Page 24 of Smoke

She shrugged. “Bullshitting. Watching bad reality TV.”

“Why do women love that shit? Just a bunch of catty ass women starting drama.”

“It’s entertaining. I might as well look at other people’s drama to distract me from my own. What are you doing out?”

“I had some business to take care of.”

She eyed me skeptically. “At night?”

“What’s wrong with conducting business at night?”

“Nothing. It’s none of my business anyway.”

“If you must know, I’m a weapons dealer outside of the gun shop.”

“What kind of weapons?”

“Any kind you can think of.”

“I want to ask a question, but I feel like I might offend you.”

I waved her off. “I’m not offended by curiosity. Now, blatant disrespect… that’s another story. Ask what you want to know, love.”

She bit her lip as she looked at me, contemplating what she was about to say.

“Is the gun shop a cover-up for the weapon dealing?”

I laughed because the look on her face was so serious.

“No, it’s not. Both are very legal ventures. I’m not a complete criminal. Is that what you think of me?”

“See,” she said, raising her hands, “That’s why I didn’t want to ask.”

Again, I laughed. “Relax. Considering what you probably already know about me, that’s a valid question and assumption.”

“I never said I heard anything about you.”

I gave her a look that said be fucking for real. She didn’t have to lie to me. I was well aware of the things people said about my family.

She sighed. “Okay, so maybe I have heard a few things.”

“Yet this is twice that you have let me in your house.”

“I’m not afraid of you, Devin.”

“You shouldn’t be. I would never hurt you.”

She smiled softly. “I believe that. I will say I wasn’t expecting you to be as nice to me as you have been. Honestly, I thought you would be sick of me and my crying by now.”

I chuckled. “I’m getting used to the crying.”

She picked up a pillow and smacked me with it.

“I’m pregnant, hormonal, and traumatized. I get to cry.”

“That’s fair.”

My phone started ringing. Pulling it out, I saw that it was Peach calling. I stared at it for a moment before silencing the call.

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