Forever My Baby Girl

Lina POV

 

“So you really don’t care?” Chris said looking at me skeptically. We were at his house and Honey, Mijo, Cori and Ty were here.

 

“Of course I care! I just found out I had an aunt who was killed by her boyfriend!” I said rolling my eyes as I picked with the pillow in my lap.

 

I could feel everyone staring at me. “Stop it or I’ll kick you all out,” I mumbled without looking up.

 

“Come on Lina,” I heard Cori say.

 

“Look. Do I understand my father a little bit better now? Of course. Does his behavior make sense? Yeah. But that doesn’t mean everything is going to be all better now and we’re going to be one big happy family,” I said.

 

“But…” Cori started but I shook my head.

 

“No buts. When I’m ready for him to be a major part of my life again, then that’s what he’ll be. Until then, ain’t shit really changed in my eyes. Now can we please talk about something else?”

 

They all nodded.

 

“So ya’ll ready for the Halloween dance next week? I heard it’s supposed to be real live,” Honey said.

 

“Yes! Girl I’m so ready,” I said. Or school had a Halloween dance every year and afterwards Ty always through a big after party at his house.

 

“You coming this year right baby?” Ty asked Cori. She shrugged. I rolled my eyes. My sister and I had two different personalities. She was so shy.

 

“Come on Cor! You’re apart of the crew now! You have to come. I know St. Mary’s isn’t doing anything for Halloween so there’s no excuse. And you know Trey is going to get Jazmine to come. Maxxie can come too if she wants,” I said.

 

“Naw, Maxxie and her parents are going out of town Halloween weekend. Besides I can’t bring Dev with me and you know how bad he wants to go trick or treating. This is the first year dad is really going to let me take him.”

 

“We can do that first! I wanna take my nephew trick or treating anyway. You and I can take Dev trick or treating, and then we can bring him home to dad or mom. You know she wants him to spend the night again. And then we can get ready and meet everyone at the school for the dance.”

 

She looked like she was thinking about it extra hard. “I won’t know anyone.”

 

“You’ll know us girl. That means you good,” Chris said.

 

“What about Chyna? I’m not trying cause any problems.” So that’s what she was really worried about. Every since Chyna had found out that Ty and Cori were back together she’d been on a full blown rampage.

 

“Girl ain’t nobody worried about her! You know we got you,” I said. “Honey just waiting for a chance to fuck her up anyway.”

 

She sighed and thought about it. Finally she nodded. “Yes! Now we just gotta figure out what you’re gonna wear. I’m thinking naughty school girl,” Honey said with her hand on her chin.

 

“Hell no! My girl is not wearing no short as shit. Unless it’s for me…in my room.”

 

All the guys laughed, but we just rolled our eyes. “Anyway, we can go costume shopping this weekend.” Cori smiled. I loved the way she looked when she was around Ty. I’m so glad they worked everything out. The last time I’d seen her this happy was when she was dating Derrick and even then I didn’t know why she was so happy cause I’d never actually known they were dating until after the fact. I just hoped my father was serious about not screwing this one up for her.

Derrick POV

I had just finished running drills when I heard my phone going off. I knew coach would kill me, but it was my sister’s ringtone. She knew what time I had practice so if she was calling me during it had to be some type of emergency. Coach excused me so I could go handle whatever was wrong.

 

“Tori? What’s wrong? Is mom okay? Are you?” I said as I answered the phone. All I heard coming from the other end of the line was screaming. “Tori!” I said. Now I was really worrying.

 

“I got in!” she yelled.

 

“Huh?” I asked confused.

 

“I got in. UCLA. I just got my early decision letter,” she screamed.

 

“Oh shit,” I said. “Congrats baby sis!” I knew how bad my sister wanted to go to UCLA.

 

“Basketball?” I asked.

 

“You already know,” she said. I could tell she was smiling.

 

“Damn. I told you you would get it big head.”

 

“Yeah yeah yeah. Well I gotta go out there next month to meet with the coaches and stuff again and get everything official.”

 

“Oh cool. You and ma need me to get ya’ll the hotel and stuff?” I asked. I had no problem spending my money on my family cause without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

 

“Naw, mom’s not going.”

 

“So you going by yourself? I can still get you a hotel.”

 

“Nope. Ummmm I’ll be good. I have somewhere to stay.” She was clearly leaving something out here.

 

“Where?” I asked her. We didn’t know anybody out there. Definitely ain’t have no family out there.

 

“Cori,” she said.

 

I got quiet. I felt my jaw clench. Not out of anger. Well not really. I don’t know what was wrong with me.

 

“D….you okay?” she asked me.

 

“Yeah Tori I’m good. I didn’t know you and her were talking.”

 

“Uh yeah. We’ve been talking every since I got her number that day you know. I told her I had applied out there and when I got in the first thing I did was call and ask if I could stay out there with her. It’s been so long so I thought it’d be good to see her you know. I miss her.” I didn’t say anything. “I know you miss her too Pooh.”

 

“Naw I’m good on that,” I said.

 

“If you say so. Look I’ll let you get back to practice okay. I love you,” she said.

 

“Love you too Tori.” I hung up the phone and leaned my head against the cold wall. I didn’t miss Cori. Not at all. I had Charlie, I had my family, I had my team. I was living the dream and my life was going well without her. So why did I feel like all of a sudden something was missing?

Cori POV 

I sighed as I hung up the phone. Crap. I was backed into a corner. When I saw Tori’s number flash across my iphone I got excited. We had been catching up for the past couple weeks and I realized how much I missed her. She was one of the only connections I had to home and I loved it. The only thing was we never talked about Derrick. I think she didn’t wanna bring it up because she still sort of resented me for hurting him and leaving without him and I never brought him up because I was too scared to.

 

When she called me today the last thing I expected her to tell me was that she was coming out to LA at the beginning of November. I was so excited and then she asked if she could stay here at the house with me. I was hesitant. If she stayed here she would meet Dev. She knew about him, but I still hadn’t gotten up the courage to tell her that he was Derrick’s son. I wouldn’t be able to avoid it. It would come out without a doubt. I still told her yes though. I had to ask my dad first and he wasn’t too crazy about the idea. Tori was gay and with her being a year older than me he always thought she was a bad influence. He still said yes though. I think he was really trying to be more lenient. He definitely wasn’t too crazy about the idea though because she was Derrick’s sister.

 

So now on top of the Halloween dance I had to worry about Tori and how she would react to Dev. Shit.

Tyga POV

 

“You can’t be serious right now,” Cori said looking from me to Dev and then back to me.

 

“We are so serious. Sit down! You ruining the movie,” I said.

 

“Baby….you’ve seen the Lion King a million times!” she said laughing

 

“So what! Me and my boy Dev are trying to watch it again. Now watch out so we can see Scar get his a……I mean butt handed to him,” I said correcting myself before I said ass.

 

Whenever Dev was around, which was a lot, I tried to watch my mouth as best that I could I loved having little man around. He was funny as hell and he was a girl magnet, not that I’m looking. I’m just saying whenever we’re together, the girls flock. He’s gonna be a player and a lady killer when he gets older. I’m gonna have him out here killing these females. Cori keeps saying she’s not letting any females near him when he gets older, but ya’ll know that’s not how I’m rockin.

 

I know what you thinking. For a nigga who said he’d never fuck with a female who has kids, I’m getting awful close to Dev. I can’t help it. I can really see a future with Cori, but that’s not the only reason I’ve gotten so close to Dev. Truth be told he does need a father figure in his life and if I can be that for him I will. I didn’t have a father growing up and I don’t want him to go through that. Over

 

“Yeah mommy! Ty-Ty and I tryna watch the fight!” Dev said backing me up. I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“Fine. But then we’re going laser tagging right?” she said looking at me.

 

“Of course mommy! Ty-Ty said we go so we go,” Dev said answering for me.

 

“Exactly,” I said.

 

Cori just shook her head and pulled out her phone as she sat on the bed next to Dev so that he was inbetween us. As we all laid there my bed, my phone started vibrating. I picked it up and left the room to answer it cause it was about business. Now before you get on my ass, I’m not in on no illegal shit. I’m serious about getting into this music shit, so I go into the studio from time to time to lay down tracks and shit. My real money hustle right now though is drawing up tattoos and shit. I wanna try and get my tattoo license too.

 

After taking the call I went back and we finished the movie.

 

“Aight little man, you ready to go whoop your mama’s tail in some laser tag?” I asked as I threw my shoes on.

 

“Nuh uh, my boo is on my team. Stop tryna turn my boy against me,” Cori said laughing as she helped Dev put his shoes on.

 

I laughed. “Aight well in that case ya’ll both going down then.”

 

“You wish,” Dev said hopping off the bed cause both Cori and I to laugh.

 

I pulled her to me and wrapped my arms around her waist. “You’re really good with him you know,” she said to me.

 

“I know. Little man is cool. It’s weird thinking of him not being here,” I said.

 

She bit her bottom. “Baby it may be too soon to be saying this but…..I love you”

 

I looked at her. “I love you too,” I said.

 

It kind of shocked me that I even said it. It came so natural though. I’d never said those words to any female I’d messed with, but with Cori things were different. She was changing me and for the better. I really do love her. She’s my everything.

 

“What about me?” Dev said standing there pouting.

 

I laughed and picked him up. “We love you too little man.” He smiled and hugged me.

 

Cori POV

 

I swear I love watching Mikey with Dev. I never thought I could possibly have this life. My boyfriend loves me, loves my son, and accepts it all despite everything. I couldn’t be happier right now. Maybe this was how it was supposed to be. Maybe I was never meant to be with Derrick to begin with and he was just supposed to lead me here to Mikey. It wasn’t that much of a stretch was it? I hadn’t even thought to check up on him since I’ve been with Mikey. I think I’m finally really over him.

 

I was brought out of my thoughts by a screaming Dev. He was charging towards Mikey with his laser gun. He tackled him and Mikey being his dramatic self hit the floor flailing. I laughed so hard my side started to hurt.

 

“Okay, okay you two,” I said once I finally pulled myself together. They were wrestling on the floor and Mikey was letting Dev win.

 

They finally stopped and we walked back to the front. We turned in all of our stuff and then headed out to Mikey’s truck.

 

“Mommy I’m hungry!” Dev said as he snapped himself in.

 

“Well I’m cooking when we get home okay.”

 

“Can we have spaghetti?” he asked.

 

I laughed. “Yes we can have spaghetti.”

 

“Can Ty-Ty stay for dinner?” he asked. “Pleeeeeeease.”

 

I bit the inside of my cheek and looked at Ty. He shrugged. I was just nervous because of my dad. The last thing I wanted him to do was ruin the day we’d had. I guess we’d just have to play it by ear.

 

“Maybe. We have to see what abuelo says okay,” I said. Dev nodded.

 

The entire drive home I was racking my brain on ways to ask my dad if Mikey could stay for dinner. When we finally pulled up in front of the house, Mikey parked and got out with us. I know he could tell that I was nervous because he grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze.

 

We walked into the house and Dev went straight to find my dad.

 

“Abuelo!!!!” he said. My dad must have been in the living room.

 

“Hey man! You sound excited,” my dad said. Ty and I were just standing outside of the living room.

 

“Yeah! Ty-Ty took mommy and I laser tagging and we watched Lion King. Can he stay for dinner? Please Abuelo?”

 

I guess that was out cue to show our faces. Ty and I walked into the living room and my dad looked up at us. “Nice to see you again Mr. Vidal,” Mikey said, despite the fact the last time they had met had been a total disaster.

 

My dad nodded and turned back to Dev. “Can he stay Abuelo?”

 

I heard my dad sigh. “Sure he can. Why don’t you go upstairs so I can talk to your mom and Ty.”

 

Dev nodded. He walked over to Mikey. “When you finish you have to come upstairs so we can play okay.”

 

Mikey nodded. “I got you lil man.”

