DON'T STOP, POP THAT, DON'T STOP, POP THAT-POP THAT-POP THAT!
My favorite readers I be twerkin' with/for:
ladyrere1985, KODfreak, MoneytheChef, Jor-El Smith, anon, razzberry96, bunnybabe247, Jazavelli, nanadaprincess08, Kluvly, OroginalBoondocks, taydo-the-potato, kingofmonsters1, The lady of Gaia, Zaryxn, joice xoxboubou xox, JacksonKid3, TickyPik, BananaMilkshake97, and ButterflyEyes24
And another shout-out to people like nanadaprincess08 and anon for reviewing, but aren't logged in under accounts so I can't properly PM and thank them :P Thanks nanada for reviewing me three times, practically threatening that you weren't gonna stop until I updated! Lmaaooo! Loved them ;) And anon, what can I say? Always love your reviews ;) Lmfao!
Ummmm… hi?
*shields self from acts of rage*
I know what y'all thinking. "This hoe got the nerve to be talkin' about some 'don't stop' when her ass been stopped nearly all damn summer!" And I know, I know. And I really do have a reason for that. It's an exceedingly long and sad story, but the brief premise of it is that my mother's been having a lot of health issues literally all summer. She's not well yet and the doctor's STILL don't know what the actual cause/reason is and how to fully correct it. Needless to say, it's been a real rough summer, so I've not had a lot of time to do much of anything aside from care for her. I feel awful about having not updated in months, and I swear I'll make it up to you more chapters, from both my stories. I'm getting back to work….
Work! Work! Work! Work!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Aaron McGruder's The Boondocks or any of his characters.
"Ain't nobody seen nothin'."
"I know who did the killing! I've known for twenty minutes! Guy's name is Terrell Jackson; he's been bragging about it all day. Everybody knows! He lives five minutes away. I've got MapQuest directions right here."
"How'd you find all this out?"
"We talked to people!"
"I got a picture."
"Where you get that?"
"I drew it from the description of the dude that they gave us while y'all was whoopin' niggas asses in the street. I almost had time to color it."
Gin Rummy, Huey Freeman, Ed Wuncler the III, and Riley Freeman; A Date With The Health Inspector
Week 7
Thursday, August 2
Cindy's POV
"I hate you." Cindy said for the third time as she looked over at Jazmine.
Her best friend giggled in response. "Stop it. And quit staring at me like that! It's normal to gain weight when you're pregnant."
"Then why aren't you, dammit?!"
Jazmine rolled her eyes with a grin as she continued to stir the lemonade. She and Cindy were both standing at the kitchen counter waiting for the boys to finish cooking outside. Because it was such a nice day out, Riley and Granddad had decided to fire up the grill that evening. When Huey and Jazmine arrived to pick up Jamilah, they'd been invited to hang for dinner because the food hadn't been ready yet. Huey agreed that they would stay, under one condition.
He would be allowed to cook off some of his veggie burgers… and that Jazmine would agree to eat some.
Honestly, Cindy and Riley both were surprised that they had stayed. Because for Cindy, there was no way in the world.
"Cindy, I am gaining weight, believe it or not. Just… slowly." Jazmine hedged carefully with a shrug.
"Yeah, while I'm over here gaining a pound by the minute… literally." Cindy grumbled.
"Oh please."
"Jazz. Look at me." Cindy pointed to her slightly distended stomach. "Why is it this dramatic of a change already?"
"Someone's being dramatic alright." Jazmine smirked.
"Ha-ha. But I'm for real. Your stomach is still flat, you bitch."
"Cindy!" Jazmine laughed, swatting at her. "Relax. When I first had Jamilah, I didn't start even remotely showing until about my tenth week."
"What?!"
"Every woman's body is different!"
"I hate you." Cindy repeated, shaking her head as she went to pull the macaroni and cheese from the oven.
"You look great, Cindy. Your body's changing, yes, but it's not obvious that you're pregnant."
"No, just obvious that I'm getting fat." Cindy pouted.
Before Jazmine could respond with another eyeroll, Riley opened the kitchen door to the backyard.
"Yo, the food's about ready." He said, using the bottom of his wife beater to wipe his forehead. Cindy bit her lip with a grin, eyeballing his sweaty abs. "You wanted a cheeseburger and a hot dog, right bay?" Riley smirked, probably noticing the glazed over look she was giving him.
"Please and thank you."
"And for Jazz," Riley's smirk widened as Jazmine frowned. "Some appetizing veggie burgers… you want cheese on them joints?"
"Riley, can you please sneak me a real burger?" Jazmine asked him quietly so her voice wouldn't travel out to Huey's sensitive ears.
"What's in it for me?"
"Riley, please!"
"How much is your soul worth?"
"…I'll give you five bucks."
"Ha! You woulda thought! Make it ten."
"Ten dollars for a burger, Riley?!"
"Take it or leave it."
"…I hate you."
"Deal! Love you too." Riley winked before he stepped back out of the kitchen, closing the door shut behind him.
Five minutes later, Riley and Huey came in with the food, followed by Granddad carrying Jamilah. Soon they were all seated around the dining room table, just beginning to enjoy their dinner.
"Mmm!" Jamilah hummed after she slid another bite of macaroni into her mouth.
"Is that good, Mila?" Cindy grinned.
"Mmm-hmm!" She nodded enthusiastically.
"Sweetie, eat some of your burger too." Jazmine advised her gently.
"Why don't you lead by example, J?" Riley smirked at her from across the table. Cindy tried to contain her snicker as she glanced beside her at Jazmine. Riley had kept his word to her and was able to slip her a normal burger. She currently had it on a napkin in her lap. Somehow, she had even managed to steal a few bites when Huey wasn't paying attention.
"You haven't touched yours, Jazmine." Huey added, raising his eyebrow at his wife's plate. She had eaten almost everything except for the lone sandwich on her plate.
"How bout all three of us take a bite of our burgers together?" Cindy suggested after she finished her last bite of hot dog, looking from Jazmine back to Jamilah. The youngest nodded while her mother just winced as she looked down at her sandwich.
"Ready?" Cindy asked, picking up her burger. The girls beside her nodded, even though one was more reluctant than the other. "One… two… three…." Cindy trailed off before all of them bit at the same time.
"Mmm-"
"EWW! What the hell?!" Cindy exclaimed in disgust, cutting off Jamilah's noise of content as she spit out her burger into her napkin. She flipped off the bun of her sandwich and noticed that her burger was definitely not the kind she thought it was. She glared up at Riley who was cracking up across the table as Huey smirked from beside him. "YOU."
