A Dangerous Love 7: Smiling Faces Hide Lies

by J Peach

  I woke up at three in the morning to go to the bathroom.

  Once I finished taking care of my business, I washed my hands. It was then that I noticed the t-shirt I had on. Blaze had cleaned me up. A smile stretched across my face but it quickly faded away as Blake came to mind. I had to get him away from Gary. With that thought, I went back into the room. I walked over to Blaze.

  “Bae,” I whispered his name. He didn’t move. I stood in his face for a few seconds longer to see if his eyes would open. They didn’t.

  I kissed him on the lips then went to the closet. Quickly, I slipped on a pair of shorts and then my gym shoes. My eyes slid to the suitcase then out into the room where Blaze slept. A sigh left my mouth as I grabbed the handle and wheeled it into the room.

  I was doing the right thing. I couldn’t let Blake be around this. With that thought, I left out of our room and went to Blake’s. I crept inside and woke him up.

  “Blake, baby get up.” I shook him. He didn’t budge at first. I shook him harder. “Rashad.”

  “Hm,” he rolled on his back, rubbing his eyes while looking up at me.

  “Come on, get your bag and let’s go.” I pulled him up and waited for him to throw on his basketball shorts.

  Blake grabbed his duffle bag that I had him pack earlier that day. Once we left out his room, I led us to the living room. As we approached the front door. I stopped once I got there as a worrying ache grew in the pit of my stomach.

  I stood by the front door trying to shake that feeling but I just couldn’t. A heavy sigh left my mouth before I glanced over at the table. My brows furrowed in confusion.

  “What?” Blake asked with a yawn.

  “My keys and my purse aren’t here. I know I left them on the table, I always leave them right here.” I pointed to the table by the door where I always sat my things so I wouldn’t lose them.

  “I don’t know. I haven’t seen them. Ma, I’m sleepy. If you don’t find your keys, can I go back to sleep?” He stretched as another yawn left his mouth.

  I stared at my baby for a while before I let out a heavy breath. “Go back to bed.” I kissed the side of his head and gave him a slight push in the direction of his room. Once I saw his door close, I went into the living room and sat on the couch thinking about what I was about to do.

  I was actually about to sneak out of the house and take Blake with me regardless of what Blaze had to say about it. My palms pressed against my forehead. I didn’t want us around that mess any more. I wanted it to be over. But sneaking out wasn’t the right way of doing it. That would only cause more problems with us.

  With a groan, I put my feet on the couch and laid back. A part of me felt like shit as I closed my eyes. It felt as if I was choosing Blaze over the safety of my child by staying. But it was that nagging ache inside of my gut that told me if I left, something terrible was going to happen to one of us.

  Whenever I got that feeling, something bad always happened.

  Chapter 27

  Peaches

  “Blaze, stop biting me.” A groan slipped through my lips. My shoulder shrugged trying to get him to stop.

  “Peaches.” He kissed my neck while his hand slid under my shirt, massaging my left breast.

  A slight moan left my mouth as my eyes closed once again. Slowly, I had begun to fall asleep.

  “Peaches, wake yo ass up.” Blaze’s hand slapped my thigh.

  My eyes opened and I turned around. He grabbed my arms.

  “Gon’ somewhere, Peaches.” He laughed.

  I glared hard at him. “That shit ain’t even funny, with yo stupid ass. You play too damn much. That shit hurt, black ass.” My arms jerked in his hands as I tried to get free.

  He wasn’t letting go.

  “Are you done?” His tone was serious but I didn’t take him as such.

  The question actually made me mad. “Hell no, I’m not. My leg hurts, it’s hot. Why would you even hit me like that, Blaze?” From the tone of my voice and the slant of my eyes, he knew I had an attitude.

  “Why the fuck would you try to sneak out of the house earlier this morning after last night?” He was pissed.

  The hard look to my face left. I opened my mouth to explain but no words came out.

  His hand slapped hard against my thigh again. “Now yo ass ain’t got shit to say, huh? Why the fuck—”

  “I know but you ain’t gotda be hitting me either. I’m not putting my damn hands on you.” I snapped at him finally jerking my hands free. Once they were, I hit him. “Yo irritating ass, you get on my damn nerves. If you don’t understand why I wanted to leave, then you truly haven’t grown up at all. Blaze, I want Blake safe no matter what. That’s why I was going to leave. Don’t take me saying that as you can’t handle that because I know you can and will do everything in your power to keep us safe. But, bae, you will not always be around and having someone sit at the house to watch us isn’t always guaranteed. We both know that all too well. I just don’t want to take no chances.” My shoulders shrugged.

