April
4 Months Later

"You can put that box over there." I pointed to the corner in my brand new living room.

Once Keith and I broke up, I decided to move out of my house. Mainly because I was tired of seeing Brittany and I needed a new start.

And with the way my money has been rolling in, a new house was nothing to buy.

After breaking up with him and having more time on my hands, I focused more on my brand. Mainly expanding it, getting my networking to the next level. Being focused on yourself can bring out a lot of good things.

My bundles are flying off the shelves! As soon as I restock it's gone. Now I'm getting ready to launch my own hair care line. Shampoos, conditioners, edge controls, hair treatments, flat irons, anything to do with hair, I'm going to sale. I've even been thinking about starting a lip gloss line.

Yes! I'm trying to make all the money!

Eventually, I want to leave Atlanta. Miami or LA would be my next location hopefully. Once I feel like my business is where I need it to be, I'll be on the first thing smoking out of this city.

As the movers brought in the last few boxes I started getting everything organized. My stuff has been locked up in storage for the past month while I stayed with Dion. I had to get out of his place ASAP! That man parties night and day.

I made sure to get all of my big furniture in this house first so that I wouldn't have to stay another day at his place and now everything is here and I can start putting my new palace together.

This house is double the size of my old one so I have to do a little furniture shopping. More guest rooms, bigger kitchen and living room. I'm kind of excited, it gives me another reason to be busy.

"That's the last box ma'am." One of the movers said, getting my attention.

"Perfect. I headed over to my purse and grabbed the last half of their payment. "Thank you so much."

"No problem, have a nice day." He walked out and shut the door behind him.

Standing in the foyer, I placed my hands on my hips and glanced around. I didn't know where to start first. Maybe I could go look for some more furniture, my old stuff is so blah, I'll just have Chris and my dad throw it in the basement.

Grabbing my phone I dialed Dion. He's really been my go-to person since I broke up with Keith. His craziness keeps me from thinking about the nonsense.

"Hello darling." He answered.

"Hey, you busy?"

"I'm just leaving the shop, what's up?"

"I really want to go furniture shopping and I'd love for you to go with me."

"Id love to. I want to see this new place anyway. Send me your address."

"I will and maybe afterwards we can order some food and get a bottle of champagne to celebrate my new place."

"You had me at food, text me the address, hurry!"

"Okay, okay." I hung up and sent him the info.

Dion pulled up 20 minutes later.

"Oh my god, biiiiiitch, this is beautiful!" He said while walking inside.

"Thank you! You don't think it's too much."

"No, this is perfect for you April. You deserve this and so much more."

"Awww thanks babes. Come on let me give you a quick tour and then we can head out."

After showing him around, we left and headed downtown.

"I know you're going to get super lonely in that big ass house." Dion said.

"That's what I got you for!"

"We gotta find you man."

"No, no, no. Im good. I told you I'm focusing on myself, I have too much going on in my life. The last thing I want or need is another no good nigga breathing down my neck."

"I said a man, not a no good nigga. You need to go browse around that new neighborhood and find you a doctor or a lawyer. Stop messing with these hood rats."

"Being a Doctor and a lawyer doesn't stop a man from being no good. I wanna enjoy the single life. So far it's been amazing and I'm really enjoying it. No stress, no drama, I'm just making my money."

"Can't knock that."

"No you can't."

"I must say I'm very proud of you April. You're truly an amazing woman. A lot of people have tried to stop your shine but you always end up on top."

"Thank you bitch." I stuck my tongue out, causing him to laugh.

"But I do need to know."

"What?"

"Do you miss Keith?"

I rolled my eyes. "At times but he did me so bold. I miss the dick the most though."

"Y'all stayed fucking in that back office though."

I gasped and hit his arm. "How did you know?!"

"I'm nosey bitch and ain't nobody stupid. I don't know who was worse, you or Chris! I felt sorry for every person that sat in that chair after his lunch break and Sabrina stopped by because most likely it was dried up cum on that seat."

"Yuuuuuck! And I'm nothing like those two! They didn't care who heard or saw. I thought nobody knew about what I did in the office but when you want it, you want it."

"I hope Brittany is giving him hell."

I shrugged. "I don't even care....anywaaaaaay, I kind of want to move the shop."

"Really?! Where?"

"I don't know but it won't be anytime soon. But I want to find a space where I can give my brother a full shop. I know he's tired of that small area and he'll be able to make so much more money if he has a full shop to himself."

"I think he'd like that. I know he's tired of dealing with beauty shop."

"Yeah, I'm going to talk to him about it tomorrow. We probably won't do anything until their baby is born which is really soon. But he needs his own space."

"You really trying to take over the hair world huh?"

"I am. It's time to build my empire honey."