 

Dev disappeared up the steps leaving us alone with my father. “Why don’t you two have a seat. I need to talk to you about something.”

 

“I should start dinner,” I said nervously.

 

“I know mija but this won’t take long.”

 

I nodded and Mikey and I said down on the couch. “First off I want to apologize to you Ty,” my dad said. Mikey and I both looked shocked.

 

“Umm…you can call me Michael if you want Mr. Vidal,” Mikey said.

 

“No. My wife calls you Ty, so I will too. But please call me Rick or Enrique. I misjudged you. I know that now. I see that you are clearly really good with Derren and this is the happiest I’ve seen my daughter in a long time.”

 

Mikey and I just kept quiet. “I have something to share with you Cori, something I’ve never shared with you or your sister. It’s the reason I’ve so overprotective of you girls and I think it’s time I tell you. Ty, you have a right to know as well since it’s the reason that I judged you in the first place. I had a sister growing up. She was about 4 years younger than me. Your Aunt Celia.”

 

I sat there confused. “But…I’ve never heard you talk about an Aunt Celia. You, abuela or abuelo.”

 

“I know. None of us talk about her because…because if we don’t talk about her then it’s like it didn’t happen. When Celia was 16…she got pregnant mija. Her boyfriend at the time was rough. He would run the streets all night, treat her any sort of way. We all tried to talk to her about it, but she kept saying he’d change and that she loved him. Then one day we found out he was beating her.”

 

I gasped. I opened my mouth to say something but my father shook his head. “No let me get this out. Please.” I nodded and reached over and grabbed his hand. “We found out when…when she was 5 months pregnant. He had beaten her so bad one night it put her in the hospital and the nurses had no choice but to notify our family. By the time we made it to the hospital, she was barely breathing. One of her lungs had collapsed completely and the other had been punctured by a broken rib. We….we only had a few hours to say goodbye.”

 

I’d never seen my father cry until now. I could tell this was hard on him. I stood up and walked over, wrapping him in a hug. He cried for a bit and I looked at Ty. His jaw was clenched. I could tell he was upset that someone could do that to the person carrying their child.

 

My father finally got himself together and sat me down next to him. He took my hands in his. “That’s why I’ve been trying to protect you girls the way I have. When you got pregnant mija….it was like Celia all over again. I was sure that something was going to happen to you. It didn’t matter what anyone said about Derrick, I just couldn’t see past what happened to my baby sister. It’s why I moved you girls out here. So when I saw Ty…” he said looking over at Mikey.

 

“You automatically threw your defenses up,” Mikey finished for him.

 

My dad nodded. “And I’m sorry for that. I should’ve taken the time to get to know you instead of judging you.”

 

“I understand,” Mikey said.

 

My dad turned to me. “I’m sorry mija. Instead of protecting you I drove you, your sister, and your mother away. I was so afraid of losing you and then that’s exactly what my actions caused to happen. It may be too late to get your mother and Lina but…”

 

“It’s not to late. And you haven’t lost me either. I’m right here,” I said taking him into a hug. I could feel the tears coming to my eyes.

 

“I’ll give you two a moment and go check on Dev,” Mikey said.

 

I nodded as he walked up the stairs.

 

My dad and I sat there for a few minutes just hugging each other and crying. I feel like I finally understand him. I finally understand why he is the way he is.

Tyga POV

“Fuck!” I yelled as I tossed my controller down on the floor. This was the third straight game I’d lost today playing against the computer in 2K. I never fucking lost man. Some shit had to be off with me. I knew what it was I just didn’t want to admit it. I was missing the fuck out of Cori.

 

Ever since I had that talk with my mom the other day she’s all I can think about. I want to call her. I can’t tell you how many times I picked up my phone to do just that. But every time I do I see the look on her face after I went off on her and it fucks me up all over again. I can’t believe I did that to her. Even worse, I can’t believe I actually cheated on her with Chyna. We got into a fight but we never actually broke up. For me to go and do that shit was foul and I knew that just for the simple fact I never felt this bad before about fucking around on a girl.

 

I grabbed my phone, but instead of clicking on Cori’s name I scrolled down to Chris name. I pressed it and waited for him to answer. It took him awhile but he finally did.

 

“Sup,” he said.

 

“Aye where you at bruh? I gotta get out of the house.”

 

“I’m over at Li’s.”

 

“Aight well I’m on my way over there,” I said about to hang up, but he stopped me.

 

“Uhhh I don’t know bruh. It’s umm…sort of crowded over here.”

 

“Fuck you mean crowded? Man stop playing, I’m coming over aight,” I said thinking he was playing.

 

“Look…Cori’s over here. And she brought her son with her so I don’t know if you rally wanna come through here,” he said.

 

I froze. Damn. I took a deep breath and said, “Naw…I’m coming through. I need to talk to her anyway. But don’t tell her I’m coming.”

 

He sighed into the phone. “Okay I got you.”

 

I hung up the phone and threw my shirt and shoes on. I grabbed my keys and my phone and headed out the room, down the steps and out the house. I guess now was the point and I had to man up and do some real man shit instead of acting like a little boy.

 

It took me a minute to get to Lina’s house. I was driving slow as fuck trying to figure out what the hell I was going to say when I got there. What the hell do you say to your girlfriend after you call her a slut for having a child? I had no fucking clue but I’d have to figure it out soon.

 

When I finally pulled up I swear I sat in my truck for a good 20 minutes. I couldn’t bring myself to get out. I was staring at my hands when I heard a knock on my window. I looked up to see that it was Cori. Well here goes nothing.

Cori POV

 

Everybody wanted me to get out of my mood. The crew had decided to meet at my sister and mom’s house. I hadn’t really let the crew meet Dev yet. I was sort of freaked out, but I figure today wouldn’t be a bad day to do it. Maxxie came and picked me up and then we picked up Jazzy.

 

“Oh my gosh Cori he’s so freaking cute! He about to be my new boyfriend,” Honey said pulling Dev into her lap.

 

“Aye what about me?” Mijo asked.

 

“Naw you been pushed back. You not needed anymore,” Honey said waving off Mijo.

 

Everyone laughed. “Don’t worry Mijo. Dev is my boyfriend so you can keep Honey’s hoe ass for yourself,” Maxxie said. Everyone laughed even harder. “Isn’t that right boo?” she asked Dev.

 

He nodded. “Mhmm I love Maxxie. She wifey,” he said hopping off of Honey’s lap and climbing onto the floor to get into Maxxie’s. Honey tried to act like she was hurt, but you could tell she thought it was just as funny as the rest of us did.

 

I was just watching everyone play with Dev. They all seemed to really like him. I couldn’t figure out what the hell I was so worried about. I got up to get some chips from the kitchen when I noticed a truck sitting outside. I felt my heart stop. It was Ty’s truck. That explained why Chris answered his phone and left the room earlier. I bit my bottom lip and walked out of the house.

 

When I got to the truck I knocked on the passenger side window. He looked up at me. I gave him a nervous smile before opening the door and climbing inside. We both sat their quiet for awhile. I guess neither of us really knew what to say to the other.

 

“I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice.

 

I looked at him confused for a minute. “I-I-I just didn’t know what to do or say when I saw you at your house that day. I felt like you were lying to me. Like you were trying to trap me or some shady shit like that. And then on top of that I had to hear about that shit from Chyna…” he said.

 

I shook my head and looked at him. “I understand you were upset Ty. I’m sorry for not telling you about Dev earlier. I just…what was I supposed to say you know? I didn’t know how you were going to react. To be honest though, I wasn’t trying to trap you. I don’t expect you to be a father to Dev. He’s not your responsibility, he’s mine. No one ever said anything about me trying to get you to take care of him.”

 

He nodded. “I know. I jumped to conclusions. What was I supposed to do though? I just handled it all wrong and I’m sorry for that. I miss you baby.” He looked at me and grabbed my hand.

 

I looked at him and I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. I heard he was saying, but was he being serious?

 

“Mikey…I missed you too. But…but maybe this isn’t supposed to happen. Maybe it’s not supposed to work. What happens if you decide you don’t wanna be with me anymore Mikey? What if I can’t go out with you because of Dev, or I have to bring him with us sometimes?”

 

He looked at me and then down. I guess he was really thinking about what I was saying.

 

“I don’t expect you to be a dad to him. I meant it when I said that. But Dev is a big part of my life. He is my life. I’m not saying you have to be around forever, but…I don’t want to introduce anyone to him who isn’t going to accept how important he is to me.” No matter how much I felt like I was falling for Mikey, I had to let him know what was real. If he was just going to up and leave when things got hard I couldn’t afford to have him around.

 

He sighed. “I know,” he said. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone else in my life. No other female does what you do to me and I’m being serious. I know this shit is going to be hard, but…I’m really really willing to try and make it work if you are.”

 

I looked at him and I felt the tears falling. The look in his eyes told me he was being serious with me. He leaned over and pressed his lips to mine. God I missed them. I moved my hand to the back of his head and pulled him in closer to me. Now that I had him back I didn’t want to let him go. He was mine.

 

We finally pulled apart I bit my bottom lip and smiled. “You wanna come in and….and meet Dev?” I asked him.

 

He chuckled,” Yeah.”

 

I was about to climb out of the car when he stopped me. “Wait. If we gonna do this we gotta be upfront and real with each other,” he said. Oh gosh…was he about to ask about Dev’s father?

 

“Okay,” I nodded.

 

“So…what was his father’s name?” he asked.

 

I bit my bottom lip and looked away. “Derrick.”

 

“Does he know about him?” he asked me. I shook my head as tears came to my eyes again.

 

“No…my dad didn’t even know we were dating until I got pregnant. My mom found the pregnancy test. He was three years older than me. I wanted to tell Derrick, but…my dad wouldn’t let me. He was out of town when I found out that I was pregnant and it’s not something I wanted to tell him over the phone you know. Before he came back though my dad moved us out here. He wouldn’t let me call, text, email him or anything. Made me cut off all contact with him.”

 

“So why haven’t you told him yet? I mean it’s three years later.”

 

“I know it’s just….I know his life has to be going well you know and I don’t wanna ruin it for him,” I said wiping my eyes.

 

I looked over at him and gave him a weak smile. He didn’t return it. “Baby…I gotta tell you something. After…after I left your house that day I was just so mad and…I fucked up.”

 

I looked at him. Oh God what did he do?

 

“I..I went over to Chyna’s house and we had sex. I’m sorry baby you gotta know that. I was over there everyday for a week, but I swear after that day she only gave me head. I know it doesn’t make it any better, but I was hurt and confused.” I just looked at him. I could tell this was bothering him. I was hurt, but…he was being honest with me. He forgave me so the lease I could do was forgive him.

 

I pulled his head towards mine and kissed his lips softly. “I forgive you Mikey.”

 

We kissed again and got out of the car. We walked into the house and into the living room where Dev had everyone watching Spongebob. Everyone looked up at us holding hands, but didn’t say anything.

 

“Sup,” Mikey said.

 

“Apparently you came to your fucking senses,” Honey said with a smirk.

 

I laughed as Ty flipped her off and sat down on the couch. He pulled me down onto his lap. “Yeah I did,” he said wrapping his arms around my waist.

 

Dev looked up at us and the waddled over. I pulled him up onto my lap. “You mommy special friend right?” he asked Ty.

 

Ty looked nervous, but he nodded. “Yep. That’s me. My name’s Tyga. What’s yours?”

 

“Derren, but everyone call me Dev,” he said. He tilted his head to the side. “Who name you Tyga?”

 

Ty chuckled. “My friends. My mom named me Michael,” Ty said.

 

Dev scrunched his face up. “I no like that name. I like Ty-Ty better,” he said.

 

Ty chuckled. “Aight lil man. You can call me Ty-Ty then.”

 

Dev smiled and climbed off of my lap before giving Mikey a hug. I swear this was the second best day of my life.

