Page 39 of All The Smoke

“Naw.” He snatched away from Bino and approached me again, but this time he grabbed my arm in an attempt to make me face him and that was it.

Gently moving my girl out of the way, I turned around and decked him in his shit, instantly sending him crashing to the ground, nursing his now bleeding nose.

“Don’t fuckin’ touch me, Elijah, and don’t say shit to me,” I barked. “This shit is dead, bruh.”

“We brothers, man,” he cried as he got on his feet still holding his nose. “Don’t let this trifling ass bitch come between that.”

“What?” I laughed humorlessly. “You think this shit about Bri, nigga? You think I give a fuck about that bitch?” I asked and shook my head. “Bri a hoe, so she gon’ do what a hoe do, but nigga you my fuckin’ brother! I’d give my fuckin’ life for you, nigga, and you do me dirty like that?!”

“Shit was a mistake, man.”

“Naw, a mistake is bumping into me or stepping on my shoe.” I chuckled. “Fuckin’ my son’s mother and sitting in my face like shit sweet was a mothafuckin’ choice and you gon’ live with that shit and the fact that I ain’t fuckin’ with you no more.”

“Babe, just calm down.” Kaori’s sweet voice cut in, instantly relaxing me.

I gotta get the fuck out of here!

I noticed buddy had pulled up with my ride, so I started that way, pulling the door open for Kaori and helping her inside. Scoot was still pleading with me to hear him out but I ignored him and burnt rubber out that bitch. Had I stayed there any longer, I would have probably killed him.

The ride home was silent and I appreciated the shit.

Kaori knew what the issue was now due to Scoot’s outburst outside but I was glad she wasn’t pressing me about the shit.

I just needed to get her home then go to my crib and decompress.

I was literally raging on the inside so it was best that I was alone.

“You’re not staying?” Kaori asked when I parked in a guest spot instead of the one designated for her crib.

Killing the engine so I could walk her up, I responded, “Naw, I’m gon’ go to the crib.”

“But why?” she whimpered. “We spend every night together.”

“Not in the best of moods, baby.” I sighed. “I don’t want to take it out on you.”

Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, but she nodded instead and climbed out of the car. I knew she was feeling a way when she let herself out and began her walk inside without me.

Sighing dejectedly, I exited my car and followed her inside. She remained silent all the way up to the crib. When we reached her door she went inside, trying to close it behind her quickly, but I was quick enough to stop her.

“You can go. I’m home safe.”

“Man, watch out, Kaori,” I mumbled, moving past her inside her house.

I made my way into her bathroom where I ran her a hot bath. It took her a while to come to the back, so by the time she did, the water was ready with her little bath bomb shit and Epsom salt. She had different kinds for different reasons, so I went with the lavender one to help her relax and shit.

“Come here.” I summoned her over to where I was seated on the side of her tub when I noticed her at the door.

She had already taken her shoes and shit off and put on her bonnet, so all I had to do was assist her with undressing.

I made sure to kiss different areas on her body as I removed each article of her clothing, showing the most attention to her growing belly.

“I rolled you a blunt,” she stated once she was submerged in the tub. “For your ride home.”

“I don’t want you rolling blunts and shit for me, baby.” I frowned. “I don’t want none of that shit in your system.”

“I used the grinder and blunt roller.”

I smiled even though that was the last thing I wanted to do.

“You and all your little gadgets and shit.”

“Gotta be resourceful,” she said, returning the frown, but it didn’t last long. “I know this is a stupid question, but I have to ask; are you okay?”

Naw.

Hell naw.

My fucking heart was broken.

But I couldn’t tell her that.

“I’m straight,” I answered, instead of saying what I really felt. I didn’t need her worrying about shit that had nothing to do with her or anything at all for that matter. I would be okay.

“I can’t believe Elijah.” She sighed. “I don’t know all of the details but from what I did hear…” She shook her head. “I’m just so disappointed.”

“Yeah, me too,” I grumbled. “Don’t sweat that though because I’m good.”

I could tell just from the look on her face she wanted to say more and she wanted me too as well, but I appreciated her letting it go.

I told her I was gon’ let her enjoy her bath and go smoke my blunt then I’d lay with her at least until she fell asleep because I knew that shit wasn’t coming for me no time soon.

