already know Esco is not a fan lmao! Thank you so much for the review :)
QuestionyTheQuestionMark: DANCE IT OUT GIRRLLL! And lmaaoo you can't stand Landon and I love it XD And you KNOW Huey was ready to read her for filth. Don't come for Huey. Huey is not for play-play. I'm dead, you called her Tosh Point 0 and I passing XD And yeah, Cindy definitely did him dirty. She's on the naughty list for sure. And aww thank you so much love, I'm so happy you still enjoy reading my stories. Thank you so much for all the love and support and I can't wait to talk to you soon! :)
Cai-the-potato: Love you right back! And thanks so much for the review! :)
A BONUS FOLLOW-UP CHAPTER?! ANDDD BARELY 10 DAYS SINCE THE LAST UPDATE?! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH SCHWEETPEA?!
It's me, I swear. Just motivated and in my feeelss for this one. Enjoy ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Aaron McGruder's The Boondocks or any of his characters.
"Now look at you, bitchless. Sans bitch, as the French in France would say."
~A Pimp Named Slickback; Tom, Sarah and Usher
Riley's POV
"Landon, baby hi!" Cindy greeted excitedly, moving away from Riley at once to go towards her boyfriend in the crowd. Riley watched, dumbfounded as they embraced, Landon wasting no time in giving her a big kiss.
"Aww." Jazmine cooed, leaning drunkenly against Riley.
He sucked his teeth at that, stepping away from her. "Shut up, Jazz."
"Take your own advice." Huey came out of nowhere, shoving Riley out of the way harder than necessary and pulling Jazmine into him.
"The fuck you come from?" Riley asked, looking around as he rubbed his shoulder.
"I love his outfit." Jazmine blurted loudly, still staring at the two. "He told me he was Jeremih."
"Are you serious, he's in regular clothes! That nigga wishes." Riley scoffed, looking over again. He and Cindy looked to be having a conversation but were too far away to be heard over the music. Landon was wearing a red muscle V-neck with black jeans and white high tops, the only thing making him even remotely look like Jeremih were the black shades he wore over his eyes.
More like a try-hard wannabe.
"Be nice, they're coming over Riley." Jazmine shot him a look.
"What's that supposed to-"
"Heyyy," Jazmine spoke over him, smiling at Landon and Cindy as they approached. "I'm glad you decided to make it."
"Me too." Landon gave her a light smile. "Good to see you, Huey. Riley." He said, extending a hand to Huey first to shake.
"Thanks." Came the curt reply, making Riley inwardly smile at his brother's rude ass. He however remained silent when Landon offered his hand towards him, doing nothing more than giving it a firm shake.
DAMN why this nigga always tryna break my fuckin' hand? He thought to himself, trying not to wince after they released.
"So we probably won't stay too much longer." Cindy spoke up casually, making very brief eye contact with everyone.
"Aw really?" Jazmine pouted her lip.
"Why?" Riley asked instead, sounding way too pressed for his own liking.
"It's getting late and we're both starting to get a little tired."
"Then why-" Riley started, stopping himself just in time. Because he was about to ask, why the fuck did he come then?
"Why what?"
"How are you getting your car home?" He shook his head, dismissing his previous thought.
"I'll bring her back down to pick it up, don't worry." Landon brushed off easily.
"I wasn't." Riley countered, not being able to hold that one back. "Drinks before you leave then?" He suggested, not really waiting for an answer before he headed off to the kitchen.
"I'll get you one, baby." He heard Cindy say to Landon annoyingly. He slowed his steps so she could catch up once they were far enough out of earshot, glancing down at her as they walked.
"Yes Reezy?" She asked, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
"Um, why?"
"Why what?"
"Why the fuck are you leaving? It's not even late yet."
"It is and I said, I am starting to get a little tired-"
"No, you said we."
"Okay whatever, the both of us are."
"He didn't have to come! Why did he?"
"Why is that a problem for you?" She snapped, glaring up at him.
"It's not, but it doesn't make sense. You said he wasn't a party go-er and that he wasn't even coming." Riley muttered, entering the kitchen and grabbing five cups off the counter.
"So what." Cindy demanded, crossing her arms.
"It's just dumb that he came down here in his own car to take you home." He told her brusquely as he poured the shots, purposely giving himself a little extra. "What, did you text him the address to come pick you up?" He snorted, handing her a cup.
"No." She sneered, snatching it away and downing it.
"So how the fuck he get here now all of the sudden?" Riley rolled his eyes, pouring her another.
"I dunno, I must've told him the address before." She shrugged in irritation.
"Before what?"
"Earlier, I dunno!" She repeated. "Obviously, I must've."
Riley raised a brow. "I guess. But you don't have to leave if you don't want to. Why don't you both just sleep over like you were planning on doing anyway?"
"He doesn't want to." Cindy shook her head.
"So it's all about him?"
