by J Peach
Blaze’s face came closer to mine and his tongue flicked over my top lip before he pulled my bottom into his mouth.
I knew what he was trying to do. “B, I’m being for real.” I murmured against his lips. “Blaze, would you stop and be serious for a minute.” I was starting to become frustrated but he wasn’t listening to me.
He rolled us over so he was on top of me. “I’m being serious and it’s nothing you have to worry about. You hear me?” Blaze tilted my head back. His mouth played with mine, lightly brushing against my parted lips before his tongue flicked the rim of my bottom then top lip. “Peaches, do you hear me?” He repeated as he wedged himself between my legs.
My head nodded. “I hear you.” My neck stretched up, meeting his lips half way.
His lower body pressed against mine and the kiss grew intense.
Once I felt Blaze’s hand grip the crouch part of my shorts and pulled them to the side, I stopped him. “Blaze,” I moved his hand from between my legs. I kissed him again but I turned my head to the side to look at Blake. He was still watching the movie. “We do have a kid in the room.” My lips pressed into his once again.
“I’m glad you remember I was still in the room.” Blake turned to face us and laughed. “I hope I don’t ever be like this with my girl.” He shook his head and turned back toward the TV.
Blaze laughed and muffled his head to the side. “You gon’ be worse, especially when she put that wet on you—”
I wacked Blaze hard on his back. I swear he just didn’t care what he said to our son.
“Ah shit! What the hell you slap me like that fah? I just almost knocked yo ass out.” He snapped at me.
“Don’t be talking about no wet with him. What is wrong with you? I seriously hope we are having a girl. I can’t deal with you and your bad influences on my son.” I fussed at him.
Blake snorted. “Like you have room to talk. I do hear y’all at night. And just a minute ago, y’all just need to separate.”
This time I muffled him. “Go to bed. Talking about you hear us at night. You hear me getting sick.” I pushed him onto the floor. “Blaze, get him.”
He shook his head and shrugged. “I’m sorry, baby, but I gotda agree with him. Yo ass do be loud as hell.” He teased.
“When did this double team start? Blake, you always have my back but now you being flakey. That’s okay, you remember this.” I made an empty threat. Regardless of his wishy washy attitude, he was still my little man, no matter what. I sat up and pushed Blaze down on the couch then laid in front of him.
He wrapped his arm around my waist and brought his mouth to my ear. “You gon’ give me some tonight?” He bit into the spot behind my ear then kissed it.
“No.” I pushed my butt more into him and closed my eyes.
“Peach, you gon’ do me like that?” His pelvis pushed against my booty.
I paid his erection no attention, like he had done me earlier that day. I ignored his whispers and grinding into me as the sensation slowly began to put me to sleep.
Chapter 28
Peaches
“Ma, you cheating you can’t be holding me.” Blake complained with an attitude because I caused him to miss a shot.
My hands went to my knees and I took in a deep breath. My lungs were burning, I was beyond tired. “Didn’t nobody tell you to be that fast. Damn, I’m tired.” I dramatically fell down to the ground and laid there.
Blake stood over me laughing before falling down.
My arms caught him before he could land on me. “Nuh uh, Blake, you’re not a little baby no more. You can’t be jumping on me like that.”
He laid on the side of me, tossing the ball up. “I beat you. Now come on, take me to get some ice cream.” He smiled, nodding his head.
I laughed at him as I got up off of the ground. “Come on before I change my mind.”
He held his hand out for me. I pulled him up and we walked into the house.
“Go get cleaned up so we can leave.” I waved him off and got myself a drink of water. “Shower, Blake!” I yelled out to him. Knowing him, he would put on some deodorant and swear he was clean. After I finished my cup of water, I went into my room and hopped in the shower, letting the cool water chill my heated body.
***
“E, have Keema ready in about an hour.” I told her before I waved the waiter over for a refill.
“She’ll be ready. All she been talking about was going over there with her Auntie and Uncle Boon. This child been getting on my nerves. Oh and she won’t shut up about your babies.” Ebony ranted.
