by J Peach
“Yeah, I guess,” I said, rubbing a hand over my head and then down my face.
“What’s up, Boon?” As soon as my hand touched the back of my neck, she hit me. “God Booney, what did you do?”
My moms knew me too damn well, but shid, I had to talk her.
“Why, I gotda do some—”
“Blaze, don’t play with me. What happened?” She cut her eyes at me, stopping my words.
Folding my arms over my chest, I let out a breath. “Remember ol’ girl Krystal I was telling you about?” I asked.
My mom rolled her eyes as she nodded her head. “The messy bitch, what about her— Boon, you didn’t.” She hit me again as she said that.
“Stop hitting me. I didn’t, shit.”
“Blaze—” My mom called my name in a stern ‘don’t fuck with me’ voice, one I was all too familiar with. The playfulness left as I got serious.
“Yeah, the messy chick. I kinda like her. Don’t get me wrong, it ain’t like what I got fah Peaches, but shid, I like her no less and don’t wanna hurt her. Man, I don’t know— What?” She let out a sigh while shaking her head at me.
“Boon, you can’t do this. I like Peaches and I don’t want her to be hurt. So if you’re feeling this way about ol’ girl, then I’d advise you to talk to Peaches. Take a break from your relationship until you get your shit together. Just don’t go playing with these girls’ hearts, Boon, okay?”
Letting out an even louder sigh, my moms turned away from me and went back to the burgers she was making. Her head shook as she flipped them over.
“I ain’t gon’ play with ‘em.”
“You already are, Boon, damn,” she snapped, turning towards me once more.
“Ma, it ain’t even like that. Ol’ girl ain’t got shit on Peaches. That’s who I wanna be with, but at the same time ol’ girl cool, nice, and I like kicking it with her. She ain’t Peaches. Then again, Peaches ain’t her either. Krystal got aspects about her that I like so much so, I’m considering her damn feelings when it comes to certain shit. It may not hold shit to Peaches, but damn.”
I didn’t have feelings for Krystal relationship-wise, but I was in lust with her throat like a mothafucka. And that was going to fuck me up in the end with Peaches because I wasn’t ready to stop fuckin’ Krystal’s mouth.
My moms was the only person I could be real with about some shit like that. Even though I valued her honesty, her opinion was hers whether she liked the shit I was saying or not. Her opinion on the situation wasn’t gon’ change what I was gon’ do.
“When are you going to get your shit together? How the hell you go from not liking no damn body, to liking two women? If I’ma be honest, I don’t think you like this girl the way you’re thinking you do. Boon, it could simply be a distraction from fully giving into the feelings you’re having for Peaches, with a mixture of lust, Blaze.
“Lusting after someone will fuck up the good you got, which is Peaches. She’s a good girl that could have anybody, but instead she wants you. She’s too damn good to have to go through bullshit like this because you decided to get emotional over some chick.
“Boon, if you mess with this girl you might as well say bye to Peaches because you’re gonna lose her and you bet not bring yo ass over here whining and shit like you did last time she left yo dumbass,” she snapped, slamming a plate on the counter in front of me as she went on.
Moms, was pissed. Maybe coming to her about this particular thing was too much, especially now that she’d actually grown a relationship with Peaches and liked her.
“Here I’m thinking you’re changing when you’re not. Dammit, Booney. When are you going to leave this bullshit alone? You know what, don’t answer that. Do what the hell you want, just don’t hurt Peaches in the process. Break it off before you do anything with this other women, with her triflin’ ass. Who wanna be someone’s sideline chick any fuckin’ way?
“Is the bitch that fuckin’ desperate for a nigga she just don’t give a fuck— Don’t touch that damn plate, get yo ass out my damn house, you just pissed me off. Gon’ now, Booney, get out,” she snapped at me before snatching the plate from in front of me. She dumped the burger in the trash and threw the plate in the sink.
“Why the hell you do that? I wanted that damn burger, shit smelled good.” My mom glared at me hard once I said that.
“I don’t wish this, but I hope she leave yo dumbass. Peaches is a good, sweet girl and don’t deserve the stupid shit you put her through. Like leaving her here the other day, making her miss school for nothing. You’re inconsiderate when it comes to her and I’m telling you this now, she’s going to get tired of your shit and be done completely. Boon, you won’t have a third or fourth chance. Do you hear me?” Nodding my head, I let out a breath. “Blaze, do you hear me?”