"Riley stop." She glared at him. "It's not a big deal. I'd either be sleeping on the floor or the couch anyway if I stayed. Why wouldn't I want to sleep with him in my own bed?"
"I really didn't need that." Riley scowled in return, handing her two cups so he could carry the other three. "The party's barely started, but whatever. Go home I guess."
Cindy gave him a look at that, almost seeming hurt. "It's not like I didn't have fun. I did have a good time."
"Yeah we were just starting to, weren't we?" He said under his breath, stepping around her.
"It's not my fault you decided not to talk to me when we first got here." Cindy snapped at his back.
"But it is your fault why I wasn't talking to you." He shot back, turning back around.
"And it's over." Cindy narrowed her eyes.
"Is it?" Riley questioned.
"Can you please... just stop." She sounded strained, just standing there and looking at him. "We had a decent night, I'm about to leave, can you please just let me do that with you on a good note?"
Riley grit his teeth slightly, glancing away from her while he lifted a shoulder. "Whatever."
"Thank you." Cindy took that as an acceptance, walking around him and out of the kitchen. Riley let out a forceful sigh before turning to follow behind her.
"Here you go." Cindy smiled, handing Landon a cup.
"Thank you, baby." He told her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Riley tried not to gag while he handed Huey and Jazmine their own cups. Huey intercepted Jazmine's, immediately pouring half of the shot into his own cup before handing it back to her.
"Hey!" She protested. "You're not even going to drink that!"
"And neither will you."
"Alright then, to a great night." Cindy interrupted them, holding up her cup. "I'm glad we all got to hang out tonight and that you guys got to come." She grinned at Huey and Jazmine.
"Definitely." Jazmine beamed. "Cheers." She announced as they all tapped cups before drinking, all except for Huey.
"Wait, what just happened, I missed the toast?!" Caesar came over suddenly, two empty cups in one of his hands. "Do over!"
"Too late." Huey told him boredly. Caesar eyed the untaken shot he was still holding and snatched it.
"Fuck you nigga, cheers!" He grinned, holding out his cup. The others laughed and tapped their empty ones to his before he tilted it back and downed it, being stared down by Huey the entire time.
"What?" Caesar burped, finally looking at him.
"I will drop you in front of all these people."
"Ohkayy babe, let's get a quick dance in before we head out." Cindy smirked, intertwining her fingers through Landon's as she lead him away.
"Love to." He grinned, following her.
"Ugh." Riley groaned, wishing he had poured more into his cup.
"Stop hatin', son. They young and in love." Caesar smirked at his reaction, pounding him on the back before walking away. Riley started to roll his eyes, but glanced down at Jazmine when she giggled loudly at that, catching his attention.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing." Huey shook his head with an eyeroll of his own.
"If only you knew." Jazmine was still giggling.
"What?" Riley asked again, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing." Jazmine tried to stifle her laughter, fanning at her eyes. "It was just funny how he said it. Them being young and in love. It's cute." She smiled, watching the two.
"As if." Riley scoffed, glancing towards them as well. Cindy seemed more than happy to be pressed all up against him while they danced, his hands gripping firmly onto her hips as they moved together. Riley practically felt the bile at the back of his throat.
"As if." He repeated under his breath, stalking off to find more alcohol.
Cindy's POV
She leaned against the cool window of the car door after Landon had closed it, only after making sure she was securely buckled in her seat. She smiled to herself as she heard him get into the car and shut his own door.
"Thank you." She mumbled sleepily. She'd probably be out within the first five minutes of the drive.
"You're welcome." He responded quietly, shifting gears before pulling away from the sidewalk. After a few moments of silence, Cindy peeked an eye open to glance over at him. He drove tensely as he stared straight ahead, not even bothering to turn on the stereo. And he always had that on.
"No radio?" She asked him, shifting her body so it was more comfortable against the door.
"Do you always drink like that?" He asked instead, catching Cindy off guard.
"What?" She turned to look at him all the way.
"It just seems like you had a lot tonight." He said simply, not looking over.
"I mean, I had enough but I'm not hammered." She gently defended. "It was a party, we like to drink when we party."
"We." He repeated plainly.
"We, meaning my friends?" She wasn't understanding. As he drove up to a yellow light, he slowed down purposely even though he would've had enough time to make it. When the car came to a stop, he finally turned towards her. His eyes were so blank, he might as well had been wearing his shades still.
"I feel you don't take enough precautions to protect yourself." He told her bluntly.
"Protect myself from what?"
"It's just something I've been noticing lately."
"What do you mean though? What specifically?" Cindy asked him, more importantly wondering where the conversation was even coming from.
He was quiet for a minute when the light changed, turning back towards the road as he continued forward. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the wheel as he steered, seeming to be in thought.
"Why do you keep a spare key underneath your mat?" He asked randomly.
"My key?" Cindy repeated dumbly.
