Blaze

Blaze

K. K. Harris

A thin line between the love

of Blaze…

Blaze

K. K. Harris

Copyright © 2014 K. K. Harris

Smashwords Edition

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This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

DEDICATION

This urban romance is dedicated to my love, my support, my rock, my gentle giant… my wonderful husband, Mr. Harris. Thank you for always having my back no matter what.

Love you infinity x’s infinity

Mrs. K. Harris

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to all my friends and family who have supported me throughout my writing journey. Whether they lended me their eyes for reading countless chapters, offered constructive critsism, or outright spread the word to others about my work.

Thank you R. Edwards Rodgers for your wonderful editing skills. I really appreciate the help sissy.To all the sneak readers that followed the blog, I appreciate your comments as well. Thank you for being patient throughout the live flow of Blaze.

I love you all and I couldn’t do any of this without your love and support.

God Bless you all!

~NappyRedd30~

Prologue…

Kaydence sat in her high school’s student health clinic in utter shock. Her best friend was next to her holding her hand knowing she will be bawling her eyes out soon. Even she was in shock about the news, she knew Kaydence had given up her virginity but she didn’t know she was dumb enough to do it in an unprotected manner. Blaze was well known on the street but it was also known that he didn’t bone without any contraceptives. Kaydence was equally in shock that she was pregnant because she knew they used protection for the most part anyway except for that one time. She had meant to take the morning after pill but never made it because she got put on punishment. Her mother found out she was seeing Nate when she wasn’t supposed to be dating in the first place. Since her period continued to come she thought sure enough she was fine but reality soon slapped her in the face.

Successfully passing out in gym class, at first she thought maybe she just got overheated because it was so damn hot. The nurse expressed concern about other things when she required her to leave a urine sample. Not really knowing what all tests she planned to run with the sample she was given the cold hard truth, she was pregnant. Having not been taking care of herself from being depressed from lack of communication with Nate caused her to pass out. Asking her best friend to please get word to Nate of her being on punishment, she thought for sure he would try to find a way to get in touch with her. Now she was stuck with how on earth she was going to break the news to her mother. She was going to hit the roof and Kaydence was not prepared for the backlash sure to come her way. Her mother warned her that Nate only wanted the panties and this would be the very excuse she needed to say ‘I told you so.’

Girl what are you going to do? Tisha asked her. She could only shrug her shoulders before the dam broke flooding her hands with tears. Blaze ain’t nobody to fool with girl, you better get rid of it.

Get rid of it? I will not have an abortion Tisha. That snapped Kaydence out of her fit.

You better do something cause yo mama is going to flip. Didn’t you tell me she was trying to keep you away from him? That’s your only option.

I just have to speak to Nate. Maybe…

You tripping, dude ain’t trying to have no kids. He be on his hustle too much. The dude you know ain’t nothing but a front. He let you see what he wants you to see. Dude got mad hoes. I’m only telling you this because we girls.

I don’t believe that. He told me not to believe everything I hear about him on the streets.

What nigga gon’ tell you that he ain’t shit? None! She snapped. Plus, didn’t he just snap on you out the blue? You better wake up.

I don’t know…

You ain’t gotta believe me, I’m just yo best friend after all, what do I know? Tisha dramatically stated. Do what you want to do? I’m done talking to you.

Damn Tisha, I appreciate you telling me all of this but I love him.

Love? Girl please but do he love you? At Kaydence’s thoughtful expression Tisha continued. Hell no! All he love is his money, his hustle, and his dick. It sounded harsh but all signs pointed to what she was saying was the truth.

I just need to speak with him. Did you relay the message to him that I was grounded? I don’t understand why he went off on me the way he did when I finally found a way to call him.

Yeah but he had some chicken head around at the time so he just brushed me off. He an old rude nigga when he around his crew and shit. Let’s be honest, he probably got what he wanted and don’t want nothing else to do with you. I know the truth hurts but… Tisha finished with a shrug. The truth did hurt, she couldn’t help but wonder what the truth was though since she hadn’t talked to him personally but once when he told her he was done with her. She didn’t understand how or why that could be. He wouldn’t elaborate he just told her to quit calling his phone.

