#tsunamimob

[natwentsplat134]

Chapter 17

I never knew I could be so mesmerized by one person, but here in this moment watching Kehlani on the stage, dancing and performing 'Water' I was very much enticed. And turned on I won't even lie.

Especially when she squatted and started to twerk, and with their back to their crowd I saw her eyes on me, and before she turned she shot a wink in my direction.. you know I'm starting to understand that SWV song.. cause my knees is weak.

I was at their show because one: I wanted to see them in their element, owning the stage like she was doing. Two: I just wanted to see them. Three: I was getting my shorts back.

The show wasn't even halfway done yet and she was killing it. I stayed off to the side of the stage mostly so I wouldn't get hassled like I would if I was in the crowd or the pit.

I watched as she transitioned smoothly into the next song; 'Hate the Club' and I watched as she found someone in the crowd, and sang directly to her and I watched as they perched themselves on the barricade.

Still singing straight to the person in front of them, and I watched as they put their hand on the neck of the girl in front of them and I could hear the screams the crowd let out and it made me laugh and shake my head.

I watched the rest of the show still completely under their spell, I never took my eyes off of them, and she would occasionally glance my way, and when she did the acoustic version of 'alter'? Oh, I was on the floor.

The last song they performed was 'CRZY' and the crowd was hype and she talked to the crowd thanking them before she jogged off the stage and I stood back letting them talk to their crew, then she came to me.

I was holding a water bottle and towel for the sweat that made their skin glisten, i looked at her with appreciation, shamelessly checking her out.

"You killed it up there," I said honestly as she accepted the towel from me and I opened the water for her.

"Thanks." She answered now sounding shy, and she accepted the water from me. "Thank you." I followed them to the green room, where their friends were waiting.

She told me to wait outside and I was confused but I did as I was told, and when she came out a few minutes later she had changed out of what she was wearing on stage and had sweatpants and a hoodie on.

"What're you doing?" I asked as she grabbed my hand and started pulling me somewhere and I realized it was the parking garage and there was already a car waiting for us.

"Get in."

Again, I did as I was told.

She told the driver to take us back to the hotel. "You still haven't told me—" I was cut off when she kissed me, it was rushed, messy, and driving me crazy in the best way.

"I've been wanting to do that since I saw you earlier." She mumbled and I couldn't respond verbally, my head was still spinning.

The ride to the hotel was torture, I was hot and bothered, semi-hard and the way she kept kissing my neck wasn't helping, I wanted to yell at the driver to hurry up but when I saw we had pulled up to the hotel I said a quick thanks before rushing out of the car.

I know I said the drive over here was torture, but the elevator ride was hell.

I had Kehlani up against the wall, as my hands trailed anywhere and everywhere I could reach, when it finally stopped at their floor they dragged me down the hallway to her room swiping the card and when it opened I walked them inside pushing her against the door and she gasped.

I kissed her neck, and she tilted her head allowing me more access. "No marks." She got out breathlessly and I placed one last kiss on their neck before wrapping their legs around my waist.

"Where's your room?"

"To the left second door."

I followed her instructions and the second I got them in there I locked the door and sat her on the bed and clothes came off fast, I wasn't tryna wait anymore.

I had for so long already.

When she was bare under me in nothing but lace panties, I took a second to just admire her. "You're so fucking beautiful," I mumbled as I kissed her chest, taking one of their nipples into my mouth and she arched into me.

"Fuck Kai." She breathed as my other hand came up and rolled their nipple between my fingers, I sucked on the bud in my mouth before switching to the other and then I felt her hand pushing at my head.

Normally I would've commented on it, but I wanted this just as bad—if not more than she did.

So I trailed kisses down their sternum, my tongue licking their skin as I did, tasting the sweat that was still on their her, until I reached their panties, I could see the wet patch already.

"Can I?"

"Yes, Kai fuck." I took the panties off discarding them somewhere without a care where they landed. I usually take my time to build up the arousal more but she was already soaked for me, so I used my tongue and flattened it against their core, the gasp she let out encouraged me to go even further.

It was at this moment too that I was happy I decided to put my hair up this morning.

I let my tongue go deeper, as I brought up a hand to rub her clit and the needy whines she let out turned me on, and by now I was aching in my boxers but I was getting them off first.

I switched my tongue out for my fingers, and saw her clenching the sheets, and I wrapped my mouth around her clit, and their back arched.

