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To be honest, I enjoyed being able to travel freely and buy whatever I need, but I had no desire to spend my money recklessly. When you’ve grown up in poverty, it changes your mindset. Some people get money and blow it trying to impress the people around them, and there were others who were traumatized by the struggle and had a fear of going back. I fell under the latter category.

I didn’t want to get too comfortable or cocky only to wake up with nothing. I invested my money and saved where I could. My family teased me for the stockpiles of cleaning supplies and hygiene products I kept saved in my place. They didn’t understand that it was a trauma response from when a nigga used to have to wash up in a gas station bathroom. My pantry stayed fully stocked with instant ramen noodle packs because I could still remember the sound of my stomach growling after the third day with no food. While I was grateful to have money, I would never worship it or put it before the people and things I loved the most.

A smirk spread across my face when I saw the incoming FaceTime from Honesty. She always seemed to call at the right times, when my mind began to wander to things I tried to put behind me.

“What’s up, Honey Bee?”

I held the phone up as I waited for the camera to adjust. When her face appeared in the camera, all I could do was laugh because baby girl was lit.

“Hey, baby. I miss you so much,” she said with slurred words.

“Are you having a good time? How was the concert?” I inquired. I saw it was a packed show, which didn’t surprise me. D-Roc and Bankroll Keyz were two major artists, and the city showed up for them. There were videos online that showed how crowded the stadium was, and it made me regret not going. Phoenix was scheduled to perform in New York, and tonight was the only free day she had to record. If I had known her ass would be late, I would have gone to the concert.

“It was amazing, baby. Keyz and D-Roc turned the city up, but they were missing one thing.”

“Oh, yeah? What was that?” I asked, with my attention focused on her pretty face. She might have been drunk, but my lady would always be the prettiest woman on the planet.

“You. I already know you would have been the perfect addition to their lineup. I would have paid extra to see your sexy ass on stage with your shirt off.”

I laughed at her goofy grin.

“You’re so pretty, mamas. I can’t wait to get home so I can lay up with you?”

“I wish you were here right now. I’ve been drinking, and I’m horny. I want to ride that dick until I fall asleep.” Honesty cooed into the phone.

My dick twitched in response to her declaration, and it was in that moment I remembered where I was. I discreetly adjusted myself and then cleared my throat.

“Alright, baby. I’m still in the studio. I’m gonna call you when I get ready to leave. Make sure you answer and be safe. My flight doesn’t leave until the morning, but if I need to I’ll be on the first thing smoking.” I told her. Spinz normally met me somewhere closer to home, but because he was out of town, Phoenix and I traveled to him.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, baby. Free and Shun are here with us, and we have a driver to take us home. I’m going to your house tonight, so I can sleep in your bed and dream that you’re next to me. Hopefully, by the time I wake up, my dreams will come true.”

The smile on my face couldn’t be hidden even if I tried. Honesty brought out a soft side I never knew existed, and surprisingly, I didn’t mind it. She brought both excitement and peace to my life.

“Alright, baby. Well, I’m about to get back to work, but I love you. I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you more. I know you’re over there making magic, so I won’t to interrupt. Be safe.”

“You too, Honey Bee. Don’t get your ass into any trouble that I have to get you out of. You’re supposed to be making me look good. We can’t both be out there wreaking havoc.” I teased her.

“I’ll try my best, but I can’t make any promises. Besides, you’re not my pretend boyfriend anymore, so I don’t have to worry about losing you to a real girlfriend.” She snickered.

“You never had to worry about that anyway. Real or fake, I was never gonna let you go. Goodnight, baby.” I chuckled as I watched her, Triniti, and River dancing outside.

“Hey, cousin-in-law!” River shouted into the camera with the same drunken stance as her cousin.

“What’s up, River?”

“Nothing, we came out here to get your girl. Y’all have every day to suck each other's faces off and live in one another’s skin. She’s ours tonight.”

“I’m good with that. Just make sure y’all take care of my baby.”

“She’s always good with us. You must have forgotten that she was ours before you swooped in and snatched the bestie title from us.” River playfully rolled her eyes.

“Yeah, well, you might as well get over it because she’s mine forever. I’m willing to share, though.”

“Alright, baby. We gotta go. I love you.” Honesty blew me a kiss before she hung up. I chuckled at River’s comment. They all joked about how I stole Honesty away from them when I moved in, but they had no idea just how much of a role she played in my life.

When I first moved in with my sister, I was still trying to recover from living on the streets as well as losing someone close to me. There were so many emotions bottled up inside of me; I couldn’t figure out what to do with them all. I pushed my siblings away because they were the only people who could make me feel anything, until I met her. Honesty never gave up on me, even when I tried to push her.