“WHY CAN’T I JUST BUY THE WHOLE STORE!” Jaime screamed as we left the grocery store.

“Because we don’t have enough money for that, retard,” I laughed and loaded groceries into the car.

“Well groceries should be free. Maybe we should go on food stamps, then I can get what I want.” Jaime scoffed and closed the trunk.

“Because the government would allow a guy who makes a significant amount of money to go on food stamps....”

“You said we can’t afford the entire grocery store, and then you say I make a good amount of money....”

“Stop talking, eat the chips,” I scoffed and threw a bag of chips on Jaime’s lap as I drove towards our apartment. “Your turn to bring in groceries,” I smiled and popped the trunk for him.

“Well it’s a good thing that I am a big strong man who is capable of this,” he winked and grabbed all the bags at once, nearly fumbling his way towards the elevator of the apartment complex.

“You’re a mess, Preciado.” I shook my head, “Are you helping me cook tonight?”

“I’m a man, not a woman. I will watch television as you prepare supper for our guests.”

“That was the most proper, and yet insulting, sentence you have ever said,” I laughed as I unlocked our door and held it open for him.

“I try... I try...” he placed the groceries down on the counter. “And now I am off to perform my duties.”

“Watching tv?”

He grinned and walked off, “I have to take a shit first if you were wondering.”

I laughed, “I wasn’t.”

Two hours later, I had a full dinner prepared for the big PTV family and friends. Casey, Tony, Jaime, Mia, Jessie, Steph and even Alex were sitting at the table. Vic was helping me carry dishes out for everyone and setting all the food out on the counter. I had made crab linguine Italian style, with a big salad, mussels, and shrimp on the side. There was also a case of beers and a thing of Sangria sitting on the counter for anyone who wanted a drink. It felt like a typical family dinner that we’d been having for a while, but lately something... someone... had been missing.

I walked in the living room and turned the television off and spun on my heel to see Vic. “I guess Mike’s not coming again?”

“Nah. He said he has things to do.”

“Yeah... for the past three weeks he has yet to show up to any dinner, even if it is at your house.” I shrugged.

Vic sighed, “Did something happen between you guys that would make him avoid you? He comes around when everyone else is around, but when I say you’re going to be there he gets out of the situation as quickly as possible.”

“He’s just being himself, I guess,” I sighed.

“If Mike was being himself he wouldn’t avoid you, he’d be an asshole to you like he usually is. What happened, Rae?”

“Nothing happend, Vic.”

“Rae. I know it was you that night.” Vic shook his head, “I don’t know what’s going on between you and my brother, or what made it get to the point where he won’t be around you. But this is ridiculous.”

“It’s not my fault, Vic... And you obviously know what is going on between us so what’s the point of this conversation?”

“How long has this been going on?”

“A couple months now, I guess. It only happened a few times. And then there was that night that he spent the night here when he didn’t feel well, and we haven’t spoken since he stormed out of here.”

“What happened?”

“He complimented me and I told him that it was weird because we don’t compliment each other and he got all pissed off and walked out.” I sighed and cracked my knuckles. “Can we go eat now? I’m sure everyone’s wondering where we are.”

“Fuck,” Vic muttered. “Yeah, let’s go eat.”

We walked into the kitchen to find everyone chowing down on their food like animals.

“ABOUT TIME YOU JOINED US!” Casey yelled with a mouth full of linguine.

“That’s real attractive, Case,” I laughed. “And sorry, we had to talk, how’s the food guys?”

“GOOD!” Everyone yelled in unison and continued eating.

I grabbed a glass of Sangria, made my plate, and sat down with my big happy family, trying to put the conversation between Vic and I in the back of my head and just focus on having a great rest of the night. Dinner was successful, and I was able to talk Jaime and Vic into doing the dishes while the rest of us just relaxed in the living room and having some drinks.

“And then I’m sitting there laying in bed, and Tony walks in dressed in just a towel with a fucking storm trooper helmet on and starts going I’M GONNA FUCK YOU SO GOOD TONIGHT BABY,” Steph exclaimed as we all busted into laughter. Tony’s face was bright red. “I made him take the helmet off, obviously. I mean can you imagine how bad that would hurt if it fell off his head and like slammed into mine while we were getting it in? Holy hell.”

“You’d walk into work and they’d be like, how’d you get that bruise on your forehead. You’d be like, oh you know... fucking storm troopers ‘n’ shit,” I replied while taking a sip of my drink.

“Star Wars lifestyle, live on the wild side motha’ fuckas!” Tony yelled while throwing his arms out in front of him and doing some really bad “bloods” sign”.

Vic and Jaime walked into the room laughing, “Just hearing this conversation makes me wonder why I’m friends with any of you... let alone in a band with you, Tone,” Vic chuckled. “Let’s play a fucking game!”

