Read the previous chapter first. It carries a lot of hints for this chapter and the next one.
"There's No Reason To Believe I'll Save Us Now. But If You Really Love Me Say It Now. Why Is It So Hard To Figure Out? I Need You Everyday, Believe Me When I Say it"
-Giveon
Like I Want You
~~~~
Josiah woke up on the bed he shares with his girlfriend only to find that he woke up alone. He sighed looking around the large room and hoped she wasn't downstairs trying to make Adore's life miserable.
He wasted no time getting up to brush his teeth and wash his face. He looked at himself at the mirror and made a mental note to get a haircut soon.
He placed a shirt on since he already had on a pair of black sweats and headed downstairs. The smell of pancakes filled the whole house. Josiah already knew it had to be Adore cooking since Brook would never touch a pot.
He entered the kitchen seeing his son mixing blueberries into the pancake batter. "Daddy look me and mommy cook" the little boy screeched the second he saw his dad. The two had grown extremely close within the month and a half they've known each other.
"What you making son?" He walked closer to him.
"Pancake" Micah smiled before going back to his task.
"Wassup Adore"he greeted.
"Morning" Adore replied in her naturally soft voice. She kept her eyes on the pancake she was getting ready to flip. She didn't dare make eye contact with Josiah because the last time she did Brook swore up and down they were fucking again.
"You seen Brook?" Josiah asked. Since she moved back Brook managed to spend most of her time with her friends instead of her boyfriend. She didn't care about being pregnant. There was no way she would be at home all day playing house with her boyfriend, his son and babymother.
Josiah understood why she chose to distance herself but he still didn't like the idea of his pregnant girlfriend being out and about all day. He didn't expect her to hang out with Micah since she made it clear she didn't care for the little boy or his mother but he felt like he was missing out on the pregnancy of his second child because his girlfriend was being petty.
"She left about thirty minutes ago" Adore shrugged as she set the fluffy pancake on a plate. She cut the pancake into small pieces and handed it to Micah before setting him on a seat on the kitchen table.
"Can you feed him please" she handed Josiah a Spider-Man fork and some syrup.
"For sure" Josiah happily agreed. "What's up with you?" He asked noticing that she's more quiet than usual.
"Nothing" she replied simply. "Can you watch Micah for me I'm apartment hunting today"
"Why though?" Josiah asked truly confused. Adore still hadn't been able to find a job and she barely had any money to her name so she wouldn't be a able to get a place for herself.
"I can't live here with you and your girlfriend" she replied.
"Adore you can't afford to move out right now so you ain't going anywhere. Especially not with my son"
"I'll make a plan. I can't be here anymore. I'm not comfortable and I don't trust her around my son" Adore tried to explain. Adore genuinely didn't like being around Brooklyn because of the way things played out but she mostly feared for her baby as many mothers would. She didn't know what lengths Brooks anger would drive her to.
"Brook would never do anything to him so get that shit out your head" Josiah defended his woman. Brook never even liked Tari'q but she always treated Ari nice even when no one was watching.
"I know that's your girlfriend and you trust her but I don't. As soon as I find a place we're leaving" she stated feircly.
"You tryna keep me away from my son again?" Josiah asked angrily. "Three years wasn't enough for you?"
"I was scared" Adore sighed. "I didn't mean to"
"I don't care Adore. You can leave but you ain't taking him from me again" he wiped some syrup off the side of Micah's lips with a napkin.
Adore stood in silence for a few seconds before getting back to what she was doing. She didn't want to argue with Josiah especially not in front of their son.
****
"Isaiah wake up" Dior slightly shook his sleeping girlfriend. The night before Isaiah and Dior spent the whole night talking and only ended up falling asleep at around two a.m. even though she had and early appointment.
"Stop it Kari" she smacked his hand away.
Dior sucked his teeth before yanking the thick covers off her. "Wake yo ass up bruh" he said.
"I don't want to" she whined sounding like she was about to bust out in tears.
"You be forgetting you got a job" Dior reminded her as she slowly sat up on the bed.
"I don't need a job my man's rich" she yawned.
Dior chuckled at her words. "Come on you got an appointment in an hour" causing her to sigh heavily while standing up to her feet. She had to do and wig install and nails for a girl who had a wedding to attend which meant it was super early.