“Yeah, Ma, I hear you.” Running a hand over my head and then down my face, I realized I didn’t want to be done with Peaches, but I ain’t want to fuck shit up either. And kicking it with Krystal was bound to do just that. Just as I thought that, my phone vibrated. As for it being a distraction, I doubted that. Shid, I didn’t hide how I felt for Peaches, shid, I didn’t think I did.
Seeing Krystal’s name flash across the screen, I rejected the call.
“What’s this favor you need?” My mom asked me.
“I need you to watch Ace for me— Wait, before you start snapping, his moms ain’t shit, yo. I couldn’t just leave him out there by himself, shit would fuck with my conscious—”
“When the hell did yo ass get a conscious? My answer is no. You got him so you keep ‘em—”
“Ma, come on. I gotda make a stop—”
“Fine, Boon, just go. Tell your sister and Ace to come eat.” With that she turned away from me.
“You—”
“If you ask for a plate I’ma slap yo ass with this hot pot. If you want something to eat, make it yo damn self or get the burger out the trash.” Holding my hands up, I slowly walked over and kissed her cheek.
“I’ight, Ma, I’m out. I’ll call you later.” Moving away from her, I grabbed my keys off the counter as she called my name.
“Blaze, be careful out there. I don’t want to have to kill a scorned bitch because of you.”
Laughing, I nodded my head and left the house. Ace was on Britt’s bike riding it in the street while Britt sat on the porch texting.
“Yo ass always on that damn phone, you bet not be talkin’ to no niggas.” I snatched the phone from her hands and Britt’s head snapped towards me as she jumped up.
“Give me my damn phone, Blaze, dang!” She yelled as she tried to grab it. Pushing her ass back, I started looking through the messages that was up.
“Who the fuck is Marcel?” I asked, looking at her. “Fuck he means he had fun the other day?”
Smacking her lips again, she jumped on me. “Nothing! Damn, Blaze, give me my fuckin’ phone. Yo black ass play too much,” Britt snapped off.
Pushing her back, I slapped her in the mouth. “Who the fuck you think you talking to? Jump on me again, I’ma knock yo ass out. Now who the hell is Marcel and what the hell he mean? Do I need to call this dude?”
“N’all, Blaze, dang. It’s nothing, he was over the other day for our project that’s it. Daddy was here watching us the whole time,” she explained, holding her hand out. “Now can I have my phone back, please?”
“You gon’ mess around and get one of these little niggas fuck’d up, I ain’t bullshittin’. Here.” As I held out the phone she went to snatch it, but I pulled it back. “Make me slap yo ass.” Rolling her eyes, she took the phone.
“Since you all in my business, can I get twenty dollars?” She asked, holding her hand out.
I shook my head at her before walking to my truck. “You ain’t got no damn business.”
“Booney, please?”
“Hell no—”
“Please!”
“Ma said come eat, take Ace with you,” I told her as I started the truck.
&n
bsp; “I’ll tell you what Peaches and mommy were talkin’ about,” she bargained.
That got my attention and I nodded for her to get in. Knowing our nosy ass momma, she’d be looking out the window tryna listen.
Once Britt got in she held her hand out. “You gotda pay me first.”
“Tell me what the fuck they was talking about,” I snapped at her and she rolled her eyes.
“You better pay me. Mommy called Peaches over to give her a copy of the picture she liked in the hall, the gangster pirate one. Then mommy asked how things are between y’all and Peaches kinda sort of told mommy she’s pre…” Britt mumbled lowly so I didn’t hear what she said.
“She’s what?” I asked dumbly. “Britt, don’t play with me, what the fuck she say?”
Letting out a huff she turned in her seat to look at me. “You can’t say nothing, let her tell you. Okay?”
“I ain’t gon’ say shit.” It wasn’t a promise.
“She got a bun in her oven.”
What?
“What the fuck that mean?” I asked, ready to slap her.
