My First Love Series
Chapter 4 (pt.3)
“One Call Away”
The next evening, the dinner rush is finally winding down.
The kitchen smells of butter, grilled steak, garlic, and fresh biscuits. The constant hiss of the flat top has settled into a steady rhythm, and the printer that had been spitting tickets nonstop all night finally grows quiet.
The silver boombox sits on the prep counter.
Quiet Storm fills the kitchen.
Then Dru Hill’s “Beauty” comes on.
Smoke smiles to himself as he wipes down the stainless-steel counter.
🎵 Walks by me every day…
Her and love are the same…
The woman that’s stolen my heart…
And beauty is her name… 🎵
Right on cue…The kitchen doors swing open. Annie.
Smoke looks up instinctively.
Their eyes meet. Almost immediately.
Neither of them looks away.
🎵 I’m hoping I can make you mine…
’Fore another man steals your heart… And once your beauty is mine
I swear we will never be apart🎵
Annie walks toward the service window with her ticket in hand.
She stops in front of the line.
A small smile finds her lips.
Smoke can’t help but smile back.
For a moment…Everything else fades.
The sizzling grills. The clatter of pans.
The conversations around them.
It’s just…Her. Her smile.
Those bright eyes looking back at him.
He swears she’s like a magnet.
Every time she walks into the kitchen…His eyes find her before he even realizes he’s looking.
🎵 ’Cause my eyes have seen the glory…In the coming of your smile… 🎵
Annie feels those familiar butterflies dance in her stomach.
She knows she’s staring.
She also knows…She doesn’t want to stop.
Neither of them breaks eye contact.
It almost turns into a silent challenge.
You look away.
No… you.
Across the galley, Lindsey notices.
She pauses with a tray in her hands.
Instead of interrupting…She watches.
Curious to see just how long they’re going to keep looking at each other.
Brandon notices too. He smirks to himself.
🎵 You are so beautiful…When I'm down and out (When I'm down) I never seem to get tired... (Tired of your love, ooh, tired of your love) of your love…You’re wonderful. I'm just dying to make you see Anything you want inside your heart (You can find right here inside of me)🎵
Smoke’s lips slowly curl into a grin.
Annie’s heart flips.
“Aye…” Brandon laughs. “You gon’ plate her food or not?”
Smoke blinks, finally pulled back into the kitchen around him.
He chuckles under his breath and starts plating the order.
Annie laughs quietly to herself.
Lindsey catches the smile.
Something about the way they look at each other makes her chest tighten.
She’d worked to break his walls down and still nothing.
He’d barely spoken more than a few words to her. He barely laughed or smiled at all.
Yet with Annie…He smiled. He teased.
He laughed. Like it came naturally.
Smoke slides Annie’s plates across the window…But leaves both hands resting on the edge of them.
Annie looks down. Then back up at him. She smiles.
This time…She doesn’t even try to grab them.
“You not gon’ take yo’ food?” Smoke asks with a grin.
Annie shakes her head. “Uh-uh. Take your hands off of it.”
Smoke raises an eyebrow. “Not till I hear that magic word leave them lips.”
Annie plants a hand on her hip.
A playful smile spreads across her face. “You don’t make nobody else say please.”
Smoke chuckles. “Here you go wit that shit. I don’t care about nobody else.” His eyes stay locked on hers. “Now say it…’Fore you keep that table waitin’.”
The words hit Annie harder than he probably intended.
I don’t care about nobody else.
Heat creeps into her cheeks.
Lindsey notices. She rolls her eyes.
Annie reaches for the plates anyway.
Smoke slides them back just enough that she misses.
She busts into laughter. “Oh my God…”
She rises onto her tiptoes, trying again.
Smoke laughs and lifts the plates just a little higher.
“Elijah…” Her tone is half warning…Half amused.
He grins. “Say it.”
She folds her arms dramatically. “Please.”
A satisfied smile spreads across Smoke’s face. “There you go. See? Was that so hard?”
Annie shakes her head. “Smoke…”
A smile slips through anyway. “Give me my food before I come around there and get it myself.”
Smoke laughs. “That a promise?”
She points at him. “No. It’s a threat.”
Both of them laugh.
Lindsey finally exhales loudly enough for everyone to hear. “Can I get my food too?”
The playful moment breaks.
Smoke immediately slides Annie’s plates the rest of the way to her.
She takes them with a grin. “’Bout time, Big Head.”
She hurries back toward the dining room.
Smoke watches her disappear through the swinging doors for just a second before returning his attention to the line.
He finishes Lindsey’s order and slides it across. Silently
Lindsey takes the plate. “Thanks.”
Her tone is polite.
Smoke simply nods and goes back to wiping down his station, while Brandon watches the whole exchange with an amused shake of his head.
He doesn’t say a word.
He doesn’t have to.
Everybody on the line can already see it.
Whatever was growing between Smoke and Annie…It wasn’t hard to miss anymore.
🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇🌇
Saturday finally rolls around.
Devin is behind the wheel of her mama’s Malibu while Ebony rides shotgun. Annie and Rhonda are in the backseat.
The car smells like vanilla body spray, cocoa butter, and Bath & Body Works lotion. Ashanti plays softly through the speakers while all four girls sing along between conversations.
Devin glances into the rearview mirror at Annie and Rhonda. “So…Did y’all tell them to bring some friends or family?”
Rhonda groans dramatically. “Yes, girl! Damn. How many times you gon’ ask?”
Annie laughs. “Devin, watch the road.”