  “I know. So why you ain’t leave?” He licked his lips as he leaned over me.

  My eyes rolled up in my head and I bit into the side of my jaw.

  That action caused him to laugh. “Be straight up with me. Why you ain’t leave? You knew I was gon’ come and beat yo ass?” He joked.

  My eyes rolled harder that time. “I knew you was going to come after us. You beating my ass, though? I don’t know about that. Blaze.” I grabbed his wrist as his hand slipped into the front of my shorts.

  He easily shook my hand off as he started to play with my clit. “Nuh uh, keep talking. Tell me why you ain’t leave.”

  I licked my lips before I let out a pleasurable sigh. My hand grabbed the nap of his neck, trying to bring his lips down to mine.

  “Nuh uh.” Even though he said no, his lips covered mine as his fingers pushed inside of me. Blaze massaged my inner walls as his tongue danced with mine. He bit into my bottom lip then pulled away. “Why you ain’t leave, Peaches?”

  He was not going to leave it alone. “Because I didn’t want to leave you. I thought if I did, something would happen. Sss, mmm.”

  Blaze’s fingers moved faster. “That’s why?”

  “Mhm,” I moaned.

  “That’s what I thought.” His fingers pulled out of me and he got off the bed.

  I was beyond confused. “Blaze, where you going?”

  He walked into our bathroom. A few seconds later I heard water running.

  I sat up on my elbows, watching the door. Did he have to pee?

  Blaze came back into the room, grabbed his shirt off the bed and put it on before he sat down to put on his gym shoes.

  Okay maybe I was reading too much into what just happened but I could’ve sworn we were about to have sex. I was so horny. “Bae?” I know I didn’t hear a phone ring so he couldn’t be going anywhere. I made my way to the bottom of the bed, where he sat. My hands moved over his shoulders. I kissed his neck before pulling the skin into my mouth. “Bae, what are you doing?”

  His head turned sideways and his kissed me. Blaze pulled back and stood up. “Shit right now, but you need to get dress so we can go.”

  My mouth parted and I pointed to the bed. “What? I thought we were about— wait what just happened?”

  Blaze laughed. “You thought I was about to give you some dick?”

  I didn’t hide my thoughts as my head nodded. “Yes, I thought just that.”

  Again, he laughed. “You must be crazy. Yo ass tried to sneak out the fuckin’ house last night. Why the fuck would I treat you? Huh? Baby, get ready so we can go.” He grabbed his phone and keys then left out the room.

  Blaze never turned down sex no matter what. He got on my damn nerves! A loud frustrated scream left my mouth as I fell back onto the bed.

  I was so damn horny. My pussy muscles continued to contract as the pit of my stomach remained tight. I could still feel his rough callus hands rubbing against my clit before they began to stroke
my inner walls.

  I couldn’t take it. “Bae! Come here, please!” I yelled out to him. We could have a quickie. I pulled off my shirt and shorts then laid back on the bed. I knew if Blaze saw me naked and playing with myself, he wouldn’t be able to resist.

  A knock sounded on the door. “Momma, my dad said come out here and tell him what you want. He’s not coming in there,” Blake replied through the door.

  “Is he fuckin’ serious right now?” I asked more to myself but I got a reply from Blake.

  “He said yeah. Now put on some clothes.” Blake laughed loudly before I heard him running down the hallway.

  “Ugh! He get on my damn nerves. Stupid ass!” I mumbled to myself as I laid there looking at the ceiling. “That’s why his momma a trick,” I said to myself before I burst out laughing at my childishness. A groan left my mouth. I got up and went to the bathroom to take a quick shower before getting dressed like he asked.

  ***

  Once I was dressed, I went downstairs to the kitchen where my two men were with grocery bags on the table. “Why y’all didn’t tell me you were going to the store?”

  “Nana went to the store for us.” Blake told me. He hopped off the counter due to the nudge Blaze had given him.

  “What?” I already knew it was something.