"For your apartment, Cynthia." He spoke calmly. "You keep one under your mat, which is extremely unsafe and obvious. And the other," He paused to glance over at her confused face. "You gave to Riley."
"Wait, what?" She was definitely lost now. "What are you talking about? Riley doesn't have a key."
"Then why was he in your home?" Landon countered, a bit of a tone coming into his voice.
"Honey, he used the key under the mat. He doesn't have his own."
"But you're fine with letting him unlock your door and make himself comfortable in your house when you're not present?" He asked her seriously.
"Baby, I trust him." Cindy told him softly. "It's not like he'd steal or do anything while I wasn't there-"
"I'm not saying that he would." Landon cut her off quickly. "All I'm saying is that I find it a little inappropriate."
"Inappropriate?" She echoed.
"Not everyone should know where your spare key is."
"Not everyone does."
"It needs to be held by one person. A person that you trust." He said pointedly. "Not everyone should have access. You should retrieve it from the mat whenever we get back."
Cindy listened in silence, nodding her head at his words. "If that will make you feel better, I'll get it out of the hallway."
"It would."
"Okay." Cindy shrugged. "Is there anything else that would make you feel better?"
Landon was quiet again for a moment. "Does Riley have a girlfriend?"
Cindy's eyes widened. "Where is that coming from?"
"It's just a question." He replied nonchalantly.
"It doesn't seem like just a question." She told him. "He doesn't because he in no way, shape, or form wants to be in a relationship. He hates them."
"Hm."
"What, baby?" Cindy groaned, putting a hand on his knee. "Why do you care so much about Riley?" Landon was quiet again, longer this time while he stared at the road. Then, surprisingly, he took Cindy's hand in his.
"I don't, honey." He seemed to switch gears, his voice suddenly sweet again. "I only care about you." He glanced over towards her with a small grin. Cindy smiled in return, lifting his hand to kiss his knuckles, more than thankful to be done with that conversation.
"I'm glad you came." She relaxed herself against the window again while she rubbed circles on the back of his hand.
"So am I, baby. I'll be even gladder when we get back to your place."
Cindy giggled, resting her eyes at the feeling at them really starting to get heavy. One thought still stuck with her though, so she decided to ask.
"By the way," She began slowly, her eyes still closed. "How did you find out where the party was?"
"You told me." He answered without missing a beat.
"I remember telling you it was around Lakeside. I don't remember giving you the address."
"You did, honey." Landon chuckled at her. "It was just earlier when you initially told me about the party a few days ago."
"Oh." Cindy furrowed her brow, still not recalling.
"How else would I have found it otherwise?" He asked, making Cindy shake her head as she yawned loudly, quickly on the way out.
I don't know, how else would you?
The Next Day; 11 AM
"It's too early for it to be this bright." Cindy mumbled, pulling down the passenger visor as far as it could go. "It's also too bright for us to be out this early."
"We can nap once we get back to my place." Landon grinned.
"Why couldn't we nap a little longer at my place first?"
"Because you need your car to drive home from my place later tonight. And I wanted to spend as much time with you as possible today since you have to work all next week."
"I know. I'm just tired... and lazy." She shrugged, making Landon chuckle.
"We can have a lazy Sunday together then."
Cindy nodded at that, more than ready to relax. She had a great night at the party from the majority that she could remember. The car ride back home was a little foggy and she knew that she and Riley had gotten into it on and off a few times, but for the most part everything was good that she could recall. The last thing that she really could recall and think about was the mind-blowing sex that she had with Landon when they got back to her apartment.
She was looking forward to a lot more of that throughout the day.
"Did any of your friends text you this morning?" Landon asked casually as they entered the Lakeside district.
"Not yet." Cindy replied, opening up her messages. "I'm going to text Jazz now so she'll let me know when her and Huey get back to their apartment. They have to leave later today to drive back up to school."
"I'm surprised they came all this way for the party then."
"It's what we do." Cindy shrugged. "Usually when there's an opportunity for us all to be together, we do our best to make it happen."
THEY do. You half-ass. The voice in the back of Cindy's head derided her. She tried to will it away, still feeling satisfied that she was able to come to Hiro's party, but she also knew that was the first time in weeks that she'd made any effort to get together with her friends. Which was shitty. She really needed to do better and stop being such an asshole friend.
"Think your friends are still here?" Landon snapped her out of her thoughts as he pulled up behind Cindy's car.
"Well, Huey's car is parked over there so most of them might still be sleeping." Cindy paused to glance down at her chiming phone. "Just kidding, Jazmine said they're about to head out now." She grinned, opening her car door to get out. Right on cue, the door to Hiro's mansion opened to Huey, Jazmine, and Riley moseying out, each one looking sleepier than the next.
"Perfect timing!" Cindy called out with a wave, leaning against Landon's car.