Trey POV

“Why?” I asked Jasmine. We were in her room. My boy Ty had been out of it for like a week now. He wasn’t talking to Cori, he wasn’t really saying shit to us. He was always high and on top of that he’d started chilling with Chyna again which blew my fucking mind. Last night the crew sat down and finally figured out what was going on, with some help from Lina.

 

“Why what Trey?” Jasmine asked me avoiding eye contact. She was staring at the TV. I walked over and shut the TV off.

 

“Why didn’t you tell me that Cori had a son?!” I asked her.

 

She sighed and covered her face with her hands. “It just wasn’t my business to tell you or anyone else that for that matter. This isn’t something like she was cheating on Ty or trying to pin a baby on him. She just was scared to tell him that Dev existed. Can you blame her? How would you react if when we first started talking I told you I had a son?” she asked me.

 

I thought about it for a second. She was right. No matter how someone tells you that or when they tell you, that shit throws you off. If that was me and Jazz I probably would’ve stopped talking to her as soon as she told me. For Ty to get this deep though and treat Cori like this was rude as hell though if you asked me. She should’ve told him, but for him to run back to Chyna….I’m not with that. I just hope he come to his senses soon.

 

I walked over and laid down on her bed. Her parents were home so we definitely wouldn’t doing anything serious. They both knew I was up here though. She was a virgin anyway, which I was cool with.

 

After kicking off my shoes I laid next to her and she cuddled up next to me. “Are you mad at me?” she asked in her soft voice. I swear I loved that voice. She was so damn cute. Everything about her was cute.

 

“Naw. You’re right. It wasn’t your place to try and tell Ty or me for that matter. You were looking out for you friend. I respect you for that.” I lifted her chin up and kissed her lips softly.

Honey POV

“Have you lost your muthafuckin mind bruh?” I said as I paced back and forth in my basement. Somehow I’d finally gotten Ty to bring his skinny ass over here. Lina and Tay were here with me and I swear once we finally dragged everything out of Lina last night I wanted to smack the brown off his ass.

 

“Man Sochitta calm all that noise down,” he mumbled. I looked at his eyes. Now we all smoked. Well…except Taisje cause they randomly drugged tested her at her job since she works with special ed kids. Ty though…his eyes were barely open. I have no clue how he even managed to drive over here. He’d been like this all week.

 

I walked over to him and smacked him in the back of his head. “Don’t call me that just because you want to be a jackass. How could you talk to Cori like that? How could you do that to her period?” I asked him. Ty was like my brother, but right now I didn’t even want to claim him.

 

“Fuck all that noise bruh. I’m not here for that.”

 

“Yes you are! That’s all you’re here for and I’ll do it again if I fucking want to,” I said. I was beyond heated. “You fuckin Chyna again?” I asked him. He didn’t answer and that gave me all the answers that I needed. I just shook my head at him. “I can’t believe you’d do that to Cori Ty.”

 

“Fuck you mean? What about what she did to me? How about how I feel? She fuckin lied to me this whole time trying to trap me like some common skeez,” he yelled.

 

Lina jumped up. “Watch your fucking self Ty. That is my little sister you’re talking about. Ignoring her phone calls and running after your past hoe is some bullshit and you know it.”

 

“Fuck you Lina! You should’ve told me! We supposed to be family,” Ty said as he stood up too.

 

Lina chuckled bitterly. “Yeah we are like family Ty, but guess the fuck what. That’s my sister, my blood. She was there for me through everything and I was there for her. I was the one holding her hand when she gave birth to Dev. I was the one there when my father made her leave out of DC without telling the boy she loved that she was pregnant with his baby. I was the one who she cried to every day and night when she watched her phone light up with his name or when she was dying to call him or when she was so exhausted from being up all night with the baby. So you know what, if my sister asks me not to tell you that she has a three year old son because she thinks she could be falling for you and she wants to make sure that you care enough about her to stay once she does get up the courage to tell you, I’m going to listen to her.

 

“I love you to death Ty, but don’t do my sister dirty. She’s lost enough and yeah she should’ve told you but now you know. It’s all out there. So do the right fucking thing, get your head out of your ass, and let your fucking pride go,” Lina said. She grabbed her bag and headed out of my room to leave.

 

I’d never seen Lina like this. I looked at Tay and she left to go see if Lina was okay. I looked back at Ty. His eyes were red, but I don’t think it was still just from smoking. I sighed and walked over to him. I took him into a hug.

 

“We all love you Ty. We just don’t want to see you throw away a good thing over your pride okay. I swear the next time I see you with Chyna, I will deflate her ass,” I said.

 

He let out a chuckle.

Teresa POV

“Stop crying mija,” I said trying to comfort Cori. I’d picked her and Dev up from school today, taken them out for an early dinner, and then taken them home. Enrique was working late so the house was quiet. Dev was in his room playing with the new cars he’d gotten today and Cori and I were in her room on her bed. She had barely eaten anything at Olive Garden even though it was her favorite restaurant.

 

I knew about what happened with Ty. It broke my heart to see my daughter so heartbroken and I wished that there was something I could do to ease her pain.

 

“Mami, why does it hurt so much? Daddy was right,” she said to me, her tears spilling out onto my shirt.

 

I ran my fingers through her hair. “Don’t say that. Your dad wasn’t right.” Thank God she hadn’t told him what happened or he would have had a field day and I would have had to kick his ass.

 

“Yes he was,” she said sniffling.

 

“I know Ty baby. He’s hurt and so is his pride. Any man would be. He just doesn’t know what this means for you two. But baby even if he decides he can’t handle being with you and Dev and knowing you two are a package deal, then he isn’t worth your love. No man who can accept that in his own time is, do you understand me. Never compromise and settle because you and your son come first.”

 

Cori waited before sitting up and wiping the tears for her eyes. She knew I was right. I hugged her tight again. “I’m going to get going okay. Call me. I love you baby girl.”

 

“I love you too,” she said hugging me back.

 

I went and said goodbye to Dev before heading down the steps. I’d talked to Pasionaye and told her about everything that happened. Neither of us was happy with what Ty had said to Cori, but we understood where his anger came from. I just hoped the two of them could get it together.

 

As I walked to my car I saw Enrique getting out of his. I loved that man. He was my one and only love. We met when I was 15 and he was 17. I never understood how he could say the girls were too young to know love, when we were just children ourselves when we found it. As much as it hurt me to divorce him, I had to. I had lost enough of myself to him over the years and I couldn’t bear to lose anymore to his judgments and paranoia. I didn’t want my girls in that either. Cori though…she felt she had already disappointed her dad enough by getting pregnant so she felt she couldn’t leave him too. I just hoped he realized what he had before he lost it all.

Tyga POV

After I left Honey’s house, I went, sat at the park for awhile and just thought and smoked. I finally couldn’t stand my own thoughts anymore so I decided to head home. I had sort of hoped that Cori would call me again. I missed the sound of her voice. She’d called me everyday since that day at her house up until yesterday. I guess she got sick of waiting for me to answer.

 

Truth was I was catching serious feelings for Cori, so when I showed up to her house and found out all that shit Chyna had been saying about her was true I was beyond hurt. I may have overreacted and I definitely shouldn’t have called her out her name. I didn’t even know the entire story of what happened. A lot of shit did make sense now though. Why she was so hesitant to talk to me. Why sometimes she couldn’t come out with me when I wanted her to. Why her dad was so overprotective. Why she was hesitant to share shit about her past with me.

 

So yeah, after that moment my pride was hurt and so were my feelings so I went over to Chyna’s got some head and I fucked her. I’ve been over there everyday for a week, but mostly just to get my dick sucked. After that first time we fucked I could only picture Cori’s face and that shit fucked with me serious. At least I had sense enough to wear a condom though cause knowing Chyna ass she would try and get pregnant again and I was not having that.

 

I sighed and ran my hand over my face. I walked into the house and went straight to the kitchen. I had some serious munchies brewing and I was thirsty as fuck. I was in the fridge when I heard a voice behind me.

 

 “Where have you been?” I turned around to see my mother standing there with her arms crossed.

 

“Out,” I said simply. I wasn’t in the mood.

 

“Out? Boy you know fucking better than to come in here with that. Got me about to come straight out of character. Let me find out you been over at that dirty girl house again! I will snatch you up. Thinking I don’t know where you been this week, oh I know and I don’t like it one bit so it ends now and you gonna call Cori cause I will not have that trash out here with you, I don’t care how well she sucks dick!” my mom said.

 

I looked at her with wide eyes. I’d never heard her talk like that before about anyone. I finally let the shock of it go and shrugged. “I was at Honey’s mom I promise. Her and the girls wanted to talk to me.”

 

“Good! Did they talk some sense into you and tell you to fix things with Cori?” she asked walking towards the counter.

 

“Chill ma. You don’t even know what happened. She did some foul shit,” I said taking a sip of water.

 

“Oh you don’t think I know? I know everything Michael whether you know that or not. So she has a three year old son. Okay, and? I raised you better than to treat females the way you treated her.”

 

So my mom knew. I have no clue how she knew but she did. I shook my head. “I don’t understand how all of ya’ll are taking her side!” I yelled.

 

“Boy you better take that bass out of your voice and do it quick before I snatch you the hell up in here!” my mother snapped at me. I got quiet fast. “Now I’m not taking her side on things baby okay. I’m really not. I just understand where she is coming from. Do you know how hard being a single parent is? Do you know how much harder it is to be a single parent and a woman? Do you know how hard it is to find someone who will accept you and your child into their life and love you or even consider dating you?” she asked me, her voice softening.

 

I shook my head no. She leaned against the counter. “Well I do baby. It’s hard enough for grown men to accept it. They don’t ever want your baggage. Women are always willing to put it aside when their man comes with baggage like children, but men aren’t as kind. And Cori is sixteen so think how much harder it is for her baby,” she said. I really thought about it and nodded.

 

“Now I’m not saying she’s all right Ty, I’m not. She should have told you, but I can understand why she didn’t. She was scared. She went about this whole situation wrong baby, but she has a hell of a lot of guts to finish high school, raise a child and open up her heart to you despite whatever has happened in the past and is going on with her dad. So…just hear her out okay.”

 

As much as I hated to admit it, my mother was making a lot of sense. I’d fucked up, but I wasn’t sure if I could get past this or if she could.

 

“I’ll think about it ma,” I said. I hugged her before grabbing some chips and water and heading downstairs to my room.

 

After that whole conversation, I swear my high was too blown. I laid on my bed, tossed the chips to the side and grabbed my phone. I had a text from Chyna, which I just ignored. I wasn’t fucking with her today. I pulled up my pictures only to have one of Cori pop up. Damn…I had no clue what was the best thing to do, I just know I missed her like crazy. Could I get past her having a kid though. I’m sure as hell not ready to be a fucking father. Maybe it’s just best if we call it quits.

Tyga POV

 It was Tuesday and I was sitting in my Math class bored out of my fucking mind. I hadn’t gotten any text messages from Cori today, which was weird. We’d been texting yesterday during school and she’d called me when she got home. She had gone back to her dad’s house. She wasn’t sure how long she’d be there and she didn’t really tell me why she’d gone back, but I didn’t question it. No matter what her dad had done he was still her father. That’s what I’d told her on Sunday night. I think that had something to do with why she went back.

 

I was starting to get worried about her. I hoped that she was okay. I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Chyna staring at me. She was still trying to sell that story about Cori having a baby. She could shut the fuck up with all of that.

 

Yeah it was true that Chyna had gotten pregnant this summer. When she told me, I told her we were nipping that shit in the bud real quick. I didn’t have time for no kids right now, especially not with Chyna ass. I wasn’t ready to start a family. I was only eighteen, fuck I look like walking around with kids. Truth be told I don’t understand how anyone my age or younger can think having kids is okay. I mean yeah I know having sex is something I love doing and no nigga is going to turn down getting they dick wet, but I swear these females out here be ready to drop they drawers and then when they get pregnant they expect a nigga to be happy about it. Not I. You can miss me with that bullshit. I wasn’t ready for no kids and I sure as hell wasn’t about to date or wife no bitch who had kids. Chyna knew that and that’s why she was trying to make up this lie about Cori.

