“How?” he barked at him. “How the fuck would you know what’s one-sided or not?”
“Are you so selfish that you don't see how you keep dragging her along with your bullshit? You don't think Irish deserves love? Do you think she wanna be your fucking front for the rest of her life?”
Jovanis was stunned to silence. Noble was tired of this man taking from Irish. Her heart was so pure, but loyalty was her downfall. He played on her devotion for him, and it enraged Noble.
Jovanis chuckled and nodded. “I wonder how the crew would feel about the general fucking on niggas’ wives? What you think?”
Noble despised being threatened. It actually angered him that a man like Jovanis would even try him like this. Noble stepped closer to him, invading his personal space.
“You wanna know the difference between me and you? I’m a man who don't give a fuck about nobody’s opinion. Every decision I make is carefully thought over. I weigh the pros and the cons before I commit to anything. I can take the heat, nigga. I’m built for this shit. But you… you can’t even let niggas know that you like to take dick up your ass.”
Jovanis pushed him back, and Noble caught his neck. He pinned him to the brick building while squeezing his throat.
“You think you gon’ threaten me and I won’t see about your bitch-ass?” Noble growled. “Me and you will never be in the same caliber. You will never see the type of man I am. Stay on the fucking playground and stop playing with me.”
Noble released his throat and watched Jovanis cough uncontrollably. He was disgusted at the sight of him. A man who couldn’t live life out loud could never come for his position. Not in TLM or in Irish’s life.
“You’ll never have her,” Jovanis snarled between coughs. “If it came down to me and you, guess who she’s choosing?”
“Oh, yeah?” Noble’s brows lifted in amusement. “Who you think?”
“Me, nigga. You ain't put in the kind of work I did to get her. I showed up for her when she needed it the most. Protected her from people who meant her no good. You ain't gon’ ever be able to compete against me when it comes to Irish. She’s mine, my guy. So, enjoy the ride ‘cause that shit is coming to an end.”
Noble wished he could’ve brushed off Jovanis’ words but again, he couldn’t. There was something between Irish and him that Noble felt he couldn’t rival. A bond that was rooted in things that would take Noble years to prove himself for. He wanted to contest but knew better. Somehow, Noble didn’t have the confidence to do that at the moment.
“Don't ever question me again, Jovanis. Stay the fuck outta my way if you want to continue living.”
“Fuck you, nigga.”
“Nah, I’m good. This dick was made for women only, specifically Irish.”
Noble chuckled as he walked toward his car. As soon as he got in, he dialed Irish, hoping she stuck to the original plan to be with him. Now that Jovanis was aware of their love affair, he had to make sure they were on one accord.
“I wanna hear every single detail and don't you leave out shit! Tell me the fucking truth.”
Cali sat at the table while her mother, Bria, Enya, and Douglas peered at her. Her father circled the table, hands inside his pockets while a grimace plagued his face. The light was on her, and everyone was ready for her to perform. However, Cali was done playing roles. She wanted to shed the betrayal from herself and start fresh.
Clearing her throat, she confessed, “I cheated on Rio with a man for three years… I had fallen in love and decided to leave Rio for him. Well, when Rio got into the accident, I changed my mind. I felt like he needed me, so I stayed by his side. In the midst of that, I started learning things about Rio that made me realize how down he was for me. Then, when he wokeup, I took that as a sign that he was who I was supposed to be with. I cut things off with ol’ boy but he refused to let go.” She paused for a second. “As Rio got better, the guy I was dealing with confessed to me that he had cut his brake line. I didn’t want to believe it but knew he was telling the truth. You gotta believe me, I would never set Rio up to be killed. I love him too much to see him die.”
Cecilia shook her head, wearing an expression of disdain. “How dare you play with your marriage like that? Do you know what kind of wrath you can send upon yourself for disrespecting your vows? Rio has been a good man to you, Cali. Why would you ever step out on him?”
“Not only did she step out but she put him into a position to be killed,” Douglas added. “No wonder he thinks that you tried to set him up. Look at the fucking mess you’ve made.”
Cali wanted to add that Braye had just pulled a gun out on her but refrained since it would’ve created an even bigger issue.
“We tried to tell her.” Enya popped her lips. “But y’all know Cali wants attention so bad that she’ll do anything to get it.”
Cali cut her eyes at Enya. “Why the fuck are you here?”
“Hey, watch your mouth!” Douglas shouted. “You don't have the right to question anyone right now after all the shit you did.”
“Look, I know Cali messed up,” Bria began, “but we don't need to beat her up right now.”
“Oh please!” Douglas hissed.
Enya scoffed before flicking her hand at Bria. “Exactly. Her cheating ass deserves all the heat because she just ruined her marriage for a man who needs to be in a psych ward.”
Cali wanted to cry but her tears were empty. Crying wouldn’t have soothed the heartbreak shattering her life. She was in a state of doom. Nothing would be the same after this day. Her husband hated her. Braye tried to kill her, and now her family thought she was disgusting. The scarlet letter on her chest would never go away. She was going to go down as St. Parklynn’s dumbest bitch because of how badly she’d fumbled her life.