  “Before you say no to make lasagna, I really want some and you haven’t made it in a long time.” Blake pleaded.

  I laughed at him before I glanced at Blaze and rolled my eyes. “I’ll make you some lasagna. What’s this other stuff?” I peeked inside of the bags to see junk food.

  “Since we haven’t really done nothing together, I figured we could have a family day in. We can watch movies, play video games and play basketball. Me and you against dad.” Blake explained excitedly.

  He was no longer asking but telling me what he had planned for us to do. I had no problem with it. “I’m down, but you gon’ have to guard your dad hard to keep him away from me. He likes to cheat and pull hair.”

  Blaze spit out his water and started laughing. He looked at me, “Fuck you, man.” He wiped his mouth with his shirt. “Stupid ass.”

  “How am I stupid when you’re the one who cheats? I’m just warning Blake of your ways.” I smiled at him.

  “I know he be cheating and he don’t like to pay when he lose. So we not betting.” Blake glared at his dad.

  “Shut yo ass up! Y’all ass just don’t never win, which is why y’all complaining. Black asses. Come on, it’s me and Blake against you.” Blaze grabbed the basketball from the back door and snapped his fingers at Blake. “Let’s go.” He walked out the back door.

  “And this is who you want to be with? He crazy.” Blake joked.

  “Shut up, you act just like him.” I laughed as we followed Blaze outside to the basketball court.

  Blake shook his head then ran over to his dad.

  “Come on, Blake, take the ball out.” Blaze tossed him the ball. “Peaches, don’t get scared. Bring yo ass on.” He talked shit.

  I stood on the side line laughing. “How is that fair, y’all against me?”

  Blaze stopped and looked at me like I was crazy before his eyes dropped to my stomach. “Fuck you mean. Peaches, baby, you got two shorties inside of you. Shid, it’s three of y’all against us. How is that right, yo?”

  Blake fell on the ground in a fit of laughter. “Played!” He hollered out.

  My mouth was just wide open. I didn’t know what to say as I looked down at my protruding belly. “Blake, it’s not even that funny. And Blaze you get on my damn nerves and just for that, I ain’t making shit! Y’all better go to McDonald’s for dinner. I don’t even wanna play no more.” I tried to have an attitude but I had to admit the shit was funny as hell. Blaze played too much.

  “I’m just bullshittin’,” he laughed as he walked toward me.

  “No, nope, don’t even talk to me. I’m going back in the house.” I quickly turned around so he wouldn’t see the stupid smile my lips stretched into. “Ah!” I screamed out a laugh as he picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder. “Blaze, put me down!”

  “Shut yo whining ass up. You ain’t going nowhere but on the court. Crybaby ass.” He slapped me on my booty before he put me down. “B, give me that ball.”

  Blake threw him the ball.

  “Here take it out.” Blaze handed it to me.

  He was serious about them teaming up on me. “Y’all really going to go against me?”

  “Yeah, now take it out. Stop all that talking.” Blake cut in.

  I was shocked because he was always on my team. “Okay, bet. Don’t start crying when I win. Anything goes for me since I’m by myself.”

  “That’s cool,” Blake agreed, which cause Blaze to look at him like he was crazy.

  “Hell no!”

  As he was protesting, I ran around him to the court and shot. “Two, zero. Come on, baby, let’s get this game going.” I slapped Blaze on the butt and hurriedly jumped away from him.

  “Peaches, don’t make me beat yo ass.” Blaze threatened, making me laugh.

  “I’m not worried about you. Come on, baby, take the ball out.” I tossed Blake the ball. “Don’t forget anything goes for me.” I reminded him as I blocked Blaze.

  Blaze moved fast and came around me. Blake tossed him the ball and Blaze threw it back. Once Blake passed me, I was about to grab him from behind, but Blaze snatched me up off of my feet.

  “Shoot, Blake!” He yelled holding me to him.

  “Blaze, yo cheating black ass! Put me down!” I fussed at him but ending up laughing.

  “Anything goes, Ma, don’t forget.” Blake repeated what I said, mimicking my voice.

  Blaze burst out laughing. “That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!”

  His laughter became contagious and I couldn’t help but join in.

  ***

  “Blake, run in the kitchen and get my tea, please, and a bottle of water,” I said as I cuddled up against Blaze’s side.

