by J Peach
“It’s not about the fuckin’ money, Peaches! I don’t give a fuck about no gotdamn territory! None of that means shit to me. Baby, this ain’t never going to end whether we run or not and I’m not letting this bullshit go. You don’t fuck with me and mine then think I’m not gon’ do shit. Peaches, they could’ve killed you. Do you not understand that? And you want me to run? Hell n’all, man, fuck that. Baby, I’m only giving them what they want.” Blaze grabbed my arms and tried to pull me closer to him.
I lightly pulled my arm from his grasp. I couldn’t even look at him. After what went down, I wanted to take him and Blake and get as far away as possible. A part of me knew he was right about one thing. It was never going to end until Blaze was dead.
“Peaches, don’t be like that.” Blaze let out sigh.
The sound was heavier and longer than usual. I knew it was something else. I turned to look at him. “What now?” I was dreading his reply.
“I need you to do me a favor.” He raised his arm but he stopped with a grunt. “Shit!”
I bit the inside of my lip so I wouldn’t say anything smart. He was so stupid sometimes maybe this pain was good for his dumb ass. Hopefully, this would make him realize he wasn’t invincible.
“You find something funny?”
“No, I just wish you’ll let this go, but I guess you’re not. B, what you want me to do?” My eyes rolled hard up into my head. I hated that I was giving in and was going to do whatever he asked of me.
“I need you to plan my funeral in a week.” He stared into my eyes.
I didn’t find a trace of a lie. He was serious.
“Peaches, I need you to pull off the best gotdamn service. Pick me out a nice ass casket. And that pain you felt these past two weeks, keep it. I need that exact reaction. Baby, everybody gotda think I’m dead. Blake will be here with me so don’t worry about him. Peach, I promise once this is over, I’m done. But I gotda finish this.” His head tilted as he stared at me trying to read me.
Again, I looked away from him.
“Peach—”
I moved closer to him and took his face into my hands. “Blaze, I’ll do it only if you promise me I won’t be planning a real funeral no time soon.”
He shook his head. “I can’t make that promise.”
“Then no, I can’t do it. If you can’t look me in the eyes and promise me I won’t be planning one for you no time soon, then the answer is no. I can’t do it.” I couldn’t pretend if he couldn’t sincerely make me that promise. I wasn’t about to practice for his death. Hell no!
Blaze took ahold of my face and pulled it closer to his. “I’m not going anywhere no time soon. Peaches, you’re not losing me, I promise,” he spoke so sincerely.
I believed him. “I’ll do it. Blaze, I swear if anything happens to you—”
“Peaches, it won’t. Nothing is going to happen to me. You and Lil B is reason enough for me to push through anything. I’m not leaving y’all. You hear me?”
I nodded my head. “I love you.”
Blaze kissed me. “I love you, too, i’ight? Now I want you to go out and get me a nice ass casket then plan the best gotdamn funeral you can. Will you do that for me?”
“Yeah, I will.”
Chapter 12
Peaches
Present Time
The ringing of my phone pulled me from my thoughts. I pulled away from Joseph and stood up. I wiped my eyes then brushed off my knees before I grabbed my phone out of my handbag.
King’s name flashed across the screen before it stopped ringing. A few minutes later a text came through.
King sent me a text asking if I was good. I quickly shot him one back. I told him I was and that I’d be at my hotel soon.
Since I no longer lived in Gary, which was where the funeral was held, I’d been staying at the Radisson Hotel for this past week.
“Is everything okay?” Joseph asked.
I put my phone away and focused back on him. “Yeah, just my friends checking on me. How are you?”
He dropped his flower into the open grave and nodded his head. “I’ll be okay. I have no choice. Thanks for being a listening ear.” He held his arm out from me.
I gave him a polite smile and linked my arm through his.
“I can see what my son saw in you. And why he was having a fight within himself. I sincerely think you were great for him and I’m thankful he had you,” he spoke kindly.
A smile came to my face and my cheeks heated. “Thank you. He was the same for me.” Blaze was really my everything and I was his.”
