Chapter 14
RED SQUARED
As I watched Noni walk through the door, I admired her physical attributes.
It was what I was first attracted to. She was tall, close to six feet with long legs, had long curly hair when it was in its natural state, a gorgeous smile whenever she decided to show it, and had extremely smooth, light brown skin.
She had modest curves, enough to get my attention, and was smart as hell.
Although I gave her a hard time about not committing to me while she was in school, I loved that she was headstrong and intelligent.
She was smart as hell to be a practicing doctor at the age of twenty-six.
She would be twenty-seven in a hot minute.
Still . . . most people didn’t finish their internships until they were twenty-eight or older.
She turned to me, and I grabbed her hand, leading her to my truck.
I cranked up my diesel engine and helped her inside.
I knew Noni liked privacy. If I wanted her to express her feelings, I had to try a different approach.
I had to attract a bee with honey, not vinegar.
That was what my dad told me before we left the house.
When I got inside, I grabbed her hand, and we sat in silence for a moment.
“I’m so sorry, Red.”
“I’m sorry, too.”
“What are you sorry for? You’ve already apologized. This weekend, I fucked up and could have cost you your career.”
I frowned slightly. My first thought was that she thought I would end up fighting.
I thought about how I grabbed her by the neck, and I got sick to my stomach.
That was probably why Mr. Storm was giving me the look of death.
I knew the only thing that saved me was that Carter was proposing to Bali, and he didn’t want to disrupt that.
“How so?”
“Your head could have been so fucked up until you hurt yourself out there . . . or worse. A freak accident could have happened. Although you make sliding off that horse while he’s galloping full-speed look easy, I know that it isn’t.
Secondly, anyone could have seen what happened outside the restaurant Friday night and reported you. That was selfish.”
“Had I not been an ass to you, that shit would have never happened. Noni, I love you. That’s real shit.
I was angry Friday. I just wanted to be left alone, but I know I fell in love with a petty, rowdy ass Henderson.
I should have known it wasn’t over simply because you broke up with me.
Plus, you’re Storm Henderson’s daughter.
I should have been prepared for the fuckery. ”
She smiled slightly, and I reached over and grabbed her hand again.
As I turned to her, I continued. “I know we can’t just hop back into a relationship simply because we’re speaking to one another again.
But I want you to know that I’m not going to stop trying to better myself, not only for you, but for me.
You are the woman I want and love. I’m not giving up.
Can we at least keep the lines of communication open? ”
She slid her hand away from mine and looked out of the window for a moment.
I remained silent, waiting for her answer.
Closing my eyes, I said a simple prayer.
The only thing I uttered mentally was, “Lord please.” I believed God knew exactly what I wanted to say.
He knew my heart and my desire to make Noni happy.
She turned back to me. “I will unblock you, but I need time, Red. I need time to work on myself. I feel like, although we’ve been together as a couple for a while and even longer unofficially, it seems like we rushed.
We didn’t take time to truly know one another.
I was always studying and not allowing myself to make time to connect with you.
Even after I graduated, it was like we dove headfirst into a serious relationship without truly dating each other. ”
“You’re right. I need time to work on myself, too, but I only want to be the first to say good morning and the last to say good night.”
She tilted her head as she frowned, then suddenly her eyebrows lifted and her eyes watered.
“I want to be on your mind throughout the day and while you sleep. I promise not to try to pressure you into something you aren’t ready for. Again, I love you so much.”
I gently swiped the tear that she allowed to drop down her cheek.
I wasn’t trying to be the man that didn’t learn his lesson.
I didn’t want to be without Noni, so I knew I had a lot of work to do.
I felt like I was so busy watching what Carter had with Bali until I expected my relationship with Noni to be similar.
That was impossible, especially since those two had been feeling each other since they were kids.
Furthermore, just because Noni and Bali were twins and had similar personalities, they weren’t completely the same.
However, I did notice that Carter was softer with Bali than he was normally.
That came a little easier for him, though, because he was low-key anyway.
I was aggressive and had a temper . . . the total opposite of him but just like Noni.