Ebony cracks up in the passenger seat.
Rhonda shakes her head. “You ’bout to kill us ’cause you too eager to meet some niggas.”
The whole car erupts in laughter.
Tonight, every last one of them came dressed to impress. Lip gloss shining.
Fresh roller sets and wraps.
Perfume lingering in the air every time somebody moved.
They finally pull into Kemper Arena.
The parking lot is already overflowing with cars.
Music blasts from open windows.
People laugh across the lot.
Groups of friends make their way toward the entrance wearing oversized jerseys, throwback tees, fitted caps, baggy jeans, Apple Bottoms, and matching Air Force 1s.
The girls climb out.
Devin slowly scans the crowd. “Damn…This game always bring the fine niggas out.”
Rhonda nods in agreement. “Hell yeah. I’m scoutin’ tonight.”
Annie laughs. “What about Tobias?”
Rhonda waves her off. “Girl, what about him? We just talkin’. He ain’t my man.”
Ebony laughs. “You always do the most.”
Devin shrugs proudly. “I’m supposed to.”
All four girls laugh as they join the long line wrapping around the arena.
Inside…The arena is alive.
Bass rattles through the speakers.
The smell of popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and pretzels fills the air.
Thousands of people buzz with excitement while the players warm up below.
The girls finally find their seats.
Ebony sits closest to the stairs.
Next to her is Devin. Then Rhonda.
Annie takes the seat further in the aisle.
She points toward the floor. “There go Hot Sauce!”
Rhonda practically jumps. “He fine as hell!”
Devin laughs. “I came here just for him.”
Ebony shoves her shoulder. “Shut up!”
They all busts into laughter.
Just then…Kevion and a couple of his friends walk in two rows below them.
“Kevion!” Devin yells.
He turns around instantly. “Aww shit! There go trouble!”
The two groups start yelling back and forth across the rows.
Kevion laughs before climbing the stairs with one of his boys.
They stop beside the girls, joking and catching up.
Outside…Smoke parks his truck.
He, Stack, Tobias, and Stack’s homeboy Ramon climb out.
The arena lights glow against the evening sky.
Groups of women walk toward the entrance laughing.
Stack immediately starts looking around. “Damn…I see some fine bitches already.”
Tobias sucks his teeth. “Here you go, nigga. We ain’t even got in the buildin’ yet.”
Stack grins. “Shit… You know I’m on the hunt from the car.”
Smoke just shakes his head.
The four of them head inside.
Almost immediately…Heads turn.
Women whisper to each other.
A couple openly stare.
Stack smirks. “I told y’all.”
Smoke ignores all of it.
They begin walking up the stairs toward their section.
Then…Smoke freezes.
His stomach instantly drops.
Annie.
She’s sitting with her friends. Laughing.
Two dudes are standing beside them talking. One of them says something that makes Annie throw her head back laughing.
Smoke swallows.
There goes that feeling again.
That tight feeling in his chest.
He doesn’t know why…But he doesn’t like seeing another man being the reason she’s smiling like that.
Her laugh… Her smile…Somehow they already feel special to him.
As Kevion and his friend head back down the stairs, they pass Smoke’s group.
Both groups instinctively size each other up. Quick mugs. Nothing said.
Just enough for each side to know the other noticed.
Smoke barely pays them any attention.
His eyes are already back on Annie.
Almost as if she feels him looking…
She turns her head. Their eyes meet.
Just like always. The noise around them disappears.
Annie feels her breath catch.
There he is. Standing a few steps away from her.
Looking directly at her.
Only…Something catches her attention.
Standing beside Tobias…Is another man with the exact same face as Smoke.
She blinks. Then looks back and forth between them.
Confused. Smoke notices.
A slow grin spreads across his face.
He gives her a little nod.
Annie laughs softly to herself.
He got a twin?
He never told her that.
Tobias smiles. “Sup, Rhonda.”
“Hey, Tobias.”
Devin points between all of them. “You gon’ introduce the rest of everybody?”
Tobias laughs. “Yeah.”
He points beside him. “This Stack.”
Then Ramon. “This Ramon.”
Finally… He points toward Smoke.
“And this Smoke.”
Every girl immediately looks at Annie.
Her cheeks warm.
Stack notices.
He grins to himself before looking at the girls. “What’s good? What y’all names is?”
They all introduce themselves.
Devin suddenly looks between Smoke and Stack. “Wait a minute…Y’all twins?”
Stack answers sarcastically without missing a beat. “Nah. We cousins.”
The girls busts out laughing.
“So stupid,” Ebony says.
Stack laughs too before his attention drifts to Devin.
She is gorgeous. Tall. Long legs.
Petite frame. Beautiful caramel skin.
And she’s looking right back at him.
Damn…
Stack slowly looks across the rest of the group.
Ebony. Pretty smile. Light skin. Button nose. Slanted eyes.
Rhonda. Rich chocolate complexion.
Fresh short haircut. Bright white smile.
Then…Annie.
Stack pauses.
Her skin practically glows beneath the arena lights. Her curls bounce every time she laughs.
Those bright eyes…Locked on…
Smoke.
Stack follows her gaze.
Sure enough…His brother is looking right back. Smiling. A real smile.
One Stack has almost never seen directed at a woman.
His eyebrow slowly rises.
So…This the mystery girl.
A grin spreads across his face.
Well…She off limits.
His eyes drift right back to Devin.
Who’s still looking at him. “Damn…The whole crew sexy as hell.”