 

The school bell rang and I headed out of class. I saw Trey coming down the hall as the crew met at the lockers. “Aye you know where Cori is? She not texting me back.”

 

“Naw,” Trey said simply. I chuckled. Useless ass nigga.

 

I saw Lina leaned up against the lockers with Chris. “Aye Lina!” I said.

 

“What nigga damn. Fuck you so loud for when I’m right here? Just like Chris basic ass,” she mumbled. Chris gave her a look causing me to chuckle.

 

“You know what’s up with your sister? I haven’t heard from her today,” I said.

 

“Awwww you missing your booboo,” Honey said smirking. I flipped her off and waited for Lina to answer me.

 

“Umm…she didn’t go to school today. She’s at home,” Lina said.

 

Damn, baby girl must be sick. “Oh damn for real? I’ma stop by there then to check on my baby girl,” I said slamming my locker shut.

 

Lina popped up and shook her head. “Uh naw that’s not a good idea. She might be contagious. And my dad might be there,” she said. She looked worried, but I chalked it up to she didn’t want me to get into an argument again with her dad.

 

I shrugged. “Naw I think she told me Tuesdays were his late days at work.”

 

Before she could say anything else I headed down the hall and out the front door. I don’t see the big deal. I just wanted to check on my baby girl and spend some time with her to make sure she was alright. And if she was sick, then well I didn’t give a fuck about missing a couple days of school.

 

It didn’t really take me long to get to Cori’s house. I had stopped at the store and gotten her a stuffed puppy. Shut up, I’m just tryna be sweet okay. I’m new at this shit. Just like I thought, Cori’s dad’s car wasn’t out front of the house. I hopped out, grabbed the stuffed dog and headed to the front door. I rang the doorbell and waited a few moments. It didn’t take long for the door to open. I smiled when I saw my baby standing in front of me. She was wearing a white t-shirt and cookie monster shorts and she had spoon in her mouth.

 

“Awww don’t you look cute,” I said with a smirk as I leaned in to give her a kiss.

 

She pecked my lips and stepped back looking at me with a shocked expression. “Ty…what are you doing here?” she asked.

 

“Well I heard you didn’t go to school today so I figured that you were sick or something. I stopped by to come chill with you and give you this,” I said holding up the puppy. I stepped by her and walked into the house.

 

“Aww… that was sweet Ty but…” she looked over her shoulder as if she expected someone to appear. Maybe her dad was here and his car was just in the shop. I know she ain’t have another nigga in the house. “You…you shouldn’t be here.” She had made her way in front of me after shutting the door and blocked me from walking any further into the living room.

 

“Why not? I mean I don’t see your dad’s car outside and…” I started but she cut me off.

 

“No it’s not that I…” she started but then she too got cut off.

 

A little boy who looked about two or three came walking down the steps. His little legs carried him over to us. I looked at him with a smile. He was real cute. “Aww wassup lil man,” I said bending down to his level. I looked up at Cori, “You didn’t tell me you had a little brother,” I said. He sniffled and his nose was running. This is who must have been sick. Come to think of it, I don’t think I remember Lina or her mother saying that they had a brother or son.

 

“I-I-I don’t,” she stuttered. I looked at her confused as the little boy tapped her bare leg.

 

“Mommy…I want chicken stars,” he said as he rubbed his eye as if he’d just woken up.

 

Cori bit her lip at me before picking up him up and sitting him on her hip. He tucked the side of his head into her neck and peaked at me as he brought his thumb to his mouth.

 

“Mommy who this?” he asked.

 

I was in shock. I couldn’t move. I was trying to put two and two together.

 

“This is my..my special friend Ty. Ty…this is my son Dev,” she said. My eyes darted from the little boy to Cori. Had she just said that was her son?

 

Cori POV

The look on Mikey’s face said it all. He was confused, shocked, pissed, hurt. From the moment that Lina had text me saying she thought Ty was on his way to my house I was worried this would happen. I had just laid Dev down for his nap. He woke up with a fever this morning and so I stayed home to take care of him. I had hoped I would be able to get Ty out of the house without seeing Dev. I wasn’t ready to tell him yet, but apparently it didn’t matter what I wanted or what I was ready for.

 

“Your what?” he asked me.

 

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “My son,” I said again. That’s when all but one emotion left his face: anger. I set Dev down and bent down to his level. “Sweetie, why don’t you go back upstairs to mommy’s room and get in bed. Rio is in the DVD player so just push play on the remote.”

 

“But I want to stay with you,” he whined.

 

“I know baby, but Ty and I have to talk okay. I promise as soon as I’m done I’ll make you some chicken and stars soup and come watch the movie with you,” I said.

 

“I get ice cream too?” he asked. I nodded. He took one more look at Ty. “Bye,” he said shyly before letting his legs carry him down the hall and back up the stairs.

 

I stood up and wrapped my arms around me as I looked at Ty. He was silent. I needed him to say something. Anything. “I…I wanted to tell you,” I said.

 

“Then why didn’t you?” he asked, his face hard.

 

“I didn’t know how to. I didn’t know how to tell you without losing you at the same time and I really really like you Mikey. I have some serious feelings for you,” I said.

 

“Don’t call me that,” he said. i bit my bottom lip. I know he was hurt but this was hurting me too. “How old is he?”

 

I looked down at my feet. “Three,” I said softly.

 

He chuckled, but it wasn’t his usual chuckle. It was a bitter one. One that told me he was hurt to the fullest. “So he’s the reason why you moved here huh?” I just nodded. “I can’t believe it. Chyna was right.”

 

I closed my eyes. Chyna. He’d heard it from Chyna first instead of me. “You know I didn’t believe it. I thought, naw Cori wouldn’t lie to me about some shit like this. She wouldn’t try to trap me.”

 

“I wasn’t trying to trap you! But how was I supposed to tell you that I was a sixteen year old who was a mother of a three year old boy? You would have looked at me just like you’re looking at me now,” I said tears coming to my eye.

 

“What? Scared I would see you as the slut you are?” he asked with venom in his voice.

 

The tears started flowing from my eyes. “Don’t you dare call me that! Ty please, you have to understand…” I started, but he cut me off.

 

“Understand what? That you lied to me? That you sat up here and made me look stupid? Here I am falling for you thinking you’re the first honest relationship I’ve had and that you really care about me,” he said yelling.

 

“But I do!” I said, the tears flowing more freely.

 

“Naw you a fucking lie,” he spat at me.

 

I took a step closer to him. “Ty…please. Please tell me this is okay? I need you to tell me that this is okay. Please tell me we can get past this,” I said pleading with him.

 

He shook his head. “I can’t,” he said. He backed away from me, turned around and walked out the door. I fell to the floor in tears. That was it. I’d lost him.

Chyna POV

 “Ugh, when is Ty gonna drop this little hoe?” I said to Lola over the phone. I was laying on my back on my bed in my room. I was still waiting for Ty to come to his senses and realize that I was telling him the truth.

 

“Don’t worry girl. She can’t hide that shit for long,” Lola said.

 

“Yeah you right. Look I’ll see you tomorrow.” We got off the phone and I flipped through the channels to find something to watch.

 

Suddenly my door flew open. I looked up to see Ty standing there. He pulled his shirt over his head.

 

“What are you doing here? How’d you get in?” I asked him as I sat up on my knees on the bed.

 

“I know where the extra key is remember,” he said as he walked over to me.

 

“Well what do you want?” I asked him biting my lip as I looked at his body.

 

He stood in front of me, lifted my chin and kissed my lips hungrily. I couldn’t help but smirk. So he finally came to his senses and realized the truth. He shoved his tongue into my mouth as I unbuckled his belt and reached into his pants. I massaged his dick in my hands and he sprung to life and groaned in my mouth.

 

“ Come here daddy. Let me show you how much I missed you,” I said as I leaned down and pulled his dick out of his pants. I smirked up at him as I took his dick into my warm mouth and worked him just the way he liked it.

Tyga POV

“So you just left bruh?” Chris asked me as we played 2K. I was whooping his ass for real, but that could just be the kush cause I never won by this much.

“Yeah, I mean what else was I supposed to do? I couldn’t sit there and fight her father. It would’ve just made things worse and I’m not trying to go there. I’m not going to lie though, when she said we were just friends that shit hurt, but I understand why she did it.”

Chris just nodded. Lina had always said there was bad blood between her and her father and that he was super controlling, but last night I got a look at it first hand. I just hope I didn’t make things too bad for Cori. I’d talked to her some last night. Apparently she’d left her house and went to stay at her mom’s house for a couple days. I offered to come over, but she said she just needed some time to herself and she’d hit me up. I looked at my phone and saw that she still hadn’t. Apparently Chris and the crew tried going over there and Lina told them right now wasn’t a good time. I guess this shit was more serious than I thought. At any rate me, Mijo, and AB were over at Chris’s house.

I took a hit of one of the three blunts when had in rotation when my phone started ringing. I looked at it hoping that it was Cori, but it was Chyna. I just kissed my teeth and put it back down next to me.

“I’m guessing it’s not Cori,” Mijo said.

“Nope,” I said simply. I took another hit and then passed it over to Chris. My phone started ringing again and I groaned in frustration. “Man play this shit for me. And don’t fuck up my score AB,” I said passing my controller over. I grabbed my phone and walked out of Chris’s room to the hallway.

“What you want Chyna,” I said into the phone.

“Ty we need to talk,” she said.

“We don’t have shit to talk about Chyna, I’m done with you. I’m with Cori now why can’t you get that through your head?” I said frustrated. I was sick of this bitch blowing up my phone. She couldn’t take a fucking hint.

“You’re with Cori? So you willing to raise the next bitch’s baby but not the one we were supposed to have,” she said.

That immediately made me stop. Wait, what the fuck was she talking about? “Chyna the fuck is you saying? You not making any sense,” I said.

“You know damn well what I’m talking about. You over there playing house with that little hoe and her son, but you weren’t willing to have a baby with me over the summer.” Everything she’d just said was trying to register in my head. When I didn’t answer she said, “Or…you didn’t know she had a son. I guess she’s not as sweet and innocent as you thought she was.”

I kissed my teeth and chuckled. “Damn Chyna I knew you were desperate for the dick, but I didn’t think you were this desperate. You really making up lies about my girl just to get back with me? That’s so pathetic,” I said.

“Whatever Ty. Think what you want, but ask her. Just ask her if she has a kid and see what she has to say. No matter what you think of me I’ve never lied to you once. She has,” Chyna said before hanging up the phone.

I shook my head and headed back into the room. “Who was it?” AB asked.

“Just Chyna on some old dumb shit talking about Cori got a baby stashed away somewhere,” I said sitting back in my seat.

They all chuckled. “I swear hoes will say just about anything for the dick,” Chris said.

I laughed along with them but in the back of my head I couldn’t help but wonder, how could Chyna herself really come up with something like this. Was she really that desperate?

Enrique POV

I sat on the edge of her bed with my face in my hands. I hated that I was driving my baby girl away, but I hated it even more that someone could really take her from me. That was one of the things that really kept me protecting her. I didn’t want my baby to grow up too fast and I really didn’t want her to be with someone who was less than she deserved. That’s why I flipped out so bad when I saw her with that boy yesterday and why I flipped out all those years ago about Derrick. 

No boy was good enough for my child and if there was a guy out there who was then I would be the one to find him. No one seemed to understand what type of things could happen  to girls out here. Not Corietta, not Delina, not even my wife. Everything I’ve done for them, I’ve done to protect them.

I grabbed my cell phone and dialed a number. I had to wait for three rings to go by before she answered the phone.

“I was wondering how long it would take you to call me Enrique,” her voice said coming over the phone. She still sounded as beautiful as the day when I met her and I know she is still just as beautiful.

