All the smoke, p.4
All The Smoke, page 4
“Solomon,” he stated firmly.
“Aight.” I released a heavy sigh. “It means I need to be more forgiving of others so that when I make it into Heaven, Big G will forgive me for not living right.”
He chuckled. “Yes, show mercy to others just as God has shown us mercy.”
“I know, I don’t get it though, Noah.” I shook my head. “How can you forgive Ma and Bishop? Like they doing you dirty as fuck and you preaching forgiveness.”
“I’m not preaching anything,” he corrected. “I’m not ordained to preach anything to you and I just really want you to implement this, lil bro. I know how mad you are with them about my situation. I don’t want you answering to God about something that has nothing to do with you.”
“It has everything to do with me.” I frowned. “You my brother, their son, and they done said fuck you. I hate that shit fo’ real.”
“I know.” He sighed. “Look, let’s change subjects, I just wanted to make sure you read it like I’d asked you to. That’s it. How was Solo’s appointment?”
“Shit was straight,” I answered. “He gon’ spend the night with me so I can watch what he eating and shit, make sure he straight. Can’t depend on his mama for a damn thing.”
“You’re too hard on her, Smoke.” He sighed. “I told you that.”
“You too soft on her ass.” I frowned as if he could see me. “I do everything for my son, the least she could do is get her stupid ass in the whip I bought for her and take our kid to get his mouth looked at.”
“You’re saying that like you’re doing her a favor. She’s your son’s mother, you’re supposed to take care of her.”
“Shiddd, I ain’t supposed to do shit but stay Black and die, fuck you mean? That bitch out here fucking out of both pants legs, fuck I look like taking care of her ass?”
“Smoke, every other word that comes out of your mouth doesn’t have to be a curse word.”
“Fuck that.”
Laughing, he replied, “I knew you were going to do that.”
“Had to.” I chuckled. “You know I only started cursing to spite Ma and Bishop when I was a kid, but now it’s like my second language.”
“Yeah, that’s horrible,” he said and laughed. “But seriously, maybe try a new approach with Brianna. You used to love the girl, Smoke, and surely all of that love isn’t gone.”
“It surely is, mothafucka,” I corrected. “Love don’t live here for Bri no more. She ain’t who she used to be.”
“True, but still, if you weren’t as aggressive with your approach with her then maybe the outcome would be different. Try taking it a little easy on her and see if that changes things. I mean, you don’t want Solo to see you dogging his mama all the time, lil bro.”
I contemplated his request. I did press the gas full throttle when it came to Bri because I was disappointed in her. My expectations and view of her were so high at one point but she really disappointed a nigga. I would have never guessed she’d turn into a money hungry ass hoe that shook her ass for the world to see on and off the internet. He was right though. I didn’t want my son to see or hear me tweaking on his mama all the time.
“Aight,” I sighed. “I’ll be a little easier on her, but soon as she pisses me off…”
“I know, bruh.” He laughed. “I know.”
We spent the rest of our time on the phone laughing and tripping. I hated for Noah to worry and be stressed, especially about shit I had going on. That was the only reason I conceded to whatever he asked me most of the time. He had more important shit to think about than me and my friendly pussy baby mama or our lying ass parents.
After we finally hung up, I rolled up and smoked another blunt while I played my game until Solo got up. His little ass came right in and took over my shit, begging me to order him more food because the oatmeal did nothing for him. I ended up getting on Munchies again and ordering us some spuds from The Deli. Solo ate like a grown ass man, so I had to fully load his shit up like mine.
Once the food arrived we ate together, I got us both bathed, then we kicked it in my living room for the day, alternating between watching movies and playing the game until he crashed for the night and I went right behind him since I had already redirected all my business shit. Every now and again I took a full day and dedicated that shit strictly to my son because I needed him to know Daddy loved him and put him over everything and everybody.
Those were always my best days too.
CHAPTER 4
Kaori.
“Babe,” I whined. “You said no phones right now.”