The girls laugh.
Smoke cuts his eyes toward Stack.
“You done?”
Stack smirks. “I was just givin’ compliments.”
Ramon quietly smiles at Ebony.
She notices and smiles back before looking away.
Rhonda looks at Tobias. “Where y’all seats at?”
“Three rows up. “
“Oh…So y’all close.”
The lights begin to dim. The crowd erupts. The game is about to start.
Tobias nods toward the court. “We’ll see y’all after.”
“Oh, we definitely gon’ see y’all after.”
Stack says, never taking his eyes off Devin.
She bites her lip trying not to smile. “Aight then.”
The fellas turn and head toward their seats.
Smoke glances back one more time.
Annie is already looking at him.
He smiles. She smiles back.
Neither of them says a word.
They don’t have to.
Somehow…They’re already speaking the same language.
As soon as the guys disappear up the stairs, Devin turns around so fast she almost bumps into Rhonda. “Oh my God!”
She grabs both Rhonda and Annie’s arms.
“All them niggas fine as fuck, y’all!”
The girls bust into squeals and laughter, trying not to draw too much attention to themselves.
Devin fans herself dramatically. “I was not prepared for that.”
Ebony shakes her head, still laughing. “Me neither.” She looks over at Annie. “Girl…I understand now.”
She points toward the section where the guys disappeared. “I’d be scared too.”
Annie covers her face with her hands, laughing. “I told y’all.”
Ebony nods. “Hell yeah. I see exactly why you ain’t call him after y’all met.”
Devin turns toward Rhonda. “And Tobias fine as hell too.” She pauses, shaking her head in disbelief. “Damn. It’s crazy every last one of ’em fine.” She grins. “But I need Stack.” She presses a hand against her chest. “I’m ‘bout to be actin’ shy like you, Annie.”
Annie rolls her eyes. “You so damn annoying.”
She can’t help but laugh anyway.
Rhonda laughs with them before motioning toward the court. “Shhh. Y’all…The game.”
They all turn their attention back to the floor just as the crowd erupts and the announcer’s voice booms through Kemper Arena.
The lights dim. The music gets louder.
And for a little while…
Basketball has everyone’s attention.
Well…Almost everyone’s.
Smoke tries to focus on the game.
The squeak of sneakers echoes across the hardwood while the crowd roars every time somebody gets crossed over. The announcer’s voice booms through the Arena, mixing with the bass thumping from the arena speakers.
But no matter how hard he tries…
His eyes keep drifting to the back of Annie’s head.
He watches her clap after every big play.
She jumps to her feet. “Go Hot Sauce!”
Smoke chuckles under his breath.
She really wasn’t exaggerating in that letter.
She loves sports.
She cheers at every big play, laughs when somebody gets embarrassed, and leans so far forward in her seat it’s like she’s on the court with them. He loves that.
Another thing they have in common.
Stack stands up with the crowd after another crazy dunk. “Let’s go!”
The whole arena erupts.
Annie glances over her shoulder.
Her eyes immediately find Smoke.
He’s already looking at her.
She blushes instantly before turning back around.
Smoke can’t help but grin.
About twenty minutes later, Annie stands.
“Where you goin’?” Devin asks.
“To get some food.”
“Oh, shit. I’m goin’ too.”
She hops up and follows Annie down the stairs.
Smoke watches them disappear into the crowd.
“I’ll be back.” He says to the fellas before standing.
Stack smirks to himself.
He already knows exactly where his brother is headed.
Smoke makes his way down toward the concession stand.
The smell of buttery popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, and soft pretzels fills the air. The line snakes halfway across the concourse.
Devin looks ahead and sighs. “Shit… this line long.”
“Yeah, girl,” Annie laughs. “But I’m hungry.”
Just then…A deep voice speaks from behind her. “You gon’ get me somethin’ too?”
Annie’s stomach flutters.
She’d know that voice anywhere.
Slowly…She turns around.
Smoke.
At that exact moment, Beyoncé’s “That’s How You Like It” starts pouring through the arena speakers.
🎶 I need a thug that’ll have my back
Do-rag, Nike Airs to match…Ain't nothin' wrong with that (That's how I like it, baby)
Where my thugs at?
White T-shirt, I love that🎶
Annie’s eyes slowly travel from the top of his head…Down. This time she really looks at him in the light where she can actually see without it being dark and without anyone blocking her view.
🎶The way you talk
The way you dress
The way you smile
I like the way you are
The way you ain't
I like your honesty, integrity
It levels me, so please don't ever change🎶
Smoke went all out today.
He’s wearing a Kobe Bryant Lakers throwback jersey over a crisp white tall tee.
A matching Lakers headband hugs his perfectly laid waves.
A sweatband wraps around one forearm.
Baggy Girbaud jeans hang perfectly over a fresh pair of purple-and-gold Air Force 1s.
A Jacob watch glitters beneath the arena lights every time he moves.
Diamond studs catch another flash.
Two platinum chains rest against his jersey.
Two platinum rings decorate his fingers.
His Cartier eyeglasses somehow make him look even better.
And then…His cologne reaches her.
Warm. Clean. Masculine.
It wraps around her before he even says another word.
🎶 I like the way you brush your hair…
I like the stylish clothes you wear… It's just the real things you do. That's why I wanna stick with you🎶
Annie forgets how to speak.
Lord…
He looks…Too damn good.
Those glasses should honestly be illegal.
He really got dressed today.