"I'm sorry babe, I had to do it." Riley apologized between his laughs. "I thought maybe you'd like it."
"Fuck you." Cindy mouthed to him before lifting her glass to gulp a few swallows of water.
"Bleah." Jazmine let out beside her, releasing a shiver after she finally swallowed her bite.
"Both of you are overdramatic." Huey shook his head as he took a bite of his sandwich.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Torturing these poor girls as if you didn't already put them through enough! Shame on you!" Granddad scolded the boys with a glare.
"My bad." Riley chuckled, grabbing one of the burgers off his plate and reaching across the table to hand it to Cindy. "You know I love you though."
"Hate you." Cindy smirked, lightly snatching it off him.
"Just nasty." Jazmine muttered, wiping her mouth.
"You act as if you're not hiding a plain burger underneath the table on your lap." Huey responded dryly, giving her a knowing look.
"BUSTED!"
"What-ever, Riley." Jazmine grinned, lifting her not-so-secret burger from her lap.
"Team Real Food." Cindy quipped, raising her sandwich over to Jazmine as if she were toasting.
"Agreed." She giggled, tapping her burger to Cindy's. Huey rolled his eyes over to Riley next to him. He scoffed in response.
"Uh, just cuz I'm beside you don't mean jack. I'm on they team, nigga. Ow!" Cindy chuckled as Riley groaned and leaned forward in his seat, probably from the result of Huey kicking him underneath the table for saying 'nigga' in front of Jamilah. He still got funny about that sometimes, even though by now it should've probably been part of the child's vocabulary for as much time she spent with Riley.
Ding-dong.
"Boy, get the door!" Granddad instructed Riley.
He moaned as he rose from his seat, lifting his arm to Huey as if he was about to backhand him. Huey only provided a subtle glance at him as if to say, "I wish you would."
"Were you expecting somebody, Granddad?" Jazmine asked curiously.
"Hell no. I know it ain't for me. Probably one of that boy's nigga friends."
"Granddad…." Huey gave him a warning look.
"Boy, shut yo ass, this MY house!"
"Ooh, shut down." Cindy giggled.
"Ayyyy, wassup Riley?!" Everyone heard a loud voice say from the hallway.
"Ugh. What'd I tell you?" Granddad muttered.
Ed Wuncler the Third.
Huey sighed as he scooted away from the table a little. "I'll be right back-"
"No you don't, Freeman. Sit down." Jazmine interrupted him as he was halfway out of his seat.
"I was just going to-"
"Oh save it, you were not. And you're not leaving this table to get your katana. Sit." Jazmine told him again, giving him a look. They had a mini staredown before Huey slowly sat back down.
"Shut down twice." Cindy snickered, ignoring Huey's stony glare before he switched it back to Jazmine.
"He's got one time." Was all he said.
Jazmine didn't have any time to respond before Riley entered the dining room again, now flanked by Ed the III and Gin Rummy.
"What's happnin', everybody!" Ed greeted.
"Hey, y'all." Rummy addressed as well.
"Hi Unca Eddie and Unca Rummy!" Was the only sweet greeting they received from Jamilah. The rest of the group just gave them tight smiles or slight head nods.
"What's up, Lil Bit?" Ed called her by their nickname for her as Rummy ruffled her curly hair. Cindy noticed that Huey just stared at them near his daughter, as if trying to figure out Jamilah's easy relationship with them.
"Food looks good, Mr. Freeman." Rummy said, eyeing their plates.
"Yep." Granddad replied evasively, taking a big bite of his potato salad.
"The rest is in containers in the kitchen, man." Riley supplied easily, ignoring the death glare he received by his grandfather as he took his seat again.
"Thanks, Riley. I'll help myself." Rummy said before heading to the kitchen.
"Yo, fix me some." Ed told him before plopping down in a chair right next to Cindy. She rolled her eyes as he observed her in the lustful way he usually did. "What's good, baby?" His voice seemed to deepen slightly.
"Really, Wuncler?" Cindy scoffed.
"Really what?" Ed shrugged. Cindy turned to face him more, resting her head in her hand.
"You really still talk to me like that when one of your best friends, the one who's also my boyfriend who I'm having a baby with, sits across the table from us?"
Ed blinked at her for a moment as something seemed to click in his head. "Wait, WHAT?!"
Then there was a loud clatter from the kitchen. "WHAT?!" Rummy's shout echoed before he popped his head back in the doorway. "BABY?"
All heads whipped to Riley who had just inserted a big bite of food into his mouth. "Oops… my bad." He mumbled, talking with his mouth full.
"You guys really didn't know?" Cindy raised an eyebrow.
"Do it look like we knew?" Ed retorted. "Nigga, you really havin' a kid? Like Lil Bit?" At the sound of her nickname, Jamilah glanced in their direction and gave an easy smile. "Holy f-"
"Watch it." The room immediately warned him.
"How come you ain't tell us, Reez?" He demanded.
"Yo, I really thought I already did. My bad, y'all." Riley told them.
"That's wild. I can't even believe this. Reezy gonna be a dad? And C-Murph a mom?" Rummy grinned, leaning against the wall as he glanced between them.
"Yeah yeah." Riley smirked.
"Well shiiii-OW!" Ed complained in pain as Cindy kicked him.
"You need to have a son, yo."
"That'd be tight as fu-OW! Son of a bi-OW!"
"Get the lil dude hooked up with some qualified Ed and Rummy gear… Timbs, guns, and the works." Rummy mused.
"Guns?" Cindy raised an eyebrow, ignoring Ed's moans of pain from beside her.
"Relax ma, I'm talking BB guns."
"To start out anyway." Ed groaned, rubbing his shin.
"Ugh, I never liked those things. They're so violent." Jazmine shook her head.
"Oh come on, Jazz. Me and Huey turned out fine, ain't we?" Riley smirked. Cindy and Jazmine both glanced at each other, sharing a look.
"Ehh." They answered.
"Oh whateva." Riley snickered.
"Yo Reez, whatever you need for the kid, I gotchu. Just hit me up." Ed told him, seeming to recover from his injuries.
"Thanks, man. That's decent." Riley grinned. "I know what I did forget to tell y'all though."
"What?" Rummy asked.
"I'm tryna start makin' my studio happen. At that one piece of property I told y'all about?"
"Yeah? How?"
"Just applied for a loan."