He finished typing whatever on his phone before locking it and pushing it into his pocket then tossing his arm over my shoulder and pulling me into his side. “Just handling a little business while you were in the bathroom.”
Intertwining my fingers with his, I smiled and laid my head on his arm as we walked toward the bar. We’d just gotten done seeing a movie and were getting food and drinks before heading home.
Jamal pulled my chair out and waited for me to sit before sitting next to me. We lifted our menus and looked over them.
“Can I start you two with something to drink?” the bartender asked when she approached, placing a white napkin in front of me then moving toward Jamal to do the same, but she froze a little, confusing me. Both noticed me looking at them so they snapped out whatever trance they were in quickly.
“Y’all know each other?” I asked. I wasn’t going to wait for her to leave and ask him because his ass would lie in a heartbeat.
“Naw,” Jamal answered, shifting in his seat. He was lying.
“N-no,” the girl stammered. “He just looked a little familiar.”
She sounded like she was lying too. I wanted to probe further but I promised to turn my crazy down some and start trusting Jamal’s word instead of reacting instantly. I promised to think before flipping my shit on him.
My family wasn’t happy at all when I told them I was going to give him one more chance to get it right. I knew they wouldn’t be. He had done too much for even me to see past, but I loved him so I was going to try. The most challenging part was accepting the baby. I didn’t know how I was going to get over it, but I was trying. I did tell him, however, that the child couldn’t come around me. I wanted no parts of being in the child’s life. At least not right away.
“Right.” I eyed them both skeptically. “Let me do a strawberry long pour, please.”
“Salt or sugar around the rim?”
“Sugar, please.”
“And you, sir?”
“Double Henny on the rocks and bring us both water.”
Nodding, she rushed to the other side of the bar to prepare our drinks, leaving us alone again. It wasn’t until then that I noticed it was only us in the restaurant area of the theater.
“You sure you don’t know her?” I asked, eyes narrowed and fixed on his.
He sighed. “I already said I didn’t, KK.”
“Well why is she all fidgety and shit?”
“Probably because you were staring a hole in her ass, intimidating the fuck out of the girl.”
“I was not.” I frowned. “If I was looking a way it was because she was staring at me first, acting all nervous and suspicious.”
“Baby.” He laughed and ran a hand down his fade. “What are we even still talking about that shit? I don’t know her ass and I’m out with you.” He turned in his seat so he was facing me and turned me toward him. “We’re having a good night. Don’t ruin it with your overthinking, please.”
“Okay.” I sighed and closed my eyes briefly before kissing his lips. “You’re right, I’ll let it go.”
“Good.” He smiled and pushed some of my freshly straightened hair behind my ear. “Have I told you how good you look tonight?”
I blushed. “Too many times for me to count.”
It was hot out so I had on a pink, suede, two-piece skirt set I got from Passion and paired it with pink J Marc leather sandals and the matching leather bucket bag. He matched me with the pink too. We hadn’t matched on a date in years. It was kind of adolescent in a sense but still cute and I loved it. It gave me all the feels he used to give me when we first met as kids.
The bartender returned with our drinks and took our food order. We ended up going with wings, fries, and fried pickles, which were my favorite. As we ate and drank, we talked. Jamal and I were at each other’s necks so much that we didn’t ever really sit around and talk.
I filled him in on work, school, and my father. Even though they didn’t like him, he loved my family and always showed genuine interest when it came to them. Anytime my granny needed work done at the house, Jamal would send some of his friends to do it so she didn’t pay a whole lot of money for someone else to do it.
“One more shot before we go,” he suggested and pecked me on the lips.
“I’m already a little tipsy, babe. I probably shouldn’t.”
“Just one.” He smiled, bottom lip tucked between his teeth, looking super sexy. Jamal was easy on the eyes. His caramel complexion blended perfectly with the hazel eyes, tattoos littering his skin—my favorite being my name above his eyebrow—and the nose piercing. He was just fine.