"Shit!" She moaned, and I added another finger as she clenched around me, and they tried to close her legs and I stopped them from doing so, just as her legs started to shake. "Kai I'm gonna.."

I hummed against them and a few more pumps of my fingers she let go with a cry of my name, and I quickly replaced my fingers with my tongue, and she let out a cry and I kept going until I was satisfied and she pulled me up by grabbing my chain.

She pulls me into a messy kiss, our tongues clashed and she subtly flipped us over and I was beneath them, can't like I might've just found my new favorite view.

She kissed me, then down to my jaw, and I let out a shaky sigh when I felt their lips on my neck, my hands gripped their hips, as she started to grind on top of my dick.

"Kehlani." I breathed when she found my pulse point, and bit down, soothing the bite with her tongue and she was clearly happy with my reaction, the hum she let out said it all.

She left more bites and marks as she kissed down my collarbone and she gave my boobs attention, I almost cried out for happiness as she kissed down my stomach and got on their knees and I stood up and she pulled off my boxers.

My dick hit my stomach, with precum already leaking from the tip, and I sat back down and she took me into their hand, then slowly wrapped her lips around me all without breaking eye contact with me.

I swear, I've never been a minute man. But dammit if that didn't make me wanna cum right there.

I took a shallow breath when they hollowed her cheeks, taking even more of me, bobbing their head up and down, and I wrapped some of her hair around my hand, guiding them.

Curses left my mouth as I felt one of her hands massaging my balls and it made me let out a whimper, and I could feel the coil in my stomach clenching.

She eased up after that a string of saliva pulling between them and my dick, and I threw my head back. "You have no idea how long I've been wanting this." She spoke and I could only chuckle.

My hand tightened in her hair as she wrapped their lips around me again. "I have an idea," I mumbled and she hummed around me, and that was enough to send me over the edge, which wasn't surprising with how badly I've been wanting this.

I watched with parted lips as she swallowed my cum, but never stopped sucking my tip and my toes curled. "Lani—" She kept going for a second before letting up, and I exhaled heavily, and I pulled them up, and their hand was stroking my dick. "On your knees, arch."

I watched as she got on the bed, on all fours, arching with her ass in the air, and I brought my hand down slapping their ass biting my lip at the moan she let out. She started to push back on me, rubbing against my dick, her hand reached back and I moved it causing them to huff.

"Kai if you don't fu—"

I shut them up, by sliding my dick inside with one deliberate stroke, and their head fell forward and I started at a slow pace already loving how they felt.

I put one of my hands on their hip as their hand reached back again, this time trying to push at my stomach, and I used my other hand to hold it against their back.

"Mm.. ima get you right.." I mumbled, as I slid in and out of them slow, and she only moaned in response, I was doing everything to keep it together, but this felt like heaven. "Be patient."

She let out a higher pitch moan, and I pulled out completely before shoving right back in and she let out the loudest moan of the night.

"Keep going, please, shit.." I pulled them up until her back flushed against my front, and I kissed behind their ear. I had no intention of stopping.

I let her lay against the bed again, speeding up my strokes and she fucked me back, and I reached around her leg so I could rub her clit.

"Oh my g.." her words were lost in her throat and I knew she came again, as her legs shook and I felt a new splash of wetness and I fucked her through it. "Kai.. wait.." They started but they were still rocking their hips, and I held their her tighter. "Don't stop, fuck."

I sped up feeling my orgasm approaching, but I wanted her to come one more time before I did. I rubbed her clit faster and with how sensitive she was from the first two orgasms it wasn't hard pulling that one out.

I pulled out of her with a groan, jerking myself off on her back, I groaned as I came and I slid back inside her to prolong both of our highs and she whined.

I slowly pulled out trying to calm my heart rate but it wasn't happening any time soon, I leaned back against the headboard and wordlessly pulled her in my arms.

Our bodies still sweaty, and my heart was still racing, I was sure she could feel it.

"I.. really like you," I said after a moment and I heard her laugh.

"I'd hope so.. Imani." I rolled my eyes at the name but didn't say anything I just kissed her forehead. "What time is it?" I looked around for a clock but there wasn't one, what kinda hotel don't got a clock in the room?

"Hold on," I mumbled and she got off my lap and I grabbed my phone from my pants pocket that was on the floor, and I sat back down and she took her spot back in my lap.

I was a little distracted since she was still naked but I showed her the time. "10:32." She read aloud.

I looked at my phone at the same time a text came through, and my heart dropped to my ass.