"Hey!" Jazmine gave her a tired smile, moving past the boys to hurry down the concrete stairway and onto the sidewalk to meet her. Huey and Riley trudged slowly behind her, Riley moving even more glacially once he spotted Landon stepping out of the car as well.
"How was the rest of the party?" Cindy asked Jazmine after they hugged.
"I wouldn't know, I fell asleep not too much longer after you left." She admitted sheepishly.
"What?" Cindy laughed. "Where?"
"She fell asleep at the kitchen counter." Huey rolled his eyes. "I moved her about three hours later once it started to clear out in the living room."
"Which would explain the crick in my neck." Jazmine playfully glared at him.
"I tried to wake you."
"No you didn't." Riley snorted.
"Yes, I did." Huey said through his teeth.
"You got mad when I was about to and said if she wakes up she'll wanna start drinkin' again and to let her ass sit there!"
"Oh really?"
"You're really going to listen to him? He was blackout drunk."
"I wasn't blackout drunk by that point, nigga."
"I'm sure your sense of time is infallible, Riley."
"Fuck your big words, McHater."
"Oooh, you know what sounds good right now?" Jazmine interrupted their bickering, her eyes looking swoony. "A McMuffin."
"Girl, why would you bring that up?" Cindy moaned. "I'm already hungry enough."
"Would you girls actually like to eat-eat? Like at an actual restaurant?" Landon suggested, coming closer and wrapping his arm around Cindy's waist. "We could all grab brunch?"
"Oh my God, Sunday brunch. Two of my favorite words." Jazmine sighed happily.
"That actually sounds amazing." Cindy agreed. "Where's Caesar by the way?"
"He and Lindsay left already but I'm sure if we text him they can both meet up with us."
"That's perfect then."
"We have time, right Huey?"
"I suppose you're going to have us make time."
"Yes."
"Then why ask?"
"I don't really know."
"Where do we wanna eat though so I can text Ceez now?" Cindy asked, pulling the cellphone out of her pocket.
"Before y'all decide on that, could somebody take me home?" Riley spoke up suddenly, glancing down at his own phone.
"Why?" Jazmine asked him with a frown.
"I'mma have to pass." He replied, still not looking up while he texted.
"Why?" Cindy pressed, her eyebrows furrowing as she watched him. Riley caught her eye for a moment before glancing away.
"Things to do, people to see." He said vaguely. "Sleep to catch up on."
"You're really gonna pass up food before all that other shit?" Cindy gave him a look.
"Today? Yeah. I'm tired." He told her with a straight face, heading towards Huey's car and opening the door. "Take me home, Jeeves." He called to his brother before sliding into the backseat.
"Who is he talking to?" Huey asked, making a show of looking around him.
"If we drop him off, at least we'll be able to change first." Jazmine admitted, glancing down at her sequins. "Where were you guys headed?"
"We were actually on our way up to my place. Cindy was going to follow me so she could drive her car home later tonight." Landon explained. "So how about this? Cindy and I can head up that way now and get a headstart, and then we can all meet at a restaurant up near that area since you'll have to pass through to get back to your campus anyway?"
"That's a great idea, baby." Cindy smiled.
"I'm fine with that, how about you Huey?" Jazmine shrugged.
"If it allows us to be out of Woodcrest sooner, by all means."
"Alright then. How about we text you when-" Landon was disrupted by loud honking, courtesy of Huey's car.
"I'm going to kill him." Huey stated simply before walking off towards his car.
"Please don't." Jazmine sighed, following after him. "Text us! But we'll see you guys soon!"
Cindy chuckled, leaning against Landon to hug him. "This'll be nice baby, thank you."
"Of course."
"I look like a bum though." Cindy pouted sleepily, looking down at her oversized cut-off sweatshirt and casual joggers.
"You left a few shirts and shorts over at my place though. You can change into one of those if you want." Landon told her.
"Embarrassed to be seen with me?" She smirked, tilting her head up towards him.
"Never." He grinned, giving her a kiss.
"I suppose you'll want me to actually do something with my hair next." Cindy teased as they parted, opening the car door again.
"I do like it when you straighten it." Landon winked, walking around to his side of the car.
"I know you do." She smiled, sliding inside before letting out the sloppy bun on her head. "I'll work on it."
"Whatever makes you happy, gorgeous."
Riley's POV
"You weren't messing around today, baby."
"I told you I needed you, didn't I?"
"And it's so sexy when a man says that." Tish purred, sliding her naked body back on top of his to gently kiss his lips. Riley let out a low moan at that, quickly becoming frustrated as he flipped her so that he was on top again. He wasn't in the mood for a gentle anything right now.
"Damn Esco," Tish breathed, sighing pleasurably at the way he bit at her neck. "What's got you so hot and bothered?"
"Who do you think?" He muttered, continuing to nip and grip at her hips.
Tish let out a laugh. "I know it ain't me. You've barely been here for a half hour. Something clearly set you off."
