Certified Lover Girl

21.

Fallon
Thanksgiving

"Did you even invite him to dinner?" Sevyn asked.
"Nope because I don't reward bad behavior." I said.
"He is not your student Fallon. He is your best friend."
"Well he should have acted like it, instead of how he did his first time meeting my boyfriend." I said.
"We didn't even know he was your boyfriend Fallon. To me and Jon you were just standing us up for three months to be up under him but we didn't know it was that serious."
"And in that small amount of time he got a boyfriend too and I knew nothing about it." I defended myself.
"But I did and he was trying to tell you. But you've just been distant Fallon. You have to see that."
"Whose side are you on? Because after you played me in front of Rico like that it should be mine."
"How did I play you?"
"With Alec. I put you on with Rico and he saw y'all together and probably thinks I knew about it."
"You really need to grow up Fallon. What's understood between me and Rico doesn't need to be explained. He still fucking around with his baby mom, and if you had been present these past few months you'd know that." She said as the front door swung open and Fabian stepped out.

"Granny said y'all better had squashed your beef, because dinner is ready." He said to us.
"There is no beef." We said in unison.
"Then come inside so we can get ready and eat."
"You can go ahead, I'm waiting on Josiah." I said.
"Already starting out on the wrong foot he's late." Fabian said as he helped Sevyn up.
"He's coming from Austin get your panties out a bunch." I said. Ignoring me they went in the house as I sat on the porch. Scrolling through my twitter I heard footsteps causing me to look up. It was Rico, his baby mom Gia, and Trey. As well as Rylan and Averi.
Giving Rico a side hug I took a seat.
"Fallon." Averi said with a smug smirk.
"Rylan's girlfriend." I said smirking back, causing hers to drop. As they went in the house. Me and Rylan didn't even make eye contact.

Going back to my phone I heard an engine roar down the road causing me to look up as Josiah's Challenger pulled in the driveway.

Hoping out he walked towards me pulling me into an embrace.
"Sorry I'm late." He said into my hair.
"It's okay." I said kissing his lips. "Listen, I want to apologize in advance for anything they may say. And to please don't look at me differently for their lack there of." I said.
"I would never babe." He said as we walked hand in hand in the house.

Going in everyone sat around the table looking in our direction. Rolling my eyes, I began to introduce him.
"Granny this is Josiah, Josiah this is my grandmother Gladys." I spoke.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." He spoke as she pulled him into a hug.
"Pleasures mine sweetie sit down." She said as we took our seats.
"Granny the only one at this table Fallon?" My dad asked starring a hole into Josiah's face.
"Josiah this is my dad, Greg." I spoke.
"Nice to meet you sir." Josiah spoke.
"Wish I could say the same."
"Dad." I said through clinched teeth.
"My brother Fabian and his girlfriend Nala." I said.
"Don't disrespect your nephew." Fabian said.
"And their son Jace." I said rolling my eyes.
"You remember my best friend Sevyn." I said and Gia, and Averi snickered causing me to look that way. Beefing or not I would beat some ass behind my baby Sev with no hesitation.
"That's Rico and his baby mother. And his brother and his girlfriend, and you remember Trey." I said smiling at Trey.
"Aye guh don't play with me."Rico said.
"Rico is my brothers best friend; and like a big brother to me." I said sweetly. "And Rylan is his brother."
"And her first love." Averi said. Which caused Rylan to look at her, and Josiah to look at me.
"Alright alright, enough. Let's bless the food."
My granny said. Grabbing hands with my dad and Josiah I bowed my head as my grandma blessed the food.

"Amen." We all said as we began to build our plates.
"Where is my baby Jontavious?" Granny asked.
"He wasn't invited because Fallon been acting an ass to everybody since she got a boyfriend." Rico said.
"And I wonder who told you that Rico." I said looking between him and Sevyn as Gia shifted in her seat.
"Is that true Fallon?" My dad asked.
"Of course not." I said. "I've been working."
"And in Austin every other weekend." Sevyn said taking a bite of her turkey.
"With all due respect it wasn't my intention to steal so much of her time." Josiah said.
"Oh yeah so what exactly are your intentions?" Fabe asked. "Cus we don't need no more of these around here." He said pointing to Jace.
"Fallon ain't having no babies." Rylan said causing everyone including myself to look at him.
"Everyone knows she doesn't want kids." Sevyn said saving the conversation.
"So what you do for a living Josiah?" My dad asked.
"I'm in my last year of college at UT, and then I'm going to the NBA." He responded causing me to smile.
"And what about Fallon when that happens?" Rico asked.
"You gone drop her to chase after your dream?"Fabian asked.
"Nah not at all. I was actually going to ask her to go with me." Josiah said causing me to choke and naturally look at Rylan who was starring a hole in my face.
"She has her own career. I can't see her uprooting her whole life to follow behind a man. That's not like Fallon." My granny said.
"Who knows maybe I need a new scenery." I said shrugging.
"You can't be serious." Rylan said.
"It's rude to talk across the table. Talk to the bitch next to you." I said.
"Fallon Leilani Smith." My granny scolded.
"I'm sorry granny but y'all not about to keep grilling Josiah. He's my boyfriend. And I don't appreciate the interrogation y'all are giving him." I said.
"He should have tough skin, if he's going to be my baby girls boyfriend." My dad said.
"And I do." Josiah spoke.
"So can we please talk about something other than us?" I asked. Everyone seemed to engage in their own conversations.

****

"Thank you for coming." I said kissing his lips.
"Anything for you baby." He said. As my brother cleared his throat behind us. Rolling my eyes, he, Rico and Rylan sat on the porch smoking while watching us.
"Call me when you make it home." I said.
"I got you mama." He said, getting in his car. When the door closed I turned to face the boys and Sevyn.
"I don't like him." Fabian said holding Jace.
"I don't like this mama nickname." Rico added.
"He's lame." Rylan added.
"Y'all just don't want to like him. But it's doesn't matter because I do." I said. "You ready to go Sev?" I asked and she nodded walking down the steps.
"That was interesting." She said once we got in the car.
"I wish Jon was here." I said.
"Call him and squash this shit then."
"I'll do you one better." I said backing out the driveway.

***

Knocking on the door.
"Who at my door?" He said.
"Your best friends." I said.
"I only have one." He said opening the door as his face came in view.
"Don't do that."I said.
"Didn't I tell you don't bring your friend to my door unless you wanna see her get beat up." He said with his hands on his hips.
"Beat me then Jon." I said chuckling.
Moving out the way he let us in.

Coming into his living room, I laughed because it was extra just like him.

"Now what can I do for you?" He asked sitting on the opposite couch from me and Sevyn.
"Forgive me." I said.
"For what?" He asked crossing his legs.
"Not being a very good best friend these past few months. I promise I will never become that distant again." I said.
"Especially not over a nigga like Josiah cus he is not all that." He said. Causing me to laugh.
"Now can I tell you about this thanksgiving dinner?" I asked.
"Oh yes honey spill the beans." He said as me and Sevyn began to tell him about the events from earlier today.