Chapter 15 #2
Noble continued glaring at Jovanis until he smiled. Everyone seemed to release the breath they’d been holding when he put his pistol away.
“When this bitch-ass nigga end up dead, I want y’all to know it was me.”
Noble’s declaration kept everyone in silence as he walked out the warehouse.
Jovanis immediately sat, rubbing his hand down his face.
He felt crazed, almost like he couldn’t find his common sense.
Noble had almost outed him but spared him once again.
Jovanis should've been grateful for that, yet he couldn’t extend grace to Noble.
He had something that used to belong to him.
Since Irish was still in Noble’s possession, Jovanis would forever hate him.
Hours later…
Noble watched Irish in a contented silence as she devoured a cookies ‘n cream ice cream cup.
They were at the ocean, sitting high, watching the waves move in sync under the moonlight.
This was the perfect night for lovers. The humidity was down, making it bearable to be outside.
The breeze that swept across their skin was refreshing.
Noble had had an awful day but once he picked up his Pumpkin, every occurrence vanished.
Her ginger hair blew in the wind while the ice cream coated her taste buds. Each day with Irish was like a day at Disney World. Noble was hooked; a complete addict who would proudly declare that he was a junkie for her.
“You trying to entice me?”
Her gaze locked with his as a smile surfaced on her lips. “If I wanted to entice you, I would do something else.”
“Like what?”
She pulled her shirt down and revealed one of her breasts. Her nipple was hard, begging Noble to bite it.
“Don't start no shit, Pumpkin.”
She laughed, tucking her breast back in her shirt. “I was just giving you a visual of how I entice you.”
Rubbing his hand over his mouth, he studied her.
He still couldn’t believe she had gotten pregnant.
The one time he fertilized her soil, they created magic.
That had to be a sign they were meant to be, or they were irresponsible in the moment and didn’t factor in that a baby would only complicate this relationship.
“Did you schedule an appointment yet?”
Nodding, she finished what was in her mouth. “I did but the appointment is at the end of the month. The doctor I want to see is highly recommended and she’s Black. So, I figured a couple weeks wouldn’t hurt.”
Noble rubbed his mustache then asked, “Why won’t you stay at the condo?”
Irish stopped chewing before her gaze drifted over to him. Sitting the cup down, she released a breath.
“I have my sister and I didn’t want to move into your place with her.
I appreciate the offer, but I need to find something for just us right now while I figure out how to navigate the situation with Jovanis.
You know, like the divorce. I didn’t want to leave the home that Jovanis pays for to move into yours where you pay.
I kinda want to stand on my own right now. ”
That pained Noble to hear. He prided his manhood on taking care of others.
It was what he did without question. Even Daysha didn’t have to pay a mortgage or car note because he made sure she was good.
Now, here was the woman of his dreams insisting on not allowing him to foot her bills.
The reality left him in anguish and toyed with his pride a bit.
“Baby, I really don't want you to think that I don't want anything from you. That’s not what I’m saying. It’s just I want this to be done right even though we started off wrong. Let me get a divorce and then we can talk about plans to move or even buy a home.”
“You wanna be with me, right?”
“Of course.” Her head angled as her eyes softened. “I don't want anything more than I want you. Do you believe me?”
After a brief contemplation, he bobbed his head. Noble didn’t agree with her stance on moving on her own, but he respected it. His thoughts drifted to today, wondering if he should reveal the standoff between him and Jovanis. Since he didn’t want to leave her in the dark, he decided to share.
“I almost murked Jovanis today.”
Irish’s eyes widened before her ginger lashes fluttered. “What? How did that happen?”
“He came at me crazy. Told everybody that we been fucking around.” Noble sucked his teeth, feeling his rage return.
“I don’t let nobody play with me, Irish.
But I know how much he means to you, so I’ve been sparing him.
” He looked her square in the eye. “I’m letting you know that nigga don’t got no more chances with me. ”
She gasped before covering her mouth. He figured that would startle her.
“Noble, what the hell?” she whispered. “So, TLM knows about us?”
Noble shook his head, flipping over both of his phones to make sure he didn’t miss a notification. “No, just the lieutenants. They know now and a part of me is relieved.”
“Why?”
“Because fucking with you wasn’t right. On the outside, it looked like I fucked with a man’s wife, which can get me killed. We know the real, but they don't. Even after coming at me crazy, I still didn’t out his pussy-ass. He better be lucky I got certain principles ‘cause I could destroy him.”
