“Yes, I would love to have you.” She circled her middle finger around the rim of her glass.
Yeah, I see that invitation.
“How about you come to my spot?”
Rio didn’t do sleepovers at women’s homes. He was too paranoid to lay his head down without thinking one of themwould set him up. Despite that, he liked Rozalin and loved fucking her even more.
“I can do that.”
“A’ight, cool. Get hydrated ‘cause I’m not taking it easy on you.”
“Oh, you know I love it rough.” She winked.
“Yeah, I know your freak ass do.”
“So, where did he take you?”
Irish stood in front of the full-height window, overlooking the city. Lights dazzled from the cars whizzing through the streets while the blocks of buildings gave St. Parklynn so much depth. It had been a couple days since her trip to Jade Mountain, and Irish wished she was still there. Back in their sanctuary, she could hide from the troubles of her life. Enveloping herself in Noble’s presence was a temporary remedy to take her mind off what was to come. Now she was back in St. Parklynn at Noble’s condo, talking to Cali about everything she’d missed.
“Jade Mountain.” A subtle smile emerged on her lips, thinking about all the excursions and bonding she and Noble had done.
“Ooooh,” Cali teased. “That nigga love you, girl.”
She chuckled, remembering the countless times Noble had allowed that declaration to fall from his lips.
“You seem better,” Irish noted, changing the subject. “I’ve been worried sick about you.”
“Seeming better and feeling better aren’t the same thing… Irish, I hate myself right now.”
The pain in Cali’s voice caused an ache to slice through Irish’s chest. She had never heard Cali sound so defeated.
“You shouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because we’re humans and we make fucked-up decisions. If God doesn’t hate you, then you shouldn’t hate you.”
“No, God definitely don't like me right now. I have no husband, no job, or no place of my own. How is that? A thirty-five-year-old woman don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw the shit out of. I’m really the loser I used to call other girls.”
Irish chuckled. “You have your family and you have me.”
“Yeah, I know… I don't wanna talk about my depressive-ass life right now. What are you going to do about your situation? You have Jovanis and you have Noble. Who do you choose?”
Before, that question left her stumped. Both men held her heart in different ways. They both were much-needed vessels, but she couldn’t have them both. Jovanis and Noble had made that very clear.
“I love Jovanis,” she said with a sigh. “The amount of love I have for him is endless but… I’m in love with Noble. I’ve never felt this way about any man in my life. I can’t explain it.”
“You don't need to. I know the exact feeling you're talking about. I felt it after Rio’s accident. It’s this love that feels so good. Like you wanna just wrap yourself up and live in the shit.”
“Yes, exactly like that.” Irish was relieved someone comprehended where her heart stood with Noble. “I was scared that our love was a façade, ya know. Like was it just the thrill ofdoing something behind Jovanis’ back or did we really fall for each other? When we separated, I felt like I would die. I couldn’t do anything because life didn’t feel right without him in it.”
“I know the feeling.”
Irish paused for a second. “Cali, if you and Rio shared this magical, mystical love, I feel like you two will find your way back to each other.”
She snorted. “Irish, I had to be real with myself. Ain't no coming back from what I did. It took a while for me to accept it, but Rio will never look at me the same. He will never touch me, and he will never love me again.”
“You don't know that.” The optimist in Irish had to think positively even if the odds were against Cali.
