Chapter 13
BALI
“Isee where we stand now.”
“What do you mean by that, Bali?” Maui asked.
“One of the happiest days of my life, and she left because of her personal shit.”
“Well, maybe her leaving was better than her staying. Apparently, being around Red is hard on her.”
“If she wouldn’t have acted an ass in Mississippi, she would have been fine. She didn’t have a problem openly flirting with another nigga in front of him.”
Maui’s eyebrows lifted. I guess she hadn’t heard the latest. I rolled my eyes.
I wasn’t about to be the one to inform her.
I looked around the room at all my family here to celebrate my engagement and all I could think about was why Noni left.
This shit was irritating. I stood from my seat and went looking for Carter.
Whenever I was feeling a way, he was always able to soothe me.
When I found him, he was in a corner of the other family room, talking to Red Squared, Asad, Ferris, Mythic, and Epic. As I got closer, he said something to the guys then made his way to me, pulling me in his arms.
“I love you, Bali.”
“I love you, too, Carter. I just needed your touch, baby,” I said softly.
“I know. She’ll be back. I saw Jacob leave out after Red did. I’m pretty sure he was more successful than Red.”
Right after he said so, I heard the door open. I wanted to believe Jacob was back, but I wasn’t sure if Noni would be with him. I was angry, but most of all, I was hurt. Red walked over to us, and said, “Noni’s back, so I’ll leave.”
“No. You’re here to celebrate with your friend, even after that bullshit she pulled this weekend. If you can adjust and be uncomfortable, so can she.”
I walked away from the two of them, then doubled back to kiss Carter.
He smiled and patted my ass. He made me so fucking soft.
Nothing about that felt put on or forced.
I felt like Red and Noni were trying to force their relationship to be on the level that ours was, not realizing just how long Carter had had my heart. All my life.
He’d said that when he proposed. For as long as I can remember, we looked at each other with googly eyes.
I loved his dark skin. I was fascinated by it.
No one in our family had skin as dark as his.
I wanted to believe that Jakari and Uncle WJ were the darkest, and they were still more of a milk chocolate complexion.
Carter was as dark as coal when he was in the sun all day.
He was so damn gorgeous, especially when he smiled.
His teeth were so damn white, and the contrast between them and his skin color only made them look whiter.
When I got to the other sitting room, I saw her.
I frowned immediately as I watched Maui try to talk to her.
I could tell she wasn’t listening to a thing Maui said, because I looked the same way when she tried to talk to me.
I made my way to her and grabbed her hand, pulling her back outside.
I turned to her, and asked, “What the fuck? You can’t focus on celebrating our engagement without bringing your bullshit into it? ”
She lowered her head. “I’m so happy for you, Bali. It’s just hard, because I thought me and Red would be close to something like this by now. We should be having a double wedding.”
I lifted my eyebrows. “I honestly think that’s an excuse. Not long ago, you accused me of not allowing you to live your life. You were tired of being in my shadow and doing whatever the fuck I was doing. Remember that shit? Come at me straight.”
She glanced up at me, and I could see the tears in her eyes.
“I fucked up. I fucked up so bad. I’m not expressive when it comes to my feelings.
I keep shit bottled up. Seeing your happiness had my emotions showing out.
I know that I’m not ready for the type of relationship you and Carter have, and I know that’s mainly what Red wants.
I don’t know how to be soft around him without that shit taking a toll on me.
That’s why he always wants my attention. He rarely gets it.”
I took a deep breath and pulled her into my arms. This girl was fucked up. She rested her head against mine. “You need to talk to Karima or Aunt Tiff.”
“What if I wanna talk to you? You’re more like me than anybody else. How were you able to achieve this level of softness with Carter?”
“I don’t think I’m the woman for the job, because I might knock yo’ ass out if you come at me wrong again. I done restrained myself way too many times the past three months.”
“The difference back then was that I wasn’t receptive. I’m receptive now, Bali. I have to work on myself. My guard is always up, even around Red. What if he isn’t the man for me?”
“I think he is. The timing was just wrong. Get ready to work, because I’m ’bout to have you in class taking notes and writing journal entries.”
She rolled her eyes, then hugged me tightly again. “Your first item of business is going in there and apologizing to Red for almost fucking up his weekend. Mister Red had to put some extra umph on them prayers.”
She giggled and wiped the tears from her face. I kissed her cheek, and said, “Come on. Let’s go eat. You had my stomach fucked up, and now I’m starving.”
“I had my own stomach in knots. That bitch growling now.”
I slowly shook my head as we walked back inside.
I didn’t know how I would help my sister through this, because I was impatient as a muthafucka, but I would do my best. Her being here for this moment in my life meant everything to me.
I loved the hell out of Carter, but the moment would have been bittersweet without Noni.
Once we were back inside, Maui came to us and hugged us both like she used to do when she was little. I chuckled and shook my head. “Girl, if you don’t move,” I said.
She chuckled and released us. “Now, let’s turn up!”
“Girl, naw. Not until we eat,” Noni said.
Maui lifted her hands in surrender just as that gas station song came on.
I rolled my eyes. Carter was definitely behind that shit.
As we headed to the kitchen, I saw Red watching us and Carter winking at me.
I smiled at him and immediately went to the stove to see what all we had to eat.
When I saw the oxtail boudin balls, I went in.
Before I could get too carried away, I looked at Noni and said, “Again, you know you owe Red an apology. I’m not saying you have to let him back in, but you definitely owe him an apology. ”
“Yeah. Daddy said the same thing. I’ll apologize.”
She wouldn’t have to wait long, because Red and Carter were making their way to the kitchen.
When she turned around to see him, she turned completely red.
I expected Red to still be angry at her, but he wasn’t.
That was shocking to me. As hotheaded as he was, he was extremely calm right now.
He extended his hand to her, and she slid her hand in his. He kissed it.
“Can we talk after you eat?”
“Yeah,” she responded, then gave his hand a squeeze before releasing it.
My eyebrows lifted. That seemed promising. Red was proving that he was being considerate of Noni’s feelings. The old him would have cranked the conversation up right here. I was pretty sure Noni had taken notice as well.
When Carter’s scent wafted its way to my nose, I closed my eyes as his arms slid around me. I set my plate on the countertop and turned to him. After kissing his lips, I asked, “So, will you move to Nome?”
“I will do whatever you want to do, baby. Besides, your house is bigger than mine and can hold more kids.”
I frowned as I stared up at him, causing him to laugh. I shoved him playfully. “You play too much.”
He pulled me in his arms again and kissed my lips. “I’m so happy, Bali. You gon’ be my wife one day.”
I gave him a tight smile. “I know. I’m happy, too. Bali Henderson-Semien. I can’t wait.”
“Whenever you ready, let me know. After the nationals, of course.”
I giggled as I relaxed in his arms for a moment. “Okay, I’m hungry. Move.”
I gave him another playful shove as he laughed. This was truly the life I’d always wanted. I could only pray that Noni figured out how to open up, so she could have everything she desired, too.