"For how much? I said a long time ago I could get that spot for you."
Riley rolled his eyes. "Fifteen thousand. But-"
"CHUMP CHANGE!"
"BUT," Riley said again with a glare. "I wanted to be the one to get it. If it's gonna be my studio, I need to handle it myself. It's just one of those things you gotta do on your own, y'know?"
"No." Ed answered flatly. "But whateva, nigga. You get the loan?"
Before Riley could answer, his phone started ringing his familiar theme in his pocket. He fished it out and glanced at the number on his screen before his eyes doubled in size. Then his eyes snapped back to Ed.
"Nigga, you psychic?"
"Is it seriously the loaners?" Cindy asked, shocked.
"Yeah!" Riley replied, standing quickly to his feet.
"Yo, tell them if they don't give you the money, they gonna get messed the f-OW!"
"Shuddup!" Cindy snapped. "Riley, just breathe and listen to what they have to say."
"Be polite!" Jazmine added.
"Manners and respect, boy!" Granddad chimed in.
"You can talk like an educated citizen and not an illiterate hoodrat." Huey suggested with a shrug.
"Aiight, aiight!" Riley let out a quick exhale before clicking a button on his phone to answer. "Hello?" He spoke calmly into the phone as he started to exit the room for privacy.
"Quick Huey, follow him to hear the conversation. I'm too nervous to do it!" Cindy frowned. Huey gave her a blank look.
"I highly doubt that's necessary. He'll be fine."
"I agree. I've got faith in him, Cin." Jazmine smiled at her.
"And even if not, I could make that money drop right now if you wanted. That really ain't nothin'." Ed said.
"Riley's a man. He wants to handle certain things on his own. I respect that." Cindy told him. Ed shrugged in response.
It seemed like many quiet and anxious minutes passed after Riley left the room. He must have stepped outside because the kitchen was silent. Even though mostly everyone was done eating, they remained at the table, waiting for him to return. Everyone sat up a little straighter when there was the sound of the kitchen door being opened and closed before the sound of Riley's footsteps making their way across the floor. Then he finally stepped into the dining room again.
"Riley?" Cindy questioned lightly, trying to determine his face. His eyes were unreadable while his mouth was in a straight line.
"What happened, boy?" Granddad asked carefully, in a softer tone than he'd normally use.
Riley sighed as he walked around the table to Cindy's side, ignoring the watchful looks everyone gave. When he came to her, she looked up at him nervously as he still held that expression.
"What'd they say, Riley?" She asked gently. He sighed again as he looked strongly into her eyes.
"Can I borrow your car?" He mumbled lowly.
"What? Why?"
"Because… I need to go pay this man for my studio..." He answered calmly with a small smile.
"YOU GOT IT!" Cindy exclaimed, leaping to her feet to embrace him. Jazmine and Jamilah let out happy cheers.
"Got it." Riley said into her ear, a smile in his voice as he hugged her. "They just credited to my bank account, so all I gotta do is go down and write the owner a check."
"I am so proud of you, Riley. You did it." Cindy beamed, pulling back slightly to take his face into her hands and give him a kiss on his mouth.
"Awwwwww!" Jazmine cooed in the background.
"I'm eating."
"Boy! Stop hatin'!"
Riley's POV
"Everything looks good on this page, Riley." Tom cleared, sliding the papers over. Riley nodded before bringing his pen down to sign his name in the designated spot. Minutes after he had gotten the call that he'd been approved for the loan, Riley had been on the move to go pay for the property now. After gathering Cindy and Granddad, he'd jogged across the street and practically dragged Tom out of his house, promptly excusing him from his dinner. Riley hadn't even batted an eye. He didn't want to just sign documents and contracts blindly; for this instance, he needed Tom to act like the good lawyer that he was and read over things he could possibly miss in the excitement of it all.
"I've gotta say Riley, I'm really happy that you're the one I'm able to rent the property to," Vincent Smith, the owner of building, said with a small smile. He sat in his office behind his desk, quietly observing the group before him: Tom as he carefully read through the contract; Riley as he eagerly signed in the places he needed to; Cindy and Granddad practically chomping at the bit in their chairs, ready to see the place.
"Trust me, Mr. Smith. I'm more than happy to take it off your hands for a while." Riley grinned back, handing the papers back to Tom to finish reading.
"Mr. Smith is my father. Call me Vince." He replied easily. "But I mean it. There were a few others who expressed interest in the property as well. I was hoping that you'd be back in time to take the place. By some miracle, the others backed out last minute, finding property elsewhere."
"It's fate." Cindy commented lightly.
"I'll say." Vince grinned at her before glancing back to Riley. "My whole family comes from a long line of self-made artists."
"Oh yeah?" Riley asked with interest.
"Yes." Vince nodded with a wry grin. "Both my parents especially. I swear, they taught me how to draw sketches before they taught me how to write my own name. Hell, they named me after a damn artist: Van Gogh. Honest to God!" Vince told as everyone else chuckled in amusement. "I can't say I'm as wild about art as the rest of my family, but I do have a large respect for it. That's one of the reasons I naturally took interest to your plan, Riley. From all the ideas you've showed me, I'd say your place has a lot of promise and potential."
Riley grinned and bowed his head down slightly. "Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me."
"Last page, Riley. Sign it and it's official." Tom smiled, handing him back the packet. Riley took the contract and allowed his eyes to skim down the words until he came to the bottom. All he had to do was write his name on the dotted line. He grinned when he felt Cindy brush her hand on his leg next to him. He glanced over to see her beaming, looking so proud and happy for him. He winked in return as he squeezed her thigh lightly, making her giggle softly. Then he removed his hand and turned his focus back to the document in front of him, raising his pen.
Riley Freeman
"Congratulations, Mr. Freeman." Vince smiled, reaching into his desk drawer once Riley slid the signed contract to him. He pulled out a set of three keys on a silver ring and handed them over. "It's all yours."
"Whoo! Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Cindy exclaimed as soon as Riley took the keys, hopping out of her seat.
"I heard that. I haven't even seen the place yet!" Granddad agreed, standing as well.
"Why don't you two get a head start?" Riley smirked at them both.
Cindy rolled her eyes playfully. "Fiiine, but hurry! We'll wait for you downstairs." She grinned, giving him a nudge. "Nice meeting you, Mr. Smith."
"Vince, dear." He corrected with a smile. "And likewise to the both of you." Cindy and Granddad smiled in return before heading out the door.
"Beautiful family you've got there." Vince commented.
