Chapter 7 #3
Irish rolled her eyes. “Chile, let her tell it.” She held up a bag. “I brought a bottle. Where should I put it?”
“Give it to my mom.”
Irish nodded then she and Ivory strutted over to the other side of the backyard where Cecilia was. Cali and Bria went to take their seats at the table. Bria sat next to Lo, who had surprised her with his presence. Since Lo and Douglas didn’t get along, he never made it to any family functions.
“Lo, I must be special since you're here. Tell me that no one made you come and that I’m your favorite sister-in-law,” Cali joked.
Lo smirked. “Nah, Bria said if I didn’t come, she wouldn’t give me no—”
Bria quickly covered his mouth with her hands. “You better not!”
Cali laughed just as Irish and Ivory sat next to her.
The chimes from a glass being tapped rang in the air. Douglas stood from his seat at the head of the table, holding a glass of champagne.
“I want to thank you all for coming to see my daughter off to a new beginning.” Douglas peered at Cali. “You know it’s been a hell of a year for us.”
They all laughed at his remark.
“But I know you're going to do so well in Diamond Falls. This reset will do you some good. I hate for you to leave but I am excited to see what you’ll accomplish. Out of all of my girls, you are the most determined one. While Bria had the talent and Enya had the work ethic, Cali you’ve always had the ability to get through anything.
And that just doesn’t stop here. This new season is going to bless you immensely.
I love you and can’t wait to see you excel. ”
Cali’s eyes watered at Douglas’ speech. She was the middle child; the one who often got into trouble and needed him to bail her out. Growing up, Cali never saw value in her place in the family. At times, she felt like a burden so it was wonderful to hear that she mattered to her father.
“Ugh, I just got my face beat,” she complained, dabbing her eyes.
“That was so sweet,” Irish cooed. “You don't know how lucky you are to have a dad.”
Cali smiled at her. “Yeah, I am lucky to have him.”
The food was served by a catering company that Cecilia had hired. It consisted of fresh seafood with steaks and tacos.
“So, Cali, have you done some research on Diamond Falls yet?” Kip, Enya’s husband, asked.
She nodded, chewing the food in her mouth. “I have. I think my new job is on the east side so we found an apartment there.”
“Don't be getting all friendly when you get there,” Enya added. “You know how you can get.”
“Enya,” Douglas said in a warning tone. “Leave your snarky comments to yourself.”
She gawked at him, dropping her fork. “What? I’m just warning her not to be too friendly because she don't know those people up there.”
“I don't need you to warn me of anything. I’m grown,” Cali retorted.
Kip leaned over and whispered something in Enya’s ear. She immediately cut her eyes at him before bobbing her head.
“I apologize if I came off as snarky. Please forgive me,” she said with a tight-lipped smile.
“Anyways.” Cali rolled her eyes. “This lobster is bussin’.”
“I swear it is,” Irish agreed with her mouth full.
Kip wiped his hands with a napkin. “Have you spoken to Rio?”
Cali scoffed. “Hell no. What do I need to talk to him for?”
“Why are you mad at Rio?” Enya questioned.
Bria snickered. “Oh, you didn’t hear what he did? Rio started messing around with her hair stylist. Cali found out and beat her ass.”
Enya gasped, laying her hand over her chest. “Rozalin? He was messing with Rozalin?”
Cali confirmed with a nod, loathing how Kip had brought Rio up.
“Wow, that’s disappointing.” Cecilia shook her head.
“I mean, it’s fair game, right?” Enya reasoned.
“I would expect you to say that,” Cali griped. “You love to hear this with your miserable ass.”
“For your information, I don't like to see you hurt but after what you did, you really can’t blame him for knocking your stylist down.”
“He could’ve gotten with anyone in the city except her hair stylist, don't you think?” Irish argued.
“Yeah, but he didn’t so Cali has to eat that.” Enya shrugged.
Cali simpered at her sister. “I can’t wait to say that back to you.”
“Why do you keep insinuating that I’ll be hurt?” Enya questioned with bass in her tone.
“Because women like you always think you're the exception, as if you can’t get dragged by someone you love. You're not perfect, Enya, and neither is your marriage. Stop acting like you're above the bullshit because you're not.”
“Listen, this night is about sending Cali off with love and lots of positivity,” Cecilia explained. “This little sibling rivalry needs to end now. I’m sick of me and your father having to be the referees. Enya, stop being so negative and Cali, stop being so reactive.”
