Chapter 22
Rowdy could only have three visitors at a time, so of course, his immediate family saw him first. While I waited, I was anxious as hell. On one hand, I was concerned about his health and safety because it wasn’t every day you received a call saying your man was shot.
On the other hand, I was pissed because my gut told me this had something to do with the last conversation we had. He was involved in something that was either illegal, dangerous, or both. I didn’t know if I’d kiss him or punch him when I saw him, but I desperately needed to lay eyes on him.
When Ramina and Ms. Dawn returned to the waiting room, they displayed different emotions. Ms. Dawn was pissed, but when my mother and I questioned her, she wasn’t forthcoming as to why. Ramina was crying, but like her mother, didn’t share why.
By the time Rowdy’s uncle returned to the waiting room, I was ready to tackle him and force him to tell me what the hell was happening.
Instead, I remained calm and went directly to the source of all this confusion and chaos.
I didn’t bother knocking on the door, and based on his expression, Rocky wasn’t expecting me.
“Baby,” he whispered as he extended his good arm and beckoned me toward him.
My anger disappeared the moment I laid eyes on him, and I rushed to his bedside. When we kissed, I released a breath that I felt like I’d been holding for hours. He wrapped his arm around my waist as his lips moved to my cheek, then my neck, before he buried his face in my chest.
“You had me scared to death. I’m so glad you’re okay.”
“I couldn’t check out until I made things right between us.”
“Rowdy, don’t talk like that. I’ve been on pins and needles since Ramina called me with the news.”
“I’m sorry I made you worry. I missed you.”
His arm tightened around my waist, and he sighed. We were silent for a while, with only the sound of the machines filling the room.
“I wasn’t sure we’d find our way back to each other,” I finally said.
“I shouldn’t have let twelve days, eight hours, and twenty minutes go by without coming to you. I promise to never do that again.”
“Good, but if there is a next time, you can lose my number. As a matter of fact, I still want to know what you’re into. I deserve to know everything about the man I fell in love with. The good, the bad, and the illegal.”
“I was on my way to tell you everything.”
“I’m here now, and you have my full attention.”
He released me and asked me to lower the bedrail. Once that was done, he lifted the blankets and nodded toward the tiny spot next to him.
“That bed isn’t big enough for both of us.”
“I haven’t felt your body against mine in twelve days, eight—”
“All right, all right. Scoot over.”
“Nah. You can straddle me.”
“Rowdy, I’m not straddling you. What if someone comes in?”
“Then they’ll see you straddling me. We’re grown.”
I shook my head, and against my better judgment, I managed to squeeze onto the tiny hospital bed and put my legs on either side of his.
“Am I hurting you?” I asked before resting my head on his good shoulder.
“No, this shit feels good as hell. When I leave this hospital, I need this every night. You can start looking for our house—”
“A house? Slow down, baby. We haven’t talked about marriage or kids yet, but you want me to start looking for a house?”
“I’m sorry I ain’t made that shit clear. Noelani, you will be my wife and the mother of my children. I couldn’t imagine it being anyone but you.”
“You want to marry me?”
“I do, but after I share a few things with you, the feeling might not be mutual.”
His words made me nervous, and I immediately began thinking the worst. Already defeated, I pressed my chest against his, rested my head on his shoulder, and closed my eyes, prepared to hear the worst.
“I’m listening.”
By the time he finished telling me the whole truth, I honestly didn’t know how to feel. Stealing was wrong. Stealing money from drug dealers was idiotic, insane, and dangerous . . . but was it wrong?
“Why steal money from dangerous people instead of just getting a job?”
“That’s a good question, and I’m not really sure I got the answer you’re looking for.
When I started, I was young and didn’t know any better.
I was good at it, and the adrenaline rush was crazy.
Every time I got away with it, I wanted to do it again.
I was able to help a lot of people in my neighborhood with the money. ”
Am I crazy if I think what he’s saying makes sense?
“I thought you were selling drugs. Why didn’t you want to tell me this before?”
“I told you I wasn’t a drug dealer. Why didn’t you believe me?”
“Because that phone call—”
“I don’t care what you heard, Noelani. You asked me if I sold drugs, and I told you I never have and never would. I have no reason to lie to you.”
“But you weren’t transparent. You wouldn’t be laid up in this hospital bed with a bullet hole through your shoulder if you had told me everything when I asked.”
“I couldn’t because I had one more hit, and I didn’t want you to try to stop me.”
For the first time since he began telling his truth, I sat up to look in his eyes.
“Are you crazy? Why would you hit up another spot when you knew they were looking for you?”
“I had my reasons.”
“No, Rowdy. That answer ain’t good enough.”
“I needed the money to take care of a few things.”
“Things like what?”
“Repairs for my uncle’s shop, a car for Mina, and a down payment for our house.”
I should’ve fussed at him for putting himself in danger, but I didn’t because I was compelled to acknowledge his big heart.
This man told me that he’d been stealing money from drug dealers for over ten years and used most of the money he’d stolen to bless others.
It was stupid and dangerous, but also . . . noble.
“I’ve never wanted to strangle and hug someone at the same time.
I want to be mad at you, but it’s hard to find the wrong in what you’ve done.
All these years, you’ve been risking your life to help the less fortunate.
You have such a big and noble heart, and I love you even more for it, but you have to promise me you’re done.
You can’t keep risking your life to help others.
I’ll help you find another way to give back that won’t put you in danger. I can’t lose you.”
I didn’t realize I was crying for the umpteenth time today until I felt tears on my cheeks. Rowdy could only lift one arm, so he wiped the tears away from one side of my face.
“Stop crying, Noe. I’m done with that shit.”
“You promise?”
“On everything I love, and that includes you.”
We sealed his promise with a kiss and, of course, got carried away. I felt his dick underneath me stiffen, and as his hand caressed my ass, we were interrupted.
“Mr. Noble, I’m here—oh, I didn’t know you had a visitor. I’m sorry to interrupt,” the woman said.
“It’s cool. This is my lady, Noelani. Baby, this is Nurse McGhee.”
I smiled uncomfortably as I greeted her. “Hello. I, umm, I should probably get going. My mother is in the waiting room and I’m sure she’s ready to get home.”
“You don’t have to leave on my account. I’m here to put this sling on, and my shift is over,” she said.
I’d been trying to ease my way off Rowdy’s lap, but his hold on my waist was tight.
“Rowdy, let me up.”
“I’m not ready for you to go. I’m sure your mom won’t mind waiting a little longer under the circumstances.”
“We’ve been here for hours. Besides, I need to use the bathroom.”
“Fine.” He kissed me again before releasing me.
I slowly eased off the bed as Nurse McGhee watched, wearing an amused smile. My feet hit the floor, and I headed for the bathroom on the other side of the room. I abruptly became dizzy, closing my eyes and putting my hand on my head.
“Shit,” I whispered, confused by the sudden spinning of my head.
“Ma’am, are you okay?”
“Baby, what’s wrong?”
Suddenly, everything went black.