"I think I'll keep 'em." Riley grinned, finally rising with Tom next to him. "Thanks again, Vince." He told him genuinely, extending his hand.
"Absolutely. I have no doubt your business will do just fine." He smiled, shaking his hand before turning to Tom. "Mr. Dubois." He nodded, offering to shake his hand as well.
"Thank you again, sir. And just to clarify, first month's rent will be due approximately four months from today's date?"
"That's correct, give or take a couple days. At least within the first week of December. I'll let you know." Vince replied. In their time there, Tom had brought up the topic of rent and how soon Vince would want his first payment. After, the three of them discussed a reasonable amount of time until Riley got started and set up with his business. Vince had been the one to offer Riley the four months, which he thought had been extremely generous.
"That's more than enough time. I'm hoping to have the studio open officially within a month." Riley said.
"Wow, that quick?" Vince looked impressed.
"Sir, when I'm serious about something, I get shit done… ooh, excuse my language." Riley tried to clean up quickly when Tom whipped his head over to him.
Vince laughed heartily, unfazed. "I like your style, Riley. And I can't wait to see what you come up with."
"BOOOYYY! Hurry up! Me and Cutie Pie wanna see what you just paid for!" They heard Granddad shout up the stairs.
Riley glanced back at the doorway, shaking his head. "I apologize on behalf of my ghetto grandfather." He said to Vince.
"It's alright." He chuckled. "Go get them before they bust through my windows."
Riley snickered before he and Tom began to make their way to the door. "I can't say that I'm not sometimes ghetto, but I'm never as bad as him, and never with my business matters!"
A groan came from Tom as he put on a forced smile and gently pushed Riley out the door. "He's kidding, of course." He tried, glancing back at Vince.
"Tom, stop acting bougie and white!" Riley snapped from outside the room, making Tom's smile fall as Vince cracked up. The attorney made a tight smile before grudgingly following Riley out of the office.
"Finally, slow-asses!" Cindy said once Riley and Tom made it outside.
"Relax, girl." Riley chuckled, tugging her against him and wrapping an arm around her shoulder as they walked, Granddad and Tom following behind them. "It's literally right there." He pointed to the property that was directly across the street.
"Yeah, but who has the keys?" Cindy shot back.
"Um, the new owner?" Riley answered sarcastically with a smirk. Cindy grinned up at him and planted a kiss on his jawline before they started to cross the street.
Riley became excited as he approached the property. His property that he had just purchased. The L-shaped one-story building was wide in expansion, taking up the majority of the block. He noticed that all of the massive floor-to-ceiling windows had long brown sheets of paper covering them from the inside, no doubt to protect the interior view from nosy people like Cindy and Granddad. As they walked up the long plank of wooden patio stairs, Riley glanced to the left at the big section of grass lawn; he knew from the minute he first saw the place that that's where his Young Reezy's Studio sign was going to go.
"This place better have been worth its money, Riley." Granddad teased, crossing his arms as they came to the door.
Riley smirked as the others chuckled. "Keep talkin' that shit, old nigga. You ain't even ready." He said as he spun the key ring on his finger, stepping up to the door to unlock it.
"Prove it." Cindy grinned, matching Granddad's pose by folding her arms. Riley sucked his teeth playfully as he glanced back at her.
You gonna learn today.
After he twisted the key in the lock, he turned the handle and pushed the door open, then took a step back to allow them to go first. They wasted no time in hurrying past him, Cindy leading the way quickly followed by Granddad and Tom.
"DAMN!"
Riley smirked again at their declaration before following them inside, pulling the door shut behind him and turning on the lights.
"This place is freaking huge!" Cindy exclaimed, looking around the expansive space. High ceilings, tan hardwood floors, and bright lighting, due to both the actual lighting as well as the wall of windows, were just a few of the aspects that made the place magnificent.
"You have a lot of space for things, Riley!" Tom said with approval.
"More than enough!" Granddad agreed, glancing behind one of the sheets of paper covering the windows.
"Y'all realize this is only one room, right? Go 'head and look around." Riley grinned, walking over to Cindy and slipping his fingers through hers. "C'mere, I wanna show you." Cindy smiled, allowing him to lead her by the hand out of the room.
"This building is amazing, Riley." She told him as they began slowly down the hallway.
"Thanks, bay. And I know. This place is so dope. Check this out." He said, stopping when he came to the first door on their left opening it.
"Oh, this is a good size room for some of your stuff." Cindy commented, looking around the medium-sized area as they stepped inside.
"There are five others just like it."
"What?"
"Yup. Three on this side and three on the opposite side of the building. And the best part is that they're all connected." He said, gesturing to the door on the far wall as they neared it. "You can always just take the hallway, but if you wanna walk all the way through room-to-room, you can see everything." He explained as they entered and walked through to an identical room.
"Shut up! That's awesome." Cindy shook her head, looking impressed.
"Right? I was thinking I could do a different theme in each one since there's six of them."
"Ooh, that's a great idea!"
Riley and Cindy discussed some of his ideas as they continued to stroll through. After the third room, they came back into the main hallway and turned the corner to go down the other side. Before they came to the other similar cubes, they began to pass a large room enclosed by glass partition walls.
"Do you have any ideas for what you want to put in this room? It's about as big as the entrance area." Cindy said, pausing as Riley pulled the sliding door open for her to peek in.
"I'm gonna use it as another major showroom, maybe for my specialty pieces."
"What specialty pieces?"
"You'll see." Riley eluded casually before closing it again. Cindy chuckled as they continued their way through. They passed the cubes and a few other rooms before Riley stopped at one in particular.
"And this one, is gonna be my office." He said, opening the door to allow Cindy to enter first.
"Nice space." Cindy nodded, glancing around it.
"Yeah yeah." Riley grinned, pushing the door closed behind him. "Gonna put my desk right in front of that window, bookshelf on the wall beside it, get me a leather couch, maybe a TV, a big-ass mini fridge-"
"How bout you just focus on the essentials to start out with?" Cindy giggled, walking over to him and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm so proud of you, babe. This is amazing."
Riley placed his hands on her waist and leaned down to slowly peck her lips. "Thank you."
"You picked a really good spot, Riley."
"Listen, I've been mapping this place out since I first walked in here. I know exactly what I want and where I want it. I've got plans, hella ideas, and now actually some cash to get it done… I can do this shit."
