A Dangerous Love 7: Smiling Faces Hide Lies

by J Peach

  Glaring at me, she rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything at first. We laughed harder.

  “That shit ain’t funny. Don’t nobody have time to be playing with Ha’Keem’s triflin’ ass. But I did slip, though,” she whined. “Y’all, I really tried to stop him and put his ass out, but King wasn’t leaving. He knew what he was doing. He started that argument and then tried to jerk on me. One thing led to another and then we were on the living room floor, naked. We woke up the next morning with Keema jumping on his back yelling, Daddy.” Covering her face, she groaned loudly.

  “Wait. If he told you to come get Keema, how y’all end up at yo place?” I asked.

  “Girl, once Shawn ass left, that mothafucka came knockin’ on the door, with a sleeping Keema in his arms. That’s what really had me thinking it was some serious shit happening. But once we got her off to bed, that mothafucka turned on my ass and went clean the fuck off. Talking about I’m having niggas around his baby when Keema wasn’t even there. Matter of fact, it was the same damn day I picked up Blake. After I dropped Keema off to King and Blake to Momma B, I went home and Shawn called. We were talking and I invited him over. You know we had become real cool after I left King. But once I got pregnant with Keema, I kinda brushed him. So seeing him again was nice. Nothing was meant to happen like that. It just did.”

  “Oh, shit! Y’all think little man really called King once he made it to Mom B’s house?” Missy asked, seeming convinced he did.

  “I don’t know. Blake wouldn’t do that—”

  “Does he call Blaze whenever he run niggas away from you?” Angel asked.

  “I mean, yeah. Oh, my God! Y’all think Blake told King?” Their heads moved up and down. “No,” though I said that, I couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Yep, Blake’s a snitch. Don’t he know what happens to snitches?” Angel asked, laughing. “Then again they ass probably got his ass watching y’all, though. I wouldn’t put that shit past King’s ass. But Blaze. I don’t think he’s childish enough to do that.”

  I wouldn’t put that past Blaze either, to be honest. Keeping my thoughts to myself, I changed the subject.

  “So how Keema’s grown ass been doing?” I took a sip of my drink, before looking at her.

  “Bad as ever just like her damn daddy. That little girl makes my ass hurt. I swear she’s so much like that man it makes no damn sense. But Mom B got her now. She called me last night and told me to drop Keema off over there. Bianca got her little ass spoiled. All she talks about is her nana.” Ebony laughed.

  Bianca had basically became a second mother to Ebony, which was another reason I honestly thought gave her the strength to be done with King. Hell, she was a mother to all of us. She was the strong female figure we needed in our lives, something neither of our mothers were. Even though Keema wasn’t blood related to her, she didn’t love her any less. She treated her just as she did Blake.

  “I was thinking about inviting Shawn to B’s party, but I don’t know,” Ebony said, looking at us.

  I’m sure my facial expression matched the other girls. Ebony was trying to get Shawn hurt especially after she done gave King some wet. That wasn’t going to end well for either of them.

  We left the conversation at that as we continued to eat silently for a few minutes. None of us were willing to speak on the stupidness Ebony was talking.

  “So, how you feeling about Blaze’s friend?” Kimmy spoke, breaking the silence that fell upon us, causing the girls to look at me.

  “I really don’t know how to feel, to be honest. I mean, he says it’s nothing serious and she’s just a chick. So I don’t know and probably won’t until I see them together. But Blaze is grown. His life shouldn’t have to stop because of me. So whether I like it or not, I’ll keep it to myself and be happy for him.” Bullshit! From the expression on the girls’ face they called the same thing. “Fuck! Y’all, okay, I thought that sounded very convincing.”

  “Bitch, it didn’t.” Angel laughed, shaking her head. “I guess I gotda bring my knuckles ‘cause some shit ‘bout to go down.” She joked, making us laugh.

  “No, I’mma be good. I promise.” Although I said that, I didn’t know how true it was going to be.

  Chapter 4

  Peaches

  “Blake, let’s go!” Looking at my phone, I sighed not ready to take this two hour drive to Michigan City just to have breakfast with Blaze for his birthday.

  “I’m coming!”

  “Get your gift from off of my nightstand! Hurry, Blake!” I yelled again. After a few long seconds, Blake still hadn’t come down. “Rashad!”