  “Hell n’all, man. Yo ass gon’ be pausing the movie and running to the bathroom.” Blaze fussed. “Blake, just bring the popcorn and come on.” He yelled into the kitchen.

  “You get on my damn nerves. Stupid self.” I rolled my eyes hard before I got up to go get my drinks myself. But before I could really walk away he pulled me down on his lap. “N’all, man, gon’ somewhere. I’m not even playing.” I rolled my eyes at him.

  “You ain’t even mad so stop frontin’. You just want somebody to kiss yo yellow ass.” He laughed as his arms wrapped around my waist.

  “No, I don’t. Blaze, stop!” I screamed out a laugh as his head went into the side of my neck. Whenever he kissed my neck, it tickled.

  “Yo goofy ass, man.” He turned my face toward his.

  My lips immediately puckered, which made him laugh, but he kissed me nonetheless. My arms wrapped around his neck as his slipped under my top, he rubbed my stomach.

  “Man, y’all need to stop with all that cake mess. Dad, don’t tell me you turning soft.” Blake teased.

  Blaze kicked him in the back of his knee making him fall. “Cake that shit and I ain’t going soft. I do this only for yo momma. Soft? I bet I can still whoop yo ass. Wanna try me?”

  Laughing, I popped Blaze on the arm. “You wrong for that and Blake shut up. You don’t know nothing about caking. I love my baby caking up with me.”

  “I don’t be caking, fuck outda here with that shit.” He started to shrug me off.

  “Nuh uh! Don’t do that. I ain’t say it. Baby, you never cake. Blake, shut up and watch the movie.” I reached down and slapped him on the back of his head.

  “Whatever.” Blake laughed as he turned toward the TV eating his popcorn.

  Once I knew he was into the TV, I turned to face Blaze. “You have to ignore him, he don’t know what he’s talking about. Soft? Who? Not my hood. Nope, I don’t see it.” I boasted.

  Blaze started laughing. “Ain’t that shit real? You a good ass suck up. Yo ass just
don’t want to get up.” He called it right.

  “No, I don’t.” I laughed before I leaned in to kiss him. It wasn’t until then that something dawned on me. “Mhm,” I hummed as I pulled back from the kiss.

  “What?”

  “Have you talked to King today?” Since we’d been back in Gary, a day hadn’t gone by that King and Blaze weren’t together or talked for that matter.

  “I talked to him yesterday, I told him what we had planned for the day and I didn’t want to be bothered, you know?” He shrugged nonchalantly.

  My head slowly shook. “No, I don’t know. So what’s up?”

  “It ain’t shit.” He shrugged while continuing to rub my stomach.

  He had gotten pretty good with lying, I’ll admit. But after years of dealing with him, I could always tell when he wasn’t being straight up with me. “Blaze, don’t do that. Talk to me.”

  This time he laughed. His hand tangled into the back of my hair and he pulled my face closer to his. “Peaches, it ain’t shit you gotda worry about. I got this, I promise you.” His lips covered mine once again. Blaze’s hand left my stomach and wrapped around my back. He kissed me hard as he pulled me on my side closer to him.

  My eyes closed. Slowly, I began to lose myself in his kiss. Our tongues were going stroke for stroke. My stomach tightened and I moaned into him mouth.

  “I love you, Peaches,” he mumbled against my lips.

  I pulled back and stared at him for a long while. His eyes dropped and he looked away from me. He wasn’t able to hold my gaze. That alone told me it was something. “Blaze, tell me what’s up? Did y’all find out anything else?”

  “It ain’t shit you need to worry about right now. We taking care of everything, I promise. So don’t worry about it or me. I don’t need yo stress fuckin’ up my babies.”

  I tried to hold a straight face but I ended up letting out a light laugh. “Don’t try to be funny when I’m being serious.”

  “I ain’t being funny. I’m hella serious. If my babies come out looking crazy, I’m leaving y’all at the hospital. Me and B gon’ be out.” He joked.

  “Stupid ass, shut up.” My eyes rolled and my head shook at his craziness. Once my chuckles died down, I let out a sigh. My fingers massaged the back of his neck as my eyes stared into his. “Blaze, if you found out something about this mess, you wouldn’t keep it from me? You’ll tell me, right?” I had to know because something just wasn’t right.