Cindy smiled at him, running a hand down and through the ends of his braids. "I have no doubt." She told him quietly before kissing his lips again. Riley deepened it, drawing her tighter against his body. He heard Cindy make a low groan before she began to pull back, her face slightly pink with a look that clearly said she was already hot and bothered. Riley smirked.
"When we gonna christen my new office, baby?" He asked deeply before licking his lips.
"Reezy!" Cindy scolded with a smile, her face getting brighter in color. "Tom and Granddad are still walking around and are going to find us soon…. Maybe when you get a desk." She suggested as an offer. Riley gave her a knowing look.
"Bay… who needs a desk though?"
The Next Morning; 7:05 AM
Riley was having a very restful sleep for once. He was no longer stressing himself out worrying about the loan, he was able to secure his studio location, he relaxed before he had went to bed by working on some newer artwork, and he was able to wake up next to his gorgeous girl (who he was also able to relax with last night, due to the fact that she had refused his advances in his office). He was getting a great sleep.
However… when a great sleep is interrupted by his girlfriend's blaring cellphone… nearly a half hour before his alarm is set to properly wake him for work… the sleep is ended abruptly, and his good mood deteriorates even quicker.
Riley's head snapped up at the obnoxiously loud Drop It Like It's Hot ringtone coming from Cindy's phone. He glanced over and noticed she was out, not even stirring at the noise. With a grumble, Riley carefully leaned to reach over her, scooping her phone off her nightstand. Glancing at the caller ID, he didn't recognize the name, Val, but strangely recognized the area code: 812-855.
812-855… that's an Indiana number. The fuck? Riley's brain processed quickly. What if it was her bitch-ass ex from college? What if she had put him under a random-ass name so Riley wouldn't realize he was calling? Oh HELL naw!
"Hello?" Riley answered the phone gruffly, his voice with a serious edge.
"Ummm hi, I'm calling for Cindy McPhearson?" The person responded cautiously. She was a woman, thank God.
"You got the right number. Who dis?"
"I am Cindy's former coach and trainer from IU. Who is this?" Oh snap. Homegirl all the sudden had some attitude in her voice.
Riley snickered. "Cindy's boyfriend. Riley. You?"
"Valentina. Cindy didn't tell me she had a new piece of arm candy. Hope you're better than the last one."
Riley practically snorted. "Look here, woman. I'm the last and only one that Cindy's gonna be with from now on. I'll tell you that."
"Honey, ain't nothin' guaranteed until you put a ring on it. So you can run and tell that, homeboy." Riley couldn't contain his laughter as he cracked up. This chick was bold as hell!
"Girl, you crazy for real." Riley told her, still laughing. Cindy was just beginning to stir beside him.
"And proud. And though I've thoroughly enjoyed this conversation, is Cindy available?"
"Maybe." Riley smirked, using his free hand to rub slow circles on her back. "Why you callin' this early though, Val?" At that name, Cindy's eyes started to blink open as she sleepily raised her head.
"Do you work part-time as her secretary?" Val asked, amused. When Cindy's eyes focused on her phone against Riley's ear, her eyes widened and she immediately reached out for it.
"As a matter of fact, I do." Riley answered, leaning back away from Cindy. "So why?"
"Reezy!" Cindy smacked the bed in frustration. She was now up and awake as she began to crawl over to him.
"The job offer."
"Job offer?" Riley echoed, his eyes now pinned on Cindy's. She gave him a look before snatching the phone out of his hands.
"Hello, Val…? Hey, girl. Sorry about my boyfriend." She said into the phone, narrowing her eyes at Riley. Then she giggled at whatever Val said in return. "Yes, he is better than the last one, I promise." She grinned, before beginning to make her way off the bed. Riley, of course, followed her.
"So you said something about the job offer?" Cindy asked as she picked up her robe, beginning to put it on while switching hands with the phone.
"Yeah, what job offer, C?" Riley demanded pointedly, moving to stand right in front of her while he quickly pulled on his pants.
Cindy paid him no mind as she walked right past him, opening the bedroom door and heading out.
"Dammit, girl." Riley muttered, tugging on a longer pair of shorts while he walked as he followed after her.
"Uh-huh… uh-huh… oh really?" Cindy said, about halfway down the hall.
"Oh really, what?" Riley asked loudly, finally catching up to her.
Cindy stopped in her tracks, turning to slowly glare at him. "One sec, Val." Not taking the phone away from her ear, she faced Riley directly and made the turn-around gesture with her free hand. When he just gave her a blank and confused stare in return, Cindy rolled her eyes and stepped closer as she grabbed his arm, forcibly beginning to turn his body.
"Aye, stop playin'. What the hell is goin' on?" He grumbled, allowing her to rotate him so that he was facing away from her. "…Cindy?" He turned back around just in time to see her shutting the bathroom door.
SLAM! Click.
No this girl did not just lock me out!
"Continue, Val." He barely heard her say from inside, her voice now subdued. Riley glared at the door, crossing his arms. He barely had time to contemplate between trying to eavesdrop and kicking the door down when he was distracted by his grandfather.
"SLAM MY DOOR ONE MORE TIME AND I WILL BEAT YOUR ASS, BOY! IT'S BARELY PAST SEVEN IN THE MORNING! GO BACK TO SLEEP!" He yelled muffled from his bedroom.
Riley rolled his eyes with a sigh. There just was no point.
Cindy's POV
"That's awesome, Val. Thank you so much!"
"No problem, doll. You'll be a shoe-in for the position."
"You really think so?"
"I know McPhearson isn't trying to act all nervous." Val lightly teased.
"Hell to the no." Cindy answered immediately.
"Good. And yes, girl. Just walk in and be the fearless bitch I know you to be. Do that much and you're golden."
"I can handle that." Cindy chuckled. "Thanks again. Seriously."
"Always, babe. You call me when you get the job and start calling me more often period just to talk, dammit! I wanna hear all about your new beau. Riley, was it?"
"Oh you will. And yes. God, he's a trip." Cindy shook her head.
"But he's good to you?"
"Very." Cindy smiled to herself, glancing down to her stomach as she placed her hand to rest there.
"That's all that matters then." Val said, bringing her attention back. "We'll have a Skype date soon and talk all about him."
"Sounds good."
"Alright, I'll talk to you tomorrow, girl."
"Bye, Val."
"Laytah!"
Cindy grinned as she hung up the phone, then finally rose from the closed lid of the toilet. It wasn't her ideal place to hold a phone conversation, but she had to shut Riley out. There was no way she could actually focus on what Val was saying while he was staring her down, asking her loud-ass questions as if he didn't see she was on the phone. She didn't know about that boy.