There was no way I would be able to rest because my mind would be going all fucking night.

I frowned as I watched Kaori smile and giggle on the phone with my brother.

They had been talking for a whole ass hour, him having to call back of course since the calls were only thirty minutes, but I wanted to know what was so funny.

This was her first time actually being able to speak with him on the phone and a nigga was regretting allowing them to do so because he had her all giddy and shit.

“What’s so funny?” I finally asked. “You been laughing non fucking stop.”

The laughter ceased and her smile disappeared when she cut her eyes in my direction.

“Noah, your brother is jealous.”

“Damn right I am.” I frowned, landing on the couch beside her and pulling her close to me. “I’m the only one that needs to be making you laugh and smile like that.”

“You are, baby.” She grinned. “We were actually talking about you.”

“In that case, what the fuck he been telling you?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Her smile and spirit had really been keeping me uplifted and from crashing out.

It had been a few weeks since all the shit happened with Scoot and Bri and I was still fucked up behind it.

My daily routine had altered so fucking much because I usually spoke to and saw my boys every day, but I had been keeping my distance because both Scoot and Bri were relentless as fuck.

He had been blowing my shit up, apologizing and shit, and so had Bri.

The latter had it a little easier to get me to respond because she had my son, but I made sure to keep that minimal.

Kaori spoke with Noah a little more before saying her goodbyes, handing my phone back, then retreating to her bedroom so she could start to get ready. She had been bugging a nigga about that fucking steak so I was making good on my promise.

“Why you jealous, baby bro?” Noah asked once I was back on the line. “You scared I’m gon’ take ya girl?”

“Please mothafucka,” I scoffed playfully. “Nobody can take my bitch.”

“Watch your mouth, man,” he chided.

“Anyway, what you was telling her?”

He chuckled. “None of your business. We were just chopping it up.”

“Aight, remember you gon’ come home and get you a girl, and you gotta worry about when she meet ya baby brother.”

“Ah, I’m not worried,” he teased. “She gon’ want the master, not the student.”

“Yeah, aight, nigga.” I laughed. “Never even sniffed pussy in ya life and swear you the master of some shit.”

“So you should be really worried. I didn’t have to even touch your girl to have her giggling and blushing like a schoolgirl.”

“Aight, Noah, get fucked up.” I frowned. All jokes weren’t jokes, brother or not.

“Okay, relax.” He laughed. “How are things with you and Elijah? Did you talk to him?”

“Naw.”

“Solomon.”

“Noah.”

Sighing, he replied, “What have we talked about?”

“Bro, I ain’t on that. Niggas violated and…”

“I know, but?—”

“Noah, I love you, bro, I swear I do, but I’m not on that. I’m telling you,” I let him know. “He fucked up and he gotta live with the fucked up shit he did. Simple.”

“Okay, I know I can’t change your mind…”

“You can’t.”

“Aight, I know, I’m just saying; he’s your brother.”

“You my brother,” I countered. “You the only nigga I know won’t cross me.”

“Facts but tell me you not making Bino suffer from this mess too, Smoke.”

“I can’t trust nobody right now.” I sighed and ran a hand down my face.

I wasn’t doing no business with Bino and Scoot at the moment because I felt like if a nigga would go as low as fucking my baby mama then a nigga would set me up.

“I won’t push, but I do think you two should have a conversation sooner than later,” Noah suggested. “I know what he did was low, but for your sake, talk to him. I know you’re struggling with this and it will give you closure you don’t even realize you need.”

“I hate when you turn into a therapist, bro.”

We shared a laugh.

“I’m just making sure you’re good. It’s my job.”

“I’m straight, I promise,” I replied, watering the truth down some. I was good, but I was still hurt. I didn’t want him worrying about that shit though. He was close as fuck to coming home and that was all that I wanted on his mind.

“Aight, I need to shower and get ready for bible study,” Noah said. “When you gon’ have Solo next?”

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “Me and Bri been going at it and she only want me to come get him from her and that shit ain’t happening. I’m gon’ call her mama and set some shit up.”

“What difference is that gon’ make? She might not let them do it either.”

“True, but I’ll take her goofy ass to court if she keep it up,” I revealed. “Fuck around and have full custody for real.”