  “I’m coming, I’m coming. Dang!” he responded, bouncing down the stairs with his duffle bag that looked heavy.

  “Why do you have that?” I scowled at him. He acted as if he didn’t hear my question and tried to walk past me. “What do you have in the bag?” I made a grab for him, but he jumped back out of my reach. I glared at Blake.

  “Ma, we’re going to be late. We’ll talk in the truck, let’s go.” Blake simply smiled before he kissed my cheek.

  He had my eyes rolling up into my head. He was most definitely his father’s child. “Boy, let’s go, slow butt.” I popped him upside his head as we left out of the house. “Don’t forget to hint to your dad that you have a bigger surprise for him tomorrow.”

  I never did called Blaze as I promised. Instead, I figured since he was a big ass kid anyway, we would make Great America a surprise. We were going to pick him up in the morning and just take him there.

  “I know, I know it’s a surprise but I don’t know, Ma, I might slip. You know money can keep my mouth shut, though,” Blake stated, rubbing his figures together.

  “And you know I have to drive us there, right?”

  His face fell as a thoughtful look covered his handsome face. “Damn— ow, why you hit me?”

  “Watch your mouth. Now what do you have in that bag?”

  Blake smiled his cute little smile. “Just my games—”

  “Blake, what part of grounded don’t you understand? You can’t have no games, nothing. So you know you’re leaving that bag in the truck.” I fussed at him and he groaned loudly.

  “Momma, I’m grounded at yo house, not at nana’s or my dad’s, that’s what they always tell me. What goes for yo crib don’t bring it to theirs.” Blake told me as he let his seat back then pulling out his Wii U, turning it on.

  “They said what?” Why was I surprised by that was beyond me. Blake was spoiled, yes. And a lot of times, I would let stuff go when I really shouldn’t had. But it seemed like I’m the only one who disciplined him.

  Blaze would fuss at him but grounding and taking stuff away from him didn’t happen.

  “You bet not take that bag out this truck, I know that. Give me that.” Taking the Wii U from him, I put it in the back on the floor. “I don’t care what your dad or nana say, you’re grounded. I will be sure to take every game console from both of their houses. The TVs I can’t do nothing about, but I promise you will not play a game.” I told him and I could tell he didn’t like that because he grabbed my purse.

  “I was just playing.”

  “No you wasn’t. Blake, I know when you’re lying and I know you’re freakin’ dad and nana. So, you can gon’ ‘head and text yo daddy and tell him I’m taking your stuff?” His fingers stopped moving across the screen when I said that, making me laugh. “Like I said, I know you, baby. You gotda do better. You’re not slick, Rashad. And don’t be rolling yo damn eyes either, I will pop them out. You’re getting too grown for yo own self”

  “Your,” he stated, making me glance at him. He caught the mean slants to my eyes and laughed. “You said yo and it’s your own self.” Reaching over the seat, I slapped him upside his head before laughing.

  “If you ain’t yo father’s child, Lord have mercy.”

  “You love me, though, so can I get my game back?” He smiled.

  Shaking my head, I turned up the radio and ignored him as I drove.
After a few seconds, I peeked over at him and watched as he reached in the back, grabbing his game. I choose not to say anything to him, which was probably why he thought he could get away with a lot. Even though I got on his ass sometimes, I was still weak when it came to my little man.

  He was my baby.

  ***

  “Dad!” Blake called out as he ran over to Blaze, hugging him.

  “What’s up, man?” Blaze pulled away from the hug and he shook up with Blake.

  Seeing this, I rolled my eyes.

  “Fuck you doing that fah?” Blaze asked, coming over to me.

  Smiling, I gave him hug. “No reason. Happy Birthday.”

  He kissed the top of my head and then let go of me. “Thanks.” Blaze gave me a once over. A smiled graced his lips before his tongue swiped over his full bottom lip.

  Already knowing what was on his mind, I pushed away from him.

  “Don’t you even, Blaze.” I turned away from Blaze and bit into my lower lip to hide my smile. I focused back on Blake. “Come on.” I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and led us toward the back of the restaurant. I tried to ignore the heavy gaze I felt on my back, so much so my hips moved faster and harder as my pace quickened to find us a spot. When I found a table for us, temptation gotten the best of me and I glanced back. Sure enough, he was staring at my ass.

