Chapter 16
Sixteen
When Noble was at the head of the table, he was typically the person calling the shots.
Or he would demand the plans of one of the lieutenants and confirm if that was the right thing to do.
This time, he sat at the table, under the interrogation lights.
Nuke and Vic sat on one side while Zayd and Wilde occupied the other side.
At this table, he had to be transparent.
This was more than TLM members. This was his family and he owed them an explanation.
“So, how long you been dealing with her?” Zayd asked, getting straight to the point.
They were at Noble’s home in Emerald Village, sitting at his dining room table.
A toothpick dangled from his mouth as he leaned back in his chair.
As uncomfortable as this position was, Noble still knew he was built for it.
He never claimed to be perfect. Still, his family held him to a different standard and although unfair, he had to give them a reason for his actions.
“Right before Rio’s accident.”
Vic’s forehead creased. He was stunned by that admission. “Damn, it’s been that long.”
“I had a feeling.” Nuke shook his head. “I knew when you saw her at the restaurant that you would be on her ass.”
Noble didn’t respond to his statement, only played with the toothpick.
“This shit looks bad, bro,” Zayd confirmed.
“I know.”
“Man, fuck Jovanis.” Wilde reclined, showing contempt on his features. “Especially if her ass was checking for Noble. Why the fuck he gotta bear the guilt for fucking with her?”
“That’s not the point,” Zayd argued. “He fucked with another man’s wife. That’s a violation and could ruin business.”
“Facts,” Vic agreed.
Noble didn’t disagree. He had fucked up. The disrespect was loud. He couldn’t believe he’d crossed that line himself, but it happened and he didn’t regret it.
“Okay, so, Noble fucked his bitch,” Wilde countered with a shrug. “Van need to take that shit up with his wife. Noble didn’t exchange vows with his ass. She did.”
Wilde had a point, but Noble knew it wasn’t that cut and dry. He was the general and shouldn’t have involved himself with Irish at all. No matter how powerful their chemistry was or how deep their attraction, he shouldn’t have crossed that boundary no matter what.
“You might have to end it, bro,” Vic said.
Noble’s stare lingered on him for a moment as thoughts flooded his mind.
Irish was his, no matter whose last name she possessed.
She was a love that felt so good that he couldn’t proceed without it.
His heart and mind had never been on one accord until now.
Noble either did what he thought was right, but his heart wasn’t in it, or his heart was involved but his mind told him it wasn’t the right move.
This time, his heart and mind were playing for the same team, putting up beaucoup points with immaculate stats.
“Man, he don't want her ass like that. He only wanted pussy, right bro?” Wilde asked.
Every eyeball landed on him as he sat, quietly.
How could he reveal that Irish wasn’t just a piece of pussy?
That she lived inside his heart and had no plans on moving out?
She was his forever. The tide had drastically changed.
What started off as two people who shared a mutual crush were two people who were so deeply in love that breaking up felt like a curse.
“I got feelings for her.”
Zayd exhaled sharply as Nuke shook his head. They were disappointed and they should've been. Noble would never downplay his wrong doings just because he was in the head seat.
“Word?” Wilde asked, face amused by his admission. “Shit you ain't wrong. She so mothafuckin’ bad. I know that pu—”
“That what?” Noble checked him, narrowing his eyes.
Wilde chuckled. “Never mind, bro.”
“Ah shit, we got a tenderoni on our hands,” Vic joked. “You sweet on her like that?”
Noble nodded but didn’t elaborate further. They didn’t need to know the ins and out of his love affair with Irish.
Zayd peered at him, showcasing a speck of disappointment. “So, what about Jovanis? How you think that man gon’ feel about you catching feelings for Irish?”
Noble was at a crossroads with Jovanis. They both couldn’t coexist under the TLM umbrella.
Their last meeting displayed that fact. Although Noble was slated to walk away from his position, it wasn’t going to be any time soon.
Jovanis was too stubborn to give up his seat so that would lead to them bumping heads.
Someone was going to get hurt and Noble proclaimed that it wouldn’t be him.
“I already know how he feels. Shit, you seen it, but I don't know how this shit will work out,” he answered, honestly, taking the toothpick out of his mouth. “Shit is probably going to go bad. And before y’all ask if she’s worth all that, she is.”
“Fuck it. You know I’m riding with you regardless,” Wilde stated then checked his phone.
“We all gon’ ride with him. That’s not the point,” Zayd countered, grilling Wilde.
“We just got back on track. TLM was a fucking joke when Tuck was in charge.
Noble came back and got this shit in order.