Ali: hit me up when you're back in LA

I miss you

10:32 PM

I started to open my mouth, but a hand on my throat stopped me—well I could've said something but I didn't, Kehlani tilted my head so I'd look at her.

Her eyes were dark, and the grip on my neck was turning me on in all kinds of ways. "I don't like to share, Kairi."

I nodded dumbly, before the words registered and I opened my eyes. "Oh no, no. I'm not.. I haven't talked to her since I asked her to be in Feel Something." I said honestly, she hadn't reached out after she left, and I got caught up in the Dee situation and I never texted her.

"I believe that." She told me, but her hand never left my throat. "But I'm not sharing you with her or anyone else."

"Okay," I whispered and I unlocked my phone and gave it to them. "So block her. There's two others in there, I'll tell you the names.. You don't gotta worry about anyone else."

Was this a little reckless on my part? Maybe, but after all it took for us to get this point alone I wasn't trying to ruin it.

Confirmed or not, I was heavy on this feeling she was giving me, and if she wanted that security she'd have it.

She took the phone and blocked Ali, and I told her the other two names and she blocked her too.

She kissed me softly after tossing my phone on the bed and when their nails scratched my stomach I thought she was ready to go another round but she got off of me.

"Where you going?"

"I gotta get ready for the afterparty." She grumbled and I was proud of myself at the shakiness of her legs. She went into the bathroom and I stayed sat against the headboard thinking about what just happened.

Until I realized something.. I just had sex with her without a condom on.

I don't ever do that—with anyone.

Anymore.. I should say. Not anymore.

But I just did, and I didn't even think twice about it.

The last time I had sex with anyone without a condom was four years ago. And that was with Dee.

Now that thought alone was crazy, because I've never let my guard down like that before—like I've stopped going too far during sex because I didn't have one kinda thing.

Either I was crushing way more than I thought or..well I have no other reason honestly.

[natwentsplat134]

Chapter 15

"I got the itis. Oh my gosh, I'm stuffed." Kehlani mumbled as she leaned against me and I chuckled softly.

"I told you she was gon feed you until you were stuffed," I said referring to the text I sent them earlier about how my mom would make sure she was fed, and that's exactly what she did.

"I shoulda believed you." She mumbled and I smiled softly at them, she put a hand on their stomach shifting slightly.

Dinner, as I thought, was a success. My mom already loved them, and my aunt, Nia, was talking to her like she had known them for years, and she was already cool with Malik, Devon, and Simone.

My heart was full as I looked down at her, laughing at something my little cousin Isaiah said. He showed up just a few minutes after she did, he lived here with my mom and I was wondering if I hadn't seen him yesterday but he was with a friend.

Looking around at everyone who was laughing, but I could only hear the laughter from the woman beside me, and I looked at them once more, making up my mind right then and there.

I wasn't letting her get away. I couldn't let them get away or let us slip away.

Once the laughter died down a bit I spoke just for them to hear. "Are you done? You want anything? I'll get it for you."

She looked at me through their eyelashes, and I swear for a second I saw her eyes flicker down but then they were back on my eyes.

"No, I'm alright. If I eat anything else I might pop." She joked and I laughed softly. "Thank you though." I nodded silently and I offered to take everyone's plate to the kitchen, and I did it all in one trip, don't ask how.

They started to move into the living room but I stayed sitting next to Kehlani. "Are you okay?" I asked her seeing her eyes still closed and she groaned.

"I told you, I got the itis." She repeated slowly and it made me laugh and shake my head. "I wanna go talk with all of them but I'm so sleepy." She whispered.

"You can come lay down in my room, I'm sure they'll understand cause you got the 'itis'." I teased and she lightly smacked my arm, and I stood up and helped them up, and let out a wide stretch.

As we're leaving the kitchen Isaiah came in. "Kai, when you gon take me on tour with you?" He asked me the question he asks me every time I come down here.

I would've taken him multiple times but almost every time I went on tour he was in school, and his mom wasn't okay with him missing all that school.

"When you learn to dance and 'hee hee' like MJ." He cleared his throat and did a little jig like I just gave him a personal challenge.

He then broke into one of the smoothest moonwalks looking directly at me as he said. "Hee hee!" He then looked at me with a cocky smirk. "So when we leaving? I got my bag packed."

My jaw dropped, but I was lowkey impressed by it, and I heard Kehlani snickering beside me. "I think he deserves it after that." She mumbled.

