Nineteen
Noble was seated in the chair as his barber finished up his haircut.
He was set to meet with his business manager in an hour so they could discuss him expanding his logistic company.
With the twenty-five percent growth for the year, it was time to purchase another warehouse.
Glancing at his phone, he noticed the time and also a text from Irish.
Pumpkin: I’ve decided to talk to Jovanis and request a divorce. I’ll call you afterward.
Noble snorted, immediately dialing her number.
“Hey, did you get my text?”
“Yeah, I got it but don't be texting me that shit like you're sending me off.”
“What?” She giggled. “How did you get all that from that text?”
“It was too vague. Call me and tell me that. Don't text me.”
“But you don't like talking on the phone, remember?” she teased him.
“I told you I’d make an exception with you. Call always, Pumpkin, especially when it’s important.”
“Copy.”
“So, now what’s the plan? Where y’all meeting at?”
Typically, Noble wasn’t a nosy man. He liked to give Irish room to handle her business, but this was different. Jovanis had been a crash-out lately, and he wanted to ensure her safety.
“At the beach next to the Dippin’ food truck.”
“Tip ya head back for me, fam,” his barber said.
Noble did as he instructed and asked Irish, “You gon’ be good? You want me to send one of my lil’ niggas with you?”
“No.” She laughed as if his idea was crazy. “I’m going to be fine. Of course, the conversation will get heavy, but I don’t think I’m in danger.”
Noble wasn’t convinced. Jovanis had outed a man in jail and confronted him at the lieutenant meeting with a gun. He was beside himself and Noble didn’t want to take any chances on him hurting Irish.
“Don't be so na?ve. You vanished on that man and ain't talked to him. You don't know what his mindset is.”
“He’s not going to do anything to me, Noble. All we’re going to do is talk then part ways.”
“Yeah, a’ight. Text me when you get there and call me when you leave.”
“Anything else, Papa?” she purred.
The sound of her raspy voice made his dick jump. He couldn’t wait to see her so he could lick between her thighs.
“I would tell you more, but this nigga cutting my hair, and I don't need him all in my business.”
His barber chuckled and shook his head.
“Oh, I’m sure it was something disgusting but don't worry, Papa. I’ll make sure my ass is in the air when you get to the condo.”
“Yeah, do that. I’ll holla at you later.”
“Bye, baby.”
When Noble finished his call, his barber sprayed his crisp haircut and dusted the excess hair from his neck. Afterward, he snatched the cape off and paid him for his services.
“Good looking out.” Noble glanced in the mirror, running his hand down his smooth waves.
“A’ight, fam.”
They slapped fives and he left the barbershop.
It was a scorching day in St. Parklynn. The humidity had to be in the nineties as it swarmed Noble.
Getting inside his car, he blasted the AC and began driving toward downtown.
In the midst of rapping What More Can I Say, his phone rang. Seeing Kaliste’s name, he answered.
“What’s up, sis?”
“Noble, I need you to meet me somewhere,” she said with urgency.
“I can’t.” He switched lanes. “I’m on my way to a meeting.”
“But it’s an emergency. I really need you.”
“Call Zayd or Nuke.”
“No, Noble I need you. Please come to my house. I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t urgent.”
Noble groaned, looking for an exit so he could turn around. “You fucking up my plans, Kaliste.”
“It’s an emergency. Please come.”
“I’m on my way,” he grumbled.
When she hung up, Noble reached out to his business manager to reschedule.
He then got back on the highway, going the opposite way and headed toward Kaliste house.
She lived in a quaint home in the Civil District.
Getting out the car, he hiked the stairs and rang the doorbell.
Kaliste answered, wearing an expression he couldn’t quite read.
“What happened?” he asked, coming inside her crib.
Noble halted his steps when he noticed the two individuals sitting on the couch.
“The fuck is this?” he lashed, looking at Kaliste for answers.
“Don't be mad at me.” She held her palms up. “But it’s time to resolve this.”
Lyra stood, clasping her hands together. “Son, it’s time that we talk about our issues. It’s been too long.”
“Man, fuck this,” he spat, heading for the door. “Kaliste, you getting cut the fuck off for playing with my time. I got real shit to do, and you know that.”
“Noble.”
The sound of the scratchy baritone made him cringe. He spun on his heels, glowering at his mother’s husband like the piece of shit Noble deemed him to be.
“Nigga, don't say my fucking name. You let them gas you up to think you could step to me. Don't push me, mothafucka.”
“Let’s settle this. Man to man,” Bernard offered. “Your beef is ultimately with me.”
“Man to man?” Noble chuckled, dragging his teeth over his bottom lip. “You ain't no man, my nigga, and my beef is with you and her.” He pointed at Lyra, who nibbled relentlessly on her bottom lip.