Not having much of a choice considering he had already ordered them, I agreed. We took the shot, grabbed our boxed leftovers, and headed out hand in hand.
“Ms. KK?” I heard a little voice call out behind me.
Spinning on my heels and seeing who the voice belonged to, a wide smile invaded my face. “Solo?”
My heart swelled a little when he hugged me around my legs. Kneeling down, I pulled him in for another hug and asked him where his parents were since he seemed to be alone. He pointed and got ready to answer just as the smell of Bond No. 9 crept into my nostrils. I knew that scent because my father loved it and wore it all the time.
“Solo, you know better, bruh,” Solomon Sr. fussed as he approached.
“But I saw my dentist, Daddy.”
“I don’t care, Solo. You know better than to leave me.” He continued to chastise his son, not even looking my way at first but when he did it was electrifying. Butterflies instantly swarmed my stomach and my hands felt clammy as he peered down at me. “What’s up, beautiful?” He finally spoke to me and extended a hand to help me up which I accepted. “You look good,” he complimented, looking me up and down. “Damn.”
“Ay.” Jamal pulled me back roughly.
“Ay, what?” Solomon took a step forward. “And quit fucking jerking on her and shit.”
“This my bitch,” Jamal snapped, catching me off guard because he had never addressed me as a bitch. “I’m gon’ handle her how I want to.”
“Not in front of me, nigga,” Solomon responded. “You gon’ get ya fuckin’ hands off of her right now or get ya jaw broke. Your choice.”
The two men stood in a stare off before I felt Jamal loosen his grip on my arm moments later, then tell me it was time to go. I walked away with him, but Solomon gently grabbed my hand to stop me.
“You good?” he asked when we locked eyes.
I nodded. “Jamal is harmless and he’s my boyfriend, so I should go.”
I tried pulling my hand away but he wasn’t having it. He looked past me, frowning at Jamal, who was waiting for me at the door.
“I don’t like that nigga.”
I chuckled. “You don’t even know him or me.”
“I want to know you though.” He smirked, tucking his lip between his teeth.
Lord, this man is fine as hell.
Solomon Sr. had rich chocolate skin littered with tattoos with the prettiest set of straight, white teeth, and the dimples in his cheeks were the icing on the cake for me. He had sort of a rugged look but a baby face at the same time. He was dressed nicely as well, in a yellow Nike T-shirt with an orange and green design, green Nike shorts, and matching dunks. The cutest thing to me was both times I saw him and his son they were dressed alike. His son was neat, clean, and happy; he was clearly a good father.
“KK, let’s go, bruh,” Jamal barked from behind me, causing me to look over my shoulder at him. He wasn’t pleased.
“I should go,” I said to Solomon, successfully able to pull my hand away that time. “See you around, Solo.” I tapped his little cheek and smiled.
“And I’ll see you around, KK,” Solomon said and smirked before taking his son’s hand and walking in the opposite direction.
I wanted to spend more time watching them but Jamal was already pissed so I turned and walked in his direction. He walked out of the door first, not bothering to hold it for me. When we made it to the car he didn’t open the door for me either. Those were things he always did, so I knew he had an attitude.
He turned the music up to the max and drove like a bat out of hell when we got on the highway. He was silent all the way to my place and didn’t pull into a parking space when we got in front of my townhouse.
Turning the music down, I asked, “You’re not staying?”
“Got moves to make,” he mumbled.
My brows furrowed. “Since when? We had plans…”
He cut me off. “Since you was all in that nigga’s face. Rico called me about some business shit, so yeah..”
“I was not in a nigga’s face.” I frowned. “And that can’t wait? Rico can’t handle whatever business y’all have? You know I don’t have much free time these days.”
“And that’s my fault?” he quipped. “I don’t got shit to do with ya free time being damn near nonexistent now, that’s ya mother’s doing. Talk her head off about it.”