“Tell her…tell her to come home Teresa. Get Derren, pack her stuff up and come home,” I said to my wife. I walked out of Corietta’s room and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

“Cori and Dev will be home…tomorrow after school,” she said calmly.

“No!” I yelled as I hit my fist on the banister. “You will send her back now Teresa! I am her father.”

“And I am her goddamn mother Enrique, or did you forget that,” she said in a harsh tone.

“Of course I didn’t Teresa, but what kind of mother are you letting both of your daughters run around with someone like that boy who was here yesterday?” I yelled angrily.

There was a slight pause and a door slamming. I’m assuming it was her office door considering she was at work. I almost completely forgot that was where she would be this time of day. She ran her own real estate company.

“How fucking dare you question my love or my parenting skills? I’m not the one who uprooted our children because you were too scared of what people were going to think once they found out Cori was pregnant! I am not the one who felt that keeping our daughter from someone who was important to her and keeping our grandchild from his father was a good idea. I am not the one who drove not one now, but two of his daughters and his wife away because he was too controlling. I am not the one trying to keep Dev and Cori away from myself and Lina. Have you thought about the fact that maybe it’s not what’s wrong with everyone else, it’s what’s wrong with you,” she said to me. I could tell I had pissed her off.

“You are keeping Lina from me!” was the only thing I could muster up to say.

“No, you’re keeping her from yourself. I’ve never tried to tell Lina not to see you, but you drove her away Enrique, just like you drove me away. You’re suffocating. You were suffocating us and you’re suffocating Cori. If you don’t stop soon the next time she leaves, she won’t come back. Do you want to lose all of us?” she asked me.

I thought long and hard about what she said. She took that as her cue to keep talking. “And as far as Ty goes…”

“Wait who is Ty? I thought his name was Michael,” I said confused.

“It is, but everyone calls him Ty or Tyga,” she said.

“See! And this is the person you want them to be around?” I said.

“Will you fucking listen for once?! Ty is a good person. He takes great care of his mom, he’s polite, he works hard, he gets amazing grades in school. You’re so blinded by what he looks like you can’t get past it. Look at Derrick. You thought he was so bad and he’s in the freaking NBA.” I guess I never thought about it that way.

“Look Enrique. I know why you are the way you are, but that doesn’t excuse your behavior. I’ll have Lina take Cori and Dev to school tomorrow. You really need to think about what you’re doing though and change, or you’re going to lose everything.” With that she hung up the phone.

Derrick POV

 

“Derrick….” Charlie whined as I nibbled on her earlobe.

“What?” I asked already knowing what she was about to say before she said it.

“I’m….I’m trying to watch the movie,” she said, but she stumbled over her words. Her earlobe was her spot and I’d already figured that out.

“Is that really what you want?” I asked her.

“Mmmm,” was all she said. I smirked to myself and moved my attention from her ears to her lips. I kissed her softly as I held myself up over her with my hands, careful not to put my entire weight on her.

She wrapped her arms around my neck as her snapback fell off of her head. I pulled back a little and stared down at her. I hadn’t felt like this in a long time.

“You’re gorgeous,” I said to her.

She laughed and looked away. “Flattery will not get you in my pants sir,” she said to me. She told me she was a virgin and I definitely believed her. It wasn’t because of the fact that something was wrong with her. As far as I could tell she was perfect. She said she was just waiting.

I chuckled. “I know.” I paused before going on. “I don’t want you to go back to school,” I said nestling my head into her neck. She shivered at the feel of my breath on her skin.

“But I have to,” she said rubbing the back of my neck. Cori used to do that. I pushed that thought out of my head.

“I know.” My next words were mumbled against her skin, but I know she got the gist of what I said.

“What was that Pooh?” she asked. Again, she reminded me of Cori with that, but I pushed it out of my head. She was the one who came up with the name and it just sort of caught on.

“Will you be my girlfriend? I mean I know it’s sort of soon you know, but,” I said but she caught me off with a kiss. I guess I can take that as a yes.

Cori POV

“When are you going to tell him?” Jasmine asked me for the millionth time. “I mean you can’t keep expecting your sister to keep your secret for you.”

“I know that Jazz Hands! I’ll tell him soon okay. I just…I want to enjoy this okay,” I said. Everyone: Jazz, Maxxie, Lina, and my mother all kept saying I need to tell Mikey about Dev especially now that we were official. I knew that and I know misleading him was wrong, but I just couldn’t bring myself to tell him. I’m by no means ashamed of my son because he is the most important thing to me in this world. I just…I don’t want to lose Mikey.

“Look Jazz I’ve gotta go okay. Mikey will be here any second.” I hung up the phone. It had bee a week since the two of us started dating and we were going out on a date today. It was Saturday and my Dad had taken Dev to a play date over at one of his classmate’s house.

“Okay, just remember what I said okay,” she said to me.

“Okay. Bye.” I hung up the phone and went to the mirror to fix my hair and looked at my outfi. Right as I started working on it my phone rang again. I sighed and answered it without looking to see who it was.

“Hello,” I said in an irritated voice.

“Damn that’s how you answer the phone now adays?” a female voice said on the other end of the line.

“Umm…who is this?” I asked confused. I pulled the phone away from my ear and saw a 202 number that I didn’t recognize.

“Wooooow move away for three years and you don’t even recognize your best friend’s voice moe?!” she said.

My eyes got big as I slowly began to realize who this was. “Tori?!” I shrieked into the phone.

“Well duh,” she said with a laugh.

“Oh my gosh how are you? Where are you? Wait, how’d you get my number?” I asked quickly. I was super confused. If she had my number did that mean that Derrick had it too. Would he be calling me soon?

“Chill aight moe. I’m good, I’m still in DC and Isaiah gave it to me when I ran into him like a week or two ago,” she said.

“Wait…my cousin Isaiah?”

“Yeah I saw him when I went around your old neighborhood. He told me you were out in Cali, gave me your number and he told me something,” she said.

I swallowed hard. “Oh yeah…what’d he tell you?”

“That you went and had a baby on me. When were you going to tell me?! Like damn I thought we were best friends. I mean up and leaving without so much as saying something is one thing but you went out to Cali and had a baby! Who’s the dad? Some sexy Cali nigga out there?” she said.

So Isaiah told her about Dev but didn’t tell her that he was Derrick’s son. At least he kept that part to himself. Then again he might not know who the father is. Only a couple of people in my family did.

“Sorry mama I just…a lot happened you know and my dad,” I started but she stopped me.

“You know what enough said. Enrique Vidal explains everything,” she said.

I laughed. She knew my father too damn well. “Look Tori we definitely have to catch up but,” I started but the sound of a horn stopped me, “I’ve got to go. I have a date.”

“Ooooo ok ok go ahead.  Do you boo. I see you. Call me later okay,” she said.

“Okay I will. Send me a picture.”

“Okay you do the same. Bye girl,” she said.

“Wait!” I yelled before she could hang up the phone. “Did…ummm did you…ummm.” For some reason I couldn’t get out what I wanted to say.

“Spit it out Cori. I know it’s about Derrick,” she said.

“Did…did you give him my number?” I asked biting my bottom lip.

“I offered it, but…he said he didn’t want it,” she said.

“Oh…ok,” I said. I said bye and hung up the phone. I had to admit I was sort of hurt. Maybe it was really for the best. I guess he really had moved on.

I shook the thoughts from my head as I heard the doorbell ring. I grabbed my bag and ran down the steps. Since my dad wasn’t here I told Mikey that he could pick me up in front of the house. When I opened the door up he was staring back at me with a smile on is face.

“Hey baby girl,” he said leaning in for a kiss. I couldn’t help but smile as his lips touched mine.

I pulled away and said, “Hey. You ready?”

Instead of answering he grabbed my hand and walked me to his car. He opened the door for me. “Aww such a gentleman,” I said.

“Just don’t tell anybody, it could ruin my reputation,” he said chuckling.

He went to the other side and climbed in. He told me before that wherever we were going was a surprise. He held my hand the entire drive as looked out of the window and thought about my conversation with Tori. I would have to tell her. She was my best friend. I loved her like a sister. This whole thing was starting to get out of control.

“Bae…bae we’re here,” he said snapping me out of my trance. Damn that drive went by fast and know we were in the car for at least an hour. I looked out to see we were at the go-cart track.

“Oh my gosh are you serious right now?” I asked excitedly. I had jut been saying how much I wanted to go go-cart racing.

“Yeah I figured that since your dad won’t let you drive a real car, this was the next best thing,” he said.

“Well technically the next best thing would be you letting me drive your truck,” I said.

He looked at me like I was crazy. Uh no nobody drives my truck but me,” he said.

I pouted and he sighed. “Ok…ok we’ll see,” he said.

I smiled and threw my arms around his neck. “Either way baby this is amazing. Thank you,” I said as I pressed my forehead to his. I kissed him and his hands moved to my hips. Before he could get too into the kiss I pulled away and hopped out the car.

“TEASE!” he yelled causing me to laugh.

I waited for him to get out of his truck and we walked to the ticket booth. He paid for everything even though I had some money that my dad had given me. He wouldn’t even let me take it out.

By the time it was all said and done I think I liked Ty even more. We both won 2 races a piece. On the last race we had for the tie breaker he beat me. I swear I didn’t even see him zoom past me around that last corner. He kept sneaking little kisses and everything. It was all just really cute. Definitely the best date ever.

“So do you always treat your girls like this?” I asked with a teasing smile as I leaned against his truck.

“Naw,” he said. I gave him a look and he shrugged. “I’m serious. I’ve never actually taken a girl on a real date before or nothing like that. All my other relationships were mostly about fucking. Actually…there were no other relationships besides Chyna. Every other girl I messed with was just a jump off. Even with Chyna I only ever took her to the movies. The only reason I even gave her the title of girlfriend was because she pressed me out about it so bad.” 

I looked at him for a second. “So what’s so different about me?” I asked.

He looked me in my eyes for a second before answering. “You’re special…you’re worth more.”

I smiled and blushed as I looked away. “And to prove it,” he said holding up his keys. My eyes got big and my mouth dropped open. He was really about to let me drive his truck??? I snatched the keys out of his hand, kissed his cheek and then opened the door. 

He chuckled as he climbed into the passenger seat. “Chill bae. I’m only letting you drive to get the food. I’m driving back to your house.”

“Driving is driving,” I said giving him a look as I started up the car. 

As we drove towards In N Out burger I could tell Ty was nervous. It was cute, but technically I was the one driving this big thing! We made it there safely though.

“Don’t get nothing with onions!” Ty said to me right before I ordered onions on my sandwich. I rolled my eyes and finished placing the order.

“So you wanna eat it in the car or go to my house?” Ty asked as he handed me the money to pay for the food.

“No we can go to my house,” I said. He looked at me with unsure eyes. “Look my dad won’t be home for awhile okay. He’s working late.”

“If you say so,” he said.

We got our food and then pulled over to the side to switch seats. As we met around on the driver side of the car he leaned down to give me a kiss.

“Really Ty? You never let me drive your truck but you let the pre-schooler do it?” we heard a voice say. We both looked up to see Chyna standing in front of us with 2 other girls. One of them looked really familiar.

Mikey sighed. “Chyna don’t start this,” he said.

“Start what? Oh you dating this lil girl now? Huh?” she asked him. The look on her face said she was hurt and pissed off.

“Mikey…come on let’s just go before the food gets cold,” I said tugging on his arm.

“Mikey? You got her fucking calling you Mikey? Lil ass bitch,” she said shaking her head.

I snapped my head in her direction. “Look, I understand you’re upset, but that’s the last time you call me out my name okay. My name is Cori, not little ass girl, little girl, pre-schooler or little bitch,” I said snapping at her.

Yeah I was a quiet girl, but there’s only so much disrespect that I’m willing to take. Ty whispered in my ear for me to get into the truck. I shot one more look at Chyna before I got into the truck like he said. He climbed into the driver’s seat and we headed towards my house leaving them all standing there.