"But I don't wanna go" she stomped on the ground like a four year old. "Call them and tell em I died in my sleep" she spoke seriously making Dior laugh a little.
"Come on mama I already ran you a hot bath and I bought breakfast" he tried to reason with her. She smiled at the sound of the preparations he made to help make her morning easier.
"You so sweet to me. Thank you stink" she hugged him.
"You're welcome now do me a favour and go brush them stank ass teeth" he pushed her towards the bathroom.
"You so annoying" she held up her middle finger at him as she stomped to the bathroom.
She spent almost twenty minutes in the bath before being rushed out by Dior who claimed she was be late if she didn't "hurry her slow ass up"
Finally she was done. She decided to wear a chocolate brown romper with a pair of tan yeezy slides. She did a quick make up routine before leaving with only a bag for her phone and cards since all her materials to do hair stayed at the salon.
She walked into the living room and immediately she caught Diors attention. He completely spun around on the island chair to get a better look at his beautiful girlfriend.
"You look so pretty" he marveled at her brown skin against the brown romper and light brown hair. She looked heavenly to him.
"Now I don't want you to leave" he said while pulling her in between his legs. "I just wanna stare at you all day" he placed a soft kiss on her lips not caring about the lip gloss she had on.
"Or you could tell me about the date you're taking me on" she smiled slyly.
"I'm not telling you nothing so you can stop asking" he gave her another kiss. "Eat up so I can take you there"
"You ate already?" She asked but she already suspected that the answer would be no.
"I tried" he admited. "But I'm good now" he shrugged.
"That's okay but tonight I'm cooking and you'll eat whether you or not" she pointed her finger at him. He only nodded knowing that he actually did enjoy her cooking.
"What you getting up to on this wonderful day" Isaiah asked before taking a bite of her french toast.
"Getting a haircut" he shrugged. He didn't have any plans today. His uncle had yet to give him a 'job' so he was free for today. He had recently went to check in at the main office of his trucking company just to oversee a few things mainly because it had to do with the delivery of "special products".
"Send me pictures when you're done" she cut her eyes at him. "I'm not playing with you Dakari cause you always say yes but you never do it"
"I got you this time" he assured her.
* * *
After dropping Isaiah off he decided to stop by Tari'qs house. Lisa-Mae came back for a short visit and he wanted to see her before she decides to take off again.
The drive was quite long since Isaiah worked in the city while Tari'qs neighbourhood was an upscale gated community.
He eventually pulled up to the large house. On the long driveway sat three luxury cars two of which belonged to Tari'q who coincidently hated driving. The other car belonged to Lisa a Porsche Tari'q bought for her with his first big "pay cheque" .
Instead of using his key he knocked on the door knowing that Lisa would be the only one awake this late.
"Coming" he heard her smooth voice call out from the other side of the door. In no time he could hear the locks start to turn. The door opened slowly revealing the short, chubby woman.
A bright smile formed on her face at the sight of Dior.
"Hi baby"she held her arms out to Dior. Surprisingly Dior gladly accepted her hug. Usually she'd force him into one that he would easily wiggle out of.
"Hey ma" he replied simply before they both let go.
"Come in I'm making breakfast"
"Thanks but I'll skip on breakfast" he politely declined.
"You ate already?" She quizzed him as he took a seat at the long kitchen island.
"Yeah" he spoke truthfully.
"He lying ma" Tari'q came from around the corner with Aria who looked barely awake in his arms. Dior instantly mugged him.
"I'm not" he got up and took Ari from her father's arms.
"Ma you see how he just be taking my kid from me"
"She don't like you" Dior jibbed before placing a kiss on Aria's cheek.
"Both of y'all need to stop babying her little grown ass" she pointed between Dior and Tari'q.
"Stop hating nana" Ari spoke before snuggling in Dior's chest.
Lisa just rolled her eyes at her sassy granddaughter and got back to preparing breakfast.
"How's life sweetie?" Lisa asked.
"Life is going. Can't really complain" Tari'q replied.
"I wasn't talking to you peanut head. I was asking Dior"
"You didn't ask me how I'm doing when you got back" Tari'q spoke feeling offended.
"You was gon tell me that you fornicating with the nanny?" She raised a perfectly arched eyebrow at her son.
"And I oop" Tari'q blurted out in shock.
