Chapter 17 #2
When she and Noble divorced almost four years ago, she sought family who would help her save her marriage.
She went through everyone, including his Aunt Lyra, Kaliste, and Nuke.
When they failed to advocate for her, she found Tuck.
During that time, he was the reigning king of TLM.
When Daysha came to him expressing her pain, he turned her away but she pleaded for him to hear her out.
Daysha was broken when Noble requested a divorce.
She felt as if her life had been snatched from her without a proper notice.
Tuck didn’t really give a fuck about her pain but he listened because she didn’t have anyone to vent to.
After a while of talking, it became routine for them to have conversations.
Daysha had gained his trust and he had done the same for her.
She spoke about life after Noble and he would discuss his alternative lifestyle with her.
She never judged him and he appreciated the fidelity.
When Tuck got locked up, he continued his conversations with Daysha.
She had become a confidant and talked him off the ledge a couple times.
Their relationship wasn’t sexual but they did have a bond.
No one knew of their friendship, not even Jovanis.
When Tuck got exposed, Daysha allowed him to express his disappointment and cry.
She vowed that if he ever needed her, she would be present.
When the opportunity came for Tuck to have Jovanis taken out, she offered to do it.
Initially, Tuck declined because he assumed Noble would come through for him.
When his own cousin was adamant about not having his back, Tuck was enraged.
After asking Nuke and Jakai, they both declined.
It was then when he took Daysha up on her offer.
She was an unlikely candidate and no one would have suspected her being the person behind the gun.
She was no killer but insisted that she knew how to shoot due to her numerous trips to the gun range.
Tuck was stunned when she pulled it off.
However, he wasn’t happy about her leaving a witness behind.
“You ain't been on your shit,” he responded lowly. “Why the fuck I haven’t received news about Noble being…” He looked around. “Gone.”
“I tried.” She kept her voice above a whisper.
“I went and picked up the car that was at Hallie’s shop like you told me to.
I’d been following him that entire week and when he was at the warehouse, I thought that was the perfect opportunity to make my move.
” She swallowed hard. “I did exactly what you said but he ducked when I shot at him.”
“If you would’ve—” Tuck cut his words short so he wouldn’t cause a scene. “Daysha, that nigga gotta go.”
“Bitch, don't you think I know that?” she fussed. “It’s been hard getting next to him. On top of that, he’s been holding Kenji hostage. I haven’t seen my son in three weeks.”
Tuck’s pinched brows unveiled his confusion. “Why is he keeping Kenji from you?”
“Because he’s paranoid. He offered to move us to his condo just for protection but I declined at first.”
His eyes bucked. “Why you ain't do that?”
Daysha held her hand up. “Calm down. Initially, I said no because I wanted him to tell me more information on why he wanted us there. But you know Noble’s secretive ass.” Her eyes rolled. “He didn’t go into detail. So, I told him I’m willing to go now. I’m just waiting on him to give me an answer.”
Tuck pulled at his long goatee. “If you get close to him, then you can end the game,” he stated in code.
“Yeah.” Her eyes faltered. “I’m already working out a plan.”
“Daysha, can I ask you something?”
She nodded.
“Are you still in love with that nigga? I need to know you gon’ make shit happen for the both of us. I don't wanna get played ‘cause you could be working with him and trying to set me up.”
Daysha sucked her teeth while shaking her head. “Tuck, how on Earth would I be trying to set you up? I don't have connections in here.”
“But he do. You know how fucking resourceful that man is. Don't act brand new.”
Pressing her palms together, Daysha professed, “Listen to me. You of all people should know that I don't fuck with Noble. He hurt me really bad and didn’t stop to think about my feelings. I don't love him. I actually despise him. I hate what he stands for and I hate that I have to share a child with him. On top of that, his bitch just shared online that she was pregnant.” Bitterness emerged on her face as she shook her head. “When that time comes…” She pursed her lips. “I promise, I won’t bat a fucking eye because Noble is deserving of it.”
A part of Tuck felt relief but then he was still skeptical. Women always said one thing but their feelings were often on different chapters. Daysha could’ve been playing him but he decided to trust her.