 

Chyna POV

I was so livid. He was really dating that little hoe. Like how could he do this to me? I didn’t think he’d actually go there. And then he was letting her drive his truck and kissing her in public. He never did shit like that with me. The smile on his face when he looked at her made me fucking sick.

“Wait wait wait…that’s the girl he’s dating?” Lola’s cousin Renee said with a weird look on her face.

“Yeah. Remember that’s the girl who’s picture you sent me when Ty showed up at your school,” I said. Renee went to that all girls’ school too.

“Yeah, but I thought he was just fucking the easy hoe,” she said. “I didn’t think he’d try and wife her nasty ass.

“Wait what you mean?” I asked her.

“You mean you don’t know?” she asked me with big eyes.

“Obviously not Renee! Now spit it out,” Lola said.

“Well okay so she moved here 3 years ago from DC right. Well word has it she moved for a specific reason and it turns out that it’s true.”

“Well what was the reason?” I asked.

“Cause she was pregnant,” Renee said smirking.

“Wait how do you know?” I asked.

“Cause when she started in the middle of the second semester our freshman year she was showing. First we just thought she was fat but as the semester when on she kept getting bigger until we figured it out.”

“So who’s the father?” Lola asked.

Renee shrugged. “None of us know. Probably some dirty nigga back in DC.”

My eyes lit up as my wheels started turning. No way in hell Ty knew about this. I knew he didn’t want kids, at least not right now. I’d gotten pregnant over the summer and as soon as I told him he took me to the clinic. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t want a baby and stretch marks and shit, there was no way in hell Ty was trying to raise her kid if he wasn’t even willing to have his own. That shit hurt when he took me to the clinic, but he was there every step of the way. Now it was time to return the favor and get back what was mine.

 

Cori POV

“You okay?” Mikey asked me as we pulled up to the house.

“Yeah I’m fine,” I said climbing out of the truck. He had parked on the opposite side of the street. I crossed the street with him behind me carrying the food and unlocked the front door.

“We can chill down here in the living room,” I said tossing my purse on the chair and sitting on the couch.

“What I can’t go up to your room?” he asked with a sly smirk.

“Ha no you pushing it,” I said giggling.

He shrugged and sat down next to me on the couch. We scarfed down our food in silence. I didn’t even realize how hungry I was until I was finished eating. The entire time, Ty’s phone kept ringing. I already knew it was Chyna cause he refused to answer it.

“Aye go get your laptop real quick,” he said. I looked at him funny and then went upstairs to get it.

I opened up the internet so he wouldn’t see the picture of me and Dev. “Why you need it?”

“So we can make you a twitter stupid. I’m tired of talking bout you and not being able to at you all the time,” he said chuckling.

I rolled my eyes and typed in the twitter address and registered for an account. “Okay done.”

“What’s your name?”

“Redd2thaCor,” I said laughing.

He shook his head. “Corny ass.”

Suddenly my mentions went off.

@Tyga: Aye ya’ll go follow my baby boo @Redd2thaCor, she new to twitter so let’s get her followers up

“Aww thanks bae,” I said closing my laptop.

We snuggled up on the couch as I flipped through the channels. I landed on 106 & Park. They were showing Nicki Minaj video since she was on the show premiering a new one.

“I’m gonna be on their one day,” he said as I laid my head on his chest.

“Yeah okay,” I said giggling.

“Naw I’m serious Red. Me, Chris and Trey all into the music shit. Honey too,” he said.

“For real?” I asked and he nodded. “So when do I get to hear ya’ll?”

“Soon. I promise. I can spit bars though so you know your boy gonna make it.”

“Well you gonna remember me when you get all big and famous?”

“Of course I am,” he said as he placed a finger under my chin and tilted my head back.

Our lips connected and I felt myself melt into him. He sucked on my bottom lip lightly and I moaned into his mouth. I pulled him closer to me and repositioned myself so that I was straddling his lap. My hands were rubbing the back of his neck as his hands traveled down to my waist. He squeezed it tightly as if he didn’t want to let me go. I moved from his lips to his ear and bit it lightly. I’d discovered that was his spot when we were making out earlier in the week. He bit his bottom lip and I could feel him getting hard beneath me.

“You better stop before you start something you can’t finish,” he said in a whisper as his lips met my neck. It was my turn to bite my bottom lip now to keep from moaning.

“But you started it,” I said before letting out a gasp.

“Oh yeah,” he chuckled.

His lips came back up to mine and attacked them hungrily. I parted my lips to let his tongue in and he tangled it with mine. I sucked on his tongue lightly as I started grinding my hips into his lap. I could feel my panties getting wet. He used his hands to guide my hip movements. I let a moan out as I felt how big he was through his jeans.

“He wants to come out and play,” he said in-between kisses.

I was so tempted to unbutton his jeans and see what he was working with. I think I was even more turned on than I was that day at his house. I gripped the back of his neck with one hand as I reached the other in his pants. I went through his boxers and gripped him in my hand. I started massaging it as he grunted and tried to keep his hips still.

Suddenly I heard keys jiggling in the front door. I jumped off of Mikey with speed I didn’t know I had.

“Shit that’s my dad,” I said. I fixed my shirt and my bottoms. Ty quickly zipped his pants back up and buttoned them. I looked at the clock. My dad was early. He was supposed to be just now getting off work and going to get Dev. Oh snap Dev! Did he have him with him???

We had enough time to get ourselves together because the living room isn’t right at the front door. By the time my dad came around the corner Ty and I didn’t look like we had been doing anything. My dad didn’t even notice Ty at first because he wasn’t looking up. He was looking at the mall he’d gotten from out front.

“Hey sweetheart I was just stopping by before I had to go get…” he started but he stopped once he looked up and saw Ty sitting next to me on the couch.

“Ummm…hi pai. This is…” I said but he cut me off. 

“What the hell is he doing in this house?” he asked sharply. I flinched at the tone in his voice. IT was the same tone he’d had when I’d told him I was pregnant.

“This is Ty…I mean Michael. Michael this is my dad Enrique Vidal.”

“Nice to meet you sir,” Ty said standing up and going over to shake his hand. My dad looked at it like it was infected or something.

“Young lady what is this hoodlum doing in my house?” my dad asked me.

“Daddy! Don’t talk about him like that!” I said shocked.

“No. Young man I want you out of my house. Don’t you ever set foot in this house again and stay away from my daughter,” my father’s voice boomed.

“But dad we’re just friends!” I said. Okay not the complete truth but it was better than nothing.

“The hell you are!” my father said.

Ty’s face hardened and he turned to me. I gave him an apologetic look as he grabbed his keys off of the coffee table and what was left of his soda. He put his phone in his pocket.

“I’ll call you later okay,” he said to me before kissing me on my forehead. My father gave him a hard look as Ty left the house.

As soon as the door shut the tears started streaming down my face. “How could you embarrass me and treat him like that daddy?” I asked.

“How dare you disrespect my house and have that hood nigga in here?” he asked me. My mouth dropped open. I’d never heard my dad say that before.

“If you just got to know him daddy,” I started but he cut me off.

“I don’t have to get to know him. I took one look at him and already knew everything he was about. All those tattoos, do you really think he’s going to do anything with his life?! He’s going to be running the streets forever. All he wants to do is get what’s between your legs before he moves on to the next innocent girl!” he yelled at me.

“He’s not like that! Mikey cares about me and I care about him!” I yelled back.

“Lower your voice when you’re talking to me young lady. You don’t understand. You’re too trusting. You’re just a child.”

“I am not a child! I am a mother and I’m old enough to make my own decisions!” I yelled at him.

“And that’s what got you in this mess in the first place: making the decision to open your legs!” my father yelled at me.

I gasped and my hands flew to my mouth as my bottom lip began to tremble. The tears fell out of my eyes faster. “That’s what this is about isn’t it? You’re still punishing me for what happened with Derrick?”

My father just looked at me. “I’m sorry daddy. How many times do I have to say I’m sorry? But I loved Derrick and he loved me and you would’ve known that if your had listened to me three years ago dammit and I refuse to apologize because my son is the best and hardest thing that has ever happened to me. Mommy understood that and she still does. She loves Mikey like her own son.”

“What do you mean? Your mother knows about this?” he asked. He looked hurt.

I wrapped my arms around myself and nodded. “He’s one of Lina’s best friends.”

“Your mother doesn’t know what’s best for you. I do. I’m your father and I’m telling you to stay the hell away from him!” he yelled at me his face hardening. “What about Dev? Does he know about him?”

I shook my head. “And what do you think he’s going to do when he finds out you have a son? He’s going to run from you. I’m trying to save you from being heartbroken again Corietta you have to understand that. Just like with that other good for nothing boy,” he said.

I shook my head and looked back up at him. My vision was blurred from the tears. “No…no you’re not doing this for me you’re doing it for yourself just like you did the last time. If anyone has broken my heart pai it was you. Not Derrick…not Mikey…you.”

I turned around and ran up the steps to my room slamming the door behind me. I pulled my phone out and dialed Lina’s number.

“Hello,” she said into the phone.

“Lina, mana can you come get me please? I…I can’t stay here I just can’t,” I said trying to stop myself from crying so hard.

“Of course. I’m on my way.”

Derrick POV

“Naw girl stop cheating!” I said trying to smack the ball out of Charlie’s hand while she laughed.

I’d met her at the party that Noah took me to on Friday night. We pretty much talked and danced with each other the entire time that I was there. She was real cool and chill. She was originally from Brooklyn, but her mom moved to Chicago a few months back. She herself went to school in North Carolina though at East Carolina University. She was home visiting her mom for a little bit during her fall break.

“Naw boy stop playin bruh! You not about this life!” she said as she moved away from me and shot the ball from the three-point line of the court. We were at the gym playing basketball.

The ball made a soft “swish” sound as it went through the net. She looked at me and started beefin it up around the court causing me to laugh.

“I think that means I win,” she said.

“By the luck of the draw anyway,” I said with a chuckle.

I looked at her as she went over to the bleachers and grabbed her phone to check her messages. I licked my lips and dribbled the ball slowly as I made my way over to her. Being with her right now honestly made me think of Cori. She and I used to go play ball together all the time. Most times I beat her, but she beat me too sometimes. Sometimes I let her win.

“So you just gonna stand there and stare at me?” she said without looking up from her phone.

“Maybe…I’m just so distracted by your ugly,” I said with a chuckle.

“Haha very funny,” she said before looking up. She slipped her phone into her basketball shorts and snatched the ball out of my hand. She tucked it under her arm and walked over to where I stood.

“Well superstar as much as I’d love to whoop your ass again in a game, I’ve got to get home. Sunday dinner and all,” she said.

I nodded my head and looked down. “Oh…okay. I’ll…I’ll take you home then,” I said. Honestly I didn’t want to take her back, I wanted to chill with her some more, but I wasn’t about to tell her that just yet.

“Cool, I already told my mom to set an extra place at the table,” she said walking towards the gym door.

“Wait…huh?” I asked looking at her confused.

“For you stupid,” she said with a laugh before fixing her snapback and heading out the door.

Cori POV

“Stop Mikey stooooop!!! I shrieked as I tried to move away from him in the backseat of his truck. It was Sunday and we were a couple of houses up from mine in the usual place that Ty dropped me off. Instead of Maxxie taking me home, Ty said he would do it. We were playing a hand slapping game in the back seat and somehow it had gone from that to him tickling me.

Ty knew how ticklish I was which is exactly why he was doing what he was doing. I was laughing hysterically. I was laid flat on my back trying to get him to stop but it wasn’t working.

“What is wrong with you Red? Why you laughing so hard?” he asked with a semi straight face as if he wasn’t tickling me.

“I’m sorry!!! I’m sorry!” I said as I tried to catch my breath. I was about two seconds from not breathing at all.

He finally stopped tickling me. Once I started breathing regularly I sat up and pouted. “I can’t believe you did that!” I said.

“Yeah well that’ll teach you not to hit me so hard punk,” he said with a smirk.