"What's fornicating?" Ari asked out loud.
"Don't listen to your granny. Old age is getting to her" Tari'q waved his mom off. "Let's go eat a bag full of candy before breakfast" he held his hand out for her.
Ari quickly jumped off Dior's lap and followed her dad out. "Don't worry I'll bring you some Dee dee" she promised him. He only nodded. He didn't really have a sweet tooth.
"So how are you" she smiled.
"I'm good" he shrugged a little.
"I can tell. You gained some weight I can tell you're eating more now" she pointed out. It made her happy to see him making such improvements in his life. "And your skin looks good. Isaiah must be treating you well huh?"
Dior smiled at the mention of his girlfriend. She really did make him happy. His smile didn't go unnoticed. She felt warm inside seeing his smile. She wasn't used to seeing him genuinely happy.
"You really like her don't you?" She quizzed him further.
"A lot" he replied while looking down. His heart fluttered just at the thought of her.
"I'm so happy for you. She's an amazing girl and I know your mom would've loved her"
"You think so?" He looked up at her with a hopeful look.
"I know so" she assured him. For once Dior felt like he wasn't doing anything that would cause his mom to be disappointed in him. Hearing that she would be happy gave him a sense of wholeness.
"Thank you" he spoke softly.
"You don't have to thank me baby just keep doing a great job. Dior only nodded. He felt great about his decision to come see Lisa-Mae.
***
The sound of Summer Walkers voice could be heard flowing through the speaker in the dimly lit room. Stretch you out was playing loudly but Summers smooth voice still sounding soft to the ears of the two teenagers cuddled up on the bed.
Both were feeling the song but one way more than the other. To describe Magic's feeling as horny would be an understatement. The yping girl was extremely aroused by Sekani.
His hands roamed all over her body while he planted kisses on her neck and chest. What started off as a "hanging out " was now turning into a burning hot furnace of overflowing teenage hormones.
The house was empty for once. Magic had twelve other siblings and since summer started she hadn't been able to get enough alone time. Today her parents were gone to a birthday party with her younger siblings and her older siblings were either at work, at a party or at the home of a significamt other.
She decided to call over Sekani even though he wasn't exactly her first choice especially since he wasn't really fucking with her after finding out she was talking to another boy from school.
Sekani asked his brother for a car to go hang out with a few friends and of course Dior said yes. He could never say no to Sekani and Sekani knew that.
The song ended and automatically switched to When We by Tank. Sekani halted his movements which Magic quickly picked up on. Her eyes shot wide open to see Sekani staring at the speaker that displayed different colours as the music played.
"What's wrong?" Magic asked as she pulled his gave to look at hers. "Why you stopped?"
"Magic what you called me over here for?" He questioned. He obviously realized that a lot more than planned was going down but he asked anyway.
"To hang out" she slightly rolled her eyes. Sekani was killing her mood.
"It seem like you called me over here to fuck" he spoke as he stood up and moved further from the bed. Sekani came over thinking they would chill out since they both wanted to but he realised now that she wanted to do more than that.
Since he had got there a plethora of "sexual" and mood enticing songs were playing which with her kissing and touching on him quickly got him in the mood.
Magic's eyes stayed on Sekani's well sculpted body as he stood in front of her shirtless. He looked amazing to her and he was extremely handsome as well. Her eyes traveled to his lower half. She noticed that his not so little "junior" looked as if he were coming to life through his sweats.
"Well it seems like you want the same thing too so I don't see the issue" she said briefly pointing at his junk. For some reason he felt slightly embarrassed about that.
"I ain't come here to have sex with you Magic. I really wanted to see you" he spoke truthfully.
"So you don't wanna have sex with me?" She looked at him confused and slightly annoyed. Magic was sexually frustrated and Sekani standing in her bedroom looking all types of fine wasn't helping her situation at all.
"If you want me I would love to but not like this" he answered. He wanted to make it clear to her that he was feeling the same way but now wasn't the right time.
"What do you mean?"
"We're in your parents house in your small ass room and were not even together" he explained. "I just want it to be special for us" he shrugged. Sekani often played like nothing bothered him or extremely nonchalant but deep down everything has some sort of effect on him. Magic being one of those things.
Magic nodded slowly before getting up and making her way to Sekani who stood tall and sturdy. She wrapped her arms securely around his and slightly tilted her head up to look at him. Sekani also placed his own arms around her waist as well.