  His eyes had lowered and a crooked smile found its way to his lips.

  With a shake of my head, I laughed. “You are ridiculous.”

  “I ain’t even said shit, yet.” He laughed, knowing he had been caught.

  I hummed and my eyes rolled. Once again, that same old giddiness returned to the pit of my stomach.

  “You was thinking something, though.”

  “Mhm. I’m thinking yo ass wearing the hell out those jeans,” he said and Blake agreed.

  “Hell yeah! I told her they was too damn tight. Niggas be looking at her butt and stuff. She always wearing tight stuff like that,” he told Blaze who slapped him upside his head.

  “Watch yo damn mouth,” he told him before moving closer to Blake’s side. “Niggas be looking at her, though?”

  Laughing, I hit him. “Don’t nobody be looking at me. Thanks to Blake,” I glared at him.

  He simply smiled at my look. “You’re welcome. Dad said I’m supposed to look after you and keep creeps away,” Blake said, high-fiving Blaze.

  “Looking after me and scaring dudes away isn’t the same thing. He done scared off so many of the male nurses at work they started telling everyone about my crazy son. I’m lucky if one man at my job talks to me. The doctors don’t even speak no more. They simply nod.”

  Blaze started laughing before he gave Blake dap, making me hit him again.

  “Thanks not even funny.”

  “Shit if it ain’t. That’s what’s up, though. He’s doing what he supposed too. I was the same way.” Blaze shrugged as he pounded Blake’s fist again.

  I wanted to tell him their situations were different but choose not to.

  “So you tryna date?” Blaze asked, taking me by surprise.

  My brow rose at him before my eyes slid to Blake, who was starting dead at me.

  “Are you?” Why would he ask me something like that in front of Blake when he knew Blake’s nosey ass listened to everything?

  My baby may not want to admit it but I knew he hoped me and Blaze would get back together one day. All kids wanted their parents together.

  With our history, I didn’t think I was ready just yet. Sometimes it got lonely, but I dealt with it because Blaze was poison. Being with him was literally a drug to me. And even though I grew up since we met, that didn’t really change anything. Simply being with Blaze for an hour could send me back to that place where nothing mattered and all rational thoughts were gone. And I honestly was not ready for those emotions.

  When Blaze didn’t respond, I looked back at him only to see he had taken off his snapback and was now rubbing the back of his neck.

  “Oh, Blake, let’s go make yo plate.” That was all I could think to say. Blaze liking someone else was something I never expected to happen so soon and I honestly didn’t know how to feel about it.

  I wanted him to be happy. I couldn’t be selfish and have him waiting on me forever. It had been five years so maybe it was time.

  I went to turn around but Blaze grabbed my arm, stopping me. “Hold on. Blake, you gon’ ‘head. We’re right behind you.”

  He looked from me to Blaze and then turned and started walking away. Once Blake was far up, he started talking.

  “It ain’t what you thinking. I’m not fuckin’ with no bitch like that but I’m kickin’ it with this one babe. A friend from back in the day. It’s nothing serious, though,” he explained as his head lowered a bit so that he was staring me in the eyes.

  Grabbing his hand, I began to pull him toward the buffet. I didn’t respond at first. I didn’t know how to.

  “You mad?” he asked, pulling me to a stop.

  Laughing, I shook my head and turned to face him. “No, I’m not mad, B. You are a grown ass man. I don’t have no control over your personal life unless it involves my baby. Other than that, bae, you can do what you want. But I do gotda check this bitch out, though. To make sure she’s what’s up.”

  Laughing, Blaze’s hands went to my waist and I was pulled against him.

  “You gotda check her? That’s the new saying to see if she touching you, huh?” he questioned with a knowing look.

  My teeth sunk deeper into my lower lip as I tried to keep a straight face. While doing so, my eyes rolled up basically telling him I wasn’t worried about the bitch’s appearance. Regardless of how any chick Blaze fuck’d with—big, small, tall or short, they didn’t hold a torch to me, given our history. So appearance wise, I wasn’t worried but him opening up to another was a totally different story.

  Catching my look, Blaze laughed.