I kept pouting until he pulled me to him. I leaned my head against his chest as I stretched out. He tangled his fingers with mine. I couldn’t help but blush and smile.

“Can I ask you something Red?” he said.

“Of course Mikey,” I said.

“That day at my house,” he started. I immediately knew what day he was talking about since I’d only been to his house once. I stayed quiet though. “If Chyna hadn’t have called…what would have happened?”

I thought about it. I’d asked my question for days after what happened. “I don’t know. I want to say that I would have stopped since you had a girlfriend, but honestly Mikey…I don’t know,” I said.

He stayed quiet for a little while. “Umm…I know I’ve never asked you this but…are you a virgin Red? I mean it’s okay if you are,” he said. He added the last part quickly.

I bit my bottom lip. “No…I’m not a virgin.

“When did you lose it?” he asked curiously. Shit. I’d told Mikey besides my first boyfriend I hadn’t had one. He was probably trying to figure out when I’d found the time to lose my virginity.

“When I was thirteen,” I said quietly. I was waiting for the judgment. It had to be coming. He froze up and stopped playing with my fingers.

“Did you want to?” he asked me.

“What do you mean?”

“Like were you…were you…” he started but it was like he couldn’t finish the sentence. I immediately knew what he was trying to ask me.

“No Mikey no. I wasn’t raped or anything like that,” I said. He seemed to let out a breath he was holding. I knew what he was thinking though. What kind of girl willingly loses her virginity at 13? I sighed.

“Remember…remember the boyfriend I told you about. My first and only boyfriend?” I asked him.

“Yeah,” he said.

“Well it was with him.” Here goes nothing. It was the perfect time. He’d given me the perfect opening to tell him about everything: Derrick, Dev, everything.

I stopped for a moment before going on. “He was three years older than me…16 when we got serious. I was in love with him. Nobody knew we were dating except for his sister. I think Lina suspected something, but if she did she never said anything about it. He was my first…my only,” I said before stopping.

“So…what happened?” he asked me.

I bit my bottom lip and closed my eyes. This was it. “It…I….It just didn’t work out. My dad found out we were dating and he…he flipped out. He moved us out here,” I said.

“All cause he found out you had a boyfriend?” Ty asked.

I kept my eyes closed. I could feel the tears forming. They slid from my eyes and down my cheek. I nodded. “I didn’t even get to say goodbye,” I said.

Ty must have realized I was crying. He wrapped his arms around me and turned me around so that my face was buried in his chest. Yes I was crying. I can guess why Ty thought I was crying. He probably thought I was crying because I was still upset about my ex. That was part of it, but not the whole reason. I was mainly crying because I’d chickened out. I’d chickened out and lied to Ty about what really happened. I couldn’t tell him about Dev. I may have been selfish at this moment. I knew I was being selfish. I just wanted one thing to myself. One person. I didn’t want to lose Ty as a friend and I felt like if I told him the truth right now at this moment, I would lose him.

“Red it’s okay. I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to,” he started but I shook my head and pulled away.

“It’s not your fault Mikey,” I said looking up at him.

He looked down at me and pushed my hair back out of my face. He wiped the tears away. I bit my bottom lip. As soon as I let it go, he leaned down and kissed me. Without even hesitating I kissed him back softly.

He pulled back and looked at me before going in for another kiss. He pulled away again, leaning his forehead against mine. “Red….will you be my girlfriend?” he whispered against my lips.

I pulled back and looked up at him. The tears were starting up again. I shook my head.

“Mikey…Mikey no,” I started. I could see the hurt registering on his face.

“Why not?” he asked me.

“I….there’s some stuff you don’t know about me Mikey. If you knew,” I said, but I couldn’t finish.

He leaned down and kissed me again. He slipped his tongue into my mouth and tangled it with mine. When he pulled away he stared into my eyes.

“Red…I know everything I need to know. I promise you I won’t hurt you. I don’t care about your dad or your past or your ex. I just care about you. I just want you,” he said.

I bit my bottom lip. I thought long and hard. I nodded my head. “Okay Mikey…okay,” I said a smile spreading across my lips.

His face brightened and he leaned in to kiss me again. As happy as I was I couldn’t help but wonder what I’d gotten myself into.

Lina POV

I stood at my door trying to figure out what was going on. I knew Ty was coming over and I knew he was going to try and bring his lil boo thang with him. I, however, did not understand why my sister was standing in front of me next to Ty.

.“Hey big sis…long time no see.” 

She looked nervous. I could also tell she wasn’t sure what to say or do right now. This world was so fucking small.

“Wait…big sis,” Ty said looking back and forth between us. He was just as confused.

“Wait…you’re the girl from the private school Ty likes? You’re Red?” I asked Cori, ignoring Ty completely.

She nodded. “I guess so,” she said.

Hmmm. I guess I honestly should have seen that coming. Why didn’t I ever put two and two together on this one? “Anda pa’l carajo . Me siento tan estúpida” I said shaking my head.

Cori giggled and pulled me into a hug. “¡Tú eres tan yuca!”

“I am not a dork!” I said as I pushed her playfully after letting her go from the hug.

“Oh, so ya’ll just gonna sit here and talk in Spanish like we understand ya’ll?” Ty said.

“Shut up boy and get in here,” I said moving out of the way so they could come in the house. I hugged Jazz and then Cori introduced me to Maxxie.

“Ooooh so you’re the girl that went at it with Chyna and bruised up her face. I like you already girl,” I said laughing.

“Had to look out for my girl!” she said shrugging with a smile.

“Well I appreciate it,” I said. I shut the door behind them. “Okay so everyone is down the hall in the living room. 

I led them that way even though I know for a fact that Ty and Cori both know where it is. When we got there everyone was chilling where I left them, watching Inside Man.

“Aye! It’s about time ya’ll asses got here. MAXXIE!!” Chris yelled out causing us all to laugh.

Maxxie went over and popped him in the back of the head. “Boy stop all that damn yelling. I know what my name is,” she said. He pouted and she rolled her eyes before giving him a hug. Jazz walked over to Trey who hugged her and pulled her down next to him.

“Babycakes!” Honey said with a smile. She hopped her miniature ass up and pulled Cori into a hug.

“Asianitta!” Cori said hugging her back with a smile.

“Damn ya’ll already got nicknames and shit for each other,” Tay said laughing.

“Yeah. This my lil boo,” Honey said laughing.

“Dang I can’t get no love?” Ty said looking at everybody.

“Nope it’s all about Cori and the girls,” Trey said laughing.

Ty pouted and Cori nudged him. He wrapped his arms around her and pouted. “Aww poor baby,” she said rubbing his head. He pulled her down onto the loveseat with him and placed her into his lap.

I sat down next to Chris. “So Cori welcome to my girl’s crib. It’s right isn’t it!” His ass was so damn hyper. I snatched the bag of hot cheetos out of his hand and he mugged me. I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Yeah, but I’ve already been here,” she said.

Chris looked confused. “How. Ya’ll ain’t never met before,” he said. 

“Yeah we did. We met sixteen years ago when I was born,” she said smiling at me.

“Wait…how that work?” Mijo asked just as confused.

Honey’s eyes got big. “Oh my gosh! I thought you looked familiar! You’re in all her baby pictures.”

Cori nodded. “Wait…why would she be in her baby pictures?” Mijo asked.

“Oh my gosh Barry you so damn slow. They sisters,” Austin said.

“Man how you know that AB?” Chris asked.

“Cause I’m the smart one,” he said laughing.

Cori laughed and shook her head. “He’s right though. Lina is my big sister.”

“Bae how come you ain’t tell me that?” Chris said looking at me snatching his Cheetos back.

“I didn’t know it was my little sister that Ty was all loved up on until I opened the door,” I said shrugging.

“Man Lina shut up,” Ty said blushing.

“Awwww, look he’s blushing! That’s so cute,” Maxxie said. She was sitting on the other side of Chris.

“I am not,” he said trying to hide his face behind Cori who started blushing herself.

“Aww now she’s blushing too!” Jazz said causing everyone to make baby noises.

“Oh my gosh! Shut up ya’ll,” Cori said hiding her face in her hands.

“Aight ya’ll leave my baby sister alone,” I said laughing.

Everyone got quiet and settled in to finish watching Inside Man. If you’ve never seen this movie you need to go download it or some shit cause it was crazy good. We heard a phone start vibrating. Ty took his phone out and rolled his eyes.

“Who was that?” Cori asked. She had moved out from sitting on his lap and now was leaning on the arm of the couch while Ty had his head laid in her lap. They really were cute together.

“Just Chyna. I don’t know why she keeps calling me,” he said.

“Cause she a Bicha,“ I said rolling my eyes. Cori giggled.

“Oooo did you just call her a bitch?” Mijo asked.

“Yeah, she just said the Puerto Rican equivalent,” Cori said laughing. She looked at me and said, “Tu si eres baboso.” I loved how my sister and I could just switch back and forth between regular Spanish, Puerto Rican slang and Dominican slang.

“Hey, talking shit is what I do, but I can back it up too,” I said shrugging.

“Where’s mami?” she asked.

Before I could answer we heard a car alarm beep and the garage door open. “She’s right there,” I said laughing. It had been a minute since my sister and mom had seen each other.

“I know you got a house full of damn people,” my mom said walking in the living room with a smile on her face. She loved my friends just as much as they loved her. I saw my mom eyes search the room and then they landed on Cori. I probably should’ve text her and given her a heads up.

Cori POV

When I heard my mom’s voice I sort of tensed up. My mom and I have a great relationship, but it’s been awhile since I’ve seen her because of my dad. He didn’t mean to keep me away from her, but he did. Not explicitly. He never said I couldn’t see her. It was just little things he did that let me know he didn’t like me to. He felt like my mom and sister had betrayed him when they left once we moved out here. My sister never talked to him actually. He felt like she was disobedient and out of control and he felt like my mom wasn’t strict enough.

“Hi mami,” I said looking at her and biting my lip.

“Mija, what are you doing here?” she asked me confused. I could tell she was happy to see me, but wasn’t sure what I was doing in her house.

“Ummm…she came with Tyga mom. Cori is the girl he’s been talking about,” Lina said.

My mom looked from Ty to me and then back again. Ty sat up unsure about what was about to happen. A smile spread across her face. “Well…it’s about time you got some taste Ty. And it’s about time you got rid of that puta Chyna,” she said. Lina and I both laughed.

“I’m serious I never liked her. I only let her in my house cause you’re like a son to me, but everytime she left I made sure to clean my shit cause she just nasty,” my mom said shaking her head.

“Well I’m glad you approve mama,” he said with a smile. “My mom does too.”

“Mhmm well I raised my girls well so of course she would, just like Joyce loves Lina like a daughter,” she said beaming. She bit her bottom lip. “Mijas, can you come in the kitchen and help me please. I should probably feed ya’ll hungry behinds. I’m going to make paella and pastelitos.” she said.

Ty looked at me confused. I laughed. “It’s just the Dominican way of saying empanadas,” I said.

“Oh hell yeah, ma I’m all for that,” Chris said getting excited. Maxxie and Lina popped him in the back of his head at the same time.

“Oh mami, this is Maxxie. She goes to school with Jazz and I,” I said quickly.

“Well it’s nice to meet you Maxxie,” my mom said smiling. “Cori told me a lot about you. I’m loving your hair girl.” That’s exactly why I loved my mom.

Lina and I stood up and followed my mom into the kitchen to help her cook. While we were in there it was pretty quiet for awhile. My mom finally cleared her throat.

“So, Cori…has your father met Ty yet?” she asked.

I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. “No. Mikey and I are just friends. Plus…you know how daddy is about boys. Not to mention how he looks. Dad’s not like you mom. He’d take one look at Ty and flip out. I told you what happened when he met Maxxie,” I said.

She nodded. “Yeah, you’re dad can be a bit judgmental,” she said.

Lina snorted. “More like a whole lot,” she said shaking her head.