“Oh wow,” I replied, completely shocked at his response. He was really being an asshole.
“Yeah, so hop out so I can peel.”
“Okay, Jamal, what’s your issue for real? I get that Solomon was a little…”
“Solomon?” he cut in. “You and the nigga on a first name basis.”
“His son is my patient.”
“We ain’t talking about his fucking son.”
“Then what are we talking about, Jamal?”
“You were legit holding hands with this nigga, carrying on a conversation after he just disrespected me, Kaori,” he snapped. “If that would have been me, you would have tweaked the fuck out.”
He was right. If he would have done what I had done it would have for sure been a problem. Damn, Kaori.
“Okay,” I sighed. “You’re right. Even though I don’t know him and it wasn’t anything between us, it wasn’t cool, so I apologize.”
“Yeah,” he mumbled.
“Babe,” I whined, unbuckling my seatbelt and climbing into his lap, peppering kisses all over his face and lips. “I’m sorry, okay?” I peered into his eyes. “Just come upstairs and let me make it up to you.”
The corners of his lips curled into a smile even though he was trying his hardest to fight it off. Jamal was extremely jealous, he always had been, so I knew seeing me talk to Solomon would ruffle his feathers. I apologized, but I couldn’t lie and pretend like it didn’t feel good to see him bothered for a change.
“You gon’ make the shit up to me for real,” he mumbled against my lips before kissing them again. “But let me go handle this shit with Vick, then I’m coming right back.”
My stomach caved hearing him say he was about to go meet with Vick because moments ago he was going to meet Rico. Fighting the urge to question him, I just nodded, kissed his lips, then climbed out of his lap. Once back in my seat, I grabbed my purse from the floor, making sure to accidentally drop my AirPods case under his seat before climbing out of the car. He waited until I made it inside to pull away so I hurried to change my clothes and shoes in the guest room before calling Mo.
“What’s up, bitch?” she answered, sounding like she was in traffic.
“Come pick me up.”
“From where? I thought you were with Jamal.”
“I was,” I replied, going to Jamal’s contact to confirm what I already knew. He turned his location off. He did that when he was up to no good because he knew I was going to pull the fuck up. That was why I left my AirPods case in his car, so I’d have a way to track his cheating ass down. “I’ll tell you about it when you get here.”
I could have taken my car, but everyone knew mine and would tell his ass I was coming before I could catch him up. Morgan’s mother had just gotten her a new one as a gift for opening her lash bar, Pretty Peeps, and no one knew it yet.
When she confirmed she was coming, we hung up and I finished getting ready. I texted Jamal a little while I waited so nothing seemed off. I typically asked him a million questions while he was gone so I had to keep that up. The fury burning inside of me grew as we texted because he was blatantly lying. I asked him about turning the location off and he continued to blame it on him handling business and not needing me to pull up acting a fool where he was.
Too late mothafucka.
Morgan texted and let me know she was outside so I headed to her car. Once inside and rolling, I had her go to Find My iPhone and track my AirPods. She did so without question.
“So I’m assuming Jamal is on his bullshit?” she said, briefly taking her eyes off the road and glancing my way.
“Mhm.”
“What did he do this time?”
“Nothing really, I just have a hunch that he’s on bullshit.”
“Your hunches are usually right.”
“I’m tired of this shit, Mo.” I shook my head. “I want to believe my man when he says he’s leaving and going to handle business, shit I’ve been trying to, but the stupid nigga can’t even keep up with what fucking homeboy he’s going to do business with.”
Had Jamal not mixed up Vick and Rico’s names I wouldn’t be in the car on the way to where he was. Plus the shit with the girl at the movies didn’t sit right with me. I promised Jamal to do better, to try and trust him and shit, but that didn’t mean I was going to be stupid and turn a blind eye to the obvious. Him and that girl clearly knew each other and I couldn’t help but think he overreacted about me and Solomon Sr. just to have an excuse to see her.
