Prologue #3
“I know we haven’t known each other long, but I know you know I’m in love with you.” He paused as he leaned forward and knitted his fingers together. “That I’ve been in love with you since the night we met.”
“I had a feeling,” She met and held his stare.
“You know I feel the same for you,” she sighed heavily.
“Which is how I know something isn’t right between us.
And somehow, I’m responsible for this awkwardness between us.
So you wanna tell me what your problem is now that you emptied all that nut in me?
The sex was as enjoyable as it always is, yet something felt different.
We’d usually be ending round three and going into round four by now.
Outside of that, you’ve been a real dick to me lately.
I’ve been letting the shit slide, though, because I felt like you’d explain and apologize before you went too far. So what’s up, Norie?”
“What’s going on?”
Sighing, Norie raked a hand through his dreads and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me that the whole time we plotted and planned to get Marshon and Kamryn back together that she was pregnant? That the pregnancy had been rough on her and that she’d been in and out of the hospital?”
“Because she asked me not to. Kam wanted to tell your brother everything on her own. When she felt comfortable. She didn’t want him to want her because of the baby.
” Wait,” a frown instantly settled on her face as she sat up and eyed him.
“Is this why you’ve been such an ass to me lately?
You’re pissed at me about shit that was out of my control? ”
“But it was in your control, Evie, and you dropped the fucking ball. Anything could’ve happened to her.
What if she’d lost the baby? My niece is my whole world, and you know that as much as my twin ticks me off, I stay ten toes down behind that nigga.
How could you knowingly be so foul and not make the executive decision to do what was best for them both?
If Marshon had lost either of them, he’d have never been the same. ”
“But he didn’t lose either of them, Norie.
He is now married to my best friend, who is healthy and the happiest she’s ever been, and his daughter is just as healthy and beautiful as her mommy.
” Angrily, Evie hopped up, closed her robe, and headed toward the front door.
“You should leave, Norie. Right now. Because if you think I’m going to apologize for keeping my best friend’s secret from a nigga who broke her fucking heart, you will never like me.
And just so you know, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. ”
“What if either or both of them had fucking died?” Norie yelled as he stood, buckled his pants, and approached her.
“Huh? Would you still have done the dump shit you did? When my brother told me everything a few weeks back, I was ready to ring your fucking neck. We were supposed to be working together, and you fucking played me. Shon thought I knew about the baby. He thought I kept it from him. He thought I fucking betrayed him.” Norie yelled as he slammed his fist into the door.
Evie jumped back out of shock and fear.
“Norie, this conversation is over. Leave now,” She yelled as tears welled up in her eyes. “And don’t you ever?—”
“You broke my fucking heart, Evie. You ripped my shit right out of my chest when you decided that keeping secrets should be placed over life and death. This shit wit’ you was love at first sight.
And I wasn’t even the typa nigga that believed in that typa shit until you came into my life.
You were becoming the good, the peace and happiness I’d been waiting so fucking long for.
” His tone was much softer now as he leaned against the doorframe and his eyes roamed over her body.
“I’ll never forgive you for planting those moments of doubt in my brother’s head about me.
I love you, but I’ll never forgive you. I can’t be with anyone I no longer trust.” Grabbing her by the waist, he placed a soft kiss on her lips and heaved a deep sigh as he let her go.
“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way. Kamryn has been my best friend since we were kids. Nobody will ever trump my friendship with her. And as long as her decisions are free from jeopardizing her life, I’ll take all her secrets to the grave.”
Nodding, Norie headed out the door, then turned to Evie and said, “I get it, and I’ll forever respect the typa friend you are, the way you have Kamryn’s back, but we clearly have two different views on what jeopardizing one’s life means and how we move in such situations.
It’s gonna be so hard not to touch you when I see you, but secret keeping is not something I’m willing to negotiate to be with you.
I wish you all the love and happiness you deserve. Take care, beautiful.”
“Norie,” Evie sighed as tears now blurred her vision. “I won’t wait for you just because I love you. I deserve to be happy.”
“I know, baby. A nigga’s heart is literally breaking right now, but I gotta let you go.”