Page 41 of All The Smoke

Her new thing now was Solo wasn’t safe around Solomon because of how he’d done Scoot in front of the club.

She claimed if he would do that to his best friend then she knew he would harm their son.

The crazy part about it was he’d had Solo since then.

He just didn’t get the baby from her. He had either her cousin or mom meet him. The bitch just wanted to be around him.

“No, bestie, it has to be me.” I laughed. “She really thinks I’m a soft ass bitch for real, so I’m going to make her swallow her words and maybe even some of her teeth very soon.”

“I love to hear it, boo.”

We slapped hands before I went to toss the hair in the garbage then get a towel from my hall closet so she could help me wash my hair.

I was going to let her give me a slicked back ponytail too then we were going to our friend Vedra’s birthday party.

She had gotten another girl in the shop that could do brows and lashes, so she gave her booked clients to her and took the day off for us to hang out.

After she got my hair together I showered, brushed and flossed my teeth, then dressed in a burgundy and orange two- piece Off White set with matching sneakers.

The weather was cooling down so we had to have some clothes on, Morgan less than me because she would be drinking and that would keep her warm.

“Look at your belly!” Mo beamed when I walked into the living room. “It’s bigger and bigger every day.”

“I know,” I huffed. “It’s hard finding cute stuff with this thing.”

“Girl, bye.” She waved me off. “Samadia launched a maternity line and you know everything she has is very cute and fashionable.”

“You’re right.” I nodded. “I definitely need to go by there and get some stuff, especially pants.”

“Yep. Can’t have you cutting off my little nugget’s circulation.”

“All everyone cares about is your little nugget .” I rolled my eyes playfully. “It’s never about Kaori anymore.”

“Who?”

“Fuck you.” I laughed.

She walked out first, and I followed, locking the door behind me. We made small talk as we rode the elevator down and got inside of my car since she was clearly going to be drinking while we were there.

“Girl, before we get around these other bitches, let me say this. Elijah is a whole mess, literally. You know I’m always at his and Bino’s place and his ass is always around there sulking.”

“It’s been months.” I shook my head, still very disappointed in him.

“I know, and he still asks if Bino tried talking to Smoke for him.”

I nodded. “Solomon doesn’t really say much about it, but he does mention when he texts him and stuff. I just can’t believe him.”

“Right, and the girl is saying she’s pregnant.”

“What?” I screeched.

“Yes, and don’t say anything because Bino told me not to tell you. He would be pissed if he knew we told.”

“I won’t say anything,” I promised, feeling bad because that wasn’t the kind of thing I should keep from Solomon but I also didn’t want to start things in my best friend’s relationship. “Is she really?”

She nodded. “I’ve seen the ultrasound because she sent it to Bino and told him to tell Elijah to stop playing with her before she makes it worse.”

“And what did Elijah say about it?”

“He claims it’s not his kid. According to him, he used protection every time.”

“This is a hot ass mess.”

“Right, that’s another reason I want to beat that hoe’s ass. She is trying to ruin everyone’s lives.”

“She’s pregnant. We can’t whoop her ass after I drop.”

That annoyed me. I wanted to be fresh out of the hospital on her ass.

“So.” Mo shrugged. “That’s why I didn’t mention it when I asked when we were gon’ beat her ass. We don’t have shit to do with that damn baby.”

“Morgan.” I laughed. “That will be Solo’s sibling.”

“Girl, please.” She waved me off. “I’m sick of her mothafuckin’ ass. Elijah wants her to have an abortion in order to rule him out, so we may as well help him.”

“I will not be a part of that, bitch, and neither will you.” I laughed again. “You are so ridiculous.”

“I’m real.” She shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she was lying though. She seems like the type to lie about some shit like that to cause havoc but really be fibbing.”

I agreed. “Definitely seems like the type.”

We changed the subject and sang on our way to the club.

Vedra’s party was at Black Diamonds and I was so grateful.

I loved going to Royale, The Castle, and The Spot, but I needed a more relaxed environment.

At the listed places there were always a bunch of rowdy ass, hood niggas, which was cool, but I didn’t feel like that tonight.

I just wanted to vibe, eat some good food, chill with my girls, then go the hell home and hopefully my man would be there since he had been out all day.

