“I-I’m not lying.”
“Fuck,” he spat, standing. “This man got you tied up into some shit, don't he?”
Irish peered up at him, slightly worried. “What are you talking about? I’m not in anything.”
“Irish, you know who you talking to? I ain't get here by being a naïve-ass nigga. I know how to read the fuck outta people and you ain't no exception. You don't think your undying loyalty to this lame give out red flags that he’s got you into some shit.”
Irish stood, panicking on the inside. “But he doesn’t.”
Noble shook his head, clearly annoyed at her denying his claims. “If you wanna keep being a weak bitch, then go ‘head.”
Her head slightly jerked back, appalled by his disrespect. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he argued. “You keep giving up your life for this man. And for what? ‘Cause his ass like fucking niggas. You willing to keep letting life pass you by because of a selfish-ass man who don't mind keeping you held up. Then, do that shit. Don't come here explaining to me that you need more time ‘cause you free. I ain't holding you back.”
Irish’s tears came without warning. Noble was always diplomatic. He always offered her understanding yet in this instance, he was unwilling to reason with her.
“Noble, don't,” she whispered.
“Don't what? I’m not about to sit on the sidelines and watch you cater to a nigga that’s lowkey abusing you.”
“Abusing me how?”
“He’s taking advantage of you, Irish. That’s emotional abuse. You ain't give that man no boundaries with you. You just let him do what the fuck he wants. When you get outta line, he reminds you of whatever he has over you and keep you locked down. Why the fuck you don't see that? You that stupid?”
“Don't talk to me like that.”
“Like what?” he countered. “Like a dummy ‘cause that’s what you acting like.”
Her lips parted as a breathless scoff projected from her mouth. “Wow, so now I’m a dummy to you?”
Noble sat back on the couch with his arms stretched on top of the cushions. “In this moment, yeah, you doing dumb shit for someone who really don't fuck with you like that. If he did, he wouldn’t keep you hostage but this shit ain't my business no more. I wish you the best.”
The tears she tried so hard to keep fell down her freckled cheeks. Noble had dismissed her. The man who had captured her heart gave her walking papers. She didn’t think their discussion would have ended like this. Irish had psyched herself into thinking that Noble would’ve been more patient and allowed her to cruise through this situation without his assistance. But he was done. The look on his face told her their journey had come to a close.
“So, that’s it? Just forget about everything that we built. What about the plans we made? The love we have for one another. How am I supposed to just walk away from that?”
“Why don't you ask Jovanis? I’m sure that nigga will help you through this.”
Noble had officially broken her heart. Or maybe it was Jovanis who had initiated the first crack. Despite that, both men in her life had managed to break her in one single night.
“Why are you doing this right now?” she questioned, clearly frustrated. “I never said I didn’t want to be with you. I want you, Noble, but I can’t just walk away from Jovanis like he hasn’t meant shit to me either.”
Noble shook his head, exhaling a deep breath. “You don't even wanna share with me what he’s holding over your head. How the fuck you expect me to keep faith in you?”
“He’s not holding anything over me.”
Noble hopped up and towered over her. “Lie to me again. I dare you.”
Irish tucked her lips before looking to her right. The menacing side of Noble had surfaced, and she wasn’t going to keep trying him.
“Exactly like I thought,” he spat. “That man got a hold on you, baby. I’m not mad about it but you ain't about to keep leading me on. I’d rather let you go than have you play me.”
“I’m not playing you. I want to be with you.”
“Then prove it. Leave that nigga where he stand and come to me. Can you do that, Pumpkin?”
Ugh, why did he have to call me Pumpkin?