🎶 I hope you like my style
The way I dress
The way I flirt
Say yes. I hope you like my mind
The things I say🎶
Smoke notices the look in her eyes immediately.
A smug smile slowly spreads across his face.
Then it’s his turn.
His eyes slowly roam over Annie.
She’s wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey dress that falls perfectly against her frame.
Fresh black and red Jordan 13s.
The front of her hair is neatly twisted back into flat twists while the rest falls into soft, bouncy curls that brush her shoulders every time she moves. Gold hoop earrings swing gently as she turns her head. Her black Dooney & Bourke shoulder bag rests comfortably beneath her arm. A gold herringbone necklace catches the light against her skin. Gold bracelets softly clink together as she shifts.
And tucked into the cartilage of her ear…
That little magnetic earring.
🎶 I know you heard I'm a gangster
They say, ‘Stay away from them gangsters.’
They never change up, or pull they pants up
Well, baby girl, put ya foot down
Don't let 'em push you around, you know what you like🎶
Smoke’s heart pounds.
She always looks beautiful.
But today…She looks damn near unreal.
Like she walked straight out of one of those music videos everybody watched after school.
Devin looks Smoke up and down too. “Damn…”
She quickly looks between him and Annie.
The chemistry between them is so thick she almost feels like she’s interrupting something.
“What you say?” Annie finally manages.
Smoke grins. “You heard me. You gon’ get me somethin’ too?”
Annie giggles. “Yeah…What you want?”
Smoke laughs. “You know I’m just playin’. What you gettin’?”
“A hot dog…I guess.”
He raises an eyebrow. “That’s it?”
“Mhm.”
“Nah.” He shakes his head. “Get whatever you want, lil’ mama.”
Annie blinks. “Huh?”
“If you can ‘huh,’ you can hear. You heard me. Get whatever you want. I got you.”
Annie smiles nervously. “Smoke…”
Smoke raises one eyebrow. “Oh… now it’s Smoke? I see you tryna act brand new in front of yo’ lil’ friend.”
Devin busts out laughing.
Annie shoots her a look before looking back at him. “Elijah…You don’t have to—”
Smoke cuts her off. “What I tell you about that?”
Annie blushes.
Smoke steps a little closer.
Just enough that only she can hear him.
He leans toward her ear.
His voice drops into that deep bass she loves.
His cologne surrounds her again.
“Annika…Stop frontin’ in here. You know me. We ain’t strangers no more.”
A chill races down Annie’s spine.
Her stomach twists into knots.
He straightens back up.
Devin watches the entire exchange with wide eyes.
Oh… they got it bad.
Smoke looks over at her. “I got you too. Get whatever you want.”
Devin points to herself. “You for real?”
Smoke chuckles while looking back at Annie. “Yeah.”
Devin laughs. “Shit…You ain’t gotta tell me twice.”
Annie starts laughing.
By the time they reach the counter, they’re still smiling.
Annie orders a hot dog…Then popcorn.
Smoke nods toward the cashier. “Add two nachos.”
Annie turns around.
Smoke smirks. “Yeah. Get you some nachos too. They good as hell.”
Annie laughs and shakes her head. “You so extra.”
Smoke reaches into his pocket and pulls out a thick knot of cash.
Without hesitation, he pays for everything.
The three of them start walking back toward their section.
Smoke carries the tray with the nachos while Annie balances the drinks.
As they walk, Smoke can’t stop looking at her side profile.
The arena lights catch her skin every few steps.
Her curls bounce as she laughs with Devin.
Annie tries to act like she doesn’t feel him staring.
He smiles to himself. “I know you feel me lookin’.”
Annie immediately laughs. “Stop. You’re makin’ me nervous.”
Smoke kisses his teeth. “There you go wit that. You gon’ have to get used to me lookin’.” He smiles. “You shouldn’t be so beautiful.”
Annie feels her face grow warm all over again.
She finally looks up at him. “Thank you, Elijah.”
Smoke hums in approval. “That’s better.”
They climb back up the stairs toward their seats.
Devin smiles. “Thanks again, Smoke.”
He nods once. “No problem.”
Then his eyes drift back to Annie. “See you afterwards.”
A grin spreads across her face. “See you.”
When Annie and Devin finally make it back to their seats, they’re balancing trays loaded down with food.
Rhonda’s eyes get wide. “Damn!”
She looks between the two of them. “Y’all got hella shit.”
Ebony starts laughing. “The hell y’all buy? The whole concession stand?”
Annie and Devin crack up as they carefully pass everything around.
Devin can’t even wait.
She points at Annie. “Annie’s man bought all this for us.”
Ebony’s mouth falls open. “Smoke bought all that?”
Devin nods. “Yep. He got it bad for Annie.”
She leans in with a grin. Y’all should’ve seen them flirtin’. I swear I felt like I was interruptin’ something.”
The girls immediately start squealing.
Devin keeps going. “He was callin’ her beautiful and shit. He could not stop lookin’ at her.”
Annie hides her face behind her cup, laughing. “Shut up, Devin.”
“Nope.” Devin points at her. “I ain’t lyin’.”She shakes her head. “Girl, you definitely upgraded from that nigga Ryan.”
Rhonda sucks her teeth dramatically. “Man…I should’ve known when he followed y’all to the concession stand he was finna spend some money.” She reaches over and steals a few pieces of Annie’s popcorn. “I missed out.”
Annie laughs and nudges her shoulder. “You snooze, you lose.”
The girls bust into laughter.