Now that we got a system, and niggas taking us more seriously, we don't need no internal shit to interfere with that.”
Silently, Noble was proud, looking at Zayd in a quiet awe. He thought like a boss, left his emotions out of situations, and looked at the bigger picture. He was almost ready to occupy his seat.
“Yo!” Vic blared, gaping at his phone. “Did y’all see the shit posted online?”
“What is it?” Noble immediately asked.
Vic shook his head, extending the phone to Nuke, who looked away, disgusted.
“What is it?” Zayd asked.
“They got ya boy Tuck online doing some gay shit. Bruh. I can’t even scroll no more.” Vic closed the screen of his phone and tossed it on the table.
“What you mean gay shit?” Wilde quizzed, wearing the same perplexed expression as the rest of them.
“Nigga, you heard me. Gay shit. Like getting fucked.”
Wilde threw his head back and cackled loudly. It was so infectious that Noble couldn’t help but to smirk.
“Man, get the fuck outta here. My cousin ain't gay.”
“Yeah, I ain't believing that,” Zayd added.
Vic snorted before shaking his head. “Shit, by what I just saw, that nigga gay as fuck.”
Zayd tapped on his phone, eyes squinting as he scrolled. “Dawg they in this Facebook group clowning the shit outta Tuck. It gotta be true.”
Everyone in the room was surprised except Noble. He was privy to Tuck’s extracurricular lifestyle. Tuck had always been bisexual but hid it well over the years. What puzzled Noble was who was the person that had exposed him.
“What the fuck? Tuck? Gay? This nigga been down low all this time?” Wilde fussed. “I know Auntie rolling in her bed right now.”
Noble doubled over in laughter. “Rolling in her bed? You an ignorant-ass nigga.”
Zayd chuckled. “This nigga stupid.”
“I wanna know who exposed him,” Nuke wondered aloud. “He must've pissed somebody off.”
Noble sat in deep thought, wondering if Tuck had pissed some girl off and she in turn exposed him to get some payback.
“Damn, it’s over for that man.” Vic laughed. “And he’s locked up right now. Yeah, his reputation is ruined.”
“Ain't no coming back from that kinda shit,” Wilde agreed.
While they debated on Tuck’s ability to maintain his street persona, Noble’s phone rang.
Getting up, he stepped out the room and answered.
“You have a collect call from…Tuck. To accept the call, press one.”
Noble didn’t hesitate accepting the call. “Yeah?”
“Aye, come see me. It’s an emergency.”
“Yep.”
Noble hung up, knowing this visit would be unlike any visit he’d had in the past. News had gotten back to Tuck, and he spotted the panic in his voice.
His narrative had been changed and his truth exposed.
For the first time in their lives, Noble and Tuck had to talk about his sexuality, and unfortunately, he wasn’t looking forward to it.
Jovanis: It’s fucked up how u just shitted on me for that nigga. I never thought u would switch up on me but it’s cool. I get the picture, Irish.
Not bothering to respond to his text, Irish continued to follow the real estate agent through the townhouse with Ivory right behind her.
“This here is the laundry room, and the bonus room is here. You can turn this into anything. Just look at the space,” she raved, giving Irish a red-lipped smile.
“We should do a theater room,” Ivory gushed.
Noble had hooked her up with an agent and assured that she would get her what she wanted. Irish was indeed impressed with the four-bedroom, three-bathroom townhouse that had a two-car garage and fenced-in backyard.
“And how much is this?” Irish asked.
“$525,000.”
Irish nodded, quickly calculating in her head if she could afford it. Her finances were great thanks to her clothing brand and Jovanis’ allowances, but she did have a little one on the way and wanted to make good financial decisions.
“Don't forget this is a gated community and you do have access to all the amenities like the pool, clubhouse, and fitness center,” the agent added.
“Is there an HOA fee?”
The tall woman nodded. “Yes, but it’s only $216 a month.”
“Please say yes, sis.” Ivory crossed her fingers. “It’s close to the university and the warehouse is like ten minutes away.”
“We have more to look at, Ivory, chill.” Irish tittered.
“I know but this one feels like home. I’ll even help pay the mortgage.”
“Girl.” Irish sucked her teeth. “You're not paying anything. I got it.”
“Uh oh, am I sensing a little sibling tussle coming on?” the agent joked.
“No, but can you give us a minute?”
“Sure, I’ll be outside.”
Her high heels echoed throughout the empty space until the door shut. Irish peered at Ivory and inhaled a deep breath.
“This is a big step for me. I’ve never lived without Jovanis. I can’t lie, a part of me is scared but then I’m looking forward to my future.”