"I heard you, but what do you want me to do? The damage has already been done. If Chosyn asks what happened, tell her nosey ass to mind her business and not to come over here on that rah-rah shit. Wolfe might find that shit attractive, but I'll trip the fuck outta her mean ass."
"Honor, please!" Navy giggled. "See, that's how I know you weren't listening. I'm not worried about Chosyn per se. This spa trip is to celebrate River, and I don't want to take the attention off of her because you decided to suck on me like a fucking Blow Pop."
"Aye, say pause after you say some flagrant shit like that. I don't suck on shit like nothing."
"Grow up." Navy rolled her eyes, then mumbled, "pause."
"What's Four… I mean, River celebrating?"
"Oh, uh… um, a jo?—"
"Finish that lie and those hickies gon' be the least of your worries," I warned, standing to my full height.
"I wasn't going to lie. Things are just iffy with you and?—"
"Navy!" I barked, cutting her off.
"Fine! River and Crown are engaged, and she's pregnant."
"Cool." I nodded, brushing past her as I headed toward the bathroom.
"Cool? That's all you have to say?"
"I'm 'bout to take a shit and shower," I muttered, hoping she'd chill the fuck out.
"Honor, don't play with me. And you better not think about closing that door in my face."
"Navy, I'm not trying to talk to you about this," I groaned, dragging a hand down my face.
"Why? You talk to me about everything at any other time. So why can't we discuss your feelings about this?" she sassed, folding her arms.
"I don't fucking want to!" I snapped, my voice cracking louder than I meant it to.
Her brows shot up, her eyes expanding wide, and I knew right then I'd fucked up.
"Navy." I sighed, reaching out for her.
"Don't fucking touch me, Honor."
"Man, that's my bad. I just—" My voice broke off, and for the first time, I had no words for Navy. I couldn't bring myself to admit that finding out Crown was engaged and having a baby, from her and not him, split my fucking chest open.
"Who is she?" The question slipped out like a ghost. Navy asked it softly, almost fragile, but the ache of her tone fucked me up. "Is it Choyce? You can tell me if?—"
I closed the space between us, silencing her before she had the chance to say more stupid shit. My fingers caught her chin, pinching just enough to force her head up until her eyes locked with mine. Her need to defy me trembled beneath my grip, but so did her love for me… a love that belonged to only me.
"I don't know what's been going on in that pretty head of yours lately but let me dead whatever it is. There is nosheunless we're talking about yourself. You are the only she, her, woman,and Mrs. in my life, Navy. I love you. Maybe I haven't shown it enough. If that's the case, that's my bad, and I'ma fix it. But hear me when I say this: that pussy between your legs is my nutrients, your heart is my fucking life source, and that pretty face of yours is my daily reminder that God still gives a fuck 'bout a nigga like me. No bitch will ever take me away from you. I'll die before I do life without you. I put that on everything."
"I love you too," she cried, leaning her head against my chest.
"Don't cry, just believe what I say and less of what you hear from others 'cause I mean every word. I'll die before I do life without you."
Her lips met mine, and that was all I needed to know she took what I said for truth and not just words to pacify her. With Navy, I felt undeserving. Being without her was the only thing I knew would bury me because loving her wasn't a choice. It was the inhale to my exhale. That's how deep she ran in me.
"Wassup, Gigi. No jokes today?" I asked after walking through the apartment and dropping into a chair at the table. I loved Gigi as if I had popped out of her womb, but there were just some habits I couldn't let die. After witnessing Lucian and his men waltz into my mother's house as if they owned it, I made it my business to conduct a thorough search of any crib I stepped foot in. Most times, it rubbed people the wrong way, and I was forced to show niggas why I didn't give a fuck.
For a moment, Gigi didn't speak. She poured herself a cup of tea, then took a seat across from me. She watched me with her brows drawn close together, as if she were second-guessing whatever was on her mind.
"What's going on, Gigi? You never bite your tongue with me."