Devin shakes her head, still thinking about Smoke. “Nah, for real though.” She points toward the section where the guys are sitting. “You better hold on to that nigga. That’s one of the finest niggas I ever seen.”
She starts counting on her fingers. “He can dress. He smell good. He compliment you every chance he get. And not only did he spend his money on you…”
She gestures toward all the food spread across their laps. “He bought yo friends food too.”
She leans closer with a smirk. “Keep him, girl.”
Annie feels her cheeks grow warm.
She shakes her head, trying to hide her smile. “Y’all so damn extra.” But she can’t stop laughing. Deep down…
She knows every single one of them is right.
Smoke settles back into his seat with a bottle of water in one hand.
The game is back underway.
The crowd erupts after another ankle-breaking crossover, but before he can even sit all the way down…
Stack grins. “Aight…So we just gon’ act like we ain’t see what the hell just happened?”
Smoke keeps his eyes on the court “What happened?”
Tobias laughs. “This nigga.”
Ramon shakes his head. “You know exactly what happened.”
Smoke shrugs. “I went to get some food.”
“Yeah…” Stack says, drawing the words out. “You went to get Annie some food.”
The three of them laugh.
Smoke smirks but doesn’t answer.
Stack elbows him. “You bought food for the whole damn row.”
Smoke finally looks over. “So?”
“So?” Stack repeats. “Nigga, you don’t even buy me food.”
The fellas bust out laughing.
Smoke sucks his teeth. “You got money.”
“So do she,” Stack shoots back.
More laughter.
Tobias leans forward. “I ain’t never seen this nigga chase after nobody.”
Ramon nods. “He been watchin’ her the whole game.”
Smoke cuts his eyes toward Ramon.
“I been watchin’ the game.”
Stack lets out the loudest laugh yet.
“The game? Nigga, every time I looked over, you was lookin’ at Annie. You ain’t even know who had the ball.”
Smoke shakes his head. “Y’all doin’ too fuckin’ much.”
“Nah.” Stack points toward him. “You doin’ too much.” He starts counting on his fingers. “You been staring at her all night. You followed her to the concession stand. You paid for all they food.” He pauses dramatically. “And then…This nigga walked back up here starin’ at her the whole damn time.”
Tobias laughs so hard. “I peeped that shit too.”
Smoke can’t help but grin. “Aight damn. I was lookin’.”
“Damn right you was.” Stack says. “You was lookin’ so hard I thought you was finna walk into somebody.”
The guys crack up.
Smoke laughs with them this time. “Aight, man.”
Stack folds his arms. “So…You finally gon’ admit that’s yo’ girl?”
Smoke’s smile softens. “Nah. We just gettin’ to know each other.”
Tobias nods approvingly. “I respect that. But…” He smirks. “You definitely got it bad.”
Smoke looks down toward the court for a second before glancing back toward Annie’s section.
She laughs at something Devin says.
Almost like she can feel him…
She turns around. Their eyes meet from three sections away.
She smiles.
Smoke smiles right back.
Stack watches the exchange.
Then slowly looks back at his brother.
“Aww, hell.”
Smoke raises an eyebrow. “What?”
Stack laughs and points at him. “You gone.”
The fellas laugh again.
“Gone gone.”
Tobias nods. “I ain’t never seen this nigga smile this damn much.”
Ramon chuckles. “He different.”
Stack leans back in his seat, still grinning. “Nah…This ain’t just different.” He looks over at Smoke one more time. “I think my brother done found him one.”
Smoke doesn’t answer.
He simply glances back toward Annie one more time before returning his attention to the court.
The small smile on his face says more than any words ever could.
When the game ends, the arena empties in a wave of people.
The crowd spills into the parking lot, still buzzing about the crazy crossovers and dunks they just witnessed. Car doors slam, music starts blasting from every direction, and headlights cut through the chilly fall evening.
The girls make it outside first.
Not long after, Kevion and his friends spot them. “Aye!” Kevion calls out.
The girls stop to talk.
Annie laughs at something Kevion says, the sound carrying through the parking lot.
A few minutes later, Smoke, Stack, Tobias, and Ramon step outside.
Smoke instinctively starts scanning the crowd.
His eyes land on Annie almost immediately.
There she is. Standing in a circle…
Laughing with the same dudes from inside the arena.
His jaw tightens ever so slightly.
Who the fuck are those niggas?
He doesn’t say anything.
Instead, he keeps walking toward his truck like it doesn’t bother him at all.
He unlocks it, climbs inside for a second, then starts it.
Chingy’s “One Call Away” comes booming through the speakers.
The bass rolls across the parking lot.
The fellas post up. Leaning against the truck, talking while the song plays.
Smoke isn’t really listening.
His eyes drift back to Annie.
Just in time to see her hug the guy she’d been talking to.
His stomach flips. He swallows hard.
He doesn’t like that feeling.
Not one bit.
A few moments later, the girls finally head their way.
Devin grins. “Hey, y’all.”
Everybody exchanges greetings.
Devin’s eyes immediately find Stack.
She gives him a slow once over.
Stack is wearing a black Tim Duncan Spurs jersey over a white tee, baggy black jeans, and black-and-white Jordan 12s. Fresh braids frame his face, platinum shining in his mouth every time he smiles. A Rolex catches the parking lot lights while thick platinum chains rest against his chest.
He notices her looking.
A grin spreads across his face. “What’s good?”
Devin smiles right back. “Nothin’. What’s poppin’ with you?”
Stack chuckles. “Come find out.”
