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 withyou 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.”