I was going to have to lead by example. My dad said women were reciprocators.
They reacted to what they felt from their partners.
So, if I wanted tenderness, I would have to be tender.
I would have to show her affection if I wanted it in return.
She was going to follow my lead. If I was always complaining, so would she.
I knew that I couldn’t take this too fast, though, or she would think I was only doing it to get her back, then ultimately, revert to my old ways.
Finally, putting me out of my misery, she said, “I love you, too, Red.”
I gave her a tight smile. “So we good to go back inside?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded and got out of the truck. While she didn’t verbally respond to what I said, I knew she felt every word.
Her skin had reddened some, and she dropped a tear.
When I opened her door, I saw her dad standing on the porch watching us.
I was gonna need fucking back up to deal with this nigga.
I could see the anger in his eyes when he looked at me.
When Seven appeared next to him, I knew there was trouble.
I helped Noni out, and her eyes went right toward her dad. She pulled her phone from her pocket and typed in it, then said, “Wait until reinforcement arrives.”
“I’m not a punk, Noni. Whatever smoke they got for me, I deserve that shit for putting my hands on you, regardless of what you did to provoke me.”
I closed the door and stared at her, then gently stroked her cheek. “Can I kiss you?”
She nodded shyly. I knew not to go too far, but her pouty lips were calling me.
I lowered my head slightly and gently grazed her lips with mine, then pecked them, gently pulling her bottom lip as I pulled away from her.
Shit. I wanted to go so much further. I grabbed her hand and headed to the door as Mr. Storm and Seven walked out.
Noni glanced up at me, her eyes quickly shifting back to her dad. I knew she was nervous about what was about to happen, but I wasn’t. My people were here. I wasn’t alone. I gave her hand a squeeze, and said, “Go inside, baby.”
Her eyes watered slightly. It seemed she was pleading with me to be cool. I would be. I brought this shit on myself. When I got to the porch and Noni had gone inside, Mr. Storm grabbed me by the neck and jacked me up against the house.
“This shit don’t feel good, do it? Next time you decide to put your hands on my daughter, I’m gon’ really fuck you up.
The only reason you getting off easy this time is because I know you didn’t physically hurt her and that she provoked this shit.
Don’t get it twisted, though. Whether she provoked the shit or not, that’s still my daughter.
I don’t give a fuck how close y’all are to us.
You feel me?” he asked as my dad, Uncle Legend, Mythic, Epic, and Asad stepped outside.
“Yes, sir,” I responded . . . barely.
He had a tight grip on my neck, much tighter than the grip I had on Noni’s neck.
I stared in his eyes and didn’t allow my gaze to waver.
I wanted him to know that I wasn’t looking for anyone to save me.
I was willing to face my consequences like a man.
They were here to make sure he didn’t go too far.
His lip twitched, and I knew he really wanted to take me out. Finally, Mythic said, “Pops, it’s gon’ be cool. I’ll fuck that nigga up myself if it happens again.”
Mr. Storm glanced at him, then gradually loosened his grip, lowering me to where I could stand.
That nigga had me on my tippy toes, and I was six-two.
After clearing my throat, nearly coughing, I said, “It won’t happen again.
I’m working on myself to be everything she desires, because I don’t want nobody else.
I apologize, Mister Storm . . . Seven,” I added as I glanced at him. “You have my word.”
Mr. Storm’s frown lifted slightly, but Seven’s stayed in place.
Finally, he nodded. I turned and walked away, preparing to go to my truck to head home.
After this shit, I knew he didn’t want me inside his house, despite Noni and me coming to some sort of understanding.
When I got to the driver’s side, I saw Carter jogging toward me.
He must’ve noticed that most of the men were outside.
I closed my door and put my window down. He frowned and asked, “You leaving?”
“Yeah. I don’t think I’m wanted here right now, man. I want to keep the peace, especially if I want her back. Now ain’t the time to be cocky or aggressive.”
He extended his hand, and I slapped it. “A’ight, nigga. I’ll holla at you tomorrow.”