He nods his head, motioning for her to follow.
Without hesitation…Devin does.
The two of them wander off, talking and laughing almost immediately.
Smoke shakes his head. “That nigga don’t waste no time.”
Tobias laughs before turning toward Rhonda. The two of them quickly fall into their own conversation.
That leaves…Smoke. Annie. Ebony.
And Ramon.
Smoke and Annie lock eyes.
Neither of them says anything.
Chingy continues playing from the truck.
🎶 I seen it in her eye…
Mama lookin’ like all I wanted was sex…Then moved to the next (that ain't true) But it was something about this girl's style that make me feel no regrets🎶
Smoke slowly holds his hand out. “Come here. Come talk to me for a minute.”
🎶Afraid she might think I'm in a rush to touch, crush and be up
But baby, I ain't on that stuff🎶
Annie glances over at Ebony.
Ebony smiles knowingly. “Go, girl.”
Annie smiles shyly before slipping her hand into Smoke’s.
His fingers close around hers.
Warm. Gentle.
He leads her around to the back of the truck.
Ebony stays behind, chatting with Ramon.
Smoke lowers the tailgate.
The metal thumps softly into place.
They sit side by side.
Close enough that their shoulders brush every few seconds.
🎶If you're rolling with me baby, hop in, it's enough room
We can gaze at the stars and shine like the moon
Give me a chance to show ya and a chance to know ya
Just be true and there's nothing I won't do for ya🎶
A soft breeze drifts through the parking lot.
Annie’s perfume floats toward him.
Sweet. Light. Familiar.
Smoke smiles to himself. “So…You enjoy the game?”
Annie nods. “Yeah. I did.”
Smoke chuckles. “I could tell.”
She cuts her eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You was hella into it. I heard you over everybody.”
Annie throws her head back laughing.
“Oh, whatever. You could not.”
“I definitely could.”
She clicks her tongue. “You could only hear me ‘cause you was lookin’ at me all night.”
Smoke pauses. Then laughs. “Damn. You right. I couldn’t help it though.”
Annie giggles. “Here you go, Elijah Blowin’ my head up again.”
“My bad.” He shrugs. “I’m just bein’ honest. You a magnet.”
Annie smiles. “So are you.”
Smoke grins. “Thanks. I see I almost made you pass out again today.”
She tries to hold in her laugh.
Fails miserably. “Damn. Just expose me, why don’t you?”
Smoke laughs. “It’s okay…’Cause you almost made me do the same.”
Annie raises an eyebrow. “Oh, please, Big Head.”
“I’m serious. I knew you was gon’ be lookin’ good as hell today…” He slowly shakes his head. “But shit…You exceeded what I expected.”
Heat spreads across Annie’s cheeks.
“I can say the same thing about you.” She smiles. “And why ain’t you tell me you had a twin?”
Smoke exhales through his nose. “‘Cause you ain’t ask.”
Annie laughs. “Oh, okay, Elijah.” She nudges his shoulder. “So what’s it like… havin’ a twin?”
Smoke leans back a little, looking up.
“Shit…That’s a loaded answer.”
He looks out across the crowded parking lot. “Maybe one day I can really go into depth. But to sum it up…It’s different than most sibling relationships. You share everything. So sometimes you struggle to figure out who you are outside of bein’ a twin. You got this bond…No matter what happen…It don’t break.” He smiles to himself. “It’s a blessin’…And a curse.”
Silence settles between them.
Annie thinks about his words.
“I get that.” She nods slowly. “Havin’ siblings is already hard enough. So I could only imagine.” She smiles. “Y’all do seem like complete opposites though.”
Smoke chuckles. “In some ways. But deep down… We mostly the same.”
Annie smiles. “That’s actually beautiful when you think about it. Always havin’ somebody in your corner.”
Smoke hums. “Yeah.” He glances at her. “You seem to got that kinda bond wit yo’ brother too.”
Annie looks over at him. “How you know that?”
“‘Cause I watched y’all at the rink.” He smiles. “And I hear how y’all joke every time we on the phone.”
Annie’s expression softens. “Yeah…We close. He’s one of my best friends.”
“I can tell.” Smoke hesitates for a second before admitting, “I gotta confess somethin’.”
Annie raises an eyebrow. “What?”
“At first…I thought he was yo’ man at the skating rink.”
Annie’s face scrunches up instantly.
“What? Eww. No.”
Smoke laughs. “Y’all was holdin’ hands and shit. I just assumed.”
She laughs. “Well…That’s what you get for assumin’.”
Smoke smirks. “Oh…So I guess I shouldn’t assume the nigga you was just huggin’ earlier yo man either.”
Annie looks confused…Then remembers Kevion. “Oh!” She laughs. “Eww, no, Elijah. Kevion just my friend. He’s like a brother to me.”
Smoke raises an eyebrow. “Y’all women love havin’ play brothers and shit.”
Annie smiles. “I mean…Relationships between a man and woman don’t always gotta be romantic. They can be strictly platonic too.”
Smoke thinks for a moment and there’s a minute of silence.
Annie breaks it “So you don’t think it’s possible?”
Smoke shrugs. “I don’t know. I ain’t never done it. And nobody around me has either. That ain’t sayin’ it can’t happen. It’s just…Different from what I’m used to.”
Annie nods. “Well…I’m here to tell you it can.”
Smoke smiles. “Aight then. I believe you, lil’ mama.”
Comfortable silence settles over them.
The music continues playing.
