Chapter 77: Where the Lines Overlap

Nicki

“So how is everyone?” I asked the girls as we sat around in my living room. It was just the usual crew; Cassie, Blake, Ciara, Mere, Jessi, and Paris.

“My kids are way too energetic. I swear I’m gonna lose my mind any minute now,” Cassie groaned.

“I know exactly how you feel. I feel like that sometimes too,” I related to her.

“College is going great. I’m finally twenty one,” Ciara did a little dance.

“Congrats youngin,” Paris dapped her up. “How about you Blake?” Paris looked at her.

“I’m doing great,” Blake smiled. I looked at her hand and knew that she was lying. She was working her ass off and I keep telling her to take a break but she doesn’t listen to anyone.

“You look exhausted Blake,” I gave her a knowing look.

“Okay maybe work is making me tired but I feel fine. I just need to balance my schedule better,” she admitted.

“If only Aubrey would do the same,” I mumbled.

“So when’s the wedding?” Cassie looked over at Mere. She looked up from her phone and found us all staring at her.

“Um we haven’t set a date yet,” she shrugged. She has been saying that for the last three years.

“Are you ever gonna get married?” Jessi blurted out. We all were honestly thinking it. Why would you hold a wedding off for three years?

“Yes I will. I just need some time,” she sighed.

“You make absolutely no sense,” Paris shook her head at her.

“I make my own sense. I know what I’m doing,” she brushed us off.

“Alright,” I was still a little skeptical about the situation. Mere’s phone rang again and we looked at her.

“Your phone always rings when you’re with us,” Jessi commented.

“I know,” she grabbed it and answered. “Hey…Ryan did what!?..I’m so killing his ass when I get there…you need me now?..I’ll be on the next flight over there…love you too..bye,” she hopped up and grabbed her purse and keys.

“Where are you going?” Paris called out.

“My niece, Nadia, is really sick and she wants me to be there with her,” she said before running out the house.

“I hope her niece gets better,” Blake spoke.

“I do too because it seems like she’s always sick,” Cassie agreed.

“Do you guys really believe that niece bullshit?” Jessi looked at us like we were stupid.

“Why would she lie about that?” Mere doesn’t lie about things so I doubt she would lie about this.

“Dude no one is always that sick,” Jessi made us all think.

“Maybe she’s just going through something,” Blake shrugged.

“Maybe she’s cheating. She’s been holding off this wedding for a while,” Ciara suggested.

“Mere’s not a cheater,” I shook my head.

“Well I mean she did help with Blake,” Cassie started but Blake glared at her.

“We’re not talking about that,” she snapped.

“Okay, okay,” she quickly stopped.

“Well something is definitely going on with her,” Jessi said and we all could agree with that. Cassie’s phone rung and we all gave her a look.

“Hey it’s not my niece,” she jumped up and went to answer it. A few minutes we heard yelling. “Just figure it out damn!” Cassie hung up and then came back into the living room.

“You good?” I eyed her.

“Um yeah it’s just Shad being stupid you know,” she looked like she was lying but I didn’t have the energy to figure it out. Everyone has been so confusing and complicated recently. I think we all could use a break.

Drake

“Do you have it?” I asked John as I walked into my office. I had no time for bullshit right now. I needed things done right or else you’re fired.

“Yes sir,” he handed me the papers and I looked through it.

“Alright I gotta go home. I have some work over there and it needs to be done now,” I got up and left. When I got home I heard a lot of voices so I knew that Nicki had her girls over. I walked into the living room and Nicki stared at me in shock.

“You’re home?” She scrunched up her eyebrows.

“Yeah I have stuff that I need to work on and it’s here,” I nodded.

“Of course,” she mumbled but I shrugged it off. I went upstairs and bumped into Mylan.

“My bad,” she backed up.

“It’s okay baby girl,” I told her. She nodded before going down the stairs with Alexis right behind her.  I don’t know why they’re acting so weird. I did some work and then finally Nicki walked into the room. “How was your day?” I asked her. She looked over at me and shrugged.

“It was like any other day,” she changed into one of my shirts before crawling in the bed.

“Okay what’s with the cold shoulder?” Is it just gang up on Drake day? It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong recently.

“Aubrey you’re never home,” she sighed.