“Come on, let me get you home before someone starts a search party.” He let out a faint laugh.
I ignored my ringing phone and let him lead me to the car. Once we both were inside, he pulled out of the cemetery. I told him where I was staying and he drove me to my hotel. The ride there was silent.
***
He pulled to the front door and I got out. “Thanks for the ride and it was really nice meeting you. Though I wish it was on better terms that we met.”
“The same here. Wait, before you go can I ask you a serious question?” He turned in his seat to face me.
“Yeah sure.”
“Why did Bianca wait two whole weeks to bury my son?” he asked.
“Because I was in the hospital and she didn’t want to bury him without me being there. Plus, she couldn’t plan it alone and with the state Brittany was in, she couldn’t handle it. So Bianca waited for me.” I explained.
“Why was the casket closed?”
My brows raised at his question but I guessed it wasn’t an odd one. “Bianca didn’t want anyone to see him like that. We don’t know exactly what they did to him but it just didn’t look like Blaze. His face looked a dark purple. I couldn’t have that be the very last image folks saw of him. So we decided to have it closed plus it was best for Brittany.” I shook my head as if I was remembering a bad image.
“I understand that. Here, I would really appreciate it if you kept in touch.” He wrote his number on a piece of paper and handed it to me.
“I will. I’ll talk to you later.” I closed his door, waved at him then made my way into the hotel. I went straight to the elevator and rode it up to the third floor.
Once I made it to my room, I overhead King talking.
“She’s good, B. Damn.—Bell been following her.—I don’t know who ol dude was.—Obviously, she does— Hold on she just walked in the room.” A look of relief covered King’s face once he saw me. “Calm this nigga down.” He pushed me the phone then walked into the kitchen.
“Bellow was following me?” I asked no one in particular as I put the phone to my ear.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Blaze’s demanding voice boomed through the line.
I pulled the phone from my ear to look at it.
“Peaches!” he yelled again.
“Blaze, why are you yelling? Bae, I’m about to FaceTime you.” I pushed the video button only to be met by his scowling face. A few seconds later my baby’s face appeared next to his dad’s.
“Hey, Momma. What’s up?” Blake asked with a cheeky smile.
“Nothing, baby, just getting in. What have you been doing? You haven’t been working your dad’s nerves, have you?” I sat on the bed and then pulled off my heels, tossing them to the floor.
Blake took the phone and moved away from Blaze. “No I haven’t. He been working mine, though. Telling me everything to do. When are you coming here?” Blake didn’t hide the fact he wasn’t having fun.
“I’ll be there in the morning, sometime. Rashad, be nice to him. You know he’s not feeling good and he really needs your help. Remember when you was sick and I wasn’t there. Your dad took care of you so it’s your turn to look after him.” I glared at him through the screen.
“I know but, Ma, he worrisome as hell.” He started to go off.
I cut him short. “Blake, you better watch your mouth. You don’t think you work my dang on nerves? Now you know how it
feels. Give your dad the phone and go play your game or something. I love you, baby.”
He let out a heavy groan before doing as he was asked. Once Blaze’s face appeared on the screen, I couldn’t contain my smile.
“Hey, baby. How you feeling?” I asked him.
“Where the fuck have you been, Peaches? Yo ass know the shit going on and you leave my funeral with somebody without nobody knowing shit. Peach, what the fuck is wrong with you?” He snapped at me.
I couldn’t blame him or snap back because I knew it wasn’t right but I felt so bad for Joseph I didn’t really think.
“Bae, you right I shouldn’t have left. But I seriously wasn’t thinking. Are you alone?” I asked him while going to lock the room door. I powered on the TV turning the volume up then went into the bathroom to make sure I wouldn’t be overheard.
“Yeah, I am, Peach. Where were you?” he asked again.
“Joseph came to the funeral—”
“Wait, Joseph? My dad?” His brows rose.
“Yeah, your dad came. B, he was just so sad I didn’t feel right leaving him alone like that. So when he asked me could I talk, I went with him—”
“Peach, what the fuck was you thinking going anywhere with that nigga? Do you know him?”
