r.e.m

loose control.

"Problem is I want your body like a fiend, like a bad habit
Bad habits hard to break when I'm with you"

"Aight, everyone gather around, gather around," Jasai says, sitting at the round table next to Jazelle. The moment our eyes meet, my heart skips a beat. It's like we're in sync without even trying, and we can't help but smile at each other. It's been a few days since Tati left, and everyone knows about us now. To my surprise, everyone's cool with it. It seems like they're actually happy for us.

We're not official yet, but I plan on changing that soon. I know she's waiting for me to make the move, even though she tries to play it off like she's not.

I slide into the seat next to her and lean in, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. She blushes, and her hand finds mine, resting it in her lap.

"I'm not gonna lie, I was a little mad at first, but I totally ship this," Samiyah says, grinning at us from across the table. Jazelle shakes her head with a smile, squeezing my hand tighter.

Jasai clears his throat, ready to get down to business. "Aight, so I called you dumb mothafuckas in here 'cause I got a surprise for y'all."

"Damn, why we gotta be dumb though?" Flaco scratches his head, looking around for backup.

Jasai smirks. "It's been a minute since we did something fun, so I booked us rooms at the Hard Rock in Tampa. We gon' hit the casino, do some gambling, and maybe—just maybe—find a quick job if somethin' pops off." He rubs his hands together, his grin growing wide with that mischievous energy only he can pull off.

"That's what I'm talking about," Reese says, nodding approvingly. Flaco jumps up from his seat and starts dancing around the room like he just hit the jackpot.

Jasai laughs, "So, this weekend, pack ya bags! We out." He leans back, looking satisfied with himself. "Meeting adjourned."

As everyone filters out of the room, laughing and talking, it's just me, Jazelle, Jasai, and Samiyah left. Jazelle turns to me, her voice soft. "I'm gonna go pick up Gage from training. You coming?"

"I'll catch up with you in a minute," I tell her, brushing my lips against hers. "I just need to talk to Jasai real quick."

She nods, giving me one last look before heading upstairs to my room. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of what I'm about to do.

I walk cautiously over to Jasai and Samiyah, who are deep in conversation. I clear my throat, trying not to interrupt anything serious. "Hey, uh, Jai, can I talk to you real quick?"

Samiyah gives him a small nod, then smiles at me before excusing herself. The door closes behind her, and suddenly it's just me and Jasai.

"What's up?" Jasai asks, crossing his arms, his expression curious.

I rub the back of my neck, feeling a bit nervous. "I wanted to pick back up on that conversation we had a few days ago in your office, about my sister." I pause for a moment, gauging his reaction. "Not this weekend, but soon, I want to see if I can get my mom to sign off on her staying with me for a while, you know, until my mom gets better."