“Well, he’s been lying for years, bestie, so it makes sense if you don’t trust his word.”
“Aight.” I released a heavy sigh. “It means I need to be more forgiving of others so that when I make it into Heaven, Big G will forgive me for not living right.”
He chuckled. “Yes, show mercy to others just as God has shown us mercy.”
“I know, I don’t get it though, Noah.” I shook my head. “How can you forgive Ma and Bishop? Like they doing you dirty as fuck and you preaching forgiveness.”
“I’m not preaching anything,” he corrected. “I’m not ordained to preach anything to you and I just really want you to implement this, lil bro. I know how mad you are with them about my situation. I don’t want you answering to God about something that has nothing to do with you.”
“It has everything to do with me.” I frowned. “You my brother, their son, and they done said fuck you. I hate that shit fo’ real.”
“I know.” He sighed. “Look, let’s change subjects, I just wanted to make sure you read it like I’d asked you to. That’s it. How was Solo’s appointment?”
“Shit was straight,” I answered. “He gon’ spend the night with me so I can watch what he eating and shit, make sure he straight. Can’t depend on his mama for a damn thing.”
“You’re too hard on her, Smoke.” He sighed. “I told you that.”
“You too soft on her ass.” I frowned as if he could see me. “I do everything for my son, the least she could do is get her stupid ass in the whip I bought for her and take our kid to get his mouth looked at.”
“You’re saying that like you’re doing her a favor. She’s your son’s mother, you’re supposed to take care of her.”
“Shiddd, I ain’t supposed to do shit but stay Black and die, fuck you mean? That bitch out here fucking out of both pants legs, fuck I look like taking care of her ass?”
“Smoke, every other word that comes out of your mouth doesn’t have to be a curse word.”
“Fuck that.”
Laughing, he replied, “I knew you were going to do that.”
“Had to.” I chuckled. “You know I only started cursing to spite Ma and Bishop when I was a kid, but now it’s like my second language.”
“Yeah, that’s horrible,” he said and laughed. “But seriously, maybe try a new approach with Brianna. You used to love the girl, Smoke, and surely all of that love isn’t gone.”
“It surely is, mothafucka,” I corrected. “Love don’t live here for Bri no more. She ain’t who she used to be.”
“True, but still, if you weren’t as aggressive with your approach with her then maybe the outcome would be different. Try taking it a little easy on her and see if that changes things. I mean, you don’t want Solo to see you dogging his mama all the time, lil bro.”
I contemplated his request. I did press the gas full throttle when it came to Bri because I was disappointed in her. My expectations and view of her were so high at one point but she really disappointed a nigga. I would have never guessed she’d turn into a money hungry ass hoe that shook her ass for the world to see on and off the internet. He was right though. I didn’t want my son to see or hear me tweaking on his mama all the time.
“Aight,” I sighed. “I’ll be a little easier on her, but soon as she pisses me off…”
“I know, bruh.” He laughed. “I know.”
We spent the rest of our time on the phone laughing and tripping. I hated for Noah to worry and be stressed, especially about shit I had going on. That was the only reason I conceded to whatever he asked me most of the time. He had more important shit to think about than me and my friendly pussy baby mama or our lying ass parents.
After we finally hung up, I rolled up and smoked another blunt while I played my game until Solo got up. His little ass came right in and took over my shit, begging me to order him more food because the oatmeal did nothing for him. I ended up getting on Munchies again and ordering us some spuds from The Deli. Solo ate like a grown ass man, so I had to fully load his shit up like mine.
Once the food arrived we ate together, I got us both bathed, then we kicked it in my living room for the day, alternating between watching movies and playing the game until he crashed for the night and I went right behind him since I had already redirected all my business shit. Every now and again I took a full day and dedicated that shit strictly to my son because I needed him to know Daddy loved him and put him over everything and everybody.
Those were always my best days too.
CHAPTER 4
Kaori.
“Babe,” I whined. “You said no phones right now.”
