"King." he chided laughing to himself as if it was the funniest thing on Earth. By now his hands had escaped from his pockets and one was now resting on his chin. "So you really brought that clown around my son?" he asked again in disbelief.

"He wasn't no clown when he was your best friend so don't try to play on his top now." acknowledged Nikki giving him a stale face. It was one of her pet peeves when men spoke down on other men just because they had a fuel between them. And in this case King was unaware that their wasn't even bad blood between the two.

And it was all because of the beautiful brown-skin girl that they met at school.

When all three were in high school originally Nikki and KK were friends. She had knew him since ninth grade when they shared a math class together. They got assigned a project together and from their they hit it off. But just as friends never flirting or anything. He was a brother to her and she was a sister to him. A year later the two never took any classes together which caused them to look for other friends to hang with. That's when KK met King in his science class. Being boys they immediately hit things off and became cool.

Then came Junior year of high school. Nikki and King started to date which was something nobody really cared about. The three were friends and were enjoying each others company. King was aware that Nikki and KK were friends way before he came in the picture. See for awhile King felt like he never had to worry about anything happening between the two. And he didn't. That was until the most popular boy, Jamal hosted a party at his uncle's house and the whole school was invited.

They decided to hit up the party. It was just like any other teen party. The music was bumping, the place was packed, food everywhere, and of course illegal drinking was going on. Between the whole crew each person had at least two drinks so they were far from drunk. Not even tipsy. But what King didn't know was a week prior to the party KK and Nikki had hung out because King was busy at work. The two had so much fun and just enjoyed each others company but maybe just a little bit to much. The next day KK ended up kissing Nikki while they were at her house which lead to something else.

The two swore never to speak about it to a living soul especially King. Nikki couldn't bare to tell her boyfriend who she had swore herself to that she had gave it away to his bestfriend. And KK couldn't dare sit there and tell his friend that he had sex with his girlfriend. Fast forward to the party KK had been upstairs with some girl but just wasn't feeling her as much as a certain someone. That someone being Nikki. He couldn't stop thinking about her and the moments they shared.

King had drifted to the side and started a conversation with some other dudes he knew from his neighborhood. Nikki who was unattended stood in the kitchen sipping on the same cup she had been for the past thirty minutes. That's when she had got the text that would change everything forever. It was KK telling her to meet him upstairs. She lied to King that she had to use the bathroom and well I'm sure you know where things went.

Three weeks later and a missed period Nikki found out she was pregnant and it was for King's bestfriend. Surprisingly, KK was happy about the news at first until Nikki told him she loved King and not him. From that day KK started acting different with King and Nikki. He wanted them to be like her and King. But that wasn't what Nikki wanted.

KK held this anger against both of them for the longest and on the day that Nikki was suppose to leave and go to Texas KK leaked the video of him and Nikki from Jamal's party to everyone at school. Even King. And completely played it off like it wasn't him in the video that was piping down his own friends girlfriend. From that day King swore to never love again that was until he met Melanie who changed it all.

"What was he doing here? Y'all fucking?" snarled KK as he bit down on his bottom lip. He tilted his head to the side as if he was trying to really see if Nikki was being serious right now. "You still love that n**** or something." he continued this time getting in her face.

"Get out my face." warned Nikki as she pushed him away.

"What was y'all doing Nikki?"

"We wasn't doing anything. He came over to get the gas money I promised him for taking us home. We got into it that was all. You doing to much. You not my dude so don't be worried about what I'm doing." she said smartly rolling her neck.

"As long as I'm still fucking you, paying these bills, and helping raise our son then I'm your man." He reminded her walking back up to her. She squirmed around but it was to late KK had already snaked his hands around her basically trapping her in the tight space. "Look at me when I'm talking to you." he demanded using one arm to grip her face.

Nikki shook her head but he quickly made sure it stayed still. "If I ever catch him in this house or even so much around you or Trey its gonna' be a problem. Understand?" threatened KK releasing her face.

Nikki starred at him blankly with what seemed to be an angry expression but it wasn't. Sadly Nikki just found it to be attractive whenever KK got so defensive over her. She felt like her young self again when she had both boys dangling from her little string. Reaching over to grab her phone Nikki checked the time again. She had enough time to get done with what she wanted to get done with.

"Show me what you about then." flirted Nikki swiping her tongue along her bottom lip. She removed herself from being stuck on the counter and walked past him.

"You know I don't say to much." he joked following behind her.

________________

"About time you get here." Aaliyah complained as Nikki sat in her seat. She worked for an insurance company and to her it seemed to be an easy job. No more than six people on a shift, answered a few calls, took a couple payments, and then it was time to clock out.

"Aaliyah don't start." Nikki complained back laughing. Nikki had been cool with Aaliyah since she had started the job. She was actually the only one who was willing to train her since everybody acted all stuck up. The two started making small talk with each other and grabbing lunch together, and soon they became each others favorite co-workers. Loving when they were on shift with each other.

"Its cool I'll spare her cause I know she was with that little boyfriend of hers." Aaliyah said lowly nudging Nikki in her side as she laughed.

"Which one?" Trina asked sipping from her water cup that she faithfully brought everyday.

"Can I clock in without y'all being in my business?" Nikki wondered as she placed her thumb against the scanner. Reading her fingerprint a small white slip printed out afterwards. Whenever someone clocked in or out a small slip would print letting you know the time they came and how many hours they had so far.

"On a more serious note. Are you and Carter still coming to my engagement party?" Aaliyah asked taking a seat at her desk. Aaliyah had finally met her prince charming which actually turned out to be one of the customers. They met when Aaliyah had to do the afternoon shift. They closed at five and right at 4:54 p.m. came a short, light-skin man. He was dressed in an all white button down and light blue jeans. He wore white shoes to match but she couldn't remember what brand they were. She could see him looking hopelessly outside the door as he read the time printed across the door. Knowing the feeling Aaliyah let him and an accepted his payment. He explained how he was thankful for what she had done and would love if he could treat her to lunch.

She accepted and a year later he proposed on the same day that they met each other. Everything had now been planned for the wedding but they still wanted to enjoy the excitement of the parties which came with marriage.

Fixing her hair in her computer screen Nikki thought about it for a second. It would be nice for her and KK to go out and celebrate. "Yeah just let me know the date and time."

"I know you said stay out your business but girl what happened with you and the fine dark-skin." Trina asked raising her shoulders at just the thought of the picture that Nikki had showed them off the mystery guy's Instagram.

Nikki had almost forgotten that she had even told them about King. And she definitely knew he was still upset about the whole morning incident but that didn't mean she was done with him. "We're still good. He's just a good friend that I want to keep around. Nothing else." she explained shaking her head as she logged in. She felt that she had explained to much to them already.

"Well my vote is for the chocolate man." Trina suggested giving Nikki a you know wassup type of look.

"Please don't listen to Trina before you be on the Maury show." Aaliyah said shaking her head at her co-workers.

"I'm already there." Nikki said below a whisper.