“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 naïve. 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 rappingWhat 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.