"You see? Thank you!"

"Boy, you better go hee hee ya ass into some homework. Get on."

"Ion even got homework! It's summertime! The one time I'm free and yo ass ain't even on tour. This sum bullshit." He walked off muttering under his breath and I shook my head.

"Your family's a trip," Kehlani told me as we walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to the stairs so we could go upstairs.

"You telling me," I mumbled as I pointed to the direction of my room and she walked over there pushing the door open and walked in, and I followed behind them, shutting the door softly.

I plopped down on my bed, but she stayed standing looking around the room. She looked around at the posters on the wall, then the Polaroids, and I watched silently.

She stopped at one of my plaques on the wall, pointing at it. "When this came out I had it on repeat for weeks." She told me and I could see that it was my plaque for 'Hate Sleeping Alone'. "This and 'Adorn'."

"Adorn is still one of my favorites," I said, loving it because it was still one of my softest love songs. "You wanna know my favorite song of yours?" She was facing me now.

"It's prolly some hype track, 'Distraction' maybe."

"Not at all. I still love that but nah." She then asked me what it was and I looked directly at her. "Get Away," I said cause it fit our situation and because I really did love it.

Kehlani's breath caught—just for a second, barely noticeable, but I saw it. The energy in the room shifted like someone turned the lights down a shade darker. She didn't move, didn't speak, just looked at me.

I didn't offer an explanation because from the look on their face, I could tell she was playing the lyrics in their head.

Her lips parted slightly like she wanted to say something but she didn't, instead she just pushed off the desk and took one slow step closer. Then another.

I didn't move, didn't breathe, just watched them close the distance until she was standing between my knees.

I tilted my head up, she looked down.

We didn't speak.

Her hand lifted almost as if she was hesitant then she held my cheek with their hand, and I leaned into the touch, my body tingling with nerves, as they cupped my jaw, thumb grazing the corner of my mouth.

My hands shot out instinctively to their hips, not pulling just to ground myself, our lips were inches apart, and I could smell that vanilla perfume again.

Her eyes looked down at my lips, then my eyes as if she was letting me pull away—not that I would.

I felt their lips on mine and just as I started to tilt my head—

There was a loud knock on the door. "Kai! Kehlani, mama asked if y'all want some dessert?" I heard Isaiah's voice on the other side of it, and a part of me wanted to scream.

Kehlani exhaled a shaky laugh against my lips, forehead resting against mine for a second. I closed my eyes, hands tightening briefly on Kehlani's hips before letting go.

Kehlani pulled back and I missed the warmth instantly I opened my eyes hearing the door open, and I looked at Isaiah who stood in the doorway, brow arched.

He snorted and I rolled my eyes. "I don't want none," I told him and he looked at Kehlani who just asked for a piece of cobbler to be saved, he left after that.

It was silent for a beat until Kehlani let out a small laugh and I looked over at them confused as to why she was laughing.

"His timing is impeccable." She joked and I snorted and shook my head.

"Really is," I mumbled as she sat down and I stood up. "Ima go make sure Malik or Devon don't eat all the cobbler, you can take your nap or just chill," I told her and she nodded and I walked out of the room, kicking the air before going downstairs.

Though what was really in my mind now was: I know the feelings are mutual.

I cut her a piece of the cobbler and put some foil on it and put it in the fridge, I went into the living room hearing the music that was playing lowly I don't think they were listening though they were just talking, and Nia looked up at me.

"Where's Lani?" Oh yeah, Kehlani was definitely part of the family now, it took them a few months before they even started calling my ex by her nickname and that was on her fourth visit down here.

"She got the 'itis' she's taking a nap." My mom smiled like she was proud of herself and the others murmured their agreements about being tired.

"Auntie Kai!" I heard the voice and then the patter of little feet on the floor before a body crashed into my legs and I grinned and picked her up, and she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"You sleepy too," I commented as I looked at her then I looked at Nia. "She can take a nap? Or you wanna take her home?"

"She can take a nap it's fine." She answered and I said alright and I went upstairs and into one of the guest rooms, and I sat on the bed letting her get comfortable in my arms and I found the TV remote before I put on Madagascar, now this was for me more than it was for her, I loved this movie.

Soon she fell asleep in my arms and I was gonna get up to check on Kehlani but I was comfortable I won't lie, and I could feel the food catching up to me, I was getting tired too, damn.

I knew it was over though the second I let my head fall back against the pillow, I yawned and my eyes fluttered and I felt Nova moving as she adjusted herself one of her arms wrapping around my neck.