“Leave my baby alone. Girl, that’s Blaze’s ass got her talking about babies. Regardless of the ultra sound, that man is convinced we are having twins. I’m not stunting him, though. E, I am so stuffed.” I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my belly.
“Where y’all go eat at?” She asked.
“We’re at Great Wall. I promised Blake some ice cream but I had a taste for some Chinese so we stopped by here first.” I took a drink of my tea and then let out a sigh from the cold refreshing taste.
“Keema, Auntie Peaches said get ready she’ll be here in a minute to get you.” Ebony told her daughter.
Keema’s loud squeak of excitement could be heard through the phone.
“Make sure she has on play clothes because I’mma take them out for ice cream and then to Wicker Park so they can tire themselves out.”
“Okay, well let me find this little girl something to wear before she tears up her room. Thanks, Peach. I really need this breather.” Ebony laughed before letting out a grunt.
“It’s cool. I’ll call when I’m on my way.” After we said our goodbyes, we disconnected the line. “Are you almost finished” I stopped talking and laughed at Blake’s twisted up face. “What? Why you looking at me like that?”
“Why we gotda get Sha? She’s worrisome and talk too much. That little girl get on my nerves.” He grunted out before finishing off his drink.
“She probably thinks the same about you.” I had to admit, Keema’s ass was something else. Keema’s attitude couldn’t be helped, though. She had both King and Ebony running through her veins. That was catastrophic. I could only imagine how she’d turn out when she got older.
“Can we sit down and eat our ice cream?” Blake asked as he looked over the bill.
I snatched it from him. “Boy, give me that. You don’t have no money to pay for anything.” I cut my eyes at him in a playful manner. “Now why we have to sit there and eat the ice cream? On second thought, I don’t know why you won’t eat the ice cream here. Shoot, I don’t see why I have to drive somewhere else when you have, sparkles, M&M’s, seeds, peanuts and cherries all over there. Not to mention three different flavors, chocolate, swirl and vanilla.” I licked my lips at the thought of the ice cream. “Blake, go get me some ice cream.” He glared and I burst out laughing at him.
“Man, n’all, we about go get ice cream from Dairy Queen. Plus, their stuff nasty anyway.” Blake complained as he came around to my side of the table and pulled me up.
I laughed because I had something for his grown self. “You right, we’re going to stop and pick up Keema on the way.” I waved my hand at Blake before he could say anything smart. “Wait, hush, let me call your dad.” I pulled out my phone and dialed Blaze’s number. After a few rings it went to voicemail and I left a message, letting him know we were leaving the restaurant. Before I could finish the message fully, my line beeped. Blaze was returning my call. I clicked over and answered. “Hey, bae.”
“What’s up, Peaches?”
“Nothing, I was just calling to let you know we were leaving the Chinese spot. I’m about to take Blake to get his ice cream then go get Keema and take them to Wicker Park. That’s all I wanted.” I paid the bill then waved Blake on.
“I’ight. Call me when you pick up Keema and don’t be out too late because Bell gon’ pick y’all up around six and take y’all to the apartment for me.” He informed me of his plan.
“Because that’s where I’m staying and I want y’all there with me. Is that a problem?” He joked smartly.
His playful manner washed away all my confusion. “No, I don’t have any problems with that at all.” My teeth gripped my bottom lip.
“Oh, shit. I hear it. You tryna meet up?” He hummed into the line.
I started laughing as I shook my head. “No, I’m not. If I didn’t have Blake, then maybe. But tonight, mmm, most definitely.”
“Oh, you gon’ get it, so be ready. I’ll be there early, too. So be there in the bed naked.”
“I promise I will be. Bye, bae. Love you.” I smiled to myself shyly. Just thinking about everything we were going to do when he got home. Oh, I was going to be ready.