“Listen, even if you have any doubts, remember the way that nigga left you behind. He asked for a divorce when there was nothing wrong with you. You were perfect for him, Daysha, and he decided to be a side nigga to Jovanis’ funky-ass wife.
That nigga dogged you out when you didn’t deserve it. Always remember that, okay?”
The mind game he had been playing on Daysha was actually easy for Tuck. All he had to do was remind her of the divorce for her wrath to surface.
“You're right.” She picked at her nails. “I just wish I would’ve gotten his bitch when I had the chance.”
“It’s cool. At least you got the one I needed to be gone.” He simpered, referring to Jovanis. “I know you're going to come through for this. You been my nigga for a minute now, and I believe in you.”
Nodding, she promised, “Listen, I’m planning something. As soon as I get to that condo, I’ll have more access to him. He’ll be gone in no time.”
Tuck smiled at the sound of that. “I know you can do this, Daysha. You surprised me with the other shit so I know you gon’ fuck me up with this one.”
She smiled. “You’ve been my friend for over three years.
I’ve bared my soul to you… ugly cried in front of you when you could’ve turned me away.
I’ve never been in need of money or anything like that because Noble, thankfully shows up on that end.
But a confidant who didn’t judge me is what you’ve been, Tuck.
Even when your mouth get slick and I have to curse your bitch-ass the fuck out.
” She chuckled. “I’ll still be here for you…
I’m sorry about what happened to Hallie. I know how much she meant to you.”
A sharp pain radiated through his chest. She had been laid to rest a week ago, and Tuck couldn’t believe she wouldn’t be there waiting for him once he was released.
“I can’t even talk about that shit,” he murmured. Pinching the corners of his eyes, Tuck made sure no tears escaped.
“Don't worry. Noble will pay.”
He peered at Daysha. “Promise me this shit will be done soon. He gotta suffer for how he did my girl. All the fucking disloyalty.” He stalled, going back to his reverie.
“Him not showing up for me or walking away when I needed that nigga the most… yeah it’s time for him to bow out this bitch—permanently. ”
“I swear, I’ll handle it. You trust me?”
Tuck considered it for a moment. He didn’t have Jovanis anymore. Jakai had been dodging him for some reason, and Hallie was caught in the crossfire of his beef. Daysha was the only person he had besides his mother. The rest of his relatives were team Noble.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Then, let me take care of Noble. You won’t have to worry about a thing. I got you.”
Noble walked inside the logistics company with so much on his mind.
Sleep had escaped him the night before. Not knowing who to trust left him on edge, which was why he’d made the decision to see his Uncle Dame.
He needed his help sorting through the weeds to find out who the snake was in his life.
Noble could’ve snapped and eliminated everyone but he prided himself on thinking.
He’d never made a move without a plan, and he refused to get this late in the game and start being impulsive.
“Hey, I didn’t expect to see you here,” Kaliste greeted him.
Noble was still mad at her so he hadn’t made any strides to converse about their issues. “Where’s Mama?”
“She’s in the office.” She tossed her thumb over her shoulder. “Is everything okay? Are you still mad?”
“You know I’m still mad.” He glared at her. “You know I don't fuck with that man and you set me up. You the opp now.”
Kaliste chuckled. “Noble, please. I can’t take you being upset with me. Who else am I going to talk about the family with? Wilde don't answer his phone and Zayd don't gossip.”
“Neither do I,” he hissed.
“I know but you’ll at least listen to me vent. I miss my brother. Can you please forgive me? You already beat his ass. Ain't that enough?
“Actually, no.”
I would like to kill that bitch-ass nigga…
“Well, you can be mad at Mama and Bernard but not me. So can you try to find it in your heart to forgive me? Please.”
“I’ll think about it.” He walked toward the back.
“Oh, and I heard you got married. Congrats, I can’t wait to meet her.” Kaliste beamed.
He nodded and knocked on the door. When he heard his mother’s voice, he ambled inside. Lyra sat behind her desk while her pink glasses rested on the tip of her nose.
“You busy?” he asked, taking a seat.
“Uh, no, just going over some paperwork.” Lyra moved a stack of papers toward the corner of the desk. There was some timidity in her eyes as she exhaled deeply.