Cali wished she could’ve cursed Enya’s ass out.
For the sake of her dinner, she decided to enjoy herself instead.
After eating, the DJ put on a mix that had all the women on the dance floor.
They took videos and pictures, acting like they were in a music video.
Despite Cali being happy about her new beginning in Diamond Falls, she was saddened that she had to leave her loved ones behind.
“How am I supposed to let you go?” Irish fake cried. “You’ve been my rock, Cali. What am I supposed to do without you?”
Playfully, she rolled her eyes. “Girl, you got Noble’s big fine ass to lean on. You don't need me.”
“That’s a lie. I need you bad, friend. And yes, I do have Noble but I don't wanna be without you.” She poked her lip out. “When are you coming back home?”
“Probably for the holidays.”
“It sucks that we’re going to celebrate our birthdays separately this year.”
With Cali’s birthday being on October 19th and Irish’s birthday on October 23rd, they always celebrated their special day together. Being that it was mid-September, Cali didn’t see herself coming back home that soon.
“You should come visit me in Diamond Falls and we can celebrate then. I’ll look for something fun to do and we’ll fuck the city up one time.” Cali grinned.
“Okay, I’m down with that.” Irish smiled. “Well, give me a hug.”
Cali reached over and wrapped her arms around Irish. Leaving her behind was going to be difficult. This woman had been present for so many obstacles. She was a friend that every woman would be blessed to have. Irish was loyal, understanding, and honest.
“Girl, why your stomach poking me? You ate real good, huh?” she fussed and poked her stomach. “Your stomach is hard as shit. Irish, are you—”
“Shhh.” Irish placed her index finger to her lips and pulled Cali to a more secluded area. “Yes, I am but don't tell anyone.”
Cali gushed, covering her mouth with her hands. “Oh, my God. You're pregnant? Like why you didn’t tell me?”
“I wanted to wait until I got to five months. Not even Ivory knows. I’ve been sucking my stomach in and wearing oversized clothes to hide it.”
“Does Noble know?”
Irish smacked her lips. “Of course he knows. He knew before I could even tell him.”
“Aww, that man really is in tune with you.”
“Girl no, he’s just a nosy nigga who watches everything that I do.”
They both shared a laugh.
“Wow, you're really about to become someone’s mother. That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you. It’s time for you to get some sunshine since you’ve been experiencing so much gloom.”
Irish’s smile faded before she peered at her. “Yeah, the same could be said for you.”
Cali nodded. “I’m optimistic, so I’m looking forward to getting back to me. I want to excel at work and dine at the finest restaurants. I’m about to build up a roster and live my single life.”
“Ayyyeee!” Irish popped her fingers. “Getting back to bad bitch status.”
“Yep, and I can’t wait.”
Noble drove around Havenwood, looking for someone in particular.
He hit the corner, driving near the park where he often played at as a child.
He spotted a group on the block. They surrounded a car as loud music blared from the inside.
Noble pulled up, inciting them to put their hands near their hip or inside their hoodies.
When he rolled the window down, the suspicious expressions immediately vanished.
“Damn, I thought you was the law,” Ox said, approaching the window. “What’s up, gang?”
Noble slapped hands with him. “Where Jakai at?”
Throwing a thumb over his shoulder, Ox said, “In the courtyard. You want him?”
Noble nodded.
“Aye, Jakai! Noble over here!” Ox yelled.
Seconds later, Jakai jogged over, pulling up his sagging jeans.
“What’s up, big homie?” he greeted Noble.
“Come holla at me. Get in.”
Jakai got inside the truck right away.
“Aye, y’all stop all this posted up shit. You don't need no heat coming this way,” Noble advised.
Ox nodded. “I got you.”
Noble drove away and looked at Jakai, who was adjusting his seat. The small talk commenced for the short ride.
“This mufucka clean, gang,” Jakai complimented his newest Bentley truck. “I’m definitely getting one of these.”
Noble chuckled. “Nuke, tell him what he gotta do in order to get this.”
Jakai turned around quickly, surprised by Nuke’s big body in the backseat.
“Damn, bruh, I didn’t even see you back there.” Jakai laughed.
“You gotta be aware of your surroundings,” Nuke preached. “I could’ve murked you and you wouldn’t have saw it coming.”
Jakai bobbed his head. “You right, gang. So what you need to holla at me about?”
Noble pulled up to the docks and parked. “I’ll tell you about it in here. Come on.”