Her life was unraveling before her very eyes yet she couldn’t figure out the cause it of it nor where the tailspin was going to stop. If it stopped at all.

Chapter One…

6 months earlier…

Kaydence Morgan was walking around the mall with her best friend LaTisha also known as Tisha. Considering her mother didn't allow Kaydence too much freedom, this was one of the rare things she could do without supervision. Mainly because she dropped them off and would be picking them up, so there was no room for slip up or so she hoped. Several times guys had tried to push up on her but Kay didn't really see any point. Her mother Geneva didn't want her talking to boys so unless she was at school she didn't really bother to try to holler back. They would get tired of her not being available when they wanted her to so in the end they would break it off. Only having tried a few times that was saying a lot. Geneva’s main excuse was ‘boys only want one thing and once they get it they're gone.’ Since Geneva was a single mother, Kaydence figures she must have a point in her warnings, somewhere.

Unlike her friend Tisha who could do just about anything, Kaydence had to be creative with her hanging out. Geneva only allowed her daughter to associate with one or two girls from school and the rest was only family. Geneva was a single mother whom got pregnant when she was a junior in high school and if it wasn’t for her mother keeping Kaydence for a while she would have had a hard time. Overprotective is the biggest understatement to top all. She had to sneak and talk to boys on the phone, stay on the phone past a certain time at night just to have a normal conversation, and even wait until she was out of the house to act like a normal teenager. At the age of seventeen no dating, no socializing, no privacy, and most of all no freedom should be enough to make a girl a social misfit. Fortunately for Kaydence she was popular enough, at school that is. Unless they were physically driving home from somewhere that’s about as much of the neighborhood she lived in as she would ever experience. Once they arrive home, the house is where she had to stay.

Moving from one part of central Little Rock to another when she first started high school was a drastic move considering she wasn’t allowed to hang outside the house. Several times she had asked to go to her friend Tisha’s house and her mother would just give her that look as to say ‘you must be out your rabbit ass mind.’ Finally Tisha’s mom Tracy talked Geneva into giving it a try a time or two when they would beg her to death to talk some sense into her. Tracy was what those who were always on restriction called ‘the cool mom.’ She let Tisha do pretty much whatever within reason and everything else that she did, Tracy just didn’t know. Mainly because Tracy felt she was young, single, and in her words sexy so why not flaunt it by having a good time. Countless times Tisha has complained to Kaydence about her mother being a little promiscuous when guys would just drop by. Yet and still Tisha never wanted for anything so life was good her way.

Girl it’s some baller’s up in here today. Tisha exclaimed scanning the crowd of people.

I’m gonna run to the candy store real fast. Before you know it, it will be time to go. Kaydence said ignoring what Tisha was talking about. It wasn’t like she would ever pull one so what was the point of looking around.

I’m pointing out the fine money up in here and you talking about some dang candy. You tripping.

Like any of them will be looking at me. Get real.

You act so stanking. What’s wrong with you?

Nothing, I just can’t wait till I’m grown.

Yo mama will always try to run you whether you are grown or not.

Shut up. Kaydence laughed because that was indeed the truth. I’ll be right back. Kay was walking to the store in the far corner when she felt she was being watched.

Damn what’s up Lil mama? Some thuggish looking guy asked as Kaydence passed by. Oh you can’t speak. She kept going.

Man fuck that bitch, she ain’t all that. Her friend looks better. His friend said. Kaydence just shook her head and kept it pushing only glancing back once to see them making their way over to Tisha. Not paying any attention to where she was walking she collided with someone. Quickly getting herself together she prepared to apologize praying that this person isn’t like the two she just walked away from.

Oh my God, excuse me. I am so sorry. She rambled.

It’s cool. Don’t sweat it. Kay finally got a good look at his face through her scrambled brain. This man was fine as fine could get.

Umm, okay… She said about to step away from his grasp just now realizing he was still holding her forearm.

What’s your name?

Kaydence. Yours? He lifted a brow at her question. She didn’t know what that was about but she was curious at his amused features.