People laugh nearby. Car doors slam.
Someone starts another vehicle a few rows over.
Smoke glances sideways.
She’s looking everywhere…Except at him.
A grin slowly tugs at his lips. “You still can’t look at me?”
Annie smirks. “I can.”
His voice drops lower. “Prove it…Look at me.”
Her heart immediately starts racing.
She shakes her head.
Then…Slowly…She turns toward him.
Her eyes lift to meet his. Just for a second. Before they fall again.
Smoke smiles.
He reaches over gently and tips her chin upward with his thumb and index finger. “There you go.” He holds her gaze. “I need you to get used to lookin’ at me up close. Not just when we across the room.” His voice softens. “I wanna see these pretty eyes up close. We ain’t at work…So I can get lost in ’em now.”
Annie’s throat goes dry.
Butterflies erupt inside her stomach.
She can’t think. Can’t speak.
His sleepy eyes stay locked on hers.
Finally…He smiles. “You so pretty, Annika. Don’t be afraid to let me see you.”
Annie swallows. Then gives the smallest nod.
Before she can find the words…
Stack’s voice rings out across the parking lot.
“Aye! Y’all come around here and hit this blunt!”
Smoke sighs through his nose and lets his hand fall away.
“Saved by yo brother,” Annie teases softly.
Smoke laughs. “For now.”
He stands first, then offers her his hand. She takes it.
He helps her down from the tailgate.
Together, they walk back around the truck to join everyone else.
When they make it back around the truck, everyone naturally falls into a circle while Chingy’s “Holidae Inn” is bumping through the speakers. Cars are slowly pulling out of the parking lot, headlights sweeping across the pavement as people laugh, talk, and relive their favorite plays from the game.
Stack finishes rolling the blunt and sparks it.
He takes the first hit before holding it out toward Annie. “Aye, Annie.”
Before Annie can even open her mouth to politely turn it down..Smack.
Smoke knocks Stack’s hand away.
Stack looks at him like he done lost his damn mind. “The fuck?”
Smoke shrugs like it isn’t a big deal.
“Nah.”
Annie lets out a small, nervous laugh, surprised by how quickly he reacted.
Stack studies his brother for a second before shaking his head. “Aight then.”
He turns toward Devin instead. “Here.”
Devin grins. “Shit, don’t mind if I do.”
She takes a hit before passing it to Tobias.
Tobias inhales and passes it over to Rhonda.
Rhonda takes her turn before holding it out toward Ebony.
Ebony shakes her head. “I’m good.”
Ramon takes it next.
Then…He passes it to Smoke.
Smoke brings it to his lips and takes a slow pull.
He tips his head back slightly before letting the smoke drift from his mouth up his nose.
Annie quietly watches him.
She’d had a feeling he smoked.
He hustled.
And plenty of times after lunch breaks at Red Lobster, he’d come back with the other cooks wearing that same relaxed expression and those heavy, sleepy eyes.
For some reason…Knowing she was right makes her smile to herself.
It doesn’t make her think less of him.
If anything…It reminds her that he never expected her to do something just because he did.
He could’ve easily let Stack hand it to her.
Instead…Without making a scene…
He stopped it.
Something about that small gesture makes her heart soften.
He looked out for her without trying to embarrass her. She liked that.
More than she’d probably admit.
A few minutes later, the blunt burns down to nothing.
Rhonda suddenly reaches into her purse. “Oh!” She pulls out a yellow disposable Kodak camera. “Come on, y’all. We gotta get some pictures.”
Everybody laughs.
Tobias takes the camera first.
He snaps a few pictures of the girls together.
The flash pops brightly against the night sky.
Next…Rhonda takes a picture of all the fellas standing together in front of Smoke’s truck.
After that, she looks around.
A group of girls is standing beside a nearby car.
“Excuse me. Can you take one of all of us?”
One of the girls smiles. “Yeah, I got you.”
She walks over and takes the camera.
As everyone gets into position…
Her eyes linger.
Mostly…On Smoke.
Annie notices.
A strange feeling settles in her chest.
Not anger. Not exactly.
Just…Discomfort.
She suddenly realizes something.
If things between her and Smoke keep growing…Women looking at him…
Probably won’t be a rare thing.
He was fine.
She couldn’t even blame them.
That didn’t mean she had to like it.
Everybody finds their spots.
Tobias slips an arm around Rhonda’s shoulders.
Ramon kneels down in front of Ebony with a grin.
Stack turns toward Devin.
Before she knows what’s happening…
He casually rests a hand against her ass.
Devin busts into laughter. “You bold.”
“I know.” Stack says with a smirk.
Smoke steps beside Annie.
At first, he drapes an arm across her shoulders.
Then…Almost instinctively…
His hand slides lower until it rests comfortably around her waist.
He gently guides her in front of him.
His other hand settles lightly against her stomach.
Annie’s heart pounds so loudly she’s convinced everyone can hear it.
Smoke lowers his head slightly until it rests near her shoulder.
She can feel the warmth of his breath.
The girl holding the camera notices.
Her smile fades for just a second.
She quickly snaps the picture anyway.
Flash.
The moment is frozen forever.
Everyone thanks her before breaking apart.
The conversations naturally split back up.
Stack wastes no time. “So…” He looks at Devin. “You gon’ give me yo’ number or what?”
Devin smiles. “I thought you’d never ask.”
They exchange numbers.
Not too far away…Ramon asks Ebony for hers.
She smiles before giving it to him too.