“I have this project and you know how much time I have to put into it,” I reminded her. I’ve been telling her this for months and she told me that she understood.

“Yeah it’s like you’re married to the project more than you’re married to me,” she huffed. I didn’t know that she felt this lonely. I thought she was more annoyed than lonely.

“I didn’t know that you felt this way. Why didn’t you tell me?” I don’t know why she doesn’t tell me things like this. I can’t change anything if I don’t know what there is to change.

“When would I have time Aubrey? You’re never home long enough for me to tell you. You haven’t even touched me in months,” she started crying.

“Nic,” I pulled her to me and let her cry. Now I felt like a complete ass for not seeing this.

“I never want you to feel this way. I’m sorry that I made you feel like this,” I kissed her head.

“I just get lonely,” she whispered. She should never feel alone and I should’ve paid more attention to how she was feeling. I thought she was okay with this but I guess was wrong all of this time.

“How bout I make you feel less lonely?” I looked at her. She scrunched up her eyebrows but then I kissed her. She wrapped her arms around my neck bringing me closer.

Blake

“So I have a question,” I told Jessi, Paris, and Ciara. We all chipped in and bought a house together. It’s nice to have them down the hall but also to have enough space for me to do whatever the fuck I want. I still travel to Miami for modeling but I live in New York now.

“Shoot twin,” Paris smiled.

“What do you guys think of Sage?” I just wanted their opinion on her. They all went quiet and I scrunched up my face. “What don’t you like about her?”

“She’s a bad influence on you sis,” Ciara said. I looked at her like she was crazy. A bad influence on me? What are we back in high school? I am my own person and I make my own decisions.

“How?” I was still the same person last time I checked.

“You go out to clubs practically every night,” Paris said.

“I like to have fun.”

“You get drunk,” Ciara added.

“I like to relax so what?”

“And you smoke,” Jessi spoke up.

 “It’s not like I’m smoking cigarettes,” I rolled my eyes.

“Do you even hear yourself?” Ciara hissed. I can hear myself perfectly fine. I don’t know what’s up with them these days. I’ve been friends with Sage for years and they never said anything before.

“Dude y’all aren’t even dating and she’s changing you like this. You never changed when you were with Mere or,” I cut Jessi off before she could even finish that sentence.

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence,” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“See, you’ve changed,” Ciara pointed out.

“I have not changed. You guys are acting like I’ve gone completely insane. I’ve grown up and I make my own fucking decisions. This is who I am now and if you don’t like it then it sucks for you because I’m not changing for nobody,” I snapped.

“Blakelynn you wanted our opinion on her and we gave you it. Sorry that we don’t like her but it’s not like we’re gonna ground you and refuse to let you hang out with her. You’re a grown ass woman and we can’t tell you shit. I can tell you that you’re only gonna get worse from here but I’d rather sit back and watch,” Jessi shrugged.

“You all think I’m just gonna get worse?” I looked around at them.

“I think you’re out of control nowadays. I’m sorry twin but I have to keep it real with you. Just think about what you’re doing before you do it,” Paris admitted.

“I just think you’re doing this to get your mind off,” Ciara started but I stopped her.

“I’m out of here. I’ll see y’all when I see y’all,” I left and went to call Sage. I need a distraction. Sage’s car pulled up in front and I hopped in.

“Ready rocker girl?” She smirked. I turned and shot her a teasing look. “Alright I called up some of the guys. They got shit lit for us,” she pulled off.

Cassie

I went to Shad’s house to pick up the kids. I’ve called him a million times but it kept going to voicemail. Is it too much to ask for him to keep his phone on when he has our kids? I went to knock on the door but heard movement from the backyard. “I’m gonna get you,” Shad ran behind Brayden who had a football in his hands.

“No!” he moved his little feet faster.

“Touchdown!” Alexis jumped up when Brayden ran past the line.

“I beat you Daddy!” Brayden beamed proudly.

“Yes you did,” he chuckled.

“And I was an amazing cheerleader,” Alexis stood with one hand on her hip.

“The best I’ve ever seen,” he chuckled.

“I know,” she flipped her hair before giggling. The scene was cute and I would hate to interrupt them but I needed to go. I cleared my throat and they all turned to look at me.

“Mommy!” Brayden rushed in my arms.