All of the men got out the car and entered one of the warehouses that TLM often occupied. Nuke locked the door and Noble went to sit on top of the desk.
“Have a seat.”
Jakai glanced back at Nuke and hesitantly sat down. “What’s going on?”
Noble leaned his elbow on his leg, peering deeply at Jakai. “I heard you and Tuck still in contact.”
He shrugged. “We talk here and there.”
Noble shook his head. “No, I heard y’all talk-talk.”
Jakai glanced back at Nuke then began nibbling on his bottom lip.
“What y’all be talking about?”
Jakai’s shoulders hunched. “Shit, about lil’ stuff. Nothing about TLM though,” he quickly said.
“What about Jovanis? Y’all talked about him?”
He blinked rapidly, looking to the side anxiously. Jakai scratched the back of his neck. “Aye, Noble, what is this shit about?”
Noble got up from the table and stood in front of Jakai. He bent down, smelling the fear radiate off him.
“I wanna know who shot at my girl.”
Right away, Jakai shook his head. “Aye, I didn’t have shit to do with that.”
“Where’s your phone?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?” Noble mocked him. “Let me see your phone.”
“Aye, we ain't gotta do—Yo’ what the fuck!”
Noble had swiftly pulled out his gun, pointing it at Jakai’s head. He was in no mood to play with this nigga who was sweating so badly that his shirt was soaked.
“Give up that fucking phone,” Noble calmly ordered.
Nuke wrapped his arm around Jakai’s neck, suddenly prompting him to kick and claw at his skin. “Nigga this ain't even my full strength.” Nuke snorted.
“I’m not gon’ tell you again. Let me see that phone.”
Shakily, he dug inside his pocket and retrieved his phone.
His fingers trembled as he punched in the code and handed it to Noble.
Placing his gun on the table, Noble picked up his phone to look for the burner number that Tuck often called him from.
When he found it, he searched through Jakai’s messages.
“The fuck?” he whispered then looked back at him. “Damn he got you too, huh?”
“What?” Jakai panted. “What you talking about?”
Noble scrolled until he got to a text that grabbed his attention. Snatching up his gun, he stalked over to him.
“What the fuck he tell you to do, huh?”
Jakai whipped his head back and forth. The motion was so fast sweat flung from his damp skin.
“I don't know what you talking about.”
Noble swung and hit him on his cheekbone. Blood seeped from the open wound as Jakai winced.
“Man fuck! What the fuck you coming at me for?”
“Tuck asked if you handled that and you told him you did. What the fuck he wanted you to handle, huh? Did you kill Jovanis then turn around and shoot at my girl?”
Noble wasn’t truly concerned with Jovanis’ death. To him, he had gotten what he asked for. Outing another man had placed a target on Jovanis’ back. Noble didn’t think his death was all that tragic.
“No, bruh. He had me take money to his girl.”
Noble looked at Nuke then asked, “What girl?”
“He got some girl. She got this nail shop in Emerald Village. Right off the highway on Tamara Lane. He had me take some bread to her. I swear, Noble, I ain't the one that shot at your girl. You got the wrong nigga.”
“Then, who did it?”
“I don't know!” Jakai professed with blood dripping from his face to his graphic T-shirt.
Noble kissed his teeth not believing him. “Get the fuck outta here. You niggas been fucking around but he ain't told you who he got to hit Jovanis?”
“Damn, this nigga running through everybody,” Nuke mumbled.
Jakai’s gaze drifted to the cement floor. “I promise, gang. That man never told me who it was. I can try and see if I can get the answer for you. Just don't kill me, bruh.”
Noble glanced at him then back at his phone. “What’s his girl’s name?”
“Hallie.”
Noble’s mind went to work now that he had new information.
He then looked at Nuke. “Let him go.”
Nuke followed his orders and released the hold he had on Jakai. Rubbing his neck, he coughed a bit before leaning over. Grabbing the bottom of his shirt, Jakai wiped the blood leaking from his gash.
“This conversation stays between us, Jakai. You hear me?”
Slowly, he bobbed his head.
“No, look at me so you can see that I’m not a game.”
Jakai’s shaken gaze landed on Noble. “I hear you, bruh.”
“See your way out.”
Noble threw Jakai his phone and he barely caught it. He skedaddled out of the warehouse, creating a screeching sound with his sneakers.
Nuke sat in the seat and leaned back. “You believe him?”
“No and because of that, he gotta go.”