Meanwhile…
Smoke nods toward a quieter spot.
Annie follows him a few steps away from everyone else.
Smoke slides both hands into his pockets. “I’m gon’ call you later on. That aight?”
Annie smiles. “Of course.”
He nods. “Good.” A soft smile spreads across his face. “I’m glad I got to spend some time wit you today.”
“Me too.”
Silence settles between them.
Neither seems to mind it.
They simply look at one another.
Finally…Smoke clears his throat.
“Can I have a hug before you go?”
Annie smiles wider. “Yes, Elijah.”
His dimples immediately appear.
He steps closer. His arms wrap comfortably around her waist.
Annie slides hers around his neck.
The moment they touch…Something shifts.
Neither of them expected a simple hug to feel like this.
Smoke buries his face gently against the side of her neck.
She smells like brown sugar and vanilla. Warm. Sweet. Comforting.
He closes his eyes for a second.
His arms tighten just a little.
Not enough to make her uncomfortable.
Just enough to silently say…
I don’t really wanna let you go yet.
Annie smiles into his shoulder.
She doesn’t rush to pull away either.
For a few quiet seconds…
The rest of the parking lot disappears.
Devin notices first. She elbows Rhonda. The two of them start giggling.
Stack shakes his head. “Aye, nigga!” He laughs. “Let her go before you squeeze her to death.”
Smoke and Annie break apart laughing.
He reaches down and catches her hand one last time.
Giving it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll see you later.”
Annie nods. “See you.”
She reluctantly lets go and walks back toward the girls.
Smoke stays exactly where he is.
Watching her.
She glances back once before climbing into Devin’s mom’s car.
Smoke smiles to himself.
Only after the car disappears into the stream of traffic…Does he finally climb into his truck…
🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆🌆
The next morning, a loud knock echoes through Smoke’s small house.
He groans, rolling over to look at the clock. 9:17 a.m.
“Damn…”
Another knock follows. More impatient this time.
Smoke throws the covers back, pulls on a white T-shirt, and walks to the front door.
The moment he opens it…He sighs.
“Monica.”
She stands on the porch with her arms folded tightly across her chest.
Her lips are pressed into a thin line.
“We need to talk.”
Smoke steps aside.
She walks in without waiting for an invitation.
He shuts the door behind her.
She turns to face him.
“Shatara saw you at Skateland”
Smoke’s expression doesn’t change.
“…Okay. And?”
Monica folds her arms even tighter.
“She said you was all hugged up wit some girl.”
Smoke lets out a quiet breath. “So?”
Monica’s eyebrows shoot up. “So?That’s all you gotta say?”
Smoke shrugs. “What you want me to say?”
She takes a step toward him. “Now you wanna be hugged up and kissin’ bitches, but never wanted to be seen in public wit no bitch not even me. I wanna know who she is.”
Smoke shakes his head once.
“Nah. You don’t need to know that.”
Monica scoffs. “Excuse me?”
“I said… You don’t need to know.”
Her frustration grows. “Why? What make her so special you won’t even say her name?”
Smoke leans against the wall, completely unbothered.
“‘Cause it ain’t none of yo business.”
Monica laughs in disbelief. “It is my business.”
Smoke immediately shakes his head.
“No. It ain’t.” He looks her square in the eyes. “We ain’t together. We never was. I don’t owe you or no other woman no explanations.”
His words sting.
Monica looks away for a second before looking back. “So that’s it? You just movin’ on?”
Smoke sighs. “I’m livin’ my life. I never lied to you. I never told you we was together. I never promised you nothin’.”
Monica studies his face. “You really like her.”
Smoke doesn’t answer.
The silence says enough.
Monica feels her stomach sink.
“So that’s why you won’t tell me.”
Smoke exhales. “Monica…Let it go.”
She shakes her head.
“I can’t let it go. Shatara said you couldn’t keep yo fuckin’ eyes off her.”
Smoke chuckles under his breath.
“Yo friend need to mind her fuckin’ business.”
“My point exactly.” Monica snaps. “So who is she?”
Smoke’s expression hardens. “I said leave it alone.”
She folds her arms again. “I’ma find out.”
Smoke nods slowly. “You do what you feel like you gotta do. But don’t drag somebody else into this.” His voice is calm, but firm. “She ain’t did shit to you. We not together. So whoever I spend my time wit…ain’t got nothin’ to do wit you and if I find out you did anything to her. I promise I’m gon’ make you regret that shit for as long as you live.”
Monica searches his face one last time, hoping he’ll change his mind.
He doesn’t.
Smoke opens the front door. “I ain’t got shit else to say.”
Monica walks past him, stopping on the porch.
She looks back over her shoulder.
“I’ma find out who she is.”
Smoke meets her eyes.
“Or…” He shrugs. “You could just let it go.”
She doesn’t respond.
She climbs into her car and drives away.
Smoke watches her disappear down the street before rubbing a hand over his face.
“Damn.”
He has a feeling this conversation isn’t over. Not by a long shot…
Part 1
Part 2
Y’all Smoke has it bad. I know Smoke doesn’t smile but I wanted to capture how Annie is slowly changing him. It’s a natural reflex at this point. She also got my boy feeling jealous and ready to conquer the world for her. ‘I fear’ (in my Aniyah voice) Annie really is that girl. . Also Stack just overly going. Baby mama and all. 🥴😩😂
Thank you for updating!! 😭😭 This shit really mean something to me!!! Lmaooo I’m a (lil) obsessed with this fic 😭😭