“Love you too, Peach. Y’all hurry up, do everything then get to the crib. I don’t like you out when I don’t have nobody following you. So hurry up. As a matter fact, hold off on going to the park. We can do that tomorrow, bet?” Blaze offered.
My eyes rolled and I wanted to protest but I didn’t. I knew how he was when it came to our safety, especially with me being pregnant. It was a surprise he let us get out of the house knowing he wasn’t going to have anyone trailing behind us this time.
“Okay, I’ll get Blake’s ice cream, pick up Keema and then go straight home. Give me a half hour and I’ll call you when I get there.” I didn’t want him to worry about us.
“I’ight, hurry up.”
I laughed and looked at the phone. “Okay, bye.”
We ended the call and I drove us to the Dairy Queen down the street from where we were. Once we got there, we went inside because Blake had to use the restroom.
“Just get me a cone dipped in cherry. And ask them to give me another but in a cup.” Blake told me before he ran to the bathroom.
I laughed at that child of mine before I ordered everything he asked me too plus Keema’s ice cream.
“Peaches?”
My name was called in a questioning manner. I knew the voice all too well. I turned around and plastered a fake smile on my face. I haven’t seen her since Blaze’s funeral.
“Hey, Tish.” I greeted her.
Her smile was wide as she walked over to me and gave me a big hug. “Oh, my God. You have no idea how long I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. I tried talking to you at the funeral. Oh, my God.” She hugged me again and then pulled away. “How have you been?”
I laughed and put some space between us. I haven’t really seen her since Blake and I left for Lafayette five years ago. After everything that happened to me behind Le’Ron, I didn’t deal with her knowing they used to date. Even though she never did anything to me, I knew how close they were and I didn’t want to take the hate I felt for him out on her.
“I’ve been good. I can’t really complain. What about you?”
“I’ve been blessed, that’s all I can really say.” Her smile dimmed a bit. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you at the funeral, but I’m sorry about what happened to him and know if you need anything I’m here for you. I don’t know what happened that we fell off but I would love to start hanging out with you again. I’ve really missed your crazy self.” She pulled me into another hug.
I let out a few chuckles before a little body was wedged between ours.
“Mommy, did you get my ice cream?” A beautiful little brown skinned girl asked Tish before she looked up at me. “Hey, what’s your name?” she asked, staring at me with pretty almond shaped eyes.
My heart melted. “Aw, you’re so cute. I’m Peaches, what’s your name?”
“Linnea Le’Shay Wright,” she smiled.
Tish picked her and placed the little girl on her hip. I could see their resemblance immediately.
“That’s your baby?” I asked before I glanced toward the bathroom, hoping Blake didn’t decide to come out just yet.
“Yeah, this is my baby.” She turned and kissed the little girl on her forehead. “Did you wash your hands little girl?”
“Yeah, see.” She put her hands to her mom’s nose.
I laughed. “She’s so cute.” Instinctively, my hand went to my stomach, imagining how my baby girl was going to be brought a smile to my face.
“Oh, my God. I knew there was something different about you. How the hell did I miss that glow? How far along are you?”
“Six months.” I couldn’t contain my smile.
“That’s Blaze’s baby?” Her hand went to my stomach and she rubbed it.
“Yeah, this is his baby girl.” I told her before I let out a sigh.
“I’m sorry. I know how hard it is to raise a baby without their father being there.” The tone of her voice changed for a slight second sounding a bit depressed but just as fast as it seeped in it was gone and big smile plastered on her face. “Congratulations. I know you’re happy about this especially considering what happened last time.” She stopped talking immediately.
“Excuse me? What did you just say?” I heard exactly what she said but I didn’t want to believe that I did. I was hoping I heard wrong. She couldn’t have possibly known I had a miscarriage. No one knew besides Blaze, my brother, Mom B and my girls. That was kept between us and out of the hospital files.
“I said congratulations on your pregnancy.” Her smile was just as wide as before but her eyes squinted and she started to look a bit concerned. “Are you okay? I think you need to sit down. You look like you’re about to faint.” Her hand touched my forehead.
