Page 100 of Certified Pressure 3

The hallway smelled like bleach and new beginnings. My mind was heavy though, thinkin’ about everything that just happened. I knew I had to face Kashmere eventually. I knew Ihurt her. She ain’t deserve that kind of pain, not in front of all them people. I was gon’ make sure she got her money and a clean start, but I wasn’t gon’ pretend like I could fix her heart. That was broken now, and that was on me.

I walked through the hospital lobby until I made it outside. I spotted Kay’Lo’s car parked by the curb. My steps slowed when I noticed somebody standin’ next to it.

It took me a second to realize who it was. I couldn’t mistake the white gown glowin’ under the streetlights.

Kashmere was just standin’ there, still in her weddin’ dress, and her makeup streaked down her cheeks. My stomach dropped.

“Kash…” I started, but the look on her face stopped me. Her eyes were empty, and her hands was shakin’ at her sides.

Before I could move closer, or even understand what was happenin’, she pulled out a gun.

The sound cracked through the air. One shot, then another, and then more. The first two tore through my chest, knockin’ the air outta me. The next two ripped through my arms, and before I could hit the ground, another bullet caught my leg. I dropped hard, blood pourin’ fast and soakin’ through my tux and poolin’ beneath me.

My body jerked from the pain, and my head started spinnin’. I tried to move, but my arms wouldn’t respond. Every breath felt heavier than the last, and I could taste the blood runnin’ in my mouth, bubblin’ when I tried to breathe.

Kashmere walked closer, her voice breakin’ but cold. “You played with the wrong bitch, Pressure.”

I tried to say somethin’, but all that came out was a wet choke. My vision blurred, and all I could hear was the sound of her heels hittin’ the pavement as she walked away, then the tires screechin’ as she sped off.

The pain burned through me, hot and deep, and I couldn’t move. I looked toward the hospital doors. They wasn’t far, but my body wouldn’t listen.

Blood filled my mouth again, and I could feel it slidin’ down my chin. It felt like every breath was slippin’ further away. My mind flashed with pictures of Pluto’s smile, my mama’s face, Zurie’s little laugh, and my son’s tiny hands.

That was the last thing I saw before everything went black.

TO BE CONTINUED…