Nate. It’s nice to meet you Kaydence. He said smoothly and licked his lips. Kaydence’s eyes followed the movement against her will. He chuckled and she blushed being caught staring.

You too. She shyly spoke and went to walk away again. Sorry again.

What’s up? Afraid your man is going to get mad at you talking to other guys? Kaydence was thinking that ‘a man tripping was the least of her worries.’

Umm, if I had a man he wouldn’t have to worry about me talking to other guys because he would be the only one. Kaydence laughed and he joined in at her quick wit. Seriously, I don’t have a man.

That’s why you shot ole boy down? He had been listening to what happened earlier. Interesting, she thought.

Nope, I shot him down because he was busted and so was his game. Nate found that funny, displaying the most hypnotic and contagious laugh.

It’s like that, huh. What do you know about game?

I know by saying ‘damn, what’s up Lil mama’ ain’t it. He was only focusing on my body and nothing else. I understand that first impressions speak a lot but he didn’t speak worth a damn.

I like the way your brain works young lady. So if he only wanted your number, how should he have asked? Maybe he was intimidated by how pretty you are. Blushing again she fought to free her brain from the fog before she spoke.

Honestly I can’t say because I’ve never asked for a girl’s phone number. She joked causing him to laugh again at her attempt at being witty.

How about you give me your number and we can discuss this in further detail? Nate got serious thinking to hell with the games, he heard ole boy and laughed at first. Now he wanted to track him down and slap the shit out of him for coming at her like that.

You want my number?

Are you really going to make me repeat myself?

No sorry, that was just unexpected. Kaydence recited her number and watched him walk away after he promised he would call. She just prayed he would never call when her mom was around.

Kaydence noticed later in the day that Tisha was acting kind of salty and she didn’t feel like asking what that was about. In actuality she was in such a good mood from meeting Nate she didn’t want anything to bring her mood down. Wondering would he really call or was he all talk, just damn near worked her brain waiting. That wouldn’t be the first time someone had gotten her number and never called. Praying the entire time that he would call at the appropriate time because she felt too embarrassed to tell him he needed to call at a certain time.

Her mother was lenient enough to get her a private phone line only because she was tired of her phone always ringing when her friends called. That still never stopped her from answering just to be sure it’s not a boy on the line though. After she got home, had dinner with her mom, and did her chores she was lying around watching television when her phone lit up signaling it was ringing. Always keeping it on the low setting so that it wouldn’t be heard outside her room she peaked at the caller id only to reveal that her prayers have been answered. The id read Nathan Daniels.

Hello?

May I speak with Kaydence?

Speaking, may I ask who is calling?

It’s her man calling.

Man?

I didn’t stutter baby girl.

When did this happen?

When I made you blush, smile, and you gave me your number?

Dang, you got it like that?

Already. He chuckled. Seriously though. How old are you?

Seventeen. You? Kaydence was hesitant to tell him her age but thought to hell with it.

Shit I was hoping you were at least eighteen but I’m twenty-one.

So is my age going to be a problem?

Shouldn’t it be?

Honestly age is just a number but if it bothers you we could always just be friends. It wouldn’t be the first time and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last. She said trying to fight the disappointment.

Let me get this straight. You wouldn’t mind just being friends while I could possibly be dating other women?

Honestly I like you Nate, I’m just gonna keep it pimpin’ but if our age difference is a problem for you then you have to do what you gotta do. I promise I wouldn’t make you feel guilty or anything. My mother is very strict so it’s not like I would be able to hang with you like someone else would anyway. Luckily she is already in the bed or she would be trying to see who I was talking right now.

I would be strict on you too.

And why is that?

You are too pretty and too sweet. That’s a playground for these lil nigga’s out here. But I gotta give it to you Kaydence, you don’t act like a little girl and you definitely don’t have the mindset of some of these young girls.

Thanks for the compliment but I don’t agree with my mother being so overprotective. I know what’s expected of me and I do it.

You’re welcome. And parents are like that with their little girls.

Considering my mom is both parents, I see your point. I never knew my dad.

I knew mine but the mother thing is another story all together.

Really I’m sorry. Kay was intuitive enough to know since he didn’t elaborate on why his mother was another story obviously meant it was a sore subject.

