All For Show

Safaree read over the press release that Paula had issued out soon after the tour was over. It was about the relationship between Nicki and him being one of just friendship and business. Nicki walked into the living room with two cups of coca. She placed one in front of him then reached for some marshmallows. She slid to the floor before going back to helping him sort out the papers that he had collected over the last few months. There was personal papers, articles, newsletters, love letters and all kinds of other papers. She grabbed a piece of paper that had December 03' at the top with Leslie next to it. Nicki frown then handed it to him. He grabbed it then looked down at her as if he had been busted. Nicki looked away and continued to sort out the papers.

"Nicki."

"It's fine."

"Okay." He said slowly still looking over at her. He instantly regretted being a man at that moment and not caring about her feelings.

"Faree! It's not fine! You guys are writing each other love letters! What about us?"

"I don't know..."

"You don't know, seriously? Thanks for crushing my heart!"

"Nicki, hear me out first, me and Leslie had been started back talking before I even knew you... I can't help that I love you both."

"Fuck you! You were just going to keep... You love me?"

She asked realizing what he said and the way he had said it. He helped her stand to her feet and pulled her onto his lap. He sighed then looked up at her as she looked down at him with her hair flowing over her shoulder into her lap. He brushed it back and tugged on it to keep it behind her ear. Her confused face made him love her even more. He pulled her face close and kissed her deeply when things began to pick up, he turned away.

"I do love you. A lot, yo. I just don't think this is our time. I Should've told you about Leslie, but I had already told you, I was over her so..."

"You lied? Kept it a secret."

"I didn't lie, I was over her.. But she contacted me and I kind of missed her plus you said you wanted Webb back..."

"I don't want him... I want you."

She stated with her head against his head. He wiped at her face that was frowned up with tears falling down it. He sighed then cleared his throat. 

"I don't know who I want and I'm not going to lie to you about it."

Nicki stood up and stormed out the room. She didn't understand what she didn't have that Leslie did. She grabbed a bag and began putting clothes in it as angry took over her body. He is really trying to play me for a fool like I'm dumb. He walked in and shook h the grabbed the bag from her hand and she punched his chest.

"Give me my bag!"

"You can't leave, yo."

"Yes, the fuck I can! Gimme my shit!"

"Nicki... Please?"

"What do you want from me?"

"I need you here.. Please."

"Why? Why?"

"You know why!"

"Ask Leslie!"

She snatched the bag from his hand and continued to pack as he stood and watched. He had told her that he loved her being around and that she made him feel good and the house feel like a home. She closed her bag and grabbed her keys then headed for the door. He grabbed her arm, but she snatched away and continued out the door. He followed behind her and watched her leave. He grabbed his phone and called Nan.

"She left."

"Safaree?"

"Nan, she left. I don't understand..."

"What happen?"

"She found out about Leslie."

"I told you, to tell her."

"How? She gets jealous even when I talk to a stranger female. This is a woman from my past, Ma."

"Safaree, you think that matters when she loves you? If you just would of told her up front, would you be sad right now? You think she'd be gone right now?"

"No, I fucked up.. She didn't have to leave."

He stated sadly and low. He dropped down into the seat and sank into it. He listened to her speak and lecture him. He was deeply in his feelings. He knew he owed Nicki his hundred percent, but Leslie was scratching at his back wanting to be back in. Plus, Nicki had said she wanted to remain friend because she was still talking to Webb. He listened to Nan as she began to talk to a female in her background. It was Nicki and she was crying. He frowned at her voice sounding horse. He grabbed his keys and hung up on Nan.

"Nan, why does he still love her?"

"Nicki, the same reason you still love Webb."

"I don't..."

"Nicki."

"Nan, but I don't love him like Faree loves her. He would go back to her!"

"Do you really believe that? Or are you just upset?"

She asked placing the phone down. Nicki sniffled then wiped her face. She didn't believe it but she didn't not believe it because it could be a possibility. The letter was detailed about love and hopefully getting back together. She wanted him to herself and Leslie could possibly have him back because he still loved her.

"Nan, I just need a break from him. He does everything for me and his love is everything to me and that's all I want. I don't want half of him. He's scared to love me because of her."

Nan didn't say anything because if was true. Safaree was scared, but Nicki was the first woman he loved since Leslie and the only woman he cared about since his mother departure from his life. Nan touched her face and rubbed her cheek.

"He loves you, I know this... I told you to give him some time."

"How much? I can't keep doing this.. I don't want to be in the friend zone anymore."

"You're rushing a beautiful thing. Calm down."

Nicki chuckled then placed her hand on Nan's cheek. She smiled then sighed heavily. They sat down and Nan fed her and calmed her down. Nan was sweet on her and loved her to pieces because unlike Leslie, she loved him and only him. There was no games when it came to her feelings and there was none when it came to his. Right now, he was just confused by Leslie's sudden return to his life. She was his first love and she would always be, but Onika was who he wanted to be with in the long run and his heart belonged to her. He was fighting it and he would continue to until Leslie leaves for good. Nan hoped that Nicki would put her foot down in time before it grew beyond them all.

Paula had called an emergency meeting at Safaree's house. Nicki hadn't been there in a week and really didn't feel like being there, but here she was sitting a ways from him as they both listened to Paula. Paula had opened her big mouth and told the media that they were dating. They both groaned when she told them that. Nicki didn't want to be around him and all he wanted was for her to come home. She looked up to see a picture of them hugged up in a frame over the fireplace. She started to smile until she thought about where they were right now with each other.

"Look, I know you guys are friends, but you could fake it for atleast two months then break up."

"Nope. I'm moving to Atlanta soon, so..."

"When did you decide that?"

He asked sadly. Paula frowned and everything seem to be coming back to her at once. She knew this scene, she knew it too well. Dave stepped back then over as she counted to herself. Nicki rolled her eyes at him then turned towards the wall.

"Yesterday, me and Webb have decided to get back together."

"You serious yo? Over that little shit from a week ago?"

"Little shit counts when it turns into big shit!"

"Calm down, Safaree... I told you about this!"

"Paula, fuck what happen to you! That had nothing to do with me!"

"But it effected our business! Our bond! Look at this shit..."

"PAULA YOU RUINED MY MOTHER'S MARRIAGE & NEARLY MY LIFE! This ain't the same!"

"Fuck you, you both can fuck off! I'm out and I'm puillng out the deal! When that little bitch runs out and leaves you... Don't call me!"

"Safaree, bruh, fix up.. All this shit for the show. You can't keep acting when your real emotions are showing."

He repeated what Nan had told them when they tried to pretend in front of her. She could see through them just like they could now see through each other. Webb, Dave and Safaree had all grew up raised by Nan. It was Nan who tried to keep them close their families even when then didn't want to be. Safaree looked over at Nicki and grabbed her hands.

"I'm sorry, just... Come home so I can fix it and we can be friends again."

Nicki snatched her hands away from him and stood up throwing her purse over her shoulder.

"Stop putting on this act as if you really give a fuck about me! This isn't a stage and I'm tired of the act... I'll be moving out this week."

She stated calming herself as she let out what was on her heart. She walked out the door. He watched her leave again, but didn't feel like chasing her. He would let her cool down then go after her. Right now, he had to make everything right starting with Leslie.