I slapped her hand away from me. “Don’t touch me. What you mean considering last time? What happened last time?” I asked her ready to jump on her and start swinging.
Her eyes squinted in a confused manner. “The last time? What? I’m sorry, Peaches, but I don’t know what you’re talking about. You don’t look good at all. Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need me to call someone? The hospital is right up the street.”
What the fuck was this bitch talking about? “Tishana, I heard what the fuck you said.” I stepped closer to her. “I’m the last one you wanna fuckin’ play with. Bitch, I heard you. No one knew about that so for you to mention it, you must have had something to do with it.” I looked at her baby girl and smiled before my gaze fell back on her. “You should have had him kill me. Now you’re baby girl is going to know how hard life is going to be without both of her parents.” I looked back at her daughter. “Enjoy your ice cream, sweetie.” Slowly, I backed away from her before I turned around.
Blake exited the bathroom at that moment. “Ma, that Chinese messed up my stomach.” He rubbed his hand over his belly with a grunt. “I don’t think I want no ice cream no more.”
“Oh, my damn!” Tishana said as she held her cellphone to her ear. “That’s his son.”
“Come on, let’s go.” Blake and I needed to get him as far away as possible. As we walked fast out of the door, I had my phone in my hands, calling Blaze.
“Peaches, wait!” Tish yelled out to me.
I ignored her as I walked to my car.
“Peaches, just let me explain, please! I’m sorry for what happened. You wasn’t supposed to get hurt.” She shouted as she made her way toward us.
Had it not been for Blake, I would’ve being all over her ass. “Fuck you, Tish. I’ll see you,” was the only threat I made.
She smiled at me.
That was the last thing I saw before something hard hit me over the head, knocking me out.
***
A groan left my mouth from the pain in the back of my head. My arms felt so heavy and as a result, I couldn’t lift them to caress my throbbing head. I blinked a few times trying to clear my hazy vision.
After a few minutes when I was able to better focus, I took in my surroundings. I was in a rinky dink basement.
“Ma? Momma?” Blake called to me. “Ma?”
I followed his voice and saw him sitting on a couch with two big dudes next to him. When I made a move to sit up strai
ght, Blake stood up ready to run to me. The tall dark skinned dude next to him pulled Blake down.
I didn’t know those men and I damn sure didn’t know what they were capable of, so I wasn’t going to be a dummy and find out. Especially not with Blake being there.
Finally, I managed to roll myself onto my back. I pushed myself in a sitting position. “Baby, I’m fine. Just sit there.” I realized at that moment my arms were tied behind my back which was why they felt heavy.
A laugh left my mouth as I leaned against the wall. I looked at my son and smiled at him. “Rashad, whatever they ask you tell them the truth. Okay.”
“Okay.” His head nodded in understanding.
Again, I smiled at him before I scooted from the wall and leaned forward. My arms raised and my joints popped as I brought my arms in front of me.
One of the dudes jumped up and I raised my hands in a surrendering gesture. “I’m just putting my arms in front of me. Nothing damaging. I’m just trying to get comfortable, is all. It’s no point of having my arms behind my back. I can’t do anything.” I confessed. I didn’t have my purse and whatever gun was in there. I’m sure they found it. “Tish!” I screamed for her.
I knew that little bitch was around somewhere. The main thing I wanted to know was why. “Tish!” I didn’t get answer.
“Yo, shut the fuck up with all that yelling. When she’s ready to talk, she’ll be down here.” One of the guys said to me.
I ignored him. “Tishana! Bring yo ass down here! The game is fuckin’ over!” I sat quiet for a few minutes, waiting to see if she would come. She didn’t. “Tishana! Tish I know you hear me—” The basement door opened and I stopped mid-sentence.
“Why are you yelling? I heard you and I was coming. I had to put my baby to bed. Now if you wake her, guess who’s putting her back to sleep.” She laughed, pointing to me. Tish clapped her hands smiling. “So, what do you want?”