“No, but—”
“Fuck a but. What you thought because that nigga tell you he my dad and shed a few tears you can trust that bitch ass mothafucka? Peaches, is you stupid?” He yelled at me.
My mouth opened then closed. Not once did I think he’d be this pissed about me comforting his father. “No, I’m not stupid and don’t fuckin’ yell at me. You have no idea what I’ve been through today. So, yes, I fell for a few gotdamn tears! Yes, B, I thought just that. You didn’t see him! How tore up he was knowing he couldn’t make up for leaving you. You didn’t look into his devastated eyes as he cried. I did! You didn’t have to look at none of these people as they sobbed over you. All day, I had to think about how life was going to be without you just like everyone else! So, yes, I became vulnerable to him. I felt bad.” My fingers quickly wiped the angry tears again so he wouldn’t see me cry.
Blaze let out a breath before rubbing his head. “Peach, don’t cry. I ain’t think about how hard this could’ve been on you. But, baby girl, you can’t go running off with anybody that shed tears and give you some sob ass story. Maybe he was sincere about everything he said to you. I don’t know that, though, and I’m damn sho not gon’ chance yo life to find out. I don’t trust that nigga. Peaches, I want you to stay away from him. If you see that mothafucka, go the other way, i’ight?”
This seemed like déjà vu with him warning me to stay away from someone. Unlike last time, I was going do as told and if I came across Joseph again I was going to haul ass the other way.
“Okay, if I see him, I’ll go the other way. I won’t say anything to him. I promise.”
“Peach, I’m serious, man.” He warned in a stern tone.
“I know and so am I.” I propped the phone against the bathroom mirror then grabbed a hair tie from my makeup bag. I tilted my head to the side closer to my bent arm to keep myself from raising my arm. I messily put the tie in my hair then processed to take off my dress.
“Mmm. Pack up and come back tonight.” Blaze hummed.
“Why?” I unhooked my bra as I slowly asked.
“Because I wanna see you. Plus, I’mma worry all night about you,” he said.
I wasn’t even looking at him and knew he was only telling half the truth. “Is that why you really want me to come home?” I glanced at the phone screen, while I pulled off my panties.
“Yeah,” he lied.
“Are you going to try and have sex with me?” I turned on the shower, changing it to a light spray.
“Mhm, you already know I am.” He let out a hum before a grunt as he pushed himself up against the headboard.
“Bae, you shouldn’t be moving around.” Even though I said that I couldn’t contain my smile. “Were you cleared to have sex?” I leaned on the counter, making sure he had clear view of my breasts.
Blaze tilted the phone as if doing so was going to give him a clearer glance at my naked body.
I was most definitely about to tease the hell out of him. “B, what are you doing?” I bit the inside of my bottom lip in order to hide my smile.
“Peach, why the fuck you playing with me?” His face contorted into a glare.
Again, I had to contain my laughter as I pretended to be confused. “Bae, I’m not doing anything. Do you want me to call you back or are you going to shower with me?” I didn’t wait for his response as I walked to the shower. I laid a towel on the floor before I stepped in under the warm spray.
I left the shower curtains opened and grabbed my sponge. I poured my lavender body wash on it, getting it soapy. Squeezing the sponge in the center of my breasts, I glanced up at him. I bit into my lip giving him a flirty smile.
“Peaches,” Blaze called loudly.
I ignored him and continued to rub the sponge down the center of my chest before moving it over my left breast then over to my right. Coming back up, I ran the sponge over my neck. I stepped under the spray, letting the water rinse off the soap.
Getting back in his view, I turned my back toward him and bent over more than needed with my legs spread wide apart. Washing my feet, I slowly moved up my legs, washing them both longer than necessary. I stood up and got under the shower head, rinsing the soap off of my legs. Once it was off, I rinsed the sponge and then added more soap. I leaned against the wall spreading my legs and began washing my inner thighs.
“B, you know this would be so much better if you were here doing this for me.” My tongue swiped over my lips as I stared at him.
