Thin Ice 3 - Armageddon Read Online Free

everything, so hell, bring whatever,” Kaitlyn returned as they both laughed.
    Telling her she would be there and couldn’t wait to see them both, Tae disconnected and returned her attention to her date, sweetly apologizing as he smiled back and assured her all was forgiven.
    Kaitlyn was still smiling as she finished the drink and made another. Brown liquor always made her mellow and today Kaitlyn needed to relax. It was the nine month anniversary of Khari’s death. Pushing the dark thoughts aside, she dialed Jaleesa next. “Wassup chick,” her best friend greeted her cheerfully.
    “ Hey girl,” Kaitlyn replied. “You’re still coming right,” she asked as Jaleesa assured her nothing would keep them away.
    “ We’re dropping’ Jashon off at mamas,” she told Kaitlyn who grunted her understanding. “What are you doing,” Jaleesa asked catching a tone and feeling something amiss about her friend.
    “Having a drink,” Kaitlyn replied flatly.
    Jaleesa frowned slightly. Kaitlyn hadn’t drunk hard liquor in a long time. Not since she had Khari. She’d switched to wine and the occasional beer, but never the Crown again. “Are you alright,” Jaleesa asked hearing a quiet coldness she hadn’t heard in her friend’s voice since they ran together and Kaitlyn hooked up with Ice.
    “ Yes,” Kaitlyn returned simply, which further let Jaleesa know something was wrong.
    “ Tae’s comin’ to the party,” Kaitlyn told her disturbing her thoughts once again.
    “ Wow, that’s straight,” Jaleesa returned, genuinely excited.
    The three of them hadn’t hung out together for a long time and she missed it. She missed a lot of things about her old life, Jaleesa thought silently as Kaitlyn continued to talk.
    “ Mook and Kim got in this morning, so they’ll be here too,” Kaitlyn interrupted her thought once more.
    “ Cool,” Jaleesa replied. “Gonna be a whole family reunion,” she chuckled as Kaitlyn joined her.
    “ I’ll see you in a couple hours,” Jaleesa told her as Kaitlyn returned the sentiment and disconnected.
    *****
    Tariq was surprised to hear the music already as he arrived at the house and let himself in. He’d fully expected to have to come home and get everything started himself for the barbeque tonight. He’d planned the gathering as a means of helping Kaitlyn get back into the swing of life. After talking to Mook the other evening and discussing some of the issues he and his wife were having, his friend suggested submerging her back into the scene with the simple gathering, surmising that if Kaitlyn were surrounded by family and friends, it might help her get past the grief and live again. Smiling as he watched his wife dancing along to the music while marinating the ribs, Tariq couldn’t help but think Mook was absolutely right. He hadn’t seen her this animated and complete in months.
    “ Hey baby,” Tariq greeted her as Kaitlyn turned to him still smiling.
    “ Hi,” she replied happily walking over and kissing him softly.
    Tariq returned the kiss taking the time to gently caress her face. He loved this woman so much and her being in pain all these months was killing him.
    “Did you get everything,” Kaitlyn asked, peering into the bags he’d placed on the counter.
    “ Yeah,” Tariq replied, adding that the alcohol was being delivered in about an hour or so.
    “ Good,” Kaitlyn replied, sipping the drink again.
    Tariq noticed the brown liquor and frowned slightly but said nothing. It wasn’t a crime that she was drinking and she was happy, so he decided not to address it.
    “ Well, all the meat is marinating, and I’ve made the kabobs and put them in the fridge,” Kaitlyn told him as Tariq continued to gaze lovingly in her face, loving the life he saw there now.
    “ Tweety’s gonna help me with the salads when her and Deuce get here,” she added as Tariq nodded his understanding.
    “ I’m sorry baby,” Kaitlyn told him as she sipped her drink again. “I’ve been