I closed my eyes soft smile on my face and I let myself drift off, I don't know how long I was asleep but I was woke up with someone whispering my name.

"Kai?" I slowly opened my eyes and turned to the person that was waking me up: Nia. "We're leaving, Kai."

"Oh okay," I answered my eyes closing again, and she nudged me with her hand.

"Girl, you got a gorilla grip on Nova."

"Oh! My fault." I muttered and I slowly sat up, and Nova was still asleep in my arms, her mouth hung open as light snores left it, which made me let out a small laugh. Nia started to take her from my arms. "I can take her to the car," I told her and she nodded. We went downstairs and she grabbed the plates she had made and I didn't see anyone else down here. "Is everyone sleep?"

"They might be. I don't know I took a nap too." She chuckled under her breath and opened the car door so I could put Nova in her seat, and I strapped her in before kissing her forehead. I closed the door softly not wanting to wake her, before I turned to Nia.

"Aight, see ya big head." I hugged her and she hit my back.

"You dick." I grinned as we pulled away. "I really like Kehlani too. Y'all look cute together." She said sincerely and I looked at the ground.

"We're not together.. but thanks," I mumbled and I went back inside but stood in the doorway until she pulled off, and I closed and locked the door making sure all the lights were off before I went upstairs.

When I opened my room door, I reached to take my shirt off cause I didn't like sleeping in one, going for my T-shirt and undershirt all at once.

"Dinner and a show, quite the entertainer." I squeaked hearing the voice and my body spun around in the direction of my bed, losing my balance for a second and my back ended up against the door and I stared at Kehlani who was sat on my bed watching me. "Don't stop on my account."

I blushed and stumbled on my words as I slowly stopped leaning against the door, but now a hand covered my chest since I was left only in a sports bra, I put the clothes I pulled off in the hamper.

"I thought you left," I said as I looked through my bag for a wife-beater.

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No," I answered immediately probably sounding way too eager, and I cleared my throat. "I mean.. you don't gotta."

She hummed lowly and stood up from the bed, walking over to me and I gulped staring down at her, it would be so easy to just lean down and kiss them.

I wanted to.

Her eyes looked down at my body, their hand reaching out to the side of my ribcage and I took in a breath. "What's this tattoo?" She asked me, letting her nails rake my skin and I almost whimpered.

"A phoenix being reborn," I said quietly as I looked down at it with her, the bottom half was still ash and bone—wings charred, cracked, embers drifting off like the last pieces burning away. But the top half was coming back to life, wings spreading, feathers catching light, rising out of the smoke like it refused to stay down.

"What's it mean?" She asked nails still tracing the skin.

"To me, it means that every time I thought something broke me for good... it didn't."

She looked up at me, eyes soft before she looked back down at the ink. "I like that." She said quietly. "It can break you down but you come back stronger."

"Exactly," I whispered and she looked at the other tattoos on my stomach before she took my hand looking at the litter of tattoos there, before she looked at my collarbone, tracing the word that was there.

"What's this?"

"It's just my middle name; Imani. But it's a reminder to keep my faith, and beliefs."

"You really are just a layered person.. Kairi." She smirked as she said my name and she took a step back and I wanted them to come back.

"Only my mama calls me, Kairi." I teased with playful anger.

"So I'll call you Imani." She said and I snorted. "I wanna feel special."

She was special to me.

My tone softened as I said. "You can call me whatever you want as long as you're calling me."

She swallowed thickly and nodded slow. "Right." We didn't say anything for a moment before I said what was on my mind.

"I really wanna kiss you," I admitted a little scared of how she would react.

Her eyes flickered to my lips again before meeting mine. "Then kiss me."

[natwentsplat134]

Chapter 14

Somebody was banging on my door like the house was on fire, and for a second I thought I overslept something important.

"Kairi! Get up!" My mama yelled through the door. "If your friend coming over tonight, you gon help clean this house!"

I groaned into my pillow. So much for sleeping in.

I let myself adjust to the light beaming in from my window, staring at the stars on the ceiling for a moment before I reached for my phone beside me half expecting to see a text from Kehlani saying she couldn't make it—there was nothing.

She was really coming.

I texted them good morning and asked how rehearsal was going knowing she was probably at that rehearsal she told me about yesterday.

I checked my texts from Marcus responding to what he sent me, before I saw a text from Coco telling me that her verse was done, I listened to the audio she sent me, and halfway through there was a loud knock on the door.