No need to apologize.

So friends?

I can do that. Nate said smoothly and for some reason it made Kaydence’s heart sink just a little at hearing it. We can work on replacing you being my friend with becoming my girl later.

So what are you trying to say? Her heart sped up at the thought of what he was getting at.

What do you think I’m getting at?

Nate…

Damn I like the way my name sounds coming off your tongue. He teased and she groaned with mock frustration. When is your birthday?

January 21st.

Four months away. What do you want for your birthday baby?

Just surprise me. I’m not picky.

I gotcha…

Kaydence and Nate talked until he said he had some errands to run. Wondering what kind of errands he had to run that late at night at first but soon ignored the urge to ask. He told her that he was a student at the university in town, she was impressed and nervous at the same time. She was officially on the track to dating a college student while she was just a senior in high school. How this was going to work with how much restrictions she has on her on any given day was going to be a chore within itself? Somehow she would make it happen, she had too. Nate was different from any guy who had ever tried to talk to her, she could feel it. As long as her mother never gets wind of her talking to an older guy she would be straight. Only four more months and technically she will be grown. She couldn’t wait.

~

In all of Nate’s twenty-one years he had never ran into a chick that he wanted with every fiber of his being. Sure he has seen some fine, stacked, and most importantly of age women in his time but Kaydence took the cake for some odd reason. When she smacked into him he was just going to steady her and send her on her way. Just one look into her hypnotizing hazel eyes made him feel a certain way. The guys that had just talked stuff to her not even two minutes before that made him want to find them and lay them out cold for talking to her that way. At first he thought it was funny at the way they acted when she brushed them off, now he understood why. She was different from the rest of these rats on the street. If he didn’t know any better he would think she could possibly be pure. Highly doubting it in this day and age but she was damn closed, he thought. She definitely didn’t give off the aura of being ran through.

The softness of her voice when she asked his name caught him by surprise. Just about everyone in Little Rock knew who he was. He ran these streets for the most part but he wouldn’t call himself a kingpin or anything. Preferring to be called a strategic business man with more street experience sounded better. His grandmother Brenda hated his profession but she knew there was nothing she could do to stop him so she quit lecturing. Having been in the business since he was fifteen, Nate has seen it all and done just as much as the next. The only difference between him and the next thug is that he lived a normal life.

No flashy cars, flashy houses, gunky jewelry, and rule number one ‘NO BRAGGING’. He was modest with what he spent and how he lived. The police couldn’t pin anything to him, only speculations. If the heat got too hot on the block he knew when to lay low. Oftentimes his workers would become unruly but he would just let them know under no circumstances did he take orders, he gave them. So if they thought they could do better they were free to roll on their own but if they trespassed on his business he would show no mercy.

People from the block didn’t know a Nate, they knew of a Blaze. That was his alter-ego which sounded straight up psycho to some but those were the ones that were too afraid to say anything. Blaze was cold-hearted, cool, calm, calculated, and wouldn’t blink twice when it came down to business. Nate on the other hand was to himself unless he trusted a person. At the moment the only people who knew Nate like that was his family and a homeboy whom he knew from around the way. Jerome was his right hand in the business mainly because he was the only dude he had ever trusted like that. Jerome had proven himself to be loyal and until he showed him something else that’s the way it would be.

Who was the shawty you were talking too?

Why? Nate became defensive but remained cool on the outside.

Them curves she was swaying, had a nigga hard.

Keep your eyes to yourself before you lose them bitches.

Since when do you wife these bitches.

Mind ya business. Nate didn’t know it but Jerome had been watching the chick he was with even before he had started talking to her. Nate just beat him to the punch but like all the other hoes he had been with, he was gonna try to holla on the sly. Jerome was always sniffing in behind his disregarded trash this one wouldn’t be any different. Nate was always getting tired of the chicks he bangs and moves to the next. Leaving Jerome the leftovers.

Kaydence was different from the rest of the females Nate would approach or the ones that would throw themselves at him. She stood at five foot seven, chunky to some guys but to him she was healthily thick, a butter toffee complexion, and straight sandy