When Cindy unlocked the door and opened it, she was startled to see Riley right beside the door.
"Dammit, you scared me! Please don't tell me you stood there the entire time."
Riley gave her a look. "No. I went downstairs and ate a bowl of cereal. I just got back up here."
"Oh okay. I'm gonna run down and get some before I start to get ready." She said nonchalantly, about to walk around him. But he side-stepped her, getting in her path again.
"Cindy."
"Riley." She looked up innocently at his serious face.
"What… job offer?" He asked specifically.
Damn… she knew it wouldn't be that easy. Regardless, she smiled. The opportunity was amazing in itself, and if she could manage to make him see the big picture, he might feel the same way.
"Okay, okay. Follow me downstairs while I explain." She told him, grabbing his hand while swinging it lightly as they walked forward, starting down the stairs.
"Go ahead." Riley said, unfazed.
"Alright, so that was my old coach on the phone, Val. She was returning my call from a few days ago."
"You called her first?"
"Mhm." She nodded.
"Why?" He asked suspiciously.
Here it comes.
"Because I was asking her for help regarding job placement, Riley." Cindy sighed. He stopped walking, causing Cindy to stop as well and turn to look back at him.
"And you would do that now… when you already have a temporary job… and while you're pregnant because…?" He questioned, gesturing to her.
"Because, one, if I land this job, it can be a permanent career for me, Riley. Something I can be great at and really use my skills from college for." She told him wholeheartedly, taking his hand in both of hers. He continued to look down at her, not saying anything. "And two," Cindy added as she began to walk again, now pulling him with her. "I'm newly pregnant, Reezy. Not disabled. I can work up until my third trimester at least."
Riley was silent as they entered the kitchen. He let go of her hand when she moved to reach up into the snack pantry. Then he spoke.
"What kind of job?"
"Hm?" Cindy didn't look at him as she pretended to decide between the Cheerios or the Reese's Puffs.
"What… kind… of job, Cindy?"
She could feel his eyes on her as she finally pulled down the Cheerios before closing the door shut. Then she turned to face him, holding the box against her chest with a big smile.
"I have an interview tomorrow for an assistant basketball coaching position, at the University of Maryland for the Lady Terrapins!" She told him excitedly. "Not only is that right in my field, but it's something I would love to do. Help train and work with talented girls to reach their true potential, just like Val did for me. I think I could really excel at that, Reez."
"I know you can, babe." Riley told her honestly. "I just don't need you getting involved and overworking yourself. Your health right now is more important than any kinda job."
"I realize that, but I already have a job now. A gym trainer. And if I land this job, I'll be a basketball trainer. Is there really that much of a difference? I'll be ordering people what to do just like I already do now."
"There's a difference and you know it." Riley immediately said, stubbornly.
"What's the difference, then?" Cindy snipped.
"Cindy."
"Riley." She answered with just as much attitude. They had a staredown for a few moments before Cindy sighed, placing the box on the counter before slowly walking towards him. She gave him a look before sliding her arms around his waist.
"I understand your concern, baby." She began gently. "I totally get it. But you can't just put me inside a giant bubble until I give birth. I still have to continue to live and work and contribute to our family. I'm not going to just lie around and be useless."
"You ain't useless." Riley mumbled, finally wrapping his arms around her.
"Then don't act as if I am. I can do this shit." She smiled, noticing Riley trying not to grin at her for quoting what he said to her yesterday. "This is my shot, Riley."
He stared at her for a short moment before leaning down to peck her lips. "I feel you." He said quietly, barely moving back.
"Yeah?" Cindy whispered, before kissing him again slowly.
"Mmhmm." Riley managed through the kiss.
"Proud of me?" She asked when he started to pull back again.
"Very." He nodded, sliding his hand on her ass.
"Then act like it, boy!" She grinned, giving him a little shove.
"Girl, you knew how I was when you decided to be with me." He smirked, pulling her close again and squeezing her behind, causing her giggle. "I just want you to be aiight."
"I will be. Promise."
"Does the person you're interviewing know you're pregnant?" He asked.
"I'm pretty positive she doesn't because I didn't tell Val yet."
"What the hell, C? Why ain't you tell her?" He said, giving her a look.
"Because I didn't want her to tell my interviewer and for her to have enough doubt to not even see me. If she offers me the position, I will tell her and explain that I am able to work."
"You better."
"Yeah yeah."
"What are you gonna do about working at the gym?"
"I was thinking about that. I'm actually not sure yet. I do love working there. Maybe I can rearrange my schedule with Frank in the event I get the job." Cindy pondered, briefly biting her lip.
"Excuse me? As in you'd be tryna juggle two jobs?" Riley glared.
"Reez-"
"OVERWORKING."
"I said I'll figure it out! Damn." Cindy rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Now can I please eat my breakfast so we can get ready for work?"
"I guess." He sighed. Cindy was about to let go of him when he leaned down to kiss her lips again. "I am proud of you, bay. I hope you get it." He told her after he ended it. Cindy smiled up at him before pecking his lips one last time.
"Love you."
"Love you too, girl." He patted her behind before releasing her. He then moved to sit down in a chair as she moved to go make her cereal. "What time's your interview tomorrow since it's on a Saturday?"
"Noon."
"Damn." Riley muttered.
"What's wrong?" Cindy glanced at him as she took the milk out of the fridge.
"I'm supposed to babysit Jamilah around that time tomorrow. I wanna take you up there, but if it's all three of us going, I don't know what Mila and I are gonna do while you're in the interview. I don't want her to get fussy or bored, y'know?"
"That's fine. I can drive myself."
"I don't want you driving about an hour away by yourself. Naw."
"We'll figure it out, Reez." Cindy shook her head, approaching the table with her bowl and spoon. "Why you gotta babysit tomorrow anyway?" She asked as she sat down.
"Sarah wants to take Jazmine shopping tomorrow, but they wanna go to The Mall in Columbia, that nice one about a half hour away. God knows they're gonna be gone all day." Riley rolled his eyes.
"What about Huey?" Cindy asked before taking a bite.
"He gotta be at some business meeting at…."
"Reez?" Cindy raised an eyebrow, practically seeing the wheels turning in his head.
"At work." Riley smirked.
Huey's POV
"How can you watch this show?" Huey asked his wife, glancing up from his newspaper.
"Bite your tongue! How can anyone not like T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle? He's such a cute dad." Jazmine challenged from beside him.