"Maybe I've been thinkin' about you all day." Riley unknowingly lifted a shoulder while he continued brushing his lips against her skin. He paused when her manicured hand landed firmly on his shoulder, pushing against him slightly to stop his reach. "Wha-?"
"And maybe I call bullshit." Tish rolled her eyes, continuing to push him off while she began to sit up.
"Oh come on." Riley tried to coax and pull her back, but she kept him at arm's reach as she slid to the opposite side of the bed.
"I don't think so." She shook her head, turning her back on him as she sat on the edge and idly played with her long hair. "You know me by now, honey. Be honest with me or don't be here with me at all."
Riley was silent for a minute as he stared at her floral tattooed back, watching her while she swept her hair up into a ponytail. He had been craving someone for a few days now, specifically Tish the more he thought about it, especially after leaving the party that morning. After being with Huey and Jazmine, Caesar and his girl, and Cindy and rent-a-nigga, he had zero desire to sit through brunch with them altogether like that. The fuck he look like? And what the fuck did they take him for? Hell no. As soon as he got home, he showered and ate, wasting no time to get to Tish's house, barely giving her any notice prior. He realized he had been really happy to see her. To touch and kiss on her. To fuck her just the way she liked. He hadn't felt that happy and fulfilled like that since...
"Do you want to be with me?" Riley blurted, the brief thought escaping past his lips way faster than his brain could catch up with. Fuck.
Tish let the hair she was holding fall down her back again as she whipped her head towards him. "What are you talking about?" She asked quietly, keeping her face even.
Riley took a breath, forcing himself to continue. "Being with me. This shit." He lifted up a hand as he gestured, wincing slightly at how stupid it came out.
Smooth.
Tish chuckled, keeping her cool as she turned to face him more. "And what exactly is 'this shit'?"
"I dunno... dating?" Riley said lowly, carefully watching her face and noticing the way her eyebrow raised.
"Do you think we're dating or do you want to date?" She asked, a slight smirk hinting at her lips.
"I mean, we're borderline doin' it now, ain't we?"
"Are we though? Just because we have good sex doesn't mean anything."
"I know." Riley said dryly.
"We go on dates, yeah. But we also date around with other people. It's not the same thing as actually dating each other."
"Yep. I know." Riley nodded, closing his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
Should've kept your damn mouth shut. Lookin' like a straight up lil bitch out here, shit.
When he opened his eyes again, Tish continued to stare at him intently. "Are you asking to be exclusive?" She asked him directly.
"Maybe." Riley shrugged, still feeling low-key embarrassed. "This is taking a long fuckin' time."
"Wow. Never thought Esco would want a relationship." Tish let out a grin. And damn was he sick of hearing that.
"Whatever." Riley muttered, trying to squash his annoyance but failing. "It's lookin' like you don't want to be in one. Let's not act like you don't got a squad of niggas on stand-by."
"Duh." She scoffed with a smirk. "You're doing it wrong if you don't. A woman's got to have options, sweetie."
"So keep your options open then if that's what you want, babe." Riley countered with a light eyeroll, ready to rise from the bed and get the hell out.
"That's not what I said, is it?" Tish's smooth voice stopped him, making him turn back towards her, surprised to still see the mischievous smirk on her face. He was even more surprised when she crawled on the bed back towards him, straddling her legs over his body again. She stroked his chest with one hand as she reached for her phone on the nightstand with her other.
"What are you doin'?" He asked distractedly, rubbing down her waist and her thighs while he watched her thumbs tap away on her screen.
"Sending a message to a few people." She replied innocently, continuing to text. "Lose... my... number... thanks." She read aloud, making Riley's eyebrows lift as she finally lowered her phone. "What?"
"Damn, girl." He snickered. "You a whole savage."
"Didn't they tell you?" She smirked, muting her phone with an eyeroll as multiple notifications started to go off at once. She set it back on the nightstand before lowering herself down on Riley once again.
"For the record, I've never been in a relationship with just one guy." She told him huskily, brushing her lips against his ear. "So do me a favor and make it worth my while."
Riley's only answer was to flip her around again, more than ready to prove that to her.
Huey's POV
"Bed." Jazmine uttered before flopping face-down onto it. Huey shook his head as he headed to the other side of the room to set their overnight bags down.
"Don't tell me you're about to unpack now." Jazmine said, lifting her head to glance at him.
"You're certainly not going to do it."
"Not today." She grinned, holding her hand out. "Come cuddle me." Huey sighed but went to her anyways, shifting onto the bed and pulling her close.
"I had fun." Jazmine told him, snuggling her body into him while he spooned her.
"You're a regular party animal."
"Shut up." She giggled. "I had fun there too but I was talking about during brunch."
"Oh."
"I wish that Caesar and Lindsay had been able to come, but I was glad that we were able to meet with Landon and Cindy."
"Mhm."
"It was good that we got to hang out one-on-one with them like that. We should do it more often. It was nice."
