"Jalyn, this is the last time I'm going to tell you to stay away from that boy!"

"You're my brother, not my father, Justice. It's time you got that through your thick skull."

"And how do you think Dad would react if he were here?"

"Well, he's not! Hating the Capricorns is what killed him in the first place and I'm not following in his footsteps. Zach and I work so well together."

"Working together is not the only thing he wants from you and you know that!"

"So, what? I'm grown. You don't have to watch what I do with my life."

*DOOR SLAMS*

"AND CUT, great job guys!" Simone, the director yelled.

Leah and William had just finished the first scene of episode 3. They finished a scene, playing their characters, Jalyn and Justice.

"Good job, doofy!" Leah punched William in his shoulder, running offset before her could get her.

"Your ass is gonna be crying soon. Keep playing," he yelled in her direction, chuckling.

"I'm starving!" Leah rubbed her stomach, as she walked over to Claire who was about to start her scene with Zeke and Marley.

Zeke played a character who was also a part of the Mafia Jalyn and Justice's dad left them to run. Marley played a Computer Scientist who helped them from time to time, being that her character was also Justice's girlfriend.

"What are you telling me that for, smartass. Go eat something," Claire chuckled, sticking her tongue out at her friend and walking onto the set.

"Ok, so when I order food, I don't want to hear your mouth." While rolling her eyes at Claire, she grabbed her phone and clicked on her food delivery app.

*PING*

From Jonah: I don't think I'm going to be able to make it this afternoon, baby. You go without me and I'll try my best to be there.

She couldn't help but frown at the message. It was William's birthday and his sister was throwing him a small surprise party at her house. The whole cast was invited and Leah asked Jonah to come with her.

To Jonah: It won't be the same without you, I really want you to make it. No pressure, though. I'll see you later❤️

She went back to her delivery app and proceeded to make her order.

"I would like a chicken box with honey mustard, thank you." William walked over, plucking her in the back of her neck. "That's payback, punk."

"It's not my birthday, it's yours. I still owe you 26 more," she chuckled. "And no one is getting your big ass food," she mugged, as she gave him her back.

"First of all, that's the reason you should get me food, and second of all, stop broadcasting my age, thank you." He snatched the fruit snacks she had just taken from the snack table and began to walk away.

"Gimme it back!" she pouted.

"I'll be waiting for my lunch in the lounge." He turned around, now walking backward, and stuffed the whole packet of fruit snacks into his mouth.

"Ugh, you make me sick," she yelled, pouting and stomping her feet.

~

"Hey, sweetie." Leah had just arrived in May, William's sister, house. May had the most gorgeous house, with the most beautiful yard.

Hey, beautiful. How are you?" She was also the sweetest person and always tried to make her little brother happy.

"I'm good," she said, greeting May with a cheek-to-cheek kiss. "Every time I come here, I fall in love with your house all over again. Honestly, I'm trying to live like you." Leah chuckled, handing May the cake she picked up on her way. She ooed and awed at everything in the house like it was her first time seeing it.

"Thanks for getting this for me. I really appreciate it. I don't know how Dion managed to forget," she said, laughing and rolling her eyes. Dion was her husband and like most guys, he had selective hearing and memory.

"You know guys," Leah chuckled, walking into the kitchen to see Trina and Junior.

"Trina you really don't have to stay if you don't want to. You know I got him." She directed her eyes to the baby that sat on Trina's hip. She really despised Trina for what she was doing to her brother and really didn't like the idea of her being in her home.

"No one wants to be here anyway." Trina sucked her teeth and handed the baby over to May. She kissed him goodbye and rolled her eyes, slamming the door behind her.

"That girl is the epitome of crazy," May chuckled, cradling her sleepy nephew. "He's so tired, I think I'm going to put him down."

"Let me help you, you go ahead and finish setting up. I got him." Leah took the baby from May and headed upstairs to William's old room.

He used to live with his sister before he got the role.

When she finally got him to sleep, she laid him in the crib and headed downstairs to see Marley, Claire, Zeke, and Mateo all in the yard.

"When did you guys get here," she said, as she greeted them all.

"Just a minute ago," Zeke answered.

"He just pulled up y'all!" May came running out of the house to get everyone's attention.

They all went into the kitchen and turned the lights off. He walked into the house angrily, followed by May.

"What do you mean Trina just left him here. Where did she go?" He stormed into the kitchen.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone screamed collectively, laughing at the confusion on William's face.

"I really hate y'all," he laughed, clenching his chest.

"We really love you," May said, kissing her little brother all over his face.

"No but for real, where's my son," he asked as he looked around to see if he was around.