“Hey, bitches!” Vedra shouted over the music when we entered her section with silver and black balloons along with a big three and one since she was turning thirty one next week.

“Hey, friend,” Mo and I said, then took turns giving her hugs before finding a seat in the sea of other women and men there. We spoke to the ones we knew and waved at the ones we didn’t before Mo grabbed a drink.

“Kaori, I got you a virgin mojito, as well as a bottle of non-alcoholic wine so you can still celebrate with me.”

I chuckled and grabbed the drink she pointed to. “Thank you, friend.”

After that the party was in full swing. We were all drinking, dancing, and having a good time. Solomon texted me a few times to check in and see how things were going. He wasn’t happy when I told him about my drinks even though I assured him they were nonalcoholic.

We got a nice surprise while we were at Black Diamonds because Sire’s new artist Bella was in the house and performing. She wasn’t on as large of a scale as him, Loco, or Sua, but we loved her. Me and my girls always had her on repeat when we were in the car or at the house chilling.

While all of them were up throwing ass, I excused myself to go to the restroom.

Since my little baby was growing by the day, he was pressing down on my bladder more and more.

After that I decided to go out and get some fresh air because it was hot inside.

I knew Mo would talk shit, but she would be fine and so would I considering my mother always had someone watching.

Plus, the waitress stopped me with my steak quesadillas.

Those drunk bitches were lit and I was sober, so I needed a little break to eat in peace.

I was going to call Solomon while I stood out front but got interrupted when a hand wrapped around my arm.

“What the hell?” I screeched, trying unsuccessfully to snatch away.

“Chill, man.”

“Jamal?”

“I just want to talk.”

“Let me go,” I stated.

Releasing me, he lifted his hands in mock surrender. “I just want to talk.”

“About what, Jamal?” I frowned. “There is nothing for us to discuss.”

“I know… I just want to… I don’t know.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Which is normal considering we are no longer together.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Look,” I sighed. “It’s a little chilly out here and I need to eat…”

“I’m parked right there.” He pointed to his Charger parked a short distance away. “You can sit with the heat on and eat.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m going to?—”

He cut me off. “Come on, KK. Yo-you’re pregnant.” He stammered a little, looking down at my belly. “Just want you to be comfortable while you eat and we can talk while you do.”

Against my better judgment, I conceded and walked toward his car. He pulled the passenger door open and attempted to help me inside with his hand on my lower back, but I knocked his hand away and got in on my own.

Once inside, I tucked my phone inside my purse after sending Mo a message then opened my food container, basically moaning at the aroma.

“Damn, I miss that sound,” Jamal said, reminding me I was in his car.

“You gon’ forever miss it, nigga.” I rolled my eyes.

“Damn man, you always so fucking feisty.” He chuckled. “The heat good for you?”

“It’s fine.” His ass never cared if I was comfortable in his car before but now, all of a sudden, he wanted to make sure I was okay.

“Damn, man.” He ran a hand down his face. “So how far along are you?”

“Why?”

“I’m just asking, Kaori.”

Glancing his way briefly, I sighed and replied, “Six months.”

“Word.” He nodded. “And you’re sure that?—”

I cut him off. “This isn’t your baby, Jamal. You know I was not sleeping with you.”

“I know.” He sighed. “It’s just, I can’t believe you carrying another nigga’s baby, ya know.” He chewed on his bottom lip. “I just always thought it would be us.”

“How did you think that after cheating on me basically the whole relationship?”

“I don’t know, I just?—”

“You know what,” I cut him off, closing my box of food. “It doesn’t matter and I don’t need you to explain. I shouldn’t even be in this car with you right now. You had umpteen amounts of time to explain things and be around me but instead you treated me like shit the whole time.”

Reaching between my feet, I got ready to grab my purse so I could get out of his car, but there was a tap on the window.

Looking to the left of me, my eyes stretched wide when I locked eyes with Solomon who had just tapped the very visible gun on the window.

Jamal’s dumb ass was so locked in on me he didn’t even realize someone was behind him.

“Baby…”

“Open the door.”

“The fuck?” Jamal turned quickly to see who was at his window and when he realized he leaned back toward me.

Scary ass.

“Open this fuckin’ door.” Solomon yanked on the handle but since it was locked, he was unsuccessful.

“Bruh, gon’ ‘head,” Jamal stated stupidly.