{Rodeo Drive}
Beverly Hills, California
September 28, 1981
Indigo was in town for an away game with the Jaguars. Which was great because she could spend time with her best friend. The two decided to have some fun with a little shopping.
"Girl I'm jealous you get to be here LA!" Indigo said carrying several shopping bags. "I'm stuck in cold-ass New York."
"You like cold ass New York remember?" River reminded her teasing.
"Yeah, I do when I see that check come in my direct deposit." The two laughed. "Have you seen the tabloids?"
"You know I don't look at that stuff. It's not good for your health."
"It's nothing bad Riv. Everyone is talking about you and Michael. I think you're the fan favorite. You guys killed that first routine."
"Thanks" River smiled. "Hopefully the fans will keep us in the competition to the end. Michael's been working hard at rehearsal. I think we have a shot at winning."
"You're going to win I do not doubt it. People love your chemistry. They have an article saying that you and Michael are hooking up outside the show." River rolled her eyes. The press likes to make up stories to make money.
"You know that ain't true. Michael's girlfriend is already upset with me. This isn't going to make it better."
"Wait did she say something to you?" Indigo looked at her.
"No" She shook her head. "Michael told me they got into an argument about me. She thinks I'm trying to steal Michael from her. I would never do that."
"I know you're not like that. That sounds like her problem, not yours." Indigo shrugged her shoulders. "She's the one who's insecure."
"I think the problem is that Michael and I are exes. She's afraid that I may try to make a move on him." That wasn't her intention at all. "We dated ages ago but I can understand why it may bother her. Would you want your boyfriend to be hanging around his ex all day?"
"Honestly I wouldn't love it," Indigo admitted. "At the same time, I have to trust my man. Like you said you and Michael were kids. She needs to get over that and move on. I think she's just jealous of you."
"Why? She's beautiful and has a successful career as a pastry chef." River couldn't understand why Nova would be jealous.
"You know women are petty like that. You and Michael were each other first for everything pretty much. She's probably pissed that it wasn't her."
"That shouldn't matter because Michael is with her now."
"Yeah, but women are petty like I said. She doesn't matter anyway Riv. Now let's stop talking about her. We have more stores to hit." The two linked arms as they continued to walk down the street.
Across the street, Nova and Ashley were shopping too. Maybe this was a coincidence. "Girl I needed retail therapy. I have been stressed out with all this mess." Nova said with a sigh.
"I know and these rumors are swirling around right now," Ashley stated causing Nova to turn to her.
"What rumors?"
"People are saying that Michael and River are getting close. People are saying they are a cute couple."
"You've got to be kidding me?" Nova rolled her eyes.
"It only gets worse Nov. They are saying the two of them are hooking up. I don't believe that of course."
"Ugh, people always making up stuff. I know Michael wouldn't do that to me. I don't trust River pushing herself onto him."
"Yeah, she's with him several times a week. You saw their first dance last week."
"I know" Nova sighed. "Michael's so excited to go to rehearsal every week. I'm proud of him. I can't shake the feeling that River is going to do something. You won't believe what I walked in on."
"What?"
"I went to Michael's house to surprise him and guess who was there." She paused. "River"
"Girl what?!" Ashley couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, she was there with him in the pool. She had a bikini on in front of my man. The whole family was in the back."
"She playing with fire."
"Michael was having a good time." Her face twisted in disgust. "He must have invited her over to hang with him. I don't get why he has to spend time with her outside of the show. He didn't tell me a damn thing, Ash."
"River overstepped her boundaries. If he invited her over she should have said no. You're his girlfriend River is his ex. It sounds like she doesn't know her place."
"She shouldn't have a place anywhere near him. It's bad enough she has to touch him when they dance." Nova grew more irritated by the second. "I know Michael loves being on the show so it's not like I can stop him."
"Maybe you should go with him to the show this week. That way you'll be able to keep an eye on the situation. There's only so much she could do with you being there." Nova smiled at Ashley. The girl could come up with some good ideas when she needed it.
"You understand me so well."
"You know I got you, Nova. We're not gonna let this bitch try anything. You're the one who's winning Nov. You have Michael now and she doesn't. She wishes she could be in your shoes right now."
"You're right" Nova knew she had Michael and that's what matters. "There's no way that River will be getting Michael back. She had him when he was a boy and I have him now as a man."
"He's one of the biggest stars right now. He's taking you to all of the award shows and parties." Ashley explained. "You've known Michael way longer than River. You both known each other since you were kids. You know him more than she does."
"Yeah"
"What River needs to focus on is getting a man of her own. It's not cute trying to touch something that doesn't belong to her."
"She won't I'll make sure of it."