“LET’S GO BACK TO HIGH SCHOOL AND PLAY NEVER HAVE I EVER!!!!” Mia exclaimed and everyone obliged. “Okay! I’ll go first.... never have I ever.... HAD ANAL!”

No one’s fingers went down.

“Dammit! I wanted to ask how it was!” Mia pouted. “Okay, Rae, you’re next!”

I smiled, “Alright. Never have I ever... ate ass!”

Casey and Mia both put a finger down.

“SICKOS!!!!” I bursted into laughter, as well did everyone else with comments about how they are salad eaters. “Okay, Tony... your turn!”

“Never have I ever... sucked a dick of a member of Pierce the Veil.” Tony smirked.

Steph, Jessie, and I all put a finger down.

“RAE BEAR!” Jaime’s jaw dropped.

“This is never have I ever, not twenty questions, Preciado.” I wiggled my finger at him.

Tony was staring at me like I was crazy, as was Alex. Mia was giving me a questioning look, and Casey was smirking at me like he had some idea.

“Okay, Okay... Casey, your turn!” Tony exclaimed changing the subject.

Casey smirked, “Never have I ever... punched one of Mike Fuentes’ girlfriends in the face.”

Of course, only my finger went down. Casey was totally out to sabotage me.

“Asshole,” I muttered.

“BEST DAY EVER!” Vic exclaimed. “Eliza got up in Rae’s face saying Rae wanted Mike and Rae was all BITCH PLEASE and then Eliza threw her drink on Rae and Rae fucking decked her.”

“And then her bitch ass got dumped the next day. Sleazy hoe,” Alex laughed and high-fived me. “Find one girl Mike’s been with that doesn’t hate you.”

“It just wouldn’t be life if they didn’t hate the queen,” I smirked and made the face of the bitch emoji.

“I WANT TO GO NEXT!” Jaime exclaimed. “Never have I ever... fuck me I forgot.”

We all started laughing, and then Steph decided it was her turn. “Never have I ever... kissed a Fuentes.”

“HEY!” Vic yelled.

Mia and I put a finger down.

“Haaaaaayyyy Vic,” Mia winked. “Best dare ever.”

“OH MY GOD WHEN MIKE GRABBED MIA AND SHOVED HIS TONGUE DOWN HER THROAT AT THAT PARTY OH MY GOD I FORGOT ABOUT THAT!!!!” Vic bursted into laughter. “Here I am wondering when we ever kissed and then I remember when Mike forced you.”

“And then I threw up,” I laughed. Which was completely true. “I was drunk off my ass, Mike picked me up and kissed me to piss me off, and the impact of being surprised was enough to make me run out the front door and puke everywhere.”

“Mike was so insulted,” Mia bursted into laughter. “I remember him going, ‘Did I really just make Rae throw up? That has never happened to me before.’” Everyone started laughing.

“What time is it?” Alex asked and I looked at my phone.

“It’s eleven... We have work in the morning,” I groaned. “I guess it’s time to bring the night to an end.”

“I love our Sunday Fundays!” Mia yelled, “GIRLS FOR LIFE! ALL OF US!!! STEPH, JESSIE, ALEX, RAE, VIC!!! DIVA POWER!”

“YEAH GIRL!” Vic did a hair flip.

We all said our goodbyes and everyone left the apartment. I locked the door behind everyone and threw the few beer bottles sitting around in the garbage before walking off to the bathroom and washing my face. I went into my room, leaving the door open behind me, and changed into my pjs. I turned to close the door and saw Jaime standing in the doorway.

“What, Jaime?” I huffed and crossed my arms across my chest.

“I’m not going to pester you. I just wanted to tell you goodnight.”

I smiled, “Good night, Hime-Time.”

He engulfed me into a huge hug, “Whoever... whatever... decision you made. I just hope it didn’t, or doesn’t, wind up with you hurt. Or I may have to kill my drummer.”

“Jaime!” I pulled away.

He shook his head and smiled, “Obviously if you slept with someone it’s Mike. I’m not dumb, Rae-Rae.” He poked my nose, “And obviously something’s up since he hasn’t been around in weeks, but it’s none of my business. Your secret is safe with me. If anyone asks, we had awkward BFF sex one night.”

“You’re the best,” I laughed and kissed his cheek. “Vic knows... and Casey looked at me like he did... but I mean... we’ll just keep it a secret. Love you.”

“Love you too, sugar. Get a good nights sleep and have a good day at work tomorrow.” He kissed my forehead and closed my door.

I shut my light off and laid in bed.

At least they didn’t freak out.

But if Mia asks Casey.

Oh god I’ll be killed.

Notes

An update that is up to date with the update on my regular Mibba page.
Let me know how you guys feel about this!

xoxo