"...Uh-huh."
"Okay, what?" Jazmine chuckled, already starting to roll over to face him.
"What?" Huey asked in return.
"You're doing that thing."
"What thing?"
"Huey." She gave him a look. "I know you and I know that something's on your mind. Did you not have a good time at brunch?"
"No."
"Dumb question." Jazmine rolled her eyes. "Why didn't you, honey?"
Huey shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I just didn't. I wanted to get back."
"Was it just because we were out with Cindy? You two really need to stop being petty with each other."
"Tell that to her. And I don't know, probably partially."
"Partially?" Jazmine tilted her head. "Then what else? The only other factor is Landon."
Huey blinked at her.
"Wait, you don't like Landon?"
"Jazmine I don't know, can't we just sleep?" Huey groaned, tossing his head back.
"No, we can't sleep!" She told him, propping up on her elbow. "You definitely have to talk to me now. Why don't you like him?"
"I didn't say that I didn't like him."
"But do you?"
"...No."
"Exactly." Jazmine huffed. "Why?"
Huey lifted up his arm while he stared up at the ceiling. "For the fourth time in under sixty seconds, I don't know."
"It has to be something."
"There's just... something about him."
"What does that mean?"
"It's just a vibe, Jazmine. I can't explain it. Something about him is just off to me. That and his relationship with Cindy. It's weird."
"I think that you're still not over the fact that they said I love you to each other." Jazmine rolled her eyes.
"Maybe." Huey told her, but doubted it.
"You also don't like change." Jazmine continued, thinking out loud. "It takes you awhile, forever sometimes, to warm up to anybody. That could be it."
"It could."
"And maybe you're unconsciously disliking him on behalf of Riley." Jazmine grinned at his confused expression.
"Excuse me?"
"Riley hates him. Obviously some type of deep-rooted and untapped jealousy over what he can't have now, that being Cindy. You, being Riley's brother, while not actively trying to, may also feel some of predisposed dislike towards Landon out of obligation to Riley, especially since you know the backstory and feelings associated with the situation."
Huey remained silent at Jazmine's explanation, staring at her with widened eyes.
"What, I'm enjoying my psych class." She shrugged.
"You did not learn that in your psych class."
"The point is that you have premediated hostility towards him because you care about your brother's feelings."
"I do not-"
"You also care about Cindy's feelings and her relationship."
"Like hell-"
"Anndddd you can try to deny it all you want but I know you and I'm right, so there, hmph!" Jazmine declared, tilting her nose up smugly and sticking her tongue out at him.
Huey stared at her, trying not to be distracted by her cuteness as he shook his head, willing away the urge to grin. "I'm not even going to dignify any of that nonsense with a response." He said instead, crossing his arms over his chest while he closed his eyes. "I'm just thankful that that's the last time we have to be in Woodcrest for awhile."
"But not too long, honey. We'll be going back in less a little under two weeks."
Huey snapped his eyes open. "Why? Thanksgiving's not until four weeks."
"My birthday?" Jazmine raised an eyebrow at him. "Obviously we're going home for that weekend so we can hang out. And then we'll be back for Thanksgiving. And then we'll be back in just a few weeks after for winter break. And then we'll be back the week after that for your birthday in January." She finished, giving him a light kiss on his nose.
Huey let out a long and low sigh as he rolled his body until he was laying face-down on the bed.
Fuck.
Riley's POV
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAZZY-BABY! PARTY ELEVATOR LET'S GO!" Caesar shouted above his own music while he and Jazmine posed for a Snapchat post.
"People live here." Huey said loudly, glaring at Caesar.
"Of course some shit go down when it's a billion dollars on an elevator!" Caesar sang back to him in reply as he and Jazmine continued to dance for their video.
"Y'all wack." Riley snickered, bopping his head as the elevator continued to ascend. It barely felt like two weeks since the last time he had seen them, but Jazmine being Jazmine would take any excuse to come back to Woodcrest, her birthday weekend being no exception. Riley had seen both her and Huey the previous day on Friday when they came to Granddad's, but for Saturday evening Jazmine wanted to go to the Rhine's club downtown. It was only a few blocks from Cindy's apartment, so it was the plan to meet there again like they did for Cindy's birthday, pre-game, and walk over together.
But apparently Landon was going to be there this time.
Riley tried to dismiss the thought, wanting nothing more than to be unbothered by the nigga completely. He couldn't give a single fuck about him if he tried. His presence was just... annoying. And recently it seemed if Cindy was around, Landon was just two steps short of being up her ass, which made it even more annoying. And Riley hadn't seen her since the party, so he really didn't know what to expect. He honestly wasn't in the mood for shit. All he wanted to do was to drink and chill the fuck out.
"CIIIIIINDDYYY!" Caesar yelled out loudly behind Riley once they arrived onto her floor. "Ow!" He cried after being struck by Huey.