"Kairi Imani! Get up!" I jumped at my mom's voice on the other side of it, knowing I needed to get my ass up before she got to the full name. I went into the bathroom connected to my room, taking my phone with me playing the audio file without interruption now.

I listened to it twice before I sent my thanks to Coco, I didn't have any requests for tweaks or nothing cause she had sent me this last night but she tweaked what I asked in this new one. I sent it to my engineer who told me he would get working on it.

I brushed my teeth and tamed my bed head, before putting my hair up since I didn't feel like dealing with it in my face right now, I changed out of my sleep shorts and put on a pair of jeans, and pulled on a shirt before I went downstairs already hearing the commotion from everyone else.

Before I even really got situated something was shoved in my mouth, and I saw my mom standing there with a broom. "Go sweep the living room." I couldn't speak from the pancake she shoved in my mouth so I just nodded.

I chewed fast, trying not to choke while I grabbed the broom from her hand. Mom was already moving on to the next victim—Malik was getting a rag shoved at him with orders to wipe down the coffee table, Devon was on vacuum duty, and Simone was folding the throw blankets Nova had turned into a nest on the couch last night.

"I don't know why I gotta clean up, you the one with a guest coming damn," Malik mumbled under his breath, but he was still wiping the table down.

Simone laughed from where she stood. "She's been up since six. Said 'company coming, house gotta be right.' You know how she gets."

I did know. Mom didn't play when guests were involved—especially not when the guest was someone who'd made her daughter smile like a fool over text messages. I could already feel the interrogation coming.

"What time is Kehlani getting here anyway?" Devon asked me as I used the dustpan to collect what I swept.

"I told her it starts at seven, she might get here early I don't know."

I went into the kitchen to dump the trash from the dustpan, before I started sweeping the kitchen just to get it out the way, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and I half expected it to be Marcus but it was Kehlani.

That same smile—the one I had when she was around crept onto my face, man she don't even know how down bad I am.

Kehlani: good morning!

Rehearsals kicking my ass but I'm surviving

What's ur mom's favorite dessert?

Read 9:16 AM

I shook my head, I knew she was still gonna try and bring something.

Me: well you keep surviving, superstar

You really don't gotta bring nothin'

But if you insist she loves peach cobbler or red velvet

Delivered 9:17 AM

Kehlani: noted, peach cobbler it is

See you at seven

Read 9:17

I bit my lip my chest fluttering from the message, but as I saw my mom walking in I tried to act like I was just sweeping.

"Aht, girl I already saw ya." She told me and I snorted, but I continued sweeping. "So Kairi, is this really just your friend?"

For now.

Is what I wanted to say, because I very much had plans to become more than just friends, with Kehlani but we weren't there yet.

"Yep." She looked like she didn't believe me but she didn't ask anything else. I finished sweeping the kitchen before Mama let up and we could actually sit down, Malik and Devon were playing Madden and Simone went somewhere I don't know.

I was curled up on the couch phone in hand half watching Instagram reels but I kept glancing at the tv watching them play the game.

I kept glancing at the time at the top of my phone screen, my nerves building with each passing minute but my excitement was even higher.

It was rounding eleven thirty now, I swear time moves so much slower when you're waiting for something.

Eventually I got bored of just sitting there so I went into the kitchen, seeing all the things my laid out for dinner.

"Damn, ma, what're you making?"

"Watch your mouth, Kairi." She said pointing a wooden spoon at me and I raised my hands. "And since you told me she don't really like American food I'm making baked salmon, roasted potatoes, asparagus, and a salad."

She was really going all out. It was times like this that made me wonder why she didn't open a restaurant.

"Well, what you need help with? I needa do something." I would get restless just sitting on the couch the whole time and she told me I could start cutting the cucumbers for the salad.

"So how'd you meet this mystery friend of yours?" She asked me once I started cutting the cucumbers.

"My birthday party, she came and wished me happy birthday, and wanted to collab, and we became friends." None of which would've happened if I hadn't let them talk me into going out for the night.

I might just gotta thank them knuckleheads.

"Wait a second is this the girl I was seeing you with all the times, and people kept saying y'all was dating?" She then gestured to her arms and I was glad she wasn't looking at me cause I felt my face get hot. "Tattoos and all? The name.. uhh Kehlani right?"

"Yeah, that's her ma," I confirmed and I heard a hum come from her, and I moved onto another cucumber.

