Page 37 of Certified Pressure 2
Ka’mari leaned in close, her whisper like venom. “So do yourself a favor and dip before I open my mouth. At least that way you leave with some dignity. Don’t make me expose you.”
I glared at her so hard my eyes burned. “Cool. I’ll pack my shit and go, but you don’t need to be all in my fuckin’ mix while I’m doin’ it.”
She stepped back, smug as hell. “Good girl. I’ll be waiting for you.” Then she spun on her heel and strutted down the hall like she already won.
I stood there, my fists balled, my heart poundin’ and fightin’ the urge to run after her and drag her ass across the floor. But I wasn’t that stupid. I had to think bigger than that.
I turned back toward my room, pushin’ the door open, only to find Kashmere approaching.
“What the fuck goin’ on, Toni?” she asked, her brows knitted tight, and her voice low but full of worry.
I shook my head, pushin’ past her. She followed me inside, closin’ and lockin’ the door behind us. I dropped down on the edge of the bed, feelin’ flustered and heavy, rubbin’ my face with both hands.
Kashmere came over and sat beside me. “Talk to me. What happened?”
I stared at the floor for a long second before whisperin’, “Me and Kay’Lo fucked.”
Kashmere gasped, her hand flyin’ up to cover her mouth. Her eyes went wide, and for a minute she ain’t even know what to say.
“And Ka’mari’s nosy snake ass recorded it,” I added, my voice breakin’ on the edges.
Kashmere dropped her hand, shakin’ her head in disbelief. “You lyin’.”
“I wish the fuck I was.” I rubbed my temples, tryin’ to keep from losin’ it. “She just showed me the video. She got me clearas day, moanin’ and all. And she talkin’ ‘bout tellin’ Pressure if I don’t get the fuck out this house.”
Kashmere exhaled slow, her face twisted in shock. “Damn, Toni…”
I leaned back, lettin’ out a heavy sigh. “Look, I know I fucked up, and I can’t fix it. I came here for Pressure, but he ain’t want me like that, so I fell for Kay’Lo, and now it’s all blown up. I’m just gon’ leave before I do somethin’ crazy and kill that bitch Ka’mari, ‘cause I swear I want to. But if I stay, it’s gon’ be worse. I already made a mess, and I ain’t tryna make it messier.”
Kashmere’s eyes watered, like she really felt what I was sayin’. “You really gon’ leave?”
I nodded, quiet for a moment. “Yeah. It’s better this way.”
Silence hung between us for a minute, heavy and sad. Then I sat up straighter. “Put my number in your phone. I don’t want no ties to this place, but I need you to text me. And give my number to Kay’Lo too.”
Kashmere nodded quick. Then we both pulled out our phones and exchanged numbers. We stood up together, and she pulled me into a tight hug.
“I’mma miss you, Toni,” she whispered.
“I’mma miss you too, sis.”
She pulled away, wipin’ at her face before slippin’ out the room. I took a deep breath, headin’ into the bathroom to grab my stuff. I stuffed what I could into my duffel, then swung it over my shoulder. My heart felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.
When I walked back into the bedroom, Ka’mari was already standin’ by the door, waitin’, with a smug grin.
“Don’t say I never did nothin’ for you,” she said.
“Fuck you.”
“No thank you. I don’t want what Kay’Lo just had,” she shot back.
She then laughed under her breath, turnin’ toward the hall. “Come on. Let’s get you outta here before somebody sees you.”
I wanted to cuss her out some more, but I followed. She knew this damn mansion like the back of her hand, movin’ through the dark like she belonged to the shadows. We slipped past the corners, slid through hallways, and finally made it to the back door. She punched in some code on the keypad and swung it open. The night air hit me, cool and damp, and I realized this was real. I was leavin’, and without at least saying goodbye to Kay’Lo.
Ka’mari walked with me toward the gate. She leaned over and whispered the gate code, then smirked again like this was all a game to her.
An Uber pulled up at the curb just as I reached the gate, the headlights bright against the night. I threw my bag over my shoulder and watched the gate slide open.
