“What color was the smoke?” he clarified.
“White.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Alright.” He looked both ways down the street. “I live like twenty minutes away. I’ll drive your car. You can ride in my truck with Kiano. I’ll see what I can do for you at home. If it’s a hard fix, I’ll get it towed to the shop and we can go from there.”
“Okay.” I nodded once. “Thank you.”
“I’ve got you.” He looked over at Kiano. “You’re driving. Don’t wreck my shit.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Kiano.”
“I can drive, Stone. I promise.”
“A’ight.” He tossed his keys to Kiano then held his hand out for mine.
I gave him my keys then hopped into his truck with Kiano.
We followed Stone and my smoking car until we got to a two-story house where he pulled into a two-car garage. He hopped out and gestured for Kiano to pull into the grass near the front door.
He met us at his truck and opened the door for me.
“Y’all want to sit inside?” he asked.
“Of course. I want to snoop around your bedroom.” I blinked at him and he chuckled.
“A’ight. Come on then.”
Kiano and I hopped out and Stone led us inside.
There were two teenagers sitting at the kitchen table and a man on the couch with a baby on his chest.
“These are my brothers—Joss, Xy, and Morocco—and that’s my niece Junie.”
“Hey.” I lifted my hand awkwardly.
“What’s up?” Kiano said.
“What’s up?” Morocco looked between us.
“This is Jiselle and Kiano. They’re going to be chilling here for a while.”
“A’ight.”
“A’ight,” Stone echoed and pushed open the door right behind us. “Y’all can chill in here if y’all want.”
“Thank you.” I gave a little wave to Stone’s family. “Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, shawty.” Morocco patted his baby’s back and looked at the television.
Kiano and I slipped into Stone’s room. I lightly closed the door behind me and immediately looked around while Kiano toed his shoes off, walked over to the bed, and collapsed.
“Are you about to take a nap in Stone’s bed?” I asked as I yanked the nearest drawer open.