"I will not have the police called on us tonight because of your loud ass." Huey told him, pushing past him. "I'll walk away like I don't know you."
"You just did!"
"Exactly."
"Hush." Jazmine grinned. Riley rolled his eyes as he knocked twice on Cindy's door before trying the handle, but it was locked.
"Yo." Riley called out, knocking a little harder as he tried to listen through the door.
"If she didn't hear me, there ain't no way she's there." Caesar spoke up. Riley shushed him, but still didn't hear any noise coming from the other side. "She knew we were coming though, right?" Caesar asked, glancing down at Jazmine.
"Of course she did." She furrowed her brow. "Riley, can you call her for me?"
"Why me-"
"THE BIRTHDAY GIRL HAS SPOKEN!" Caesar bellowed again. "Ow!"
"Shut up."
"Both of you shut up, damn." Riley snapped, dialing Cindy's number.
"Hey, I was just about to text you guys, I'm sorry." Cindy answered immediately.
"Where are you?"
"Landon and I are two minutes away. We had to run to get more mixers for the drinks."
Riley rolled his eyes, kicking up the mat with his shoe. "Aiight. We'll just..." He paused, looking down.
"You'll just what?" Cindy asked.
"Aye, your key's gone." Riley told her, leaning down to move the mat completely. "Shit C, it ain't here. Did you take it inside with you by mistake and forget to put it back?"
"...Ohh, that." Cindy spoke slowly, her voice all of the sudden quieting down. "Yeah, don't worry about that."
"What do you mean, don't worry about it?" Riley squinted in confusion. "Your key is gone."
"Calm down, it's not gone. I moved it from out of the hallway." She explained, her voice still low.
"...Really?"
"Yeah. It wasn't really a good idea being out there. Landon has the spare now."
Riley stood in silence for a moment at her words. He must've had some type of look on his face by the way Jazmine stared at him in alarm.
"You still there?"
"Yep, see you in a few." Riley disconnected the call immediately and pulled it down from his ear.
"What happened, where is she?" Jazmine asked at once.
"On her way here right now." Riley told her, beginning to text on his phone.
"Where's the key to get in?" Caesar asked, glancing at the turned over doormat.
"Oh, she moved that. Wasn't smart to be out here." He replied calmly, finishing his text before going to fix the mat.
"Isn't that a good thing then? You've been telling her that forever." Jazmine shrugged with a grin.
"Yeah, you'd think." He muttered, moving the mat back in its place. "But no, it was Landon's idea. He's got the key now."
"He has the key?" Huey raised a brow.
"Wait, so you never had a key?" Caesar asked casually, setting Riley off.
"Why would I be looking for a key if I already had one?" He barked at him angrily, making Caesar flinch.
"Damn calm down, I just always thought you had a backup one. You're always here."
"Not anymore I'm not!" He snapped again.
"Riley." Jazmine placed a soft hand on his arm. "Calm down." She told him gently.
He bit his tongue so hard he was surprised it didn't bleed. It took him everything not to whirl on Jazmine and go off like he wanted. To take it out on her, Caesar, anybody.
He was pissed. He'd been telling her about locking her door and about the key under her mat for fucking months, and every damn time she brushed him off about it. But the minute this random dude comes into the picture out of nowhere and makes some type of comment about it, she scoops it up and gives the key to him? Someone she's barely been with for all of five minutes?
The fuck outta here.
Ding!
"We're here, sorry!" Cindy announced, exiting the hallway with Landon behind her, both carrying multiple grocery bags.
"Hey it's okay, we just got here!" Jazmine replied, a little too cheerfully.
"Need help with the bags?" Caesar asked.
"It's fine, we've got it." Cindy waved him off. "Just gimme a minute to get the door."
"I've got it baby."
Riley eyed Landon heavily as he passed by him to get to the door first, pulling a set of keys out of his pocket while he did so. As he put the key into the lock, he glanced up slightly, making brief eye contact with Riley for the slightest of moments before looking away and opening the door.
"After you." He grinned to Cindy, allowing her to go first.
"Thanks babe. Come on in, guys."
Riley hung back slightly, allowing the others to go first as he tried to get his shit together, but he didn't even think he could fake it. Huey glanced at Riley for a moment while he walked by him, almost seeming concerned, but Riley was too preoccupied to think about it. All he could think about... was stomping Landon in the nuts.
That look he gave him is what did it. It was very brief, and if Riley would've blinked, he probably would've missed it. But he didn't. He caught his ass. Staring back at him with the most smug, shit-eating look as if he'd just one-upped the fuck out of him. In that split-second, Riley was ready to punch him point-blank, anything to wipe that concealed smirk off his face. And Cindy... he couldn't even form the words in his head for her at the moment.
So new plan. Riley thought to himself, attempting to fix his face as he headed through the doorway last.
Drink.
Drink heavy.
Turn up.
Show out.