"I know that's right boo."

Keith

Sitting in my truck, waiting for Brittany to come out the house, I stared down at the for sale sign in April's yard.

I can't believe she moved. I haven't seen or heard from her since that day at the shop.

And I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss her.

Some days I want to go up to her shop. I ride past there every once in a while, but I can't even build up the courage to face her. They way I did things was wrong. So much shit was going on around that time, my mind was all over the place.

But it's too late to fix shit now. Brittany's back around and she really don't plan on leaving again.

The passenger door opened and she climbed inside.

"How's this outfit? Is it too much to meet your mom?" She asked.

"You look nice relax." Placing my truck in reverse, I pulled out the driveway and headed to my moms.

Yeah, I'm letting them meet each other. I've been regretting this all day but it's too late to back out now.

"I really hope she likes me Keith! This is so important to me."

"Brittany, chill. My mom is cool. She's going to like you."

"What about your little sister?"

"Kayla isn't around much."

She was given probation for her false police report and the judge suggested therapy. Now she's away at college and doesn't come home much. I'm not eager to see her so I really don't care.

"Oh...well after tonight, I'd love for you to meet my daughter. Her name is Skyler and she's so adorable. She's my everything."

I gave her a side eye. She's always up under me, I honestly forgot she even had a daughter.

"Yeah, we can do that one day." Im not a rush to play step dad.

The rest of the ride was quiet, thankfully. When we pulled in my moms driveway her leg started shaking.

"April, seriously chill out."

Her head snapped my way. "What did you call me?!"

"Brittany, I meant Brittany. It slipped, sorry."

"Whatever." She climbed out the car and I followed behind her and we headed inside.

"Ma!" I yelled.

"I'm coming!" She yelled back. Eventually she came where we were. "Hey Keith."

We hugged. "Ma, I want you to meet Brittany. Brittany this is my mother, Jennifer."

Brittany reached for a hug but my mom quickly took her hand.

"It's nice to meet you." Brittany said.

"Yeah....lets go to the dinning room." My mom said.

I exhaled while rubbing the back of my neck. This is about to be awkward.

"It smells amazing in here." Brittany complimented.

"Thank you. Let's eat."

We all sat down and fixed our plates.

"Soooo Keith, another girlfriend huh?" My mom said.

"Yeah Ma."

"What do you do for a living Brittany?"

"Umm, I work at AOD as a server and a cashier." She answered.

"Wow, from a business owner to a cashier."

I started coughing.

"Keith! Stop eating so damn fast!" My mom yelled.

"I'm sorry."

"This is just to pay for school and help take care of my daughter. Hopefully I'll be doing something different soon." Brittany said while patting my back.

"Wait did you say daughter?"

"Yes, I have a three year old."

"Wooooow, interesting."

"Ma, can you chill?"

"I haven't done anything Keith. I'm just trying to get to know the girl."

"Are you really?"

"Yes."

I shook my head and kept eating.

"Speaking of April Keith, have you saw her recently?" My mom asked.

"Nobody said anything about April." I tossed my fork.

"I thought I heard you say her name. But since were talking about her, I saw her at a furniture store. She's glowing and I can't wait for her to do my hair. She showed me pictures of her new house and it is beautiful."

"I'm going to go use the bathroom." Brittany got up from the table.

"Straight down that hall, third door on your right." My mom gave her fake smile.

"I can't believe you Ma."

"I can't believe you brought her to meet me! She's the reason you aren't with April."

"Stop acting like April was the best girlfriend cause she wasn't!"

"Well y'all damn sure had me fooled. I can see it in your face you're just settling. Never ever settle Keith! You'll always be unhappy. I'd rather see yo ass be single."

"I'm happy where I'm at. Brittany's going to be around for a while and I don't need you bringing up my ex."

"This is my house. I'll bring up whoever I please."

"And this is why I don't come around! It's always something with you."

"Watch who you bring to my house next time." She grabbed her plate and went upstairs.

I groaned and sunk down in my seat.

Brittany eventually came back. "Where'd your mom go?"

"Upstairs. I'm sorry about that."

"It's cool, I know I'll never be as perfect as April."

"Don't listen to my mom alright. As long as we good that's all that matters to me. Alright?"

She nodded.

"Head out to the car, I'll be out in a second."

"This was the fastest dinner I've ever been too." She laughed while grabbing her things and heading out.

I sat there for a minute trying to recollect what the fuck just happened, when something caught my eye on my moms fireplace. I got up and went over to it.

It was a picture of me her and April from six flags. We all looked happy.

Guilt rushed over me. Ive been trying to paint her as the bad guy when she ain't even that.

But I have no choice but to continue moving on.

Man I fucked up!