"I get what you saying. And honestly I've been wanting to be your girlfriend but I've been waiting for you to ask me" she smiled as she looked up at him. Sekani returned the smile.
"Are you sure Magic?" He asked for confirmation because any other time they had the relationship discussion she claimed she wasn't ready for one.
"Yes. I'm positive" she giggled slightly seeing the wide grin form on his face.
"Damn so I got me a girl now" Sekani smiled a big goofy smile that Magic couldn't help but return. This would be his first real relationship so he was pretty excited.
He looked forward to being in a relationship with her. Although there had been a few times when Magic didn't make him feel secure with his place in her life he still perused her. Now that they were official he was sure that problem wouldn't persist.
* * *
"Oou girl you did your thing with this hair" the lady spoke as she ran her fingers through the freshly installed hair. She couldn't keep her eyes off herself that's how good she looked.
"Thanks boo. I'm glad you love it" Isaiah chessed. She took a lot of pride in her craft so seeing a happy client made her day. It almost made her forget that she didn't even want to get up that morning.
"I'm bout to get me a husband at that wedding" she joked as she flipped the long tresses off her shoulder.
"As long as it's not the groom now" Isaiah playfully pointed a finger at her causing the lady to laugh.
"Not making any promises" she smirked. She pulled out her phone and quickly CashApped Isaiah her money including a good tip.
Soon the lady left and since there weren't any walk-ins at that moment Isaiah decided to help June out with some braids she was doing. A young girl came in requesting ankle length Coi leray inspired braids.
Just as she was got done with one braid her phone dinged. She checked it to see a text from Tari'q. She laughed a little knowing June was about to be annoyed.
"Tari'q said unblock him" she snickered seeing June's face contort into a frown.
"Tell him stop calling me July" she rolled her eyes. Tari'q annoyed the hell out of her but she couldn't help but really like him. She initially gave him her number just because but after talking over these few weeks they grew really close.
Being around Tari'q felt like a breathe of fresh air from the wanna be hood niggas she was used to. He didn't try too hard to be likeable and best of all he had to be the funniest person she'd ever met in her life but also one of the most annoying.
"I swear he don't like calling people by their name" Isaiah laughed. "Unblock my brother please before he gets on my ass bout you"
"Not yet I'm tryna detox from him a little first" June spoke. "There's no reason why I should like him as much as I do" she said annoyed at herself.
"Girl not you mad Mr Tari'q Williams got you in a chokehold" Isaiah laughed. "You sound just like Asia when she started falling from Ty. Just go with the flow babe, don't fight it"
"Girl please I still wanna be a bald head hoe can't have nobody holding me back" June snaked her neck.
"Honestly knowing Tariq he'd probably go do bald head hoe shit with you"
"That is true" June said after taking a second to think about it. "I know Dior don't be letting you act any how" June hadn't had enough encounters with Dior to know the type of person he is but from hearing many of Sage's Dior related rants she knew he played no games.
"Honestly Dior doesn't really care what I do as long as I'm safe" she shrugged. "But even if he did he know he not stopping nothing I'm still a city girl"
"You believe yourself ?" June sent a smirk her way causing Isaiah to bust out in laughter.
"Who am I kidding I know that man would send my ass straight to the streets with a quickness" Isaiah jokes even though part of her knew there might be some truth to her statement.
* * *
Meanwhile on the other side of Chicago Dior, Tari'q and Ty all occupied the living room of Tyrone's home along with Stu their barber. They all decided today to get a line up and as always Stu hooked them up real nice.
Stu has just finished up with Dior and would now be taking on Ty. Dior stood up from the plush leather seat and observed himself in the mirror they set up.
"Ole lightskin ass. Can't stop looking at himself" Ty joked causing the men to erupt in laughter. Dior didn't join in he instead sent a mug to his friend as he made his way to the large sectional that occupied the room.
"Y'all always got the same jokes" Dior waved them off. They loved clowning him for the simple fact that they knew he wouldn't give them a much of his energy especially Tari'q who specialized in lightskin jokes despite being light skinned himself.
"Shut up I'm tryna do a transition for TikTok" Tari'q hushed them up as he prepared to start recording.