Two Hours Later
Riley felt proud of himself. The more he drank, the faker he was able to be. He was able to talk casually with the others. Laugh a little. He was actually even able to look Cindy in the eye without wanting to scream at her. So he drank more... and more... and more... to the point where Cindy actually cut him off.
"Okay, you've been throwing these back since you walked through the door. If you want any when we get to Rhine's you've got to slow down." She had said to him, pulling his empty cup away.
"It's cool." Riley had responded easily, propping an elbow on the table as he rested his chin in his hand.
"...You're also scaring me." She had said as she watched him, only making Riley chuckle in return.
And she should be. For all that drinking, Riley was feeling way loose. But he was thankfully able to contain the majority of his composure. The time hadn't come to let it all out just yet. But once it was... that composure and his calm demeanor were the first things to go.
By now they had just arrived at Rhine's and were able to get in, pay, and find a table big enough for their group. After they had secured one and ordered a bottle for the table, Caesar announced that he was heading back outside to bring Lindsay in with him who'd just arrived.
"I'm comin' witchu, I need to smoke." Riley said smoothly, trying and failing to stand up gracefully from his chair. Cindy was sitting close enough to him to help re-steady him.
"Reez, we're in a smoking section, you're allowed to do that here." She told him, making sure he was stable on his feet.
"Please don't." Huey rolled his eyes.
"Need fresh air." Riley barely glanced down as he jerked away from her, following Caesar away from the table and up the stairs.
"You aiight, man?" Caesar asked, having to help Riley again as he almost stumbled near the very top of the stairs.
"I'm fiiiine." Riley told him easily, trying to remain cool as he pulled out his pack and lighter once they walked outside. The drinks were starting to affect him more though.
"Whatever." Caesar shook his head, waving out to Lindsay when he spotted her near the front of the line. Once she came over, he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss.
"Glad to see you." He grinned, looking her over.
"Glad I could make it." Lindsay blushed, holding his hand. "Hey Riley."
"Sup girl." He gave her a head nod as he puffed out a cloud of smoke.
"Do you want us to wait for you orrr...?" Caesar trailed off, clearly not really wanting to. Riley waved them off, watching them leave before pulling the cigarette from his lips. He immediately dropped it and snuffed it out onto the ground. He hated wasting them, but smoking and drinking heavily at the same time usually made him sick, and he didn't want that tonight.
Instead, he crossed his arms and waited, leaning himself against the wall of the club as he watched the line of people continue to snake in. He didn't have to wait long until he saw exactly who he wanted to see, dressed exactly how he was hoping.
He couldn't help but smirk. The time was now.
Cindy's POV
"Riley's still up there?" Cindy asked once Caesar and Lindsay came back to the table.
"Yeah. He shouldn't be too long." Caesar told her.
"I thought he didn't even smoke when he drank." Cindy said, causing Caesar to shrug. Cindy shook her head before she took a sip of her drink, not trying to make a big deal out of it. But she was worried about him. He was acting really weird. He went from giving her such a cold look when she got to her apartment, not even to mention the way he hung up on her, to now seeming completely fine as if everything was good all of the sudden. And that wasn't Riley.
Something was up.
"You okay, baby?" Landon leaned near her ear while he placed a hand on her knee. Cindy nodded, laying her hand on top of his.
"I am." She assured him.
"You look beautiful tonight by the way."
She smiled. "Thank you, honey-"
"Ayoo!" Cindy turned her head at the sound of Riley's sudden voice, but literally did a double take at the person who was standing beside him.
"I'd like to introduce y'all to my sexy-ass date and my girlfriend." Riley boasted loudly, placing a non-discreet hand on her ass. Her distasteful, ultra-revealing, and majorly obscene ass in that dress.
"Everyone, this is Tish. Tish... everyone." Riley smirked at everyone's wide eyes, his own landing firmly on Cindy's, who's narrowed instantly in return.
"Charmed, I'm sure." Tish greeted, sounding sarcastic as fuck while she gave everyone a haughty smirk of her own, tossing in an added wink in Cindy's direction.
THIS bitch.
It's about. To go. DOWN.
Ayyyy I'm still pumped I was able to get this bonus chapter out y'all! It's been a minute since I've gone back to back that quick like that. Like WHAT. I need to really do that more often, so much joy. Wish that life and shit didn't get in the way of it. But I digress :P
Now what's to happen? Now that Riley and Cindy are both in a relationship, how will this change theirs with each other, and with their partners? I love to hear your feedback along with your thoughts on the chapter and what you think about all this dramaaaa.
Disclaimers: 0.
Okay, for real this time, my next update will probably be for From Uncle Reezy, To Daddy Reezy (maybe) so don't get mad at me lol. I have to disperse the writing flow as evenly as I can. But I will be back to work on this one sooner than later since I have been inspired lately :)
Thank you again so much for reading and all the support and love! More is to come soon :)
~Schweetie