(A week later, Thursday, 5:30PM, LA)
The doorbell rings and I run downstairs, heading to the door and flinging it open. Papa stands there with his bags.
"Hey, Riley!" He says. I hug him, tears spilling down my cheeks. "I missed you." I say. Papa laughs. "I missed you too, sweetheart." He says. Maxine comes down the stairs. She looks over at Papa. "You're back, then." She says. Papa smiles. "Yep. Where are you off to?" He asks her. Maxine rolls her eyes. "Ashlee's. See ya." She pushes past him, heading out. I sigh. Papa looks at me.
"I take it she hasn't been the easiest while I was away, huh?" He asks me. I chew my lip anxiously. "Do you want my honest answer?" I say. He shakes his head.
(6:00PM)
Maxine walks in, sitting at the table. Papa smiles. "Thank you for joining us, Maxine." He says. Maxine rolls her eyes, sitting at the table. Dad smiles. "I'm glad we're having this family dinner!" Dad says. Maxine scoffs. "Can I go now?" She says. Papa sighs. "No, you cannot. You promised, Maxine." Papa tells her. Maxine scowls. "No, I didn't. I said that I would think about it, Dad!" Maxine says. Dad sighs. "Maybe we need to ban you from hanging out with your group. They are bad influences." He states. Maxine stands up. "No, they're not. They are the reason that my heart is still beating." She storms off upstairs. Papa sighs. "Babe. You cannot undermine me like that in front of her." He says to Dad. Dad rolls his eyes. "She's my daughter too, Joseph. Regardless of whether she's blood or not." Dad tells him. I sigh.
(The next day, 9:30AM)
Leo pulls me onto his lap, kissing my cheek. "You're biting your lip, mi amor." Leo says, nibbling at my neck. My breath hitches. "Baby..." My voice trails off. Leo smiles, gripping my hips. I blush, burying my face in his shoulder. Leo giggles. He lies down with me, hugging me tightly.