"Nah this nigga more lightskin than you is D" Stu states with a chuckle. Ty and Dior agreed as they watched Ri'q sing into the camera before it automatically stopped it's self.
"That was the cringiest shit I've ever seen in my life" Ty shook his head. "This the nigga you hang out with the most?" He looked over at Dior who only shook his head.
Tari'q had to be the biggest pain in the ass but his big heart made up for it. Dior genuinely couldn't imagine life without him.
"Ty you always hating" Ri'q waved him off. "That nigga know he love me" he said causing Dior to air out a scoff.
"Nuh uh don't play me" he said growing a little offended. "Tell him how you said you love me the other day" Tari'q dramatically snaked his neck.
"Nigga is you dying?" Ty asked a little worried but his worry was quickly replaced with slight jealousy. "How come you never said you love me?" He held his hand over his heart faking offense.
"Y'all need to leave me the fuck alone" Dior spoke mugging both his friends.
"Enough about him" Tari'q spoke motioning to Dior. "Where the hell you been?" He now pointed to Tyrone who had made himself quite scarce recently.
"I been chilling" Ty replied with a smooth shrug but the smirk on his face said something else. Dior and Ri'q both noticed it.
"Chilling my ass. It's something you not saying" Ri'q poked. "Spill the beans bitch"
"It ain't yo business bitch" Ty retorted. Ri'q waved him off. He was gonna get to the bottom of it sooner or later.
Ty refrained from looking in Dior's direction. As ridiculous as it may sound he always felt like Dior could read his mind. Although he obviously couldn't he knew he would spill the beans if he challenged Dior's eyes.
Dior notes the slight discomfort from Ty. He decided not make his speculations known. Upon entering the home he noticed a pair of crocs near the door. A pair he knew for a fact belonged to Chyna since Sekani bought them and had them customized for her for national sisters day the year before.
From his knowledge Chyna and Ty were no longer together and Ty had moved on with Asia. So seeing Chyna's property in Ty's home was a little alarming. He refrained from jumping to conclusions but he hoped that the situation wouldn't end with Asia being hurt.
He didn't know Asia that well but her being best friends with his girl friend he knew he would have to deal with the aftermath in one way or the other.
Dior made a note to go see Chyna soon.
"Where Josiah all muscle no brain ass at?" Tari'q asked causing a laugh to escape from all the men in the room.
"Ion know. He said some bout not being in the mood. Imma check on him later" Ty replied after he came down from his laughter.
"Can't blame his ass he got two babymommas living under one roof and a kid he just met on top of that his sister fucking his friend" Ri'q listed out. "I wouldn't be in the mood too"
Dior sent him a look from the other side of the room. "You ever shut the fuck up?" After that time him and Isaiah almost got caught by Josiah and Ri'q he never heard the end of it.
I'm fucking her not the other way around. He thought to Isaiah and how low her stamina was and how she stayed running from him. Granted they haven't had sex many times but he planned on teaching her to keep up with him soon. He'd turn her into an addict just like he did Sage.
As if he had manifested her a text from her popped up on his phone screen. It was her asking to be picked up from work. Dior chuckled a little remembering how much she really didn't want to go today but proud that she stuck it out until closing time. It was only three but they closed early on weekends.
"Look at his simp ass. Smiling at texts and shit" Ri'q rolled his eyes salty at the fact that June wouldn't answer his texts.
"Come on" Dior stood up.
"For what?" Ri'q looked around confused.
"Let's fight" He waved him over.
"Bout damn time somebody kick his ass. All he do is talk shit" Stu instigated. He found the whole situation amusing.
"Shut the fuck you bald bitch" Ri'q flipped Stu off.
"You really wanna talk to the nigga with the clippers in his hand like that?" Stu raises an eyebrow.
"I ain't mean it like that Stu. I like that you bald it means you got more time to focus on my hair since you ain't got your own" Tari'q spoke with a serious face even though his voice said otherwise.
Stu busted out in laughter along with Ty who was nearly out of breathe. Dior simply shook his head and ran his hand down his face to conceal his own laughter. He couldn't stay mad at Tari'q even if he tried.
"I'm out yo" he said as he brushed a few stray hairs off his tee. "Remind Asia to make the reservations for me" he directed to Ty. He enlisted help from Asia for his and Isaiah's date in a few days since she knew her the best.