"I just put him down. Call me a baby whisperer," Leah chuckled, as she winked at him, causing everyone to laugh.

"Well everyone, since the birthday boy is here, help yourselves out to some food and drinks," May exclaimed. May loved hosting parties and get-togethers. It was her specialty.

"Thanks for coming, everyone. And thank you to my beautiful sister for being the best person alive. Enjoy yourselves." William hugged his sister, nearly squeezing the life out of her.

They enjoyed the food and drinks, and especially the music. Dion always had a sick playlist.

It was almost time to cut the cake, so May and Mateo went to bring it out. As they were about to head out, the doorbell rang.

May left Mateo with the cake to go answer the door when Leah walked into the kitchen because she felt something in her eye.

"Damn, this hurts." Leah walked into the kitchen rubbing her eye and headed to the sink. She tried to rinse it out, but whatever was stuck wouldn't give up.

"Here, let me see." Mateo held her eye open, as he blew into it lightly.

"Look who's here!" May cheered, leading Jonah into the kitchen.

Leah turned around to see Jonah squinting his eyes at them. "Hey, babe. You made it," she said in an excited tone.

Jonah completely ignored her and instead directed his attention to Mateo. "What's up, man. How you doin'?" He held his hand out, waiting for Mateo to shake it.

"I'm good, man. How are you doing?" Mateo shook his hand nervously, feeling the tension in the room.

"I'm good, bro." He continued to shake his hand, but he held eye contact with Leah.

"How about we cut that cake!" May could also feel the tension and decided that she'd break it. Leah led Jonah to the yard to greet everyone, while Mateo and Marley continued to light the cake.

*SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY*

William walked over to May, with Junior in his hand, grinning like the biggest kid. He was so happy that there was so much love in the room. They all were.

Including Leah, who had felt the love and attempted to lock arms with Jonah. He pulled away from her and instead walked over with the crowd to see the cake being cut.

~

The drive home was completely silent. Jonah focused his eyes on the road, clenching his jaw the whole time. Leah sat in the passenger seat of the car with her hands folded. She didn't know how to approach the situation, but she knew he was mad.

Finally pulling up to his mom's house to pick up Kacey, Leah decided to break the silence. "Baby, I just want you to know that- Shut up." He cut her off before she could get her sentence out. "I don't want to hear your excuse."

"I'm not giving you an excuse. I'm trying to tell you what happened." She turned her body to face him and was annoyed by his attitude.

"I leave you alone for one second and you're whoring yourself out." He continued to stare straight ahead, not looking at her so she would know he was serious.

"What?" She was hurt and too stunned to speak. "What the hell did you say to me?" She questioned, on was on the verge of tears. He decided to ignore her, knowing that his words cut her deep.

"You're a fucking lunatic. You know that? All Mateo did was help me get something out of my eye and now I'm a whore?" She screamed, as the tears broke free and began to stream down her face. He continued his silence.

"I really don't know what's gotten into you lately but I'm not doing this anymore." She sniffed up her tears and opened her door.

"What the fuck does that mean?" He questioned, as he opened his door to follow her inside of the house.

Leah ran to the front door and opened it.

"Lele!" Kacey came running from the living room and greeted her at the door. "Grammy is taking a bath but I'm ready to go."

"Baby, how about you and I stay with Grammy tonight." She tried to wipe her tears as much as she could and stooped down to her level.

"The hell you are!" He screamed as he came in behind her. "Kacey go get your stuff, now!"

Kacey stayed and hid behind Leah's legs. This only irritated him more because he knew Kacey would choose to stay with Leah before she went with him.

"Kacey, what the fuck did I say?" He clenched both his fists and tried to step towards her when his mother appeared from the top of the stairs.

"Absolutely, not!" In her robe, she came down the stairs and stood between Jonah and the girls, making him freeze.

"Under no circumstances will you talk to my grandbaby like that." The stare she gave him was strong enough for him to break contact. "Now, these girls are staying with me until you can get your shit together." She poked him in his chest, causing him to step back and suck his teeth.

"I raised you better than that. Do you want to become like your father?" Her voice broke. "Having your family fear you." She looked at him with so much disappointment, shaking her head.

Leah stood behind them with wide eyes. She had never heard either of them speak about his father. When they first started dating, she tried to bring him up in conversation but he never wanted to get into it. Now she knew why.

"Now get out of here and clean yourself up!" She spoke and almost like a spell her words sent him straight out of the door.

She turned to face Leah, cupping her hands in her face and wiping the tears flowing from her eyes. "You're okay, baby. He'll come around." She hugged her tightly.

"Good thing you came just in time for ice cream, right Kacey." She led them to the kitchen and gave them each a big bowl of ice cream.