“Oh, my God, she’s pregnant, Boon. Mommy’s excited.” My eyes searched hers, tryna see if she was lying, but I couldn’t tell. Then, why would she lie about something like that? If it was true, why the fuck Peaches ain’t say shit? “Don’t say nothing to her, let Peaches come to you. I don’t want Mommy knowing I was eavesdropping. Can I get my twenty dollars?” She asked, holding out her hand.
Reaching in my pocket and pulling out my money. “I don’t have twenty dollars—”
“What you got then?” She brought her face over to my side. Muffing her ass back, I laughed.
“Get yo damn nose from over here, I don’t have twenty dollars is what I don’t have. Fuck wrong with you, man? You old enough to get a job now. I’m not gon’ be giving you money every time I see yo ass. Better go ask yo damn daddy,” I told her and she smacked her lips before hitting me.
“He not gon’ give me no money if it’s not important, he tryna find me a car. I swear him and mommy be acting like they broke. Always talkin’ about somebody need a job but they don’t wanna hire me. I can’t stand they ass sometimes. So you my bank until I get a car and job. Booney, why you won’t give me a car? I’m about to be seventeen, I got my license but don’t have a car which is crazy seeing as my brother got a damn car lot.”
“Watch yo damn mouth. You talk too much, you know that, right?”
Smacking her lips, she flopped back in the seat. “I’m serious, Boon.”
“What the fuck you need a car for, tho? Ain’t shit wrong with yo damn bike.” Again, she smacked her lips, making me laugh. “I’ll think about it—” Britt let out a squeak as she threw herself at me.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She squeaked out.
“I didn’t say I was getting it, I said I’ll think about it.”
“You always say that before doing it, I want my car to be hot pink, Boon, with matching rims like Peaches. So maybe you could talk to her brother and see who did her car, but I want a four door— Ah! Boon, I love you. I gotda go tell mommy.” She was already out the car and running towards the house.
“Britt!” I called out to her.
She stopped and ran back to the truck. “Nigga, give me my damn money, you ain’t slick,” she said, opening the truck door and snatching a fifty dollar bill from my hand. “Thanks. Oh, and you can come pick me up tomorrow so I can find a car on the lot? I’ll be ready at twelve—”
“You gon’ make hurt yo little ass fah snatching and don’t go telling ma shit, i’ight. Keep yo damn mouth closed. I’ll pick you up after school on Monday and take you. And you get out at three-thirty.” Nodding, she just stood there for a second before letting out a sigh.
“I lied,” she suddenly said closing the truck door.
“What?” I asked, confused as to what she lied about.
“Peaches not pregnant, I lied. But mommy was talking to her about having babies with you soon. Mommy said she wanted to be a grandma by the end of the year. So be careful, she might try to trap you. Don’t use no condoms she give you, buy your own and make sure she on birth control.” Britt was my mother’s child, there was no denying it. Those mothafuckin’ women were crazy as hell.
Who the fuck lie about some shit like that?
Krystal popped in my head the moment I thought that.
“Why are you laughing?” Britt asked. All I could do was shake my damn head as I pulled out the driveway. “Boon, you still gon’ pick me up!” She yelled.
Ignoring her dumbass, I kept driving.
Chapter 23
Blaze
“Nigga, where the fuck you been at? I been calling yo ass since this morning,” King said as I walked in the strip joint one of King’s bitches worked at.
“My business nigga, what’s up, tho?” I asked, sitting down in a circular booth as King waved over a waitress. Her titties were out and she had on a thong.
Damn, temptation a bitch.
“Nigga, you looking pretty hard, ain’t you?” He stated.
Glancing at him, I nodded before looking back at ol’ girl. “You fuckin’ with my sister—”
“I know, I can look. Little mama here thick as fuck, tho, with a nice ass,” I said, making ol’ girl smile. I took four bills from my pockets and slid it in the side of her thong. “Bring me a bottle of Hennessey.”
She bit into her bottom lip, gave another smile and walked off.
“I’ma fuck you up,” King said, making me laugh.
“I ain’t worried about you. I wouldn’t fuck that bitch, tho. She can suck my dick, that’s about it. When have you known me to fuck a random ass bitch?” I asked King who shrugged. “What’s up, tho?” King drank what was left in his glass and leaned against the table. Him doing that had me letting out a heavy breath because I knew it was something. “What now?”