She went silent after that and I finished with the cucumbers putting them into the bowl with the romaine lettuce inside, and she told me to cut some carrots to put in there, and I got them out the fridge before I started cutting them up.

Then I realized this whole dinner probably wouldn't have happened if I hadn't gone to the party, I wouldn't be feeling like this for someone—for them, if I hadn't gone to that party.

I really did need to thank them.

"You really like her don't you?" My mom suddenly asked me and I saw her eyeing me, with those knowing eyes, and I knew there was no point in denying it.

"I do," I confirmed, and she smiled softly at that. "She makes me smile and laugh, I didn't realize how much I needed to laugh until she had me doing it almost every day." I looked down at the carrots I was cutting. "I almost fuc—messed it up though."

I didn't even know I could want someone as much as I wanted them but here I was wanting them, so much.

I saw my mom frown, and she turned away from what she was doing to face me. "What'd you do?"

"You know how I was seen with Dee and all? It was all fake, but Dee's team wanted me to 'drop Kehlani'." James voice played in my head and I rolled my eyes and exhaled. "I shut that down.." I thought back to the night I even agreed to that dumb thing.

"First of all.. we are not dating—fake or not. If we're doing this, it's appearances only—public photos, maybe a dinner or two where people can see us, that's it." I said firmly to the whole room, gesturing between myself and Delilah and James opened his mouth but I didn't want to hear it. "No. We can do this but not like that. Is that clear?"

I looked between the three of them and James and Sam looked like they wanted to argue but Delilah spoke up. "That's fine."

I nodded. "Okay. Second, I'm not 'dropping' anyone. Especially Kehlani. Don't mention her, in no briefing, don't start no drama, if someone asks about Kehlani don't comment." I looked around the room again, seeing Marcus looking at me with a sort of pride.

"Third, I am not spending six months doing this. This ends when the threats stop, or the deals come back, or I say it's over. Whichever comes first."

The room went quiet.

James cleared his throat. "That's... a lot of conditions."

I shrugged not backing down.. "Take it or leave it."

Delilah spoke before anyone else could. "We'll take it."

I sat back, arms crossed. "Good. Then we're clear."

At the time I thought it was the right thing, and in a way it was, I just went about it wrong.

"You can't beat yourself up over that, Kairi. You thought you were doing what was right."

"So I shouldn't have helped Dee?"

"I'm not saying you should have or shouldn't have," she repeated slowly, choosing her words like she was handling something fragile. "What I'm saying is—you got a good heart, baby. You always have. You saw somebody hurting, somebody you used to care about, and you wanted to help. That part ain't wrong. That's who you are."

I frowned. "Kehlani ain't deserve that though. Me acting weird, shutting them out... making it look like something it wasn't."

"Yeah. You did. And that hurts you more than anybody, don't it?"

I didn't answer. I didn't have to.

She stepped closer, reached out, and lifted my chin gently so I had to meet her eyes.

"Listen to me, Kairi. You can't go back and undo what you did. But what you do is control what you do from this moment going forward." I took in a breath as she continued. "You already shut down the parts that didn't sit right with you back then—you made rules, you protected what mattered. That took strength. Most people would've just gone along to keep the peace. You didn't."

I swallowed. "I still let it happen. I still let her think—"

"You let her think what the world was already saying," Mom cut in gently. "And yeah, that was a mistake. But you didn't lie to her face. You didn't promise her something you weren't ready to give. You pulled back because you were scared, and you were trying to protect yourself too. That's human, baby. It ain't pretty, but it's human."

She let go of my chin, but kept her hand on my shoulder—warm, steady. "The question now is: what are you gonna do with the truth you got on the other side of that mistake? You still got feelings for this girl?"

I didn't even hesitate. "Yeah. A lot."

Mom nodded like she already knew. "Then stop letting yesterday decide tomorrow. You already showed you can set boundaries when it counts. Now set one for yourself. If you love her—or if you're on your way there—then go be honest. Not half-honest. Not 'I'll explain later' honest. Full honest. Even if it's scary. Especially if it's scary."

Especially if it's scary.

I repeated it in my head a few times.

She squeezed my shoulder once, then let go and turned back to the sink like she hadn't just dropped truth on me like it was nothing.

"And when she comes through that door tonight.." She added without turning around. "You look her in the eye and let her see you, not 'Kai Brooks' the superstar, but the Kairi I raised. The one who protects what she loves, even when she don't know how to say it yet."