“Hey baby,” I picked him up.

“I’m sorry Cass I didn’t even notice the time,” Shad apologized.

“It’s fine,” I brushed it off.

“Mommy I’m gonna be a cheerleader when I get older. Daddy said I was the best!” Alexis exclaimed.

“That’s because you are baby,” I rubbed her hair.

“I’ll help you with their stuff,” Shad grabbed their bags and walked us to the car. “So I’ll see you on Saturday right?” He checked with me.

“Yeah,” I nodded before starting the car up and pulling off. I finally made it home and I turned around. The kids were fast asleep and I chuckled. Shad surely wore them out thankfully.



Mere

“Stay still,” I hissed at Ryan while Nessa held her camera. He kept wobbling in the skates and I tried to hold in my laugh for the picture.

“I barely know how to stand in these,” he finally gained some balance and struck a pose.

“Got it!” Nessa said as Ryan sighed in relief.

“I’m taking these off and I’m getting some food,” he shook his head in frustration. He just couldn’t get the hang of it.

“I’m hungry!” Nadia smiled.

“Let’s go to the concession stand,” he grabbed her hand.

“You need my help Ry?” She chuckled and held onto his hand as they skated away. She was a far much better skater than him and she’s only ten.

“I’m going another lap,” Nessa took off and zoomed through people who were too slow for her liking.

“Come on Munchkin,” I looped my arm through hers and we skated. “I wanna dye my hair,” I said randomly. I’ve been contemplating on that for a while now and I think I just want to go ahead and get it over with.

“I can do it,” she offered. Now that’s where the line is drawn. I barely trust professionals to dye my hair. I’m a little paranoid when it comes to things like that.

“Yeah no thanks,” I quickly shut that idea down.

“You know I can dye hair. I’ve dyed my hair millions of times,” she pointed out.

“Not happening,” I stood my ground.

“Oh come on Cheeks,” she pleaded.

“That stupid nickname,” I groaned with a slight smile on my face.

“So I can take that as a yes?” She smirked while giving me a knowing look. She knew I would cave at the nickname.

“I’ll let you do it but you have to promise to not fuck up my hair. I might love you but I’m not afraid to kill you,” I gave her a look.

“I promise,” she chuckled. “So what lie did you tell the girls this time?”

“I always say that Nadia is sick,” I shrugged.

“More like she’s sick of Ryan,” she pointed and I looked behind me. Nadia let go of Ryan’s hand and he fell. I couldn’t help but laugh as he threatened to kill her.

“That’s only if you can get up,” she teased.

Nicki

“Are you gonna go back to work in a couple of hours?” I asked him as we laid in our bed.

“I can go in late. I wanna stay in bed with you for a little while,” he pulled me closer.

“I don’t have a problem with you working. I have a problem when work becomes more important than your family. You missed My’s seventeenth birthday. She might not have shown it but she was heartbroken all those months ago. You can’t miss stuff like that,” I told him.

“I felt like only the important birthdays mattered. You know, sixteen, eighteen, and twenty one,” he shrugged.

“Well all birthdays matter and she would appreciate it if you came to her showcase. She really wants you there,” I looked at him.

“I’ll see what I can do. I promise that I’ll try to switch around my schedule to fit that in,” he promised.

“Alright,” I sighed. He always says he’ll try but then something more important comes up. I get that he’s putting his all into this company but he should do the same with his family and marriage.



Mylan

“Alright class we have a new essay to write. I have a bowl and it contains members of a family. If you pull one that you don’t have then you can get another one. Kayla,” she pointed to Kayla and she went up to pick a name.

“Mom,” she nodded and went back to her seat.

“Dayna,” she pointed.

“I have my sister. Yes! She's such a badass,” she chuckled. My teacher just laughed. She lets us express ourselves in any way we want.

“Mylan,” I stood up and grabbed one praying that I wouldn’t get a certain name. I opened it and sighed.

“Dad,” I walked back to my seat. How am I gonna write an essay about Dad when he’s never home?

“Are we allowed to use any type of language?” A girl questioned.

“This essay can be anything about your family member. Be creative and express your feelings in any way you want. This is Creative Writing for a reason,” she encouraged.

“Express my feelings huh? I can do that perfectly,” I smirked to myself.