“Joe Boy, that’s what.”
My brows rose at that, not understanding the problem. “Joe? Why the fuck his name coming up?” I asked.
“His name’s coming up because of a bitch that was let go. This bitch got hit with a B&E charge and didn’t want go to jail so she sang a song about a nigga kicking in a door and killing three mothafuckas. Dumb bitch even gave them a plate number. Why the fuck you let that bitch go?” King snapped, asking.
Damn. See, a nigga couldn’t be nice to dumb hoes. “Man, that bitch was pregnant, yo. That’s the only reason I ain’t hit her ass. But don’t worry about it,” I said, nodding my head.
“I handled it already, good thing that bitch ain’t know yo name. I need the keys to yo truck and yo ass need to lay low fah a while. You getting hot, you dropping too many. And that cop, B? You doing too much. Them boys out looking fah any mothafucka that’s connected with yo dude at that damn hair shop. So chill the fuck out, disappear for a minute and give this shit a rest, man,” King said and I nodded my head before licking my lips.
“You sound like yo damn sister with that give it rest. Nigga, this’s what I do. You, of all mothafuckas, should know that. That cop, I don’t know what the fuck you talkin’ bout. I ain’t never seen that mothafucka besides on the news, so don’t bring that shit to me. I’m clean with my shit, yo.”
“You taking care of ol’ girl was a dumbass move. If that bitch went talkin’ and then suddenly came up missing, who the fuck you think they gon’ come looking fah, King? Not yo ass, but me. That truck in my name, yo, so getting rid of it ain’t gon’ do shit. Plus, the bitch a crack head. How fuckin’ reliable would she have really been?” I was pissed. I didn’t like for mothafuckas to handle my shit just in case they slipped. I was usually on shit like that.
Fuckin’ with Peaches and Krystal fuckin’ me up.
I didn’t do that shit with jumping from Krystal to Peaches. I always said the day I started slipping without realizing it meant it was a means to an end. But that shit wasn’t happening no time soon. I just had to get my head on straight, drop those damn commitments and relationship
s and get back on my shit.
“B, I ain’t stupid and I don’t give a fuck who you think I’m sounding like. But if you gon’ be with my sista, then you gon’ have to calm down and let this shit go. Nigga, I was lookin’ out fah yo ass when Le’Ron came to me with the shit. You lucky Le’Ron the one she was talkin’ to. I handled it, tho, gave that bitch two rocks, just like yo ass would’ve done. I know you, B. I ain’t stupid, i’ight. But if you gon’ be fuckin’ with Peaches, then you gon’ calm the fuck down and stop looking at these bitches.”
Looking away from ol’ girl’s ass that walked past, I glanced at King before laughing. “Man, fuck you. Yo ass shouldn’t have told me to come here. All this ass in this place and you expect me not to look. Shid, I need to look and maybe have ol girl suck my dick since Peaches ass being stingy with her pussy.”
“Shut the fuck up, nigga, I don’t wanna hear that shit, damn. You gon’ fuck around and make me pop yo ass. I’m being serious, tho, B. Cool the fuck out, yo, because if yo ass get locked up, I’ma see to it Peaches move the fuck on. She ain’t gon’ be stuck in this life. I don’t want that for her, this life period.” From the tone of King’s voice and the look on his face, I knew he was serious.
I couldn’t be mad at him for the shit he was saying because I had a little sister and if it was vice versa, I’d have been spittin’ the same shit to ‘em.
“I hear you, dude. And good lookin’ with that bitch, I hope yo ass put some battery acid in that shit you gave her,” I said, serious as hell, making King laugh while shaking his head.
“B, you a crazy mothafucka. If we did that then they would know her ass didn’t OD. What the fuck wrong with you? It was a cop with Le’Ron that don’t fuck with us, so he had to run the plate. I called Tisa at the License bureau to change the name and shit before they ran it, tho. Le’Ron bought us some time with that, so now all we got to do is get rid of yo truck,” he informed me.
Damn, I didn’t wanna have to do that, but sometimes that was the price you paid for a slip. Fuck! “So you need my truck? I’ight, you gon’ have to come by the house to get it, my shit in there.” I was saying as King reached in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys, tossing them to me as the waiter brought the bottle of Hennessey.