After the wrap of the movie months later, I had lined myself up with another job. I was joining the show Swat, a weekly show on CBS. Single once again, I had my sights set on just working. Not usually caring about what people thought, all of my exes were trying to ruin me, Ben and now Adam. Dany was all over it and she began to go on the defense as well as my guards. I wasn't looking anymore for love, maybe down the line, but not yet. Most of the people didn't care and didn't like what they were doing to me.
"Hey. are you ready for this?" Mel asked me, who has been by my side through all of this.
"Yeah, ready to get on with my life and what not."
"You got this."
"Thank you for being my makeup and hair and so much more."
"Bitch, I love you. I am going to be here regardless."
"You know I am so surprised that you and Tama are better than ever."
"Trust me. I am too, he's more romantic now."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He is a lot more tentative now."
I got dressed quickly and finished getting ready for my day of table reading.
My outfit:
"Ready?"
"Yeah."
"You look hot sis. They will love you."
"I hope so ."
Our security team had came with us, dropping me and one guy with me, Mel headed to the NJPW dojo here in LA. Leo had gone to Japan with his brothers, for me, I thought I'd never find love again.
"Hey, this is LC." Aaron said introducing me to everyone.
"LC, how are you?" Lina asked me hugging me.
"Good, how are you?" I asked her puzzled.
"I haven't seen you since that party in NYC."
"Oh! You were the one who tried to warn me about the drink.."
"Yeah, I tried and you ended up downing it anyways."
"That wasn't the best night ever. I really appreciate the fact you tried to warn me."
"Well we have to stick together."
I smiled at her and I hoped we could become friends.
"I am David, this is Alex, Shemar, Jay and Patrick."
"Wow, the only 2 females in here." I said looking at Lina.
"Yeah, just you wait." She said causing me to giggle.
I sat down next to David and Lina. I had gotten comfortable as we began to read. One person was missing was the guy I had replaced on the team. Kenny's character had been killed in Germany while on assignment and now my character had gone from patrol to Swat.
"So before we begin the table read, we have a newcomer to the squad. Lauryn "LC" Johnson. Do you want to tell us about yourself?" Aaron said.
"Okay sure. I guess?" I said as everyone giggled.
"You got this." David said as I stood up.
"I am Lauryn Johnson, everyone who knows me calls me Laur or LC. I was in movies for a while and part of a TV show until the main character had me fired for no reason. I was a wrestler for the WWE , I am related to the Rock. I guess that's all?"
I sat back down and everyone whispered.
"Welcome LC." They all said as I smiled.
We got started as the first episode was done, I knew being here was the right choice and I hoped to make them realize I was someone they should keep. A few hours later, we finished up. Today was a good day, my house had been perfect so far and now I made some new friends.
"Hey, want to hang out later?" Lina asked.
"Hell yeah, will they allow it since we are in lock down again?"
"Yeah, I think its like only 10 people or less."
"I can grill and hit the pool, we have an amazing pool at my rental."
"Oh good. I believe we are going to be good friends." She said smiling.
"Hey , you guys are hanging out?"
"Yeah."
"How about I bring my girlfriend and we can all hang?"
"BBQ!" Lina said smiling.
I laughed.
"Except I don't have a barbecue grill." I said shrugging.
"I have a portable one, we can always use mine." Alex said in his Aussie kind of voice.
"That would be awesome. Bring your girlfriend, make it a party?"
"Well we can't have too many people, but that would be awesome."
I smiled as I looked at David. He smiled widely as I had to focus on this show and not falling for anyone..
"Hey sis." Mel said on the phone.
"Hey sis, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I finished the dojo a little early and headed back for a shower. How did the reading go?"
"Excellent, a few of the cast members are coming over with their girlfriends and wives."
"Ooo like a mini BBQ?"
"Yeah, but anyways, I am with Elliot and we are going to stop at the store."
"Sounds good, I will get plates and the chips out."
After we hung up, I had stopped at the store and got everything. I hated wearing masks, but right now we had to do our parts in this. I ended up grabbing a lot of stuff, including a lot of drinks, just in case if someone wanted water, beer, wine and everything else.
"Okay so I think we are good now." I said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah , I think so."
As soon as we got home, Mel was there with everything ready and everyone was just coming in. Jay had stayed home with his wife and Alex came over with his girlfriend Diana. Shemar and David swung by with Lina. David rushed out to help me with the bags as he helped me carry them in.
"Thank you." I said as I smiled.
"Any time." He put the stuff away and put out some chips.
"This looks amazing."
"My mom's recipe , homemade chicken wings and homemade potato salad with the extra tint of something in it. Can't tell you what, but you will know as soon as you taste it." He said.
"Well I am hungry and I need a taste now." I said laughing.
"I won't tell if you don't." He smiled.
I put my fork in the potato salad and put it right in my mouth.
"Oh my god."
"See?"
"Wait, you put paprika in it?"
"Among other things." I smiled as he took the dish away.
"Dammit, I want more." He laughed and shook his head.
Alex set up the grill and the charcoal and I headed upstairs to change into my bikini.
My suit:
"Hey Lina?" I asked calling for her.
"Yeah! Coming!" She ran up the stairs.
"How do I look?"
"Wow. You look hot as fuck." She said.
"Good, I am glad." I turned around.
She smiled and we headed out of the room and downstairs.
"Wow." Shemar said.
"Take a good picture Shemar, it will last a lot longer." I said winking at David while walking past him.
"God damn." David said.
I took a dip in the pool. Diana and Lina started to laugh uncontrollably.
"She has them going nuts." Mel said.
After a fun day and good food, Alex and Diana headed home while Lina helped me clean up with David. Shemar had left about 10 minutes before Alex and his girlfriend.
"Hey LC, this came for you just now." David said.
I looked at the envelope, something Mel and I never faced.
"Everything okay?"Lina asked.
"Our biological mother." I said to them.
"Wait, she is alive?"
"Apparently so and wants to meet with us."
"What in the hell." Mel said.
"I know. I am half ass ready to throw this away."
"Do it sis." Mel said as I nodded.
I ripped it up and David tossed it in the trash. This wasn't the end of this.