“Noble, please—”
“Shut the fuck up, Kaliste. You already know how I feel about this shit and you played me.”
Under normal circumstances, Noble would never speak to his sister in this manner. She was always treated with the highest regard, but she’d picked the wrong team. He would never forgive her for this ambush.
“I got shit to do. Don't call me no more with this dumb shit.” Noble turned around and headed for the front door.
“You're a coward if you leave here,” Bernard said.
Noble’s feet came to a sudden standstill. He was a monster when life permitted him to be. They all knew that but decided to poke him anyway. He turned around, wearing a subtle smirk on his lips.
“Fuck it. Let’s do this shit.” He advanced toward Bernard at lightning speed.
“Noble, nooooooo!”
Cali sipped on her pina colada drink while bobbing her head to the music.
Bria had insisted on pulling her out the house to celebrate her upcoming move to Diamond Falls.
They were at a beach party, hosted by St. Parklynn’s finest promoter, Amoni.
The air buzzed with joy as the sun tucked behind the skyline.
The vibes were set just right. Tiki torches surrounded the vast area.
A DJ spun the latest tunes while bottle girls, dressed in scantily bathing suits, delivered bottles of Don Julio and Hennessy.
Bria sat next to her, bopping in her seat while her sister-in-law, Kaylona, took pictures with people who approached her.
She was a Grammy award-winning singer whose last album went platinum.
When Cali first met Kaylona, she assumed she would be this stuck-up and ego-driven celebrity who thought life was all about her.
Kaylona was quite the opposite. She was fun and loved to have a good time.
“Do you ever get tired of people approaching you asking for pictures?” Cali wondered aloud.
Kaylona shook her head as dark shades shielded her eyes. “No, girl. There was once a time when everyone hated me. The hate train was real but now they love me, so I bask in it. Plus, I got paid to be here, so the least I could do is be nice.” She smiled.
“I took one picture tonight and that was enough for me.” Bria feigned exhaustion. “I don't know how you do it, Kaylona.”
She shrugged. “It’s not that bad. I will admit that I don't like it when I’m with my man.”
With Bria and Kaylona being married to identical twins, they bonded so much over time. Cali almost got jealous until she got a chance to meet Kaylona and decided she was her kind of girl.
“So, I hear you're moving,” Kaylona gushed, shimmying her shoulders. “That’s so exciting. I did a few shows in Diamond Falls, and it’s such a beautiful city. I think you're going to love it.”
“I hope she hates it.” Bria rolled her eyes. “That way she can come back home.”
Cali bumped her shoulder with hers. “Why you acting like you're not going to survive without me?”
“Because I’m not. Who else am I gonna talk to about Dad when he’s tripping or Enya’s insufferable ass? Or who will I enjoy Juicy’s with? You know Lo don't eat no fast food.”
“Um, hello.” Kaylona raised her hand. “You know Juicy’s is my shit.”
“Girl, play along with me. I have to make it sound like I’m not gonna have anybody without her,” Bria mumbled to Kaylona.
Cali laughed at her sister’s dramatics. “Bria, please stop the act. You act like one, I won’t have a phone. Two, like I can’t FaceTime you and three, as if I’m not going to visit.”
Bria released a melodramatic sigh. “It’s not the same but on the real, I hope you do well. I pray this is the fresh start that you need.”
“I heard about your divorce.” Kaylona’s face expressed sympathy. “So many women go through divorces every day. You're gonna get through this, boo.”
Everyone said that but Cali didn’t have the optimism to see it.
“Shoutout to the one and only, Kaylona!” the DJ yelled into the microphone.
All the people at the party cheered as Kaylona waved to the crowd.
“How about you come bless the people with those vocals?”
Kaylona grinned while shaking her head. “I’m good.”
“Girl, go.” Bria playfully pushed her. “The city wanna hear from you.”
“Kaylona! Kaylona! Kaylona!”
Cali laughed at all the people cheering her name. That had to be a good feeling knowing others enjoyed her talent so much that they’d beg for it.
“Oh, alright.” She laughed, making her way through the crowd.
Kaylona reached the DJ and he immediately put on her latest hit, If You Want It.
Bria and Cali bopped in their seats, sipping on their drinks and enjoying Kaylona’s beautiful voice.
Cali gazed around the crowd, witnessing how hypnotized they were by the song.
Her eyes doubled back when she spotted Rozalin sitting on the other side of the party.
“Oh, look, there goes Rozalin.” Cali pointed her out.
“Are you going to say hi?”
Cali nodded, sitting her cup on the ledge. “Yeah, I’m gonna go over there.”