Chapter 7
Seven
Cali’s going away dinner was tonight, and Irish was filled with so much sorrow.
Most of the day, she’d masked it, playing it off like she was thrilled for her friend.
Yes, she was excited but damn, she was going to miss her girl.
Wanting to look her best, Ivory and Irish were being ushered to their hair appointment by Zavier.
So far, he hadn’t been a burden by being her guard.
Irish would’ve preferred for Noble to be at her side but he had business to take care of.
“I’m surprised you like this stylist, sis. You hate the young stylists.” Ivory laughed.
Irish rolled her eyes. “‘Cause they don't know how to do real hair. Just glue a damn wig to your forehead and style baby hairs. But ol’ girl said she grew up in the salon because her mom owned one. It seems like she got some of that ol’ school work ethic.”
“Yeah, she be slaying. Thankfully, I know her sister because her damn waiting list is three months long.”
Irish tuned Ivory out as they passed Rozalin’s salon. “Hey, Zavier, pull over real quick.”
“I know you don't wanna get your hair done by her,” Ivory sassed. “Don't forget how she took ol’ girl’s side.”
He pulled a few cars down from the entrance and Irish took off her seat belt.
“Girl, hell no, I don't want my hair done by her.” Irish placed her purse in the back seat. “I just wanna get something off my chest.”
Getting out the car, Irish walked to the entrance and entered. She didn’t know Ivory was right behind her until she caught the door. Chatter ceased immediately as Rozalin’s eyes widened by Irish’s presence. Shay put down her flat irons and opened her cupboard.
“Oh, hell no. If you think you're about to catch me slippin’ again, bitch you got another thing coming.”
Shay pulled her purse out and reached into her bag . She didn’t pull her hand out but she insinuated that she did possess a weapon.
“Girl, put that damn taser up. You ain't scaring nobody,” Clarice blasted her.
“Bitch, this ain't no regular taser,” Shay sneered at her then cut her eyes at Irish. “Don't think I’m about to make shit easy for you. I’ma light your ass up.”
Ivory chuckled and looked at Irish, who smirked.
“Shay, I’m not here to whoop your ass again, although it’s tempting.” She placed her attention on Rozalin, who pretended to be focused on her client. “I’m actually here to see this thirsty-ass bitch.”
Clarice gawked, quickly abandoning her client and rushing over to Irish.
“Girl, what’s tea?” she asked, damn near salivating at the mouth for some gossip.
“Irish, I would hate to have you arrested,” Rozalin calmly stated. “Please don't come to my business starting drama.”
“Oh, so you didn’t fuck Rio behind Cali’s back? You didn’t start the drama? You're going to put it on me?”
The entire shop gasped as they stared at Rozalin. She blinked rapidly while avoiding eye contact with everyone. Irish hated to blast her but she was a messy bitch, who deserved to be embarrassed.
“Rio is your mystery man?” Clarice yelped. “Bitch, say it ain't so.”
Ivory’s mouth gaped before asking, “She fucked Rio?”
“Good for you, Rozalin,” Shay’s hating ass chimed in. “These niggas are for everybody, including Noble’s ass.”
Irish rolled her eyes but didn’t bother to respond to her. Her mission was to read Rozalin down, not Shay.
“Listen, I don't owe nobody an explanation.” Rozalin snaked her neck, showcasing her defensive posture. “He’s single and so was I. Y’all act like I was supposed to honor Cali when we’re not even friends.”
“But y’all were homegirls, though. Do you remember when that hurricane flooded your shop and we all pitched in to help with damages?
What about when you suffered that one breakup and we banded together to take you out and cheer you up?
You were a part of her special day. She can look at pictures and remember how you prepped her for her wedding day.
So miss me with this ‘we weren’t friends’ shit.
You owed Cali a lot more than what your stank ass gave her. ”
Rozalin’s jaw clenched as she scowled at Irish.
“Yeah, that’s kinda flawed,” Clarice agreed, walking back to her client. “At the very least, she was a client. You shouldn’t have been fucking her man and still doing her hair.”
“Rio is not her man!” Rozalin bellowed.
Ivory shook her head. “He was her ex-husband, though. You don't think he was off limits?”
Rozalin scoffed, putting her hand on her hip. “Girl, shut your young ass up talking to me. I don't answer to kids.”
“Bitch, I’ll—” Ivory went to lunge for Rozalin but Irish stepped in front of her.
“Uh-unt, you don't need to fight her. Cali already wore her ass out.” Irish smirked.
“OMG, that’s what happened to her face?” Clarice laughed. “This bitch said she got into an accident. I knew my homegirl wasn’t lying about seeing you fight at the beach.”