“Well sweetie, I see how he looks at you. He really likes you. I hear how he talks about you too. He’s talked to me about you and from what I can tell about how you look at him you two won’t be just friends much longer. You’ll have to tell your father soon,” she said. I looked at her. “Maybe I could talk to him.” I gave her a weak smile. We both knew that it wouldn’t do any good.

I also knew there was a question that she and Lina were dying to ask though neither one had asked it yet.

“So…how’s Dev?” my mom asked.

I smiled. “Great. He’s growing like a weed. I can’t believe he’s three already,” I said shaking my head.

“Awww I haven’t seen him in so long,” Lina said pouting.

“That’s because you refuse to come over,” I said looking at her.

“I just can’t deal with your father okay,” she said. He was always my father, never ours. That’s how bad their relationship was.

The kitchen got silent and I sighed. “Just got ahead and ask,” I said in a low voice.

“Have you told Ty about Dev yet?” Lina asked cutting to the chase.

I just shook my head. “Well when are you going to tell him?” she asked me. I could tell it was making her kind of upset.

“I don’t know,” I mumbled.

I heard my mother sigh. She came over and pulled me into a hug. “You have to tell him mija,” she said.

“I know mami, I’m just scared. What if…what if after he meets Dev he doesn’t want to deal with me anymore? What if he doesn’t even want to be friends? I haven’t felt this way since Derrick,” I said.

“Then better you find out now rather than later,” she said to me. I nodded.

Lina came over. “Cici, you have to tell him. Ty is my main okay. He’s my twin. He’ll understand,” she said.

“I’ll tell him. Just…just not right now,” I said. She and my mother both nodded. I know I needed to tell Ty, I just wanted to do it in my own time when I was ready.

Cori POV

I woke up the next morning and just laid there for awhile. I was the first one awake. All I could think about was the party last night. Everything was all fun until Ty’s girlfriend had showed up. Honestly I’d forgotten all about her until I saw her in my face. I covered my face with my hands and let out a groan. I made a complete fool of myself. There I was dancing all on Ty while he had a girlfriend and then when she came up to me, I couldn’t even defend myself. I was beyond embarrassed.

“You ok Cor?” I heard a voice say. I turned to see Maxxie looking at me. Her eyes were low. I didn’t even know that she was awake.

I nodded. “Did I make a complete ass of myself last night?” I asked her in a soft voice.

“Of course not mami. You didn’t do anything wrong,” she said as she sat up on her elbow. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, something she’d managed before she passed out in a tank top and her underwear last night.

“But Chyna…”I started but she shook her head.

“Who that big bitch? Please ain’t nobody worried about her, especially not Ty. If anything she’s upset because she knows that he’s really into you. Trust me, she couldn’t crack an egg to make an omelet,” Maxxie said causing me to laugh.

“How do you even remember any of this?” I asked her.

“I got drunk last night, but not enough to blackout,” she said smirking. “I need coffee though because I can feel this headache coming.”

We both sat up out of the bed. We were near the headboard and Jasmine was at the opposite end. Maxxie and I looked at each other and immediately started tickling her feet.

“Ahhhhhhhhhh chill with all that!” she screamed in a fit of giggles which caused all of us to laugh. She and Maxxie climbed out of the bed and headed to the kitchen as my phone started ringing. I looked at it and rolled my eyes. It was my dad.

“Good morning daddy,” I said into the phone.

“Morning Princess. I’m just calling to check on you. How was your night?” he asked.

“It was fine. I fell asleep after we talked.”

“That’s good. Did Marla’s parents get back yet?”

I rolled my eyes. “No dad they haven’t gotten back yet. I don’t think they’re due back for another hour or so.”

“Oh…ok. Well…do you want to come home today because you can,” he said.

I sighed. “No daddy I will be home tomorrow okay. Can I talk to Dev please?” I needed to get my dad off of the phone and plus I had to admit I missed my baby. After talking to him for awhile, I got off the phone and went into the kitchen. Maxxie was there drinking coffee and eating a bowl of cereal.

“Where’s Jazz?” I asked.

“Talking to her mom,” she said.

I nodded and grabbed a bowl and glass and fixed myself some cereal and poured some lemonade. Jazz came back and did the same. While we were talking and joking Maxxie’s parents got home. They must have been extremely tired from rushing to get back because they both disappeared and I’m guessing collapsed into bed.

After a few hours of chilling in Maxxie’s room my phone started ringing again.

“Hello,” I said without checking the caller ID.

“I thought you weren’t going to answer my calls,” Ty’s voice came through the phone.

I got quiet for a second and then said, “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I thought you were mad at me.”

“I’m not mad. I just….I don’t want to cause anymore problems between you and your girlfriend and I was sort of embarrassed about what happened last night,” I admitted.

“Well, one you don’t have anything to be embarrassed about. Two, you won’t cause problems between us because I broke up with her last night,” he said.

I sighed. “See, I ruined everything.”

“No you didn’t Red. It’s been a long time coming. Besides…I think I found someone better.”

I started blushing. Was he talking about me? Maxxie and Jasmine giggled at me and I shot them a look.

“So…do you wanna hang out with me today? You and your girls of course. The crew is getting together.” he asked.

“Umm…sure,” I said biting my bottom lip.

“Okay. Send me Maxxie’s address and be ready in like an hour,” he said.

“Uh….okay,” I said. We hung up the phone and I told the girls the plan. It was a good thing that Maxxie had more than one bathroom in her house. She used her parents’ bathroom and she pointed Jasmine towards the guest bathroom while I used Maxxie’s. 

I showered and got dressed and then did my hair. The entire time the only thing that I could think of was the fact that Mikey had broken up with Chyna. Had he done it for me or was he talking about some other girl? I had to admit, whenever I talked to him or saw him I couldn’t help but get butterflies in my stomach. I haven’t felt like that since Derrick.

At the thought, I walked over to Maxxie’s closet. She still had all of her pictures up of him and everything. My fingers went went straight to one of the candid pictures of him. He was laughing. It was like I could hear him. Ever since I’d met Ty I hadn’t googled Derrick. A part of me felt bad, but…maybe it was for the best. I bit my bottom lip. I missed him. I missed his smile. Every time Dev smiled I saw Derrick’s smile. It hurt, it really did, but there was nothing I could do about it now. I bit my bottom lip as I heard my phone go off. I walked over and picked it up.

 

To: BabyRed
From: Mikey

I’m outside

 

I took one last look at the pictures of Derrick before heading off to find the girls to tell them it was time to go.

Derrick POV 

“Man stop cheatin nigga!” I yelled at Joakim as we played each other in 2K. 

“Ain’t nobody cheatin! You just suck ass,” he said laughing as he dunked on me. I shook my head and put the controller down.

“So you ready to hit this party tonight? It’s supposed to be some bad females there from what I heard,” he said setting his down as well.

“I don’t know man, I might just stay in tonight. I’m not really feeling it,” I said shaking my head.

“Man nigga you ain’t never feeling it! I swear I’m taking you out tonight and I’m getting you some pussy. How long has it been man?” he asked me.

I shrugged. “Just a couple months,” I said.

“Exactly, that’s too damn long and there’s no real excuse why. So, like I said, I’ll be back here at like 10 and then we gonna hit that party up with the team aight,” he said.

“Yeah yeah okay I got you moe. I just don’t feel like it okay.” I said.

“Fine. And don’t be hitting me with none of that DC shit,” he said laughing. He got up, dapped me up, and then let himself out of my condo.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed myself something to drink. He was right. I should probably get out. I hadn’t really been out in a minute and I didn’t know why. Well…actually yeah I did, but that wasn’t a legit excuse. I’ve dated since Cori, but nothing too serious. Just one or two girls and they never lasted beyond a couple months. And yeah I was fucking, but I never caught feelings. I made that mistake one time and look where it got me: dropped.

My phone started ringing, breaking me out of my thoughts. I scooped it up and smiled when I saw the name and picture on the screen.

“Sup skeez,” I said into the phone.

“Man fuck you moe,” the female voice on the other end of the phone said. I laughed.

“Naw for real what’s up Tori?” I said as I went back and sat down on the couch and picked up my xbox controller.

“Nothing much big bro. I just was around the way you know and guess who I saw,” she said. She sounded lifted as hell so it was no telling who she was about to say.

“Who?” I asked.

“Isaiah,” she said.

“Isaiah who?” I asked confused.

“Isaiah Vidal stupid,” she said. 

I froze at the sound of that last name. I hadn’t heard it in a minute. I remembered Isaiah. I knew exactly who he was. Fuck was Tori telling me about him for?

“Did you hear me?” she asked.

“Yeah I heard you. So?” I said shaking the effects off and getting back to my game.

“So…he was on his was way to his grandmother’s house.” I sighed trying to figure out what was the point of this. “Anyway, we talked for a little bit and then we smoked.” I knew she ass was lifted.

“It better not be off no K-2 shit,” I said chuckling.

“Fuck you mean, you know I don’t fuck with that shit,” she said causing me to laugh. “Anyway rudeness, while we was smoking he told me he talked to Cori.”

I stopped. I clenched my jaw. “So,” I said.

“Nigga don’t act like you don’t care!” she said. Tori knew about Cori and my relationship because they were best friends back then. She’s the whole reason we met. When Cori left, she didn’t even tell Tori. I think it’s because she thought Tori would tell me, which she probably would have. I knew that shit hurt her though.

“Get to the point Torian,” I said calling her by her whole name. 

“Well he let slip that she had a baby,” she said.

The line got quiet. “Naw he wrong. Not Cori though,” I said.

“Naw moe he was serious like shit. That’s all he told me about it though,” she said.

I didn’t say shit. What was I supposed to say to that? “He gave me her number. Do you want it?” she asked me.

“Naw I’m good on that. I gotta go though,” I said.

She sighed. “Aight bye.”

We hung up the phone. I tossed my controller across the room at the wall, smashing it to pieces. I put my face in my hands. Why the fuck would she call me and tell me that shit? Shit. The girl I loved, the one I’ve been thinking about and couldn’t get over the past three years had gone and had some other nigga’s baby? Fuck kind of shit was that? I was her first. I was supposed to be her only.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Joakim’s number. “Yo!” he said answering the phone.

“Come scoop me up at 10,” I said. 

“Awwww shit! Yeah I got you! We about to kill it out here,” he said getting hype.

I hung up the phone and laid back on the couch. Shit if Cori was out there doing her…I might as well do me. The best way to get over a bitch is to get another one right?

Cori POV

“Ty where are you going?” I asked as I tapped away on my iPhone. I had looked up and realized that we definitely were not going to his house.

“We going to Chris’s girl’s house. That’s where the crew is,” he said grabbing my hand and linking his fingers with mine.

I blushed. “Oh….I haven’t met her yet right?” I asked.

“Naw she wasn’t at the party last night. She’s cool peoples though so I know ya’ll gonna get along. Aren’t you Spanish?” he asked me.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m black, Dominican and Puerto Rican stupid.”

He laughed. “Damn okay my bad. Anyway, I think she mixed too. I think her mom is like half Dominican or some shit.”

“Oh okay cool,” I said.

We kept driving for awhile. We pulled into a neighborhood and I realized that everything looked familiar. “I’ve been over here before,” I said.

“Word? For what?” he asked not taking his eyes off the road.

“My mom and sister live over here,” I said.

He just nodded. He continued to drive down the block before pulling into the driveway of a house. My eyes got big, but I don’t think anyone really noticed it. They were too busy getting out of the car. I got out and followed Ty to the front door with Jazz and Maxxie following behind us. I looked back at Jazz. She’d never been to my mom’s house, but she had met both my mom and sister plenty of times.

Ty knocked on the door and before I could even think about it, the door opened. The girl who opened it was laughing, but as soon as she saw my face she stopped.

“Cori?” she asked shocked. She looked from me to Ty and then back and forth again.

I bit my bottom lip. “Hey big sis…long time no see.”