There was an awkward silence that engulfed their conversation.
“He’s spiraling,” she said more so to herself. “I've been ignoring him. Maybe I should c—”
“No, the fuck you shouldn’t,” he cut her off. “That’s a grown-ass man. Stop coddling him. That’s how he manipulates you. Fuck him.”
“Okay, Noble,” she groused. “It was only a suggestion. I only wanna keep the peace.”
“Ain't no peace. You're pregnant by his general. Ain't shit peaceful about that.”
Irish folded her arms over her chest and looked over at the ocean. Noble immediately felt bad. Irish was delicate, and he needed to remember that when he was upset.
“I’m sorry.” He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.
“I didn’t mean to bark at you, but I need you to stand on severing ties with him.
I know y’all have your friendship, and I’m not saying you can’t maintain that, but you gotta let go of that hold he has on you. I’m not about to compete with him.”
“You won’t. I promise.”
Noble gently touched her diamond pumpkin pendant. “I’m surprised you didn’t throw this shit in the garbage.”
Irish playfully gawked at him, looking down at the necklace. “I haven’t taken it off since you put it on. I would never throw it away.”
Noble’s gaze locked in on her face, appreciating all the unique features she possessed.
The auburn hair, ginger lashes, and speckled face were a masterpiece that he didn’t get tired of looking at.
He wondered if their unborn child would inherit her distinctive traits.
Would his gene pool win or would Irish come out on top with a miniature version of herself?
“I want you to meet my son.”
She beamed, showcasing her straight teeth. “Really? You're ready for that?”
He bobbed his head, caressing her cheek. “Yeah, it’s time, especially since you're about to be in my life forever, right?”
Grinning, she leaned in, pressing her lips against his. “Forever, huh? Do you mean forever because we’re about to have a child or forever because you're going to want me forever?”
“Both.” He kissed her again, feeling as if he had gotten locked in a trance.
Irish pulled back, cupping his face with her hands. Their eye contact was lethal. It could spark a fire with the chemistry they shared.
“Do you remember when I asked if you would be in my corner?”
“Yeah.”
“Well,”—she touched the collar of his T-shirt before sighing—“I need you to assure me again. Not because I like to hear it but I’m going to need that affirmation when I finally ask for a divorce. I’m going to need your strength.”
“You don't need my strength. You got your own strength, Pumpkin.” He tapped her chest. “Use it.”
Rubbing her lips together, she ruminated on his words. “You're right.”
“Now are you done ‘cause I need my pumpkin spice.”
She rolled her eyes, immediately making him chuckle. “You and this damn pumpkin spice crap.”
“You don't say that when my tongue in that pussy, so don't complain now.”
Tittering, she kissed his lips. “You're right, I could use that right now. So, come on.”
Cali walked inside the salon, smelling the nostalgic scent of burning hair.
Much to her surprise, the job she applied for in Diamond Falls had requested a Zoom interview after their initial phone interview.
She was shocked by their request, thinking they wouldn’t reach out.
When they did, Cali quickly scheduled an appointment with Rozalin so that she could get her pixie done.
“Bitch, Chiquita done broke the fucking internet!” Clarice yelled before laughing with her tongue out.
Perplexed, Cali asked, “Why are y’all so hyped up?”
“Girl!” Clarice boomed. “Chiquita done posted pictures of Tuck sucking dick!”
Cali gawked as her hand landed across her cheek. “Tuck who?”
“Girl, Tuck Tuck,” Roz answered.
Stunned by the news, she stood frozen, trying to imagine Tuck being gay.
He had been the leader of TLM, ordering hits and even performing some himself.
He had been a pussy magnet when he was out, attracting all kinds of girls and fucking them whenever he felt the need.
He was a known whore with the ladies, but Cali had no clue that he was one with men as well.
“Let me see.” Cali grabbed her phone.
When she scrolled through the pictures, her eyes bucked even more. Tuck was in so many compromising positions. There were even text messages exposing how deep he was in the down low lifestyle.
“I can’t believe Tuck is gay.” Shay scoffed. “Why would he waste all that material on another man?”
“Girl, you ain't see nothing when you were married to your ex?” Clarice asked her.
Shay shook her head. “I wasn’t around him like that. How the hell was I supposed to know he was fucking men?”