The Brothers

"So, who was that girl at the checkout line?" Aaliyah asks as they make their way home.

"Just this girl from school."

"She was cute."

She's fucking gorgeous. He thinks to himself. "Yeah...she's okay."

"Just okay?"

"Yeah. Just okay." He knows what she's trying to do, and he's not falling for it. Besides, he can't fall for Ariella anyway. She's a senior and will be graduated and out of his life in some months and would probably want nothing to do with him afterwards.

"Hm, okay." She says then leaves it alone.

They get to the house, CJ helps Aaliyah bring the groceries in and unload them, and Aaliyah starts on dinner. While cooking, she gets a phone call from Akasha.

"Hey boo." Aaliyah says answering the phone.

"Hey love. What you up to?"

"Making dinner for me and CJ..you? what's goin on?"

"Nothing girl, at the studio. Waiting for Odell to bring the girls."

"And you're bored..."

Kash chuckles. "Just a little. I called Kai but she had her hands full with the boys and their homework."

"I'm hurt I didn't get a call first." Aaliyah jokes.

"Oh hush, I was gonna conference you in."

Aaliyah chuckles. "Speaking of the girls, how are my two favorite nieces?"

"They're good. They were asking about you and Kai this morning. I told them we'd be seeing y'all this month for Kristopher's birthday."

"I can't wait. We miss y'all so much."

"We miss y'all more. Where's my handsome nephew?"

"Probably in his room, doing his homework."

"That boy is so smart."

"Like his father. Colin always kept his head in books while he was in college. When I found out he was in the game, it didn't make much sense at all. Like he just didn't seem like the type."

"Speaking of...no word on when he's getting out? He hasn't told Odell anything."

"Honestly, my guess is just as good as yours. I sure do miss him. I'm grateful for Cam and Odell, and everything they've done for my baby, but CJ needs Colin. I can tell."

"Just keep praying on it sis. He'll be home before you know it." Kash says, as she hears the doors to the studio open. She walks out of her office to see that it's Odell and the girls. "Hey Liyah, I'll call you after dance practice."

"Okay. Love you Kash. Send the girls my love."

"Love you too mama. Do the same for CJ."

"Will do."

They hang up and kash walks back into her office and tosses her phone on to the desk before walking back out.

"Mommyyyy!!" Both Ariyah and Akia say as they run towards their mother.

"Hey my beautiful girls." Kash plants a kiss on both of their foreheads. "Hey baby." She says then gives Odell a kiss on the lips.

"Hey babe."

"Is homework all done?" Kash asks looking at Ariyah.

"Yes mommy."

"Come on now. You know daddy got this." Odell says.

"Mhhm I'm sure."

"Daddy got this mommy." Ariyah says.

"See. Told you." He smirks. "I gotta get to the club."

"Okay."

"Alright lil bit, have fun at dance practice." Odell says to Ariyah. Akia doesn't have ballet today, so she's just watching and being mommy's helper. "And you...try not to argue with any mamas today."

"No, they just better check their attitudes before they walk in. They know my rules, and they're simple. No slacking, crying or attitudes. Come ready to bring it every practice...."

"Because there's always somebody working harder to take your spot." Both Odell and Ariyah say finishing her sentence.

"Mhhm. So they can come with their attitudes all they want. They gone get put out until practice is over."

Odell chuckles. "Just savage."

"Always has been, and always will be."

Odell continues his laughter. "I'll see y'all at home."

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you. Love you girls."

"Love you daddy." Akia says.

"Love you too daddy." Ariyah says.

Odell leaves and pretty soon, Kash's dancers and their parents start trickling in, and as long as they were there at least 15 minutes before scheduled rehearsal time, Kash didn't have any issues.

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Odell arrives at the club and some of the staff are already there getting ready for tonight.

"What up boss man?" Ben says greeting him at the door. He met Ben about four months ago. Ben had just graduated from grad school and decided to bring him on board. Ben reminded Odell a lot of himself when he was around that age and thought Ben would do a great job bringing in a younger demographic. Odell was now married and seasoned, he couldn't do the things he used to to bring in new party goers, so he gave that job strictly to Ben, and so far, he was doing a damn good job.

"Nothin much bruh. How you doin today?"

"Good. You know out here trynna bring all the fine females I can to the club. I talked to a couple of girls, trynna have a party here. Gave em your card, so you should be hearing from them soon."

"Bet. Keep up the good work Ben." Odell says patting him on the back before heading to his office.

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"STOP STOP STOP!" Kash yells over the music. She hits the stop button on the remote and everyone stops, giving her their full attention. "We've been rehearsing this same routine for weeks and it still looks sloppy. Y'all do realize the competition is next week right, and unless y'all get it together, you're gonna get embarrassed." Kash hears some of the women talking amongst themselves. "Is there anything y'all would like to say? I'm all ears."

"Yeah...you're going off on all these girls when it's just a couple who aren't carrying heir weight." Tasha says, eyeing the parents of the girls that don't quite have it together...sparking up animosity.

"Now wait a minute, I know she didn't just look at me..."

"Not today. If y'all wanna argue, be my guest and take it outside, but what y'all need to understand is this is a team. We gone work together to get this right." Kash says and the women quickly straighten up and they carry on with practice.