“Cali needed to be whooping on her ex-husband,” Shay snarled. “The fuck she approaching Rozalin for? She ain't owe that hoe no loyalty just because she did her hair.”
“That’s where you're wrong. She overstepped, knowing how Cali felt about Rio. That’s some shady shit but I don't expect your slow ass to understand that.”
“Fuck you!” Shay spazzed.
“Actually, I’ll just fuck Noble instead.” Irish grinned, linking her arm with Ivory’s. “Bye miserable, disloyal-ass hoes! Oh and to the girl in the chair, don't share nothing about your man with Rozalin. Her desperate ass will find him and fuck him all while styling your hair.”
“Ha!” Ivory added as they walked toward the door.
“Rozalin, I can’t believe your ass lied to us,” Clarice chastised her as they left the salon. Soon as Irish and Ivory got back in the car, they broke out in laughter.
“Ooh, I wanna slap her desperate ass. And Rio is weak for even fucking with that bitch.”
Irish snorted, putting her seatbelt back on. “Let me put you up on game, men don't give a fuck. They have no boundaries or loyalty. They’ll fuck your mama if her ass is fat.”
Zavier’s brows dipped but he didn’t say anything to Irish’s claim.
“Never expect them to honor you ‘cause they won’t.”
Ivory positioned herself between the two front seats. “What about Noble? You think the same about him?”
“Hmm.” Irish mulled for a bit. “I don't but there’s still a part of me that feels he could fuck up. I’ll never give a man the benefit of the doubt.”
Irish nodded. “Duly noted, sis.”
2010
Noble, Zayd, and Wilde sat on the bench, looking at the officers with worry consuming them.
Noble had been mortified when they were all escorted to the police station—including Bernard.
Anger brewed in his core, unable to grasp the fact that Bernard tried to pin drugs on him.
Granted, Noble wasn’t a saint. He and his cousin, Tuck, were always scheming and looking for ways to get money. However, this time, Noble was innocent.
“Oh my God!”
They all looked to their left and spotted Lyra walking into the station. The boys hopped up and rushed over to her. Zayd was the first to hug her then Wilde. Noble stood, silently watching her kiss between the two. She then grabbed him and hugged him.
“What the hell happened?” she quizzed.
“That nigga Bernard tried to say I had drugs in his car.”
“He what?” Lyra yelled.
“Ma’am.” She turned around, looking at the man who was dressed in a pair of slacks and a black collar shirt. “I’m Detective Rainey. Can I talk to you in the back for a second?”
Lyra nodded then turned to the boys. “Y’all sit for a minute while I talk to him.”
Noble, Zayd, and Wilde reclaimed their seats on the bench as Lyra followed the officer to the back.
“The next time I see Bernard, I’ma spit on him,” Wilde promised.
“Me too,” Zayd added. “Then, I’m going to piss in his work boots.”
Noble sat quietly, ready to get out of there and resume his night. He and Tuck were set to meet some girls at Havenwood and he couldn’t miss it. Ten minutes had passed before Lyra headed toward them.
“Come on,” she requested.
“What happened?” Noble wanted to know.
She turned and looked at him. “We’re going home, and Bernard will be going to jail. I can’t believe he tried to pin some drugs on you. He knows I don't play about my kids so now his Black ass is going to suffer.”
Noble smiled and nodded his head. He loved that Bernard would be out of their lives for good. They were still grieving their late father and wasn’t keen on Lyra moving on so quickly, especially with a man who had to move in with them.
“You promise, Mama? We won’t have to deal with him no more?” Noble questioned.
She bent down and grabbed one of his hands. “I promise, baby. Nobody is going to lie on you and not pay the consequences. You’ll never have to hear about Bernard ever again.”
A beam stretched across Noble’s lips.
“Now come on. I know y’all are hungry.”
“Hell yeah!” Wilde cheered but quickly recoiled when Lyra gave him a side eye. “I mean yes.”
“That’s what I thought,” she mumbled, leading the way out of the police station.
Three months had passed since that disastrous day and the St. Anthony Household had been thriving.
Bernard wasn’t around, which made Noble happy.
They didn’t have to share their space with a man they didn’t care for.
Lyra worked hard per usual, leaving her with no time to date.
It was selfish of Noble to want his mother single.
She deserved to have a companion but he wasn’t ready to invite another man into their life.
The phone rang as soon as Noble opened the front door. Wilde and Zayd were playing the game while Kaliste sat at the table doing her homework.
“Ain't nobody going to get the phone?” he questioned.
“It ain't for me.” Wilde shrugged, focusing on the TV.
“It’s probably for Mama anyway, and she ain't here.” Zayd snorted.
Kaliste waved her hand. “I’m doing my work.”
“Y’all lazy as fuck.” Noble shook his head and picked up the phone. “Hello?”