Noble had avoided this talk for seventeen years. The moment he found out she had still been conversing with Bernard changed their relationship forever. He strived to push through his ill feelings for the sake of her being his mother but his pride wouldn’t let him.
“I wanted to holla at you… I know I’ve given you the cold shoulder for years but that was because I didn’t know how to express my disappointment without being angry.
So, ignoring the obvious was the best option.
I was hurt when you broke your promise to me…
and when you married him once he got out of jail, I never looked at you the same.
I still have ill feelings toward you, Mama.
I’ve tried over the years to let them go but it’s hard when I think back to how you let me down… ” He pinched his bottom lip.
Lyra swallowed hard, scraping her teeth against her bottom lip.
“I know I let you down, Noble. I’m sure you view me as being weak with no backbone.
Back then, I should have exercised more judgement on Bernard because what he did was despicable.
At that time, I assumed he was being punished by doing three years in jail.
So, I figured I didn’t need to dogpile on him.
I’ve been living with guilt for so many years I don't know how to get rid of it…” A tear dropped from her eye, prompting her to grab a Kleenex.
“I’ve tried to get you to see Bernard from my perspective but I was wrong.
I should have respected your wishes. I apologize for how I handled the situation.
If I could go back, I would probably choose not to deal with Bernard if I’d known that I would lose my son. ”
Noble appreciated her words but they were a little late. He would have loved for her to show that he mattered back when he was sixteen versus thirty-three.
“Listen, Mama, I um…” He sighed, trying to find the proper words to convey what was on his heart.
“I don't think we can have that normal relationship that mothers and sons have. I lost respect for you, and I’m not saying that I can’t find it anymore, but it’ll take a while.
I love you, though. I’ll always love you because you brought me into this world but I do want you to respect my boundaries. ”
“And what are those?”
“I don't like your husband and I never will. He did something as a man that I can’t respect. Stop pushing him on me. Stop trying to mold this family unit with him because it’s not going to happen. I don't care how sorry he is, I just don't fuck with him.”
Lyra’s chest heaved before bobbing her head. “I understand.”
“I have a baby on the way and I got married to a woman that I love more than anything. I want you to meet her. She wants to have Thanksgiving at the house, and I’m inviting you.”
“Wow!” She gawked. “Married? I didn’t think you would do that again after Daysha.”
“Me either but I couldn’t pass up on her. She’s very special to me and I never wanna be without her.”
Lyra smiled. “I’m happy for you. Congratulations.”
Noble reclined in his seat. “Thanks.”
“So, I’m assuming just me is invited, right?”
Bobbing his head, he confirmed, “Yeah, Mama, just you. I understand if you want to be united with your husband, so you can decline the invitation. I’m not gon’ be hurt about it but he’s not invited to my house with my family.”
“No, no, I think Bernard got the picture last time you two were in the room with each other. He’ll probably be happy to sit this out.
” Her gaze drifted to the stack of papers on the desk.
“I’ve been shunned from so many moments in your life and I can’t afford to miss anymore.
I’ll take whatever you give me at this point. ”
Noble sensed the regret in her voice. Lyra had been fighting between choosing her husband and choosing her son. Although she made her stance clear, there was remorse in her decision.
Noble stood, ready to end the conversation. “I’ll text you the details for Thanksgiving.”
“Okay and Noble, I love you.”
Silence invaded him while contemplating if he should say it back. He hadn’t uttered those words to Lyra in years. He never felt it to be genuine because of the disappointment she’d caused. Still, she was his mother and it was time for him to slightly adjust his boundaries.
“I love you, too.”
Lyra’s eyes widened before she gasped. Those words seemed to breathe a piece of life that had been missing in her existence.
“I gotta go.” Noble walked out the office and stopped at Kaliste’s desk. “Thanksgiving at my house this year. You don't need to bring nothing.”
“Except a bottle, right?”
He smirked. “No, I got all that covered.”
Noble tapped the desk and made his exit out the building. Heading to his car, his phone rang. Looking at the screen, he was dumbfounded at the number.
“I know this man ain't this fucking bold.”
Noble was in a daze while staring at the phone. This didn’t make sense. It could’ve been a setup but he followed his first mind and answered the call.
“Hello?”
“You have a collect call from inmate…”