He finished typing whatever on his phone before locking it and pushing it into his pocket then tossing his arm over my shoulder and pulling me into his side. “Just handling a little business while you were in the bathroom.”
Intertwining my fingers with his, I smiled and laid my head on his arm as we walked toward the bar. We’d just gotten done seeing a movie and were getting food and drinks before heading home.
Jamal pulled my chair out and waited for me to sit before sitting next to me. We lifted our menus and looked over them.
“Can I start you two with something to drink?” the bartender asked when she approached, placing a white napkin in front of me then moving toward Jamal to do the same, but she froze a little, confusing me. Both noticed me looking at them so they snapped out whatever trance they were in quickly.
“Y’all know each other?” I asked. I wasn’t going to wait for her to leave and ask him because his ass would lie in a heartbeat.
“Naw,” Jamal answered, shifting in his seat. He was lying.
“N-no,” the girl stammered. “He just looked a little familiar.”
She sounded like she was lying too. I wanted to probe further but I promised to turn my crazy down some and start trusting Jamal’s word instead of reacting instantly. I promised to think before flipping my shit on him.
My family wasn’t happy at all when I told them I was going to give him one more chance to get it right. I knew they wouldn’t be. He had done too much for even me to see past, but I loved him so I was going to try. The most challenging part was accepting the baby. I didn’t know how I was going to get over it, but I was trying. I did tell him, however, that the child couldn’t come around me. I wanted no parts of being in the child’s life. At least not right away.
“Right.” I eyed them both skeptically. “Let me do a strawberry long pour, please.”
“Salt or sugar around the rim?”
“Sugar, please.”
“And you, sir?”
“Double Henny on the rocks and bring us both water.”
Nodding, she rushed to the other side of the bar to prepare our drinks, leaving us alone again. It wasn’t until then that I noticed it was only us in the restaurant area of the theater.
“You sure you don’t know her?” I asked, eyes narrowed and fixed on his.
He sighed. “I already said I didn’t, KK.”
“Well why is she all fidgety and shit?”
“Probably because you were staring a hole in her ass, intimidating the fuck out of the girl.”
“I was not.” I frowned. “If I was looking a way it was because she was staring at me first, acting all nervous and suspicious.”
“Baby.” He laughed and ran a hand down his fade. “What are we even still talking about that shit? I don’t know her ass and I’m out with you.” He turned in his seat so he was facing me and turned me toward him. “We’re having a good night. Don’t ruin it with your overthinking, please.”
“Okay.” I sighed and closed my eyes briefly before kissing his lips. “You’re right, I’ll let it go.”
“Good.” He smiled and pushed some of my freshly straightened hair behind my ear. “Have I told you how good you look tonight?”
I blushed. “Too many times for me to count.”
It was hot out so I had on a pink, suede, two-piece skirt set I got from Passion and paired it with pink J Marc leather sandals and the matching leather bucket bag. He matched me with the pink too. We hadn’t matched on a date in years. It was kind of adolescent in a sense but still cute and I loved it. It gave me all the feels he used to give me when we first met as kids.
The bartender returned with our drinks and took our food order. We ended up going with wings, fries, and fried pickles, which were my favorite. As we ate and drank, we talked. Jamal and I were at each other’s necks so much that we didn’t ever really sit around and talk.
I filled him in on work, school, and my father. Even though they didn’t like him, he loved my family and always showed genuine interest when it came to them. Anytime my granny needed work done at the house, Jamal would send some of his friends to do it so she didn’t pay a whole lot of money for someone else to do it.
“One more shot before we go,” he suggested and pecked me on the lips.
“I’m already a little tipsy, babe. I probably shouldn’t.”
“Just one.” He smiled, bottom lip tucked between his teeth, looking super sexy. Jamal was easy on the eyes. His caramel complexion blended perfectly with the hazel eyes, tattoos littering his skin—my favorite being my name above his eyebrow—and the nose piercing. He was just fine.