“Oh, boy,” he groaned. “Let me go pray for all y’all niggas,” he teased. “I’ll call you sometime tomorrow.”

“Aight, I love you.”

He returned the sentiment before disconnecting the call then I went to find my girl. She had no idea I had a big ass night planned for her on some just because shit. She had truly been my peace so I wanted to repay her for that.

“No?” she asked when I entered her bedroom, locking eyes with her through the full body mirror.

Opting out of answering right away, I joined her, circling my arms around her waist and placing soft kisses on her neck.

She wore a gold dress that didn’t really leave much to imagination by my request. When she asked me what I wanted her to wear, I just told her to make it really sexy and she did that shit.

The color meshed perfectly with her milk chocolate skin and the way her body filled out due to her carrying my baby had a nigga on brick.

“Baby, stop.” She nudged me off as she giggled. “That’s why I wanted to be dressed before you came in here. You’re too mannish.”

“Can’t help it,” I admitted, kissing her one last time before stepping back. “Let me help you get your shoes on.”

Walking her over to the bed, I waited until she was seated before kneeling in front of her and assisting her with putting the heels on, following her instructions on how to properly tie them around her legs.

Unable to help myself, I trailed kisses along her legs up to her thighs until she stopped me.

She simpered. “We’re not going to make it out of here.”

Getting vertical, I reached for her hand and helped her to her feet as well, pulling her right into my arms.

“You look good, baby,” I admitted, planting a soft kiss on her lips.

“And you look very handsome,” she returned, running both hands down the front of my shirt.

I was dressed simply in white Amiri shorts, a solid red shirt of the same brand and the Quai 54 Jordan 5s.

I thought about dressing a bit more formal, but decided against it because I was a real, street nigga.

Kaori disappeared into the bathroom for a few minutes to make sure her already perfect face was perfect before coming back out, grabbing her things, then we headed out. Because I wanted to chill and enjoy the evening, I ordered a luxury ride from iDrive.

“Babe,” she exclaimed, facing me when we got outside of her building. “A Rolls Royce?! Is this yours?”

“Naw.” I chuckled. “Just our ride for the night.”

The driver opened the doors for us when we neared the whip. Kaori smiled and thanked him as she filed inside and I followed. I’d already given the driver our itinerary for the night, so he knew where to go when we got on the road.

“This is so nice,” Kaori gushed as she cuddled up to me. “I’ve ridden in a lot of nice cars in my life, but never in this.”

“Naw?” I looked down, kissing her forehead. “I figure ya pops had shit like this.”

“He does, but not a Rolls Royce.” She chuckled. “And you know, his cars aren’t this new anymore.”

I could hear the hint of sadness in her voice just like any other time she spoke about her pops.

“Ay.” I cuffed her chin to lift her head. “We not doing that, aight? Ya pops gon’ be home soon. Don’t sweat that shit.”

“I know.” She sighed heavily. “Okay, I’m not going to ruin our night with my BS.”

“Ya pops not BS, love,” I countered. “It’s just nothing for you to worry about. He doing everything in his power to make it home to y’all. Trust him.”

“I do.”

“Good.” I nodded.

“I’m glad we’re going out tonight. I need it. Work has been super long and my feet hurt all the time.”

I chuckled. “Then why did you wear heels, mama?”

“Because you wanted me to look sexy. I don’t have much longer.”

I frowned. “To do what?”

“Look sexy like this.” She pointed. “My belly is growing by the day.”

“Kaori, you attractive as fuck to me no matter what the fuck you got on. Fuck is you talking about?”

“I know, I know.” She chuckled. “I promise my self-esteem is intact, I just… I don’t know. I’m noticing the changes in my body, so I know you do too. It makes me a little self-conscious is all.”

“Aight, look…” I made her face me. “My bad. I don’t care what the fuck you wear, baby. You could have on a hijab or a smock and a nigga would still be on yo’ body, I swear. I only told you to dress sexy like this because I like looking at your pretty ass skin.”

She simpered. “You’re too sweet.”

“I’m deadass,” I let her know. “Now, let’s enjoy the evening together and I don’t want to hear that self-conscious shit no more, aight.”

She smiled and kissed me. “Yes, sir.”