Love Games

05|| The Ride

🦋Amina

1 month later

In the past month, my life has been a non-stop party with Ivy, Jo, Josh, Aries, and East. The idea of the party ever ending seems foreign to them. Now, I find myself sneaking out of Jo's place at the ungodly hour of 4 am. The plan? Convince them I'm skipping town for a few days just to catch a break from the never-ending celebrations. You might be thinking, why not just tell them you're tired? Well, I've tried that, and it only resulted in Jo, Aries, or Ivy dragging me out of bed. I've had my fill of booze, and being around them doesn't make it any easier.

Trying to be as quiet as a mouse, I weave through the condo tiptoeing, assuming everyone is asleep in one of Jo guess rooms. But my stealth mission hits a snag – a deep voice startles me, and I let out a tiny yelp I quickly smother over covering my mouth .

"You sneaking out?" East chuckles, catching me red-handed.

I nervously giggle back. "I was trying. Guess I'm caught."

Concern flashes across his face. "How you getting home? Didn't Ivy drive you?"

"I was gonna Uber it once I hit the lobby."

"Fuck no, it's dangerous out there," East declares, walking to the counter and grabbing his keys. "I'll bring you, come on," he offers, already holding the door open.

I stand still, ready to protest. "I think I got it; I'm a grown woman."

"Amina, I said come on," he demands, his voice so compelling that my legs move on their own.

But as we hit the exit, a sudden hesitation creeps in. "Hold up, on second thought, I'm good. The Smurf hasn't bothered me in a month, and I don't want any drama."

East smacks his lips, his response assured. "I'll handle it if she does. Now, come on," he insists, leading the way to his sleek Jaguar in the dimly lit parking garage. I can't help but appreciate the smooth lines of the car as I slide into the seat and buckle up.

"What do you like to listen to?" he asks, offering me his phone.

I shake my head. "Just play your music. I'm all over the place – country, K-pop, R&B – you name it." I chuckle, acknowledging the eclectic mix that fills my playlist, a product of my suburban upbringing.

"Nah, now I really want to hear what you're into," he presses, shoving the phone into my lap. I take it, queuing up my recent favorites, a blend of Summer Walker and 21 Savage.

He turns down the radio mid-song. "I vibe with this. You were scared to play this?" he questions as we merge onto the freeway.

"I guess " I respond with a casual shrug. Turning towards him, I note, "You know, this is the most you've ever talked."

He laughs, a sound I find unexpectedly captivating. "That's 'cause I stay high, thinking about other shit, and you always hide behind Ivy and Aries," he teases.

"Not true. I always chat with Jo and Josh, and what's his name? The tall boy with dreads."

"Drew? My brother?" He smirks,

I gasp, turning to him. "That's your brother? Like, your blood brother?" I ask, shocked and curious.

He shakes his head. "Yeah, same mom and dad."