Not having much of a choice considering he had already ordered them, I agreed. We took the shot, grabbed our boxed leftovers, and headed out hand in hand.
“Ms. KK?” I heard a little voice call out behind me.
Spinning on my heels and seeing who the voice belonged to, a wide smile invaded my face. “Solo?”
My heart swelled a little when he hugged me around my legs. Kneeling down, I pulled him in for another hug and asked him where his parents were since he seemed to be alone. He pointed and got ready to answer just as the smell of Bond No. 9 crept into my nostrils. I knew that scent because my father loved it and wore it all the time.
“Solo, you know better, bruh,” Solomon Sr. fussed as he approached.
“But I saw my dentist, Daddy.”
“I don’t care, Solo. You know better than to leave me.” He continued to chastise his son, not even looking my way at first but when he did it was electrifying. Butterflies instantly swarmed my stomach and my hands felt clammy as he peered down at me. “What’s up, beautiful?” He finally spoke to me and extended a hand to help me up which I accepted. “You look good,” he complimented, looking me up and down. “Damn.”
“Ay.” Jamal pulled me back roughly.
“Ay, what?” Solomon took a step forward. “And quit fucking jerking on her and shit.”
“This my bitch,” Jamal snapped, catching me off guard because he had never addressed me as a bitch. “I’m gon’ handle her how I want to.”
“Not in front of me, nigga,” Solomon responded. “You gon’ get ya fuckin’ hands off of her right now or get ya jaw broke. Your choice.”
The two men stood in a stare off before I felt Jamal loosen his grip on my arm moments later, then tell me it was time to go. I walked away with him, but Solomon gently grabbed my hand to stop me.
“You good?” he asked when we locked eyes.
I nodded. “Jamal is harmless and he’s my boyfriend, so I should go.”
I tried pulling my hand away but he wasn’t having it. He looked past me, frowning at Jamal, who was waiting for me at the door.
“I don’t like that nigga.”
I chuckled. “You don’t even know him or me.”
“I want to know you though.” He smirked, tucking his lip between his teeth.
Lord, this man is fine as hell.
Solomon Sr. had rich chocolate skin littered with tattoos with the prettiest set of straight, white teeth, and the dimples in his cheeks were the icing on the cake for me. He had sort of a rugged look but a baby face at the same time. He was dressed nicely as well, in a yellow Nike T-shirt with an orange and green design, green Nike shorts, and matching dunks. The cutest thing to me was both times I saw him and his son they were dressed alike. His son was neat, clean, and happy; he was clearly a good father.
“KK, let’s go, bruh,” Jamal barked from behind me, causing me to look over my shoulder at him. He wasn’t pleased.
“I should go,” I said to Solomon, successfully able to pull my hand away that time. “See you around, Solo.” I tapped his little cheek and smiled.
“And I’ll see you around, KK,” Solomon said and smirked before taking his son’s hand and walking in the opposite direction.
I wanted to spend more time watching them but Jamal was already pissed so I turned and walked in his direction. He walked out of the door first, not bothering to hold it for me. When we made it to the car he didn’t open the door for me either. Those were things he always did, so I knew he had an attitude.
He turned the music up to the max and drove like a bat out of hell when we got on the highway. He was silent all the way to my place and didn’t pull into a parking space when we got in front of my townhouse.
Turning the music down, I asked, “You’re not staying?”
“Got moves to make,” he mumbled.
My brows furrowed. “Since when? We had plans…”
He cut me off. “Since you was all in that nigga’s face. Rico called me about some business shit, so yeah..”
“I was not in a nigga’s face.” I frowned. “And that can’t wait? Rico can’t handle whatever business y’all have? You know I don’t have much free time these days.”
“And that’s my fault?” he quipped. “I don’t got shit to do with ya free time being damn near nonexistent now, that’s ya mother’s doing. Talk her head off about it.”
“Oh wow,” I replied, completely shocked at his response. He was really being an asshole.