"Their accents are annoying as hell." Huey muttered, going back to his paper.
"Okay, Chicago." Jazmine smirked, causing Huey to slowly glance back over at her. She giggled and pecked his cheek before turning away from him, her eyes focused on the TV again. He shook his head at her before returning to his paper. It was around eight o'clock at night and their family was finally relaxing after a long day. Jazmine was relaxing by watching her shows, Huey by reading his daily newspaper, and Jamilah, well was relaxing by looking at the comic section on Huey's lap. She had recently dozed off though, snuggling back into her father's arms. He'd never say it out loud, but this was Huey's favorite part of the day. The down-time where he could just relax with his wife and daughter and enjoy their time together.
And that's why I'mma take a GOOD GIIIRRLLL
Huey closed his eyes as Jazmine's phone begin to ring loudly, with that God-forsaken song.
I know you want it… I know you want it… I know you want it, you're a GOOD GIIIRRLLL
"Oh, it's Cindy." Jazmine said, finally pulling the phone from her pocket, bobbing her head as the song continued to play.
"Answer it." Huey practically growled. If he heard this song on the radio one more time….
"I hate these BLURRED LIIIINES!" Jazmine sang along dramatically, leaning into him. She laughed as he gave her The Look. "Okay, okay." She rolled her eyes, finally answering. "Hello?"
Huey breathed a sigh of relief as the music stopped. He could finally return to his paper. He gently kissed the top of Jamilah's head before he turned the page, starting to read again. However… certain phrases from Jazmine's cellphone were distracting… and somewhat troubling to him.
"That's awesome! What time tomorrow…? Oh yeah…? Uh-huh..." Huey noticed that Jazmine was now glancing at him occasionally. Why did he feel he was about to be dragged into something? He couldn't even concentrate anymore.
"No, that should be doable… yes, I'm sure. I see no reason why not… uh-huh… uh-huh… yeah…." She paused to giggle. "Whatever works, right?" She said with a smirk. "No problem… I'll talk to you tomorrow morning… bye." When she finally hung up, she cleared her throat and casually looked at Huey.
"Whatever it is, the answer is no." He stated, his eyes still on his paper.
"Huey, I haven't even-"
"What did you just try to volunteer me for, Jazmine?" He asked, now looking her in the eye. She gave him a look, bringing her legs up on the couch and turning to face him all the way.
"Okay, listen. Cindy has a big job interview tomorrow. Since Riley will be babysitting Jamilah, he won't be able to take her, and he doesn't want her to drive off far by herself."
"Well, tough. I've got a business meeting tomorrow." He shrugged. But then he raised an eyebrow when Jazmine just smirked. "…What?"
"That's why it's so convenient. Her interview is at the university." Jazmine told him with a smile.
"…Of Maryland?"
"No Huey, of China. Yes, the University of Maryland!"
"Oh HELL no." Huey said immediately, raising the paper up to his face.
"Why not?" Jazmine demanded, pulling down the paper to glare at him. "It's perfect!"
"Jazmine, if I do this and she does get the job, this will just be the first of many carpools to come. I can't ride with her. One of us won't make it back home."
"Is it really that serious, Huey?" Jazmine rolled her eyes. "She just needs one little ride. It's at the same time as your meeting and everything."
Shit.
"And she doesn't even know how to get there."
"That's what MapQuest is for."
"Are you really going to be like that, Huey? She's pregnant, for goodness sake."
Shit.
"Don't try to play the pregnancy card with her, Jazmine." Huey tried to brush her off, glancing down again. But it was hard to focus when those big green eyes were locked right on him.
"I bet if it were me," She began quietly, causing Huey to look up. "And you couldn't take me, I'm pretty sure you would appreciate it very much if Riley could and was able."
Shit.
"If you won't do it for Cindy, at least do it for your brother."
Shit.
"As much as he does for us regarding Jamilah, I would think that you could do this little thing for him."
Huey breathed out a heavy sigh of defeat through his nose. There was just no way out of this, was there?
Shit.
Riley's POV
"READY OR NOT, HERE I COME!"
Riley tried to contain his chuckle as he stayed quiet from his spot in the coat closet. Good thing he was no longer closet-phobic. It was actually a pretty good thinking spot. While he heard Jamilah running around the house trying to find him, Riley's thoughts trailed off to Cindy. She had texted him when she and Huey had arrived at the university, saying she was about to head into the athletic department for the interview. He hoped she managed to keep her cool and relax. From what she had told him yesterday, it was a supposedly very informal interview. She left the house in her official jersey with her name on the back, dark-wash jeans, and black pumps, looking sexy as fuck. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew she was probably going to get the job. And it wasn't like he didn't want her to get it. It was just that he knew her. He did not want this girl to be going overboard and trying to work her ass off like crazy. She didn't seem to understand the definition of the word relax.
Ding-dong.
"Boy! Get the door!" Riley heard Granddad shout from upstairs.
With an eyeroll, Riley opened the door of the closet and stepped out. Jamilah had just been entering the hallway from the kitchen. Because his back was to her, he didn't notice her until she ran right behind him and grabbed onto his leg.
"Gotchu!" She declared, beaming up at him as he turned to look down at her.
"Aye, you only got me because Granddad went and ratted me out." He grinned, allowing her to sink lower and latch on well before beginning to walk again. She giggled as he took big steps with her as he made his way to the door. But right when he was almost there, he saw the doorknob start to jiggle before it turned and the door opened to reveal Huey and Cindy.
"Daddy!" Jamilah smiled, looking up at her father.
"Daa-ang it!" Riley caught himself before slipping up in front of Jamilah. "Why do you always do that?! You knock, then when I get all the way to the door, let yourself in. Why?!" Riley demanded.
"You took too long." Huey said dryly before pocketing his key and stepping inside. "Hey, Beautiful." He greeted, his attention now on Jamilah. She removed herself from Riley's leg before stepping over to be lifted up in an embrace by her father. Riley's attention was finally able to go to Cindy.
"I'm about to get you a key made today. Don't know why you don't have one already."
"Me either." Cindy giggled before Riley's arms encircled her and he gave her a nice kiss. "Hey."
"Hey, babe. How'd everything go?" He asked her. She smiled before glancing back at Huey.
"You wanna tell him or should I, carpool buddy?"
Huey gave her a dead stare before starting for the door again. "That was never agreed upon. Tell them goodbye, Jamilah." He stated shortly, already walking out.