“That’s why you should come home tonight.” His head stayed tilted the entire time.
I rinsed myself off and then turned off the water. I stepped onto the towel and wiped my feet. Sexily, I made my way to the propped up phone. “Or you could watch me.” I told him as I walked back into the room.
“Yo ass think this shit funny, Peaches. It ain’t.” He glared at me through the phone.
“Bae, I don’t think it’s funny at all. I’m just giving you a view of what to expect when you’re all better. Baby, all this is yours and you can do whatever you want to do to it.” I bit into my bottom lip as I laid on the bed.
“Peaches, stop playing with me and get yo ass back here.”
“So you don’t want to watch me? I’m pretty sure I can give you a good show.” I grabbed the pillows and laid them in the middle of the bed and then propped my phone up against them.
“You know when I get you, I’m fuckin’ yo shit up.” Blaze warned.
A moan left my mouth as I leaned against the headboard “Mmm, baby, don’t tease me.” I sucked on my pointer and middle finger as I spread my legs. Blaze had a clear view of my pussy. My fingers parted my lips and then ran through my fold.
“Baby, that pussy pretty. Fuck! I need to be there. Peaches, come home.” Blaze licked his lips. “Damn, Peach,” he groaned.
My fingers pushed at my opening as I imagined it was Blaze playing with my pussy. “Mmm,” my fingers stroked my inner muscles as I played with my clit. My eyes slid closed as I began to lose myself in the feeling.
“What the fuck is you doing?” King’s hands covered his eyes as he hurriedly left out the room.
My eyes shot opened. “Gotdammit, King! Don’t yo triflin’ ass know how to knock! Shit!” I quickly grabbed a pillow and covered myself as I yelled at him.
“What the fuck is wrong with that nigga?” Blaze snapped.
“I don’t know but it better be important.” I was too pissed off.
“I’m not even gon lie. Man, King my mothafuckin’ nigga. I’m glad that mothafucka walked in there. Yo ass was killing me.” Blaze admitted with a laugh. “My damn stomach hurt and my nuts tight as a mothafucka. Yo, wasn’t no jackin’ gon get this nut off. Tell that nigga to bring yo ass home now. Matter fact, I’ll call
you back.” He gave me no time to respond as he ended the call.
“Well, I’m pissed the fuck off. I could’ve still gotten mine. Shit!” I snapped at the black phone screen. I fell back on the bed, covered my face with a pillow and let out an irritable scream.
Letting out a heavy breath, I got out of the bed and threw on a tank top and some jogging capris. I walked to the door only to find it locked. How the hell did he get in if the door was locked? Knowing my ass, I probably didn’t close it all the way. Especially since I was in such a rush to tell Blaze about Joseph.
I walked into the living room of the hotel to see King throwing back shots. He looked at me and shook his head before taking another.
“I should beat yo ass.” He pointed his finger at me.
“No, you should beat yo own ass for just walking into someone’s bedroom without knocking.” I stated in matter a fact tone.
“Shut the fuck up.” He tossed back another shot.
“He said bring me back now,” I informed him.
King glanced at me and then waved toward the room. “I know he just called. Go get yo shit ready. We leaving in fifteen minutes and don’t go out the lobby go through the side door on the far end.” King instructed before tossing another shot back and leaving out the room.
I was hella embarrassed about King catching me but I bet that taught his ass a lesson about just walking into a room when the door is closed.
Stupid ass, I mumbled to myself as I walked back into the bedroom and started packing my stuff up.
Chapter 13
Peaches
“Blake Rashad Carter! If I see another controller on this floor, I’m throwing it in the trash!” I screamed up the stairs, pissed that I had stepped on another one of his damn toys. Picking up the remote, I put it on the TV stand next to his console.
“Ma, that wasn’t me. Unc played the game last!” He shouted back down to me.
I couldn’t see how someone could live in the house with all males. These niggas were starting to get on my last damn nerves, including Blake’s little hardheaded ass. Sighing, I continued to fix up the living room before starting on the kitchen.