“Yeah, so hop out so I can peel.”
“Okay, Jamal, what’s your issue for real? I get that Solomon was a little…”
“Solomon?” he cut in. “You and the nigga on a first name basis.”
“His son is my patient.”
“We ain’t talking about his fucking son.”
“Then what are we talking about, Jamal?”
“You were legit holding hands with this nigga, carrying on a conversation after he just disrespected me, Kaori,” he snapped. “If that would have been me, you would have tweaked the fuck out.”
He was right. If he would have done what I had done it would have for sure been a problem. Damn, Kaori.
“Okay,” I sighed. “You’re right. Even though I don’t know him and it wasn’t anything between us, it wasn’t cool, so I apologize.”
“Yeah,” he mumbled.
“Babe,” I whined, unbuckling my seatbelt and climbing into his lap, peppering kisses all over his face and lips. “I’m sorry, okay?” I peered into his eyes. “Just come upstairs and let me make it up to you.”
The corners of his lips curled into a smile even though he was trying his hardest to fight it off. Jamal was extremely jealous, he always had been, so I knew seeing me talk to Solomon would ruffle his feathers. I apologized, but I couldn’t lie and pretend like it didn’t feel good to see him bothered for a change.
“You gon’ make the shit up to me for real,” he mumbled against my lips before kissing them again. “But let me go handle this shit with Vick, then I’m coming right back.”
My stomach caved hearing him say he was about to go meet with Vick because moments ago he was going to meet Rico. Fighting the urge to question him, I just nodded, kissed his lips, then climbed out of his lap. Once back in my seat, I grabbed my purse from the floor, making sure to accidentally drop my AirPods case under his seat before climbing out of the car. He waited until I made it inside to pull away so I hurried to change my clothes and shoes in the guest room before calling Mo.
“What’s up, bitch?” she answered, sounding like she was in traffic.
“Come pick me up.”
“From where? I thought you were with Jamal.”
“I was,” I replied, going to Jamal’s contact to confirm what I already knew. He turned his location off. He did that when he was up to no good because he knew I was going to pull the fuck up. That was why I left my AirPods case in his car, so I’d have a way to track his cheating ass down. “I’ll tell you about it when you get here.”
I could have taken my car, but everyone knew mine and would tell his ass I was coming before I could catch him up. Morgan’s mother had just gotten her a new one as a gift for opening her lash bar, Pretty Peeps, and no one knew it yet.
When she confirmed she was coming, we hung up and I finished getting ready. I texted Jamal a little while I waited so nothing seemed off. I typically asked him a million questions while he was gone so I had to keep that up. The fury burning inside of me grew as we texted because he was blatantly lying. I asked him about turning the location off and he continued to blame it on him handling business and not needing me to pull up acting a fool where he was.
Too late mothafucka.
Morgan texted and let me know she was outside so I headed to her car. Once inside and rolling, I had her go to Find My iPhone and track my AirPods. She did so without question.
“So I’m assuming Jamal is on his bullshit?” she said, briefly taking her eyes off the road and glancing my way.
“Mhm.”
“What did he do this time?”
“Nothing really, I just have a hunch that he’s on bullshit.”
“Your hunches are usually right.”
“I’m tired of this shit, Mo.” I shook my head. “I want to believe my man when he says he’s leaving and going to handle business, shit I’ve been trying to, but the stupid nigga can’t even keep up with what fucking homeboy he’s going to do business with.”
Had Jamal not mixed up Vick and Rico’s names I wouldn’t be in the car on the way to where he was. Plus the shit with the girl at the movies didn’t sit right with me. I promised Jamal to do better, to try and trust him and shit, but that didn’t mean I was going to be stupid and turn a blind eye to the obvious. Him and that girl clearly knew each other and I couldn’t help but think he overreacted about me and Solomon Sr. just to have an excuse to see her.
“Well, he’s been lying for years, bestie, so it makes sense if you don’t trust his word.”