"Bye, Unca Reezy! Bye, Aunt Cindy!" Jamilah waved over his shoulder.
"Bye, babe!" They laughed before Riley closed the door. Then he turned back to her.
"So you got it?" She nodded, the smile never leaving her face. "Congratulations, baby." He smiled as well, pulling her into a hug.
"Thank you!" She couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice as she squeezed him back tightly. "I'm ecstatic right now." She said, pulling back slightly while still in his arms.
"It went that well?" He grinned.
"It went amazing. First of all, the woman who interviewed me is the head coach and basically boss of everyone. Pretty much whatever she says goes. Her name's Liberty Dawson."
"Liberty?" Riley made a snicker as they pulled away from each other.
"Yo, that's one of the reasons this chick is so dope." Cindy grinned, grabbing his hand to bring him into the living room. "So when I walk in to meet her, one, her outfit was fly as hell. But two, she just looked so put together and confident. I respect that. So I walked over to her and I was like, 'Liberty Dawson?' And this woman said with a smile, 'Libbey. I tend to break the necks of people that address me as Liberty.'"
"What?" Riley let out a laugh as they sat down on the couch. "How old is this woman?"
"Late 30's, early 40's if that. She looks phenomenal. But yeah! So then I laughed and said, 'Got it.' She then said to me, 'You must be Cynthia McPhearson.' So I said, 'Cindy. I've been known to curb-stomp anyone that refers to me as Cynthia.'"
Riley cracked up. "You did not."
"You already know that I did." Cindy grinned. "She laughed just like you did."
"What'd she say?"
"Got it." She chuckled.
"That's awesome. Then what happened?"
"She took me to a different room and just started asking me standard questions. But throughout it all we were just having a normal fucking conversation, getting sidetracked every five minutes. She is so chill and down-to-earth. I love her. We're gonna work great together."
"Did you tell her you were pregnant?" Riley asked her seriously.
"Yes I did, near the very end." Cindy nodded. "I explained that I recently found out, but can still manage to work until farther along in the pregnancy. She completely understood and was so nice about it, Riley. She said I don't have to be hands-on or overexerting in any way unless I make it that way. Which obviously I won't do now, but definitely after the baby. She said she's willing to be flexible around my doctor's appointments and everything… she really wants me for the job."
"Because someone like you deserves the job." Riley grinned, leaning over to kiss her cheek. She smiled at him in return. "When do you start?"
"That's the best part! After I told her I was pregnant, we talked a little bit and she came up with an idea I think you'll really like."
"Oh really?"
"Mmhmmm." She nodded. "Because she doesn't want me to work too hard, and also because I told her that I had an overprotective boyfriend that constantly worried about me," She teased, nudging him. "Libbey came up with a temporary and compromising solution."
"What?"
"My official position is guaranteed to be held until after I deliver, but in the meantime she's going to train me. She's going to work with me and help me learn the ropes of how to really coach with techniques and stuff."
"Really?" Riley said with interest.
"Yup! And it wouldn't even be every day. I told her that I was from Woodcrest and even she thought it would be too much to travel an hour back and forth all the time. She said that she'll work with me twice a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and she'll have me work with her and learn all about everything. It'll almost be like I'm shadowing her, but actually be able to participate with the team and stuff."
"And you'll still get paid for it?"
"Oh hell yeah." Cindy grinned. "It'll be awesome. I can work there on those days and still continue to be involved at the gym! I just have to talk to Frank about switching my schedule." She gushed excitedly, but then stopped when she noticed Riley giving her a look.
"Cindy…."
"Aw, come on, Reezy. It'll be fine." She smiled brightly at him. "Regardless, it's still like I'm working a normal 5-day week."
"Girl, don't try to play me. That's a lot on you." He said, causing her to roll her eyes. Soon after, they heard her phone vibrate in her pocket. She quickly pulled it out and read the text… right before she sputtered out into laughter.
"What?" Riley raised an eyebrow. Cindy was still snickering as she glanced over at him.
"Huey told me to tell you to quit going in and out of the closet. Make a choice."
"What?!" Riley snapped, turning the phone to him so he could read the text.
"Apparently Mila told him that y'all were playing Hide and Seek and she decided to tell about your favorite hiding spot." Cindy giggled.
Riley shifted his jaw as he leaned away from her phone. Then he watched her continue to make fun of him. "Am I gonna have to make you stop laughing at me, girl?"
"Oh please make me stop laughing at you." Cindy challenged, leaning forward with a smirk on her face. Riley's eyes flickered with mischievousness before he grabbed her, making her giggle as he rose from the couch and tossed her over his shoulder.
"You comin' wit me."
"You takin' me to your favorite place?" Cindy cracked as they came into the hallway. She squealed as he gave a hard smack to her behind. Then he walked them right into the still open closet, closing the door shut behind him.
Omg, my friends… I FINALLY got this chapter finished. It only took me how long?
Disgraceful, I know. Lol.
I know it was a pretty long one, but I think I owed you guys that much. Let me know what you thought. I honestly struggled with this chapter forever. Feedback is greatly appreciated:)
Special sidenote: Check my profile when you can. I put up a link to where I got the broad inspiration for Riley's studio building. On the website, it's the first four pictures only.
My Infamous Disclaimers: I do not own the rights or properties to any food, weapons, money/banks, art/artists, buildings/architecture, the "You gonna learn today" line from Mr. Kevin Hart, Drop It Like It's Hot by Snoop Dogg, the "run and tell that, homeboy" line from Mr. Antoine Dodson (hide ya kids, hide ya wife), Cheerios, Reese's Puffs, University of Maryland, The Lady Terrapins basketball team, The Mall in Columbia, T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle (I know Huey's hatin', but that's my show, y'all!), Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke feat. Pharell and T.I. (and this is my ishhh!), MapQuest, Hide & Seek, and any other person, place, thing, country, event, sport, word, letter, number, or punctuation that is not mine! Oh yeah, and the "how much is your soul worth?" line is from The Fundraiser episode (my fave) and the line about "being closet-phobic" is from the Home Alone episode (also one of my faves).
Y'all don't know how happy I am to be freaking DONE with this chapter. Next one's the one that gets interesting. Actually have a lot of ideas for that one ;) So stay tuned. I'm back to work y'all. Gonna try and update my FWB story next though. Gotta get back on that grind, right? Again, I'm real sorry for not being able to update, guys. I promise, promise, promise, I'm really going to try and do it more often. More soon. Really this time.
~Schweetie