"Got you" Ty responded after coming down from his laughter. With that Dior was out and on his way to his girl.
* * *
Dior stood against his car in the empty parking lot waiting for Isaiah. His outfit today was very minimalistic as usual consisting of a white graphic tee along with a pair of cotton shorts and white Air Force Ones. He kept his usual letter A chain on top of a diamond encrusted Cuban link chain. His wrist held an Audemar Puiget along with a hair tie belonging to Isaiah that he kept for some reason.
Dior's leg bounced up and down awaiting the arrival of Isaiah who as usual was taking her own sweet time. Like any other mall this one was littered with teenagers most of which were young girls who couldn't keep their eyes off him.
His eyes shifted from the entrance of the large building to his phone even though he had nothing interesting in his screen.
Finally Isaiah's loud laugh could be heard from the distance. A familiar girl walked next to her before they hugged and went their separate ways. June to her car and Isaiah to Dior's.
He kept his eyes on her as she navigated the car filled lot. As usual she had a smile on her face showing off her baby blue braces that Dior loved.
"Hi papa" she smiled wider as she neared him. Dior slightly rolled his eyes at the new pet name she had for him. He pretended like he was bothered but actually he liked it.
"Wassup" he responded keeping it simple as he pulled her in by her waist instantly planting a peck on her lips.
"You look so cute" she cooed at him as she placed her hands in his face turning it to see the sides of his head.
"Cute?" He scrunched up his face. "Don't play with me Isaiah" he lightly smacked both her hands away from his face.
"I'm playing with you" she laughed at his reaction. "Why didn't you send me pictures like I asked?" She shoves his shoulder a little.
"I forgot" he shrugged. Really he just didn't like taking pictures. "Don't ever call me no damn cute" he playfully warned her.
"My bad papa" she fluttered her eyes innocently placing her hands back on the sides of his face. "How bout handsome, fine as hell or maybe edible?" She flirted placing a peck on his lip at the end of every suggestion.
"I'm fucking with that last one" he smirked.
"Of course you would you horn dog" she playfully rolled her eyes. Before he could get a chance to reply his phone went off he checked it to see a notification from the car security company saying that the emergency alarm from his Mercedes G Class went off. The same car he let Sekani use.
The location of the car was also automatically sent to his phone. He noticed that it wasn't too far from where he grew up. He was unusually calm about the situation until a text from Sekani popped up on his screen not too long afterwards.
Sekani
I fucked up.
Instead of replying to him he slid the phone back into his pocket.
"Let's dip" he said to Isaiah as he opened the door for her.
"What's wrong? Is everything okay?" She quizzed him seeing the look of annoyance etched on his face.
"Come on bruh lets go" he rushed her dismissing her questions.
"Bipolar ass" Isaiah mumbled under her breathe as she entered the car anyway.
Imma fuck him up. Dior thought to himself as he walked around the to the other side of the car.
•••
Heyyyyyyyy💛
I know it's been a while y'all but I came back with 5156 words😭 that should mean something right😊
Look writers block is a hoe on top of that I had to write half of this chapter over again cause I didn't sync it before my other phone broke😭
But enough with the excuses. How y'all been?
I've been horrible. I want the year to end already.
How do we feel about...
Adore wanting to leave with Micah?
Sekani and Magic?
Tyrone and his situationship?
Dior's little talk with Lisa?
June? Are we still not feeling her?
Dior and Isaiah?
Make sure you leave a vote and drop a comment also it wouldn't hurt to follow me💛
Next chapter will be...interesting to say the least.
I asked who y'all think my fave is a few chapters ago so imma give y'all my answer.
It's Dior. I just love how complex he is. There's so much to him than what he portrays.
I know y'all didn't ask but that's a big reason why him and Isaiah attracted each other. As we know Dior has a lot of trauma that we know of and that we're still unaware of. Isaiah has what is called a healing spirit so naturally she attracts "broken" people. So aside from the physical attraction that's where their initial connection started.
Cause y'all think about it he been fucking with Sage for years now and never felt any type of feelings for her but here comes Isaiah out of nowhere and suddenly he's open for a relationship.
Soon we're gonna see how that works out for them *evil smirk*
(Note:I'm tryna have at least two chapters before I post the next update so that might take a while but no more than two weeks maybe even one)