  “Oh, so you ain’t fucke’d up, huh? You think you in? You got it like that huh?” He laughed.

  My lips popped as the tip of my tongue pressed against the bottom of my top lip. “I’m not saying I do, but umm, you know what’s up.” That made him laugh as his hands slid into my back pockets.

  “N’all, I don’t think I do.” Blaze licked his lips as his hands seemed to tighten.

  The pit of my stomach clenched as heat crept up my neck and goose bumps sprouted down my arms.

  “You gon’ show me what’s up?” His face moved closer to mine.

  My cheeks went hot as my mouth opened and then closed. I was stuck, at a loss for words. My lips parted, but I didn’t know what to say as my eyes moved from his lips to his eyes.

  “Oh, shit! Blake, yo pops still got it. I got her yellow ass speechless and red as fuck!” Blaze called out loudly, grabbing the people closest to us attention.

  Now I was embarrassed.

  “Get off of my momma,” Blake squeezed in between us and then pushed Blaze away from me. “Move back. Come on, Ma. I told you he was a creep, too.”

  My hand cover my parted lips and I started laughing.

  “Damn, B, it’s like that? I’m a creep now?” Blaze looked at Blake shocked.

  He grabbed us a plate and handed me mines and then looked at his dad. “Hell yeah! Yo ass been a creep, fuck you mean?” Blake cussed.

  My mouth opened in surprise, but I didn’t say anything. I just looked at Blaze to see how he was going to react to our eight year old cussing like he was grown.

  “How the fuck I’m creepy?” he asked, following Blake to the counter.

  Quietly, I followed them and listened.

  “You be looking at her booty. I told yo ass about lookin’ at her butt. You just be staring like you want her good stuff. But my momma ain’t giving you none.” Blake informed him in a serious tone.

  Now I knew this was the moment Blaze was about to go off on Blake for saying some grown shit like that.

  “How the hell you sound? I was all in her good stuff, fuck you mean.
That don’t make me no damn creep, though. I check yo moms out, she sexy as fuck. When you find yoself a little shorty that looks like yo moms with good stuff, I bet yo ass ain’t gon’ think I’m a creep no more,” was Blaze’s reply.

  My mouth dropped. What the hell was he teaching my damn baby?

  Blake stopped making his plate to look up at his dad with a questioning look.

  “Like that one cute babe that was at the courts. She was ten, talkin’ bout I’m too young. That’s why I pushed her black ass off the swing. Gon’ have me pushing her and then tell me I was too young for her. I should’ve slapped her ass,” Blake explained to Blaze, looking upset.

  I was shocked to hear my eight year old talk like this.

  “That’s why that little girl was crying? Hell n’all, yo ass didn’t?” Blaze laughed as he steadily put food on his plate like he wasn’t talking to a kid.

  “Yeah, I did. She said she was gon’ get her big brother to beat my ass. But they ain’t never come back. I told her I’d beat both they ass, though. After that, she ran off. I think her friend like me because she was smiling at me before running off with them. Fuck them girls, though. Unc said his girl got a daughter and that he was gon’ take me over there to meet her.” Blake smiled as he nodded his head excitedly.

  Blaze hummed as a thoughtful look covered his face. “N’all, you ain’t kickin’ it with Unc and his bitches. They crazy. Yo little ass don’t need to be worrying about no little ass girls anyway. You need to stay focus on school, basketball and boxing, that’s it. Liking these little ass girls now ain’t gon’ do shit but fuck up yo head and when you get sixteen/seventeen. You gon’ be too focus on they ass and not yo work, you know. Their girly parts is what’s gon’ always be on yo mind. You gotda be smart, man. Them parts ain’t gon’ make yo ass no money and you damn sho ain’t gon’ be living off yo moms and me.

  “These bitches gon’ always be here. A career ain’t. You like basketball, Blake, and that’s a one shot thing. Think about it like this, if you stay on track, ‘bout time you sixteen, yo ass gon’ have scouts looking at you wanting you to go to their school because you better then Jordan, you know. Or boxing, you love that shit. By eighteen you could be better than Mayweather, knocking niggas out, undefeated. But if yo ass lose that focus and turn it on liking some girls, you might as well forget about everything else because it’s gone,” Blaze explained as they sat across from one another.