Fireworks 1 and 2

Chapter Sixty-Nine

   The following weeks were amazing. Drake took Mia out on several dates. They had long talks at night, worked together and bonded during the day. They wrapped the writing and most of the recording of the album. There were some things he said he wanted to tweak. They spent a solid week just enjoying each other. Flirting, kissing, falling harder for each other.

    And she'd thought she'd met all of his crew, or at least most of it. But whenever she turned around there was another unfamiliar face coming over to visit, or joining in when the crew went out. She finally met Drake's god-daughters, Sade and Spirt - the two most adorable little girls she'd ever seen. Full of energy, full of spunk and personality.

    She took a few days to visit Bri, who'd finally admitted to Shawn that she was pregnant. It had not gone well. Those few days were filled with a lot of tears, a lot of emotions. A lot of hugging her friend, and feeling relieved that she'd taken the time to visit home. She comforted Bri the best she could, assured her that Shawn would come around even though she couldn't be certain that would be the case.

    When the day came for Mia to return back to Calabasas, she turned to Bri. "Come back to California with me."

    Bri lifted an eyebrow. "What? No. A girl can only party so much. Just being awake makes me feel exhausted. Just thinking about those parties makes me feel exhausted."

    "There aren't as many parties," Mia promised. "We're all just...chill now."

    Bri laughed. "You're all chill, huh?" she collapsed on the couch and leaned her head back.

    "I want you there with me, and you shouldn't be here by yourself," Mia said, looking around the apartment Bri shared with Shawn, the apartment that he'd left temporarily so he could get his head together.

    Bri shook her head and rolled her eyes. "How did I get into this mess?"

    Mia sat down next to her. "Come back with me. I miss you."

    Bri arched a glance at her friend. "When I'm around you two, I feel like a third fucking wheel."

    "I'll set aside more girl time," Mia said, poking out her bottom lip.

    It took a lot more cajoling, but eventually Bri rolled her eyes. "Ugh, fine. Okay."

    Mia didn't hesitate in pulling out her cell phone and calling Drake to tell him that Bri would be returning with her. He was all for it.

    A long flight and a long chaufeurred ride later, and Mia was standing outside of Drake's estate. Again. With Bri at her side. Again. It was crazy how this place already felt like home.

    Another car pulled up behind the car Mia and Bri had arrived in.

    Mia turned around and shaded a hand over her eyes.

    The second limousine remained parked for several minutes before the chauffer opened the driver side door and walked around the front of the car. He tipped his head in Mia's and Bri's direction as he proceeded to walk the length of the car. He opened the back door.

    A shapely, light-skinned leg spilled out of the car. Mia worried that it was Vanessa, but the leg was thicker, a lot more shapely than Vanessa's. Mia narrowed her eyes as a short, pretty, light-skinned woman stepped out of the car.

    "Who's this bitch?" Bri muttered, also shading a hand over her eyes to help block the bright, California sun.

    The woman, dressed in a black, knock-out, knee-length dress, approached them, flipping her mid-length, coiled curls behind her shoulder. "Hello, ladies," she greeted with a polite smile.

    "Hello," Mia returned, extending her hand.

    The woman accepted Mia's hand and shook it briefly, before drawing her hand back. "I'm looking for Aubrey. Is he here?"

    "I haven't gone inside yet, but I believe he is here," Mia responded. "My name is Mia. You are...?"

    The woman laughed, a light, tinkling sound. "Oh my God, I'm so rude. I go by the name of Free. I'm Aubrey's fiance."

    Mia pursed her lips shut.

    Bri turned her back to the woman. "Oh lawd, where the fuck is my popcorn? I can't...I just can't...not with this shit. Not today. Jesus, fix it."