I love my mama so much, man I swear. I'd probably lose my head without her.

"Thanks ma," I said after a second.

She smiled over her shoulder. "You don't gotta thank me, I just wanna see you happy, baby." I smiled at her words. "Now finish cutting up them carrots."

I laughed but nodded as if she could see. "Yes ma'am."

I was thinking about her words the rest of the time I was cutting the carrots.

Let her see you

Repeated in my head and I told myself I would. I would let Kehlani see me and anything else she wanted to see as long as one day I could call them mine.

I wasn't as nervous after that, I felt a little lighter to be honest.

When I heard the doorbell ring at 6:47, I practically rushed to open it smile wide. "Hey, I was—" I stopped. "Oh. It's you."

Nia's jaw dropped. "You know you could at least pretend to be excited damn."

"Eh.." I mumbled but still leant down to kiss the toddler's cheek in her arms and she giggled in response, and Nia just grunted and moved past me inside and I started to follow until I saw a car pulling down the street, and at the same time, my phone went off.

I knew who it was immediately and I was already stepping out onto the porch and down the steps as she parked and I waited then went over to the passenger side and she rolled the window down.

"You know you're not supposed to text and drive." I teased and her eyes rolled.

"Psh.. girl I can multitask." I smiled and she rolled the window up before getting out, but grabbed something before she did and as she did I saw it was peach cobbler and a red velvet cake.

"Oh, you tryna get in her good graces," I said as I looked at the sweets and she laughed but I could hear the nerves, and I took the desserts from her, looking her over. "You look great." I complimented her and she smiled.

"Thank you so do you."

"Right?" I asked a little cockily as we walked towards the house and I could practically feel the eye roll. "Don't be nervous, they don't bite," I said as I saw her looking a little anxious. "Well now, Nova might but no one else—"

"I know you not badmouthing my child, Kai." I looked through the screen door and at Nia who stood there eying me.

"It ain't badmouthing if it's true. I still got the bite mark on my hand." I bit back and I heard Kehlani let out a little giggle. Nia pushed the screen door open, letting us come inside. "Nia, this is Kehlani my.. friend." I said the word slow, almost reluctantly. "Kehlani this is Nia my cousin."

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Kehlani said and Nia shut the door and I gestured for them to follow me to the kitchen, where the smell of that good food was radiating I'm so hungry. I put the desserts on the counter then looked at Kehlani getting a little lost seeing them looking at Nova who was now hiding behind Nia's legs, and she smiled and waved and Nova giggled, and it made me smile.

"Kairi, don't be rude introduce your guest." I looked at my mom as she said it, then back at Kehlani who was looking a little confused.

"Your name is Kairi?"

"Yeah, Kairi." I laughed a little to myself knowing that after all this time she was learning my name.

Granted no one besides my mother called me Kairi this faithfully.

"I like it." She said a little more to herself and I felt heat creeping up my neck, it ain't even fair no more.

"Sorry, uh mama this is Kehlani, Kehlani that's my mom." I watched as Kehlani went over to my mom clearly expecting a handshake or something but my mom pulled them into a hug.

When they let go I could practically see the anxiety ease off Kehlani and she looked at me with a smile.

"You know Kai's been talkin about you all day." Simone suddenly said as she leaned against the kitchen doorway, and I gasped in horror.

"Oh really?" Kehlani asked amused looking between the two of us.

"She was I can vouch," Nia said suddenly and I threw my hands up.

"You weren't even here!" She just laughed clearly finding it funny watching me squirm. Simone pulled Kehlani off somewhere and Nia followed and I could only imagine what they were talking about.

But on the bright side, it was going good so far. I could tell tonight would be a good night.

[natwentsplat134]

Phases

Kehlani x G!P OC

"What's the album called?"

"Phases."

"Why phases?"

"Cause life don't stay the same." I shrugged. "Last couple years been a whole lotta different versions of me... some good, some messy. Career stuff, relationships, figuring myself out." My eyes flicked to them for a second. "Some phases end, some bring better things. So... Phases."

"Well," She nudged my shoulder lightly. "I'm glad I caught you in this phase then."

"I am too," I admitted and she smiled.

Based off the song Phases by Majid Jordan

Based on the song Phases by Majid Jordan

[baelanikehlani]

[baelanikehlani]

[baelanikehlani]

[baelanikehlani]

Taipei, Korea, Tokyooo 🫀 adore you! see you next time 🌸