Irish’s pinched brows and parted lips displayed how stunned she was by his question. “What would make you think that?”
Noble shook his head, pulling up to an intersection. “I don't know. I feel like something happened between y’all. Maybe when y’all were young.”
“But why?”
“I don't have an answer.” He shrugged, trying to find words. “I understand what he did for you but… sometimes, I feel like your bond was deeper than you let on. I don't know. I could be wrong but it was just a thought.”
“Well, your thoughts are wrong as fuck!” she retorted.
“Aye.” He glanced at her then back at the road. “Why you getting hot with me? We having a conversation, and I was only sharing my thoughts. Ain't no need for your attitude.”
“There’s no need for you to be speculating about me and Jovanis being intimate. I would’ve told you if it happened.”
“Would you, though?” he challenged.
“Wow.” She shook her head. “You’re really trying to piss me off.”
“No, you pissing yourself off getting mad about my speculation. If y’all fucked in the past, I wouldn’t give a fuck because it happened before me. But I’ll keep my thoughts to myself next time since I can’t say shit to you.”
Noble pressed the button on his steering wheel and the sounds of Future’sThrow Awayfilled the car. Irish sat, frustrated with his response and her reaction. Her miscarriage was a sore topic for her. Each time she thought about it, it seemed as though the ill feelings possessed her.
Irish reached over and turned the volume down. “Listen, I didn’t mean to get defensive, Noble.”
He said nothing as he looked forward. Irish rolled her eyes and continued.
“My miscarriage was a big loss back then. I hate talking about it because it takes me back to when Jovanis stressed me out so badly that I know the loss of my pregnancy was because of him.”
Noble looked at her. “What he do to you?”
“He got mad because I had gotten pregnant. It was a reason I didn’t reveal my pregnancy to him during our last conversation. He was always scared of losing me. Me and the guy I was dating didn’t plan to get pregnant but it happened. Jovanis ridiculed me so much and guilted me into my miscarriage. He told me I was irresponsible and maybe I was. Pregnancy had never been a part of our setup, but it happened. I wasn’t mad about it but he was so disappointed.” She made air quotes with her fingers. “Jovanis snatched my happiness away to the point where I bled out. After it was confirmed that I had a miscarriage, he apologized but the damage had already been done… Jovanishad some great qualities to him but he could be unbearable to deal with at times.”
Irish wouldn’t miss that part of Jovanis. His rage always took him to heights that he couldn’t control. His words cut deeper than a machete, igniting wounds that would never heal.
Noble grabbed her hand and kissed it. “You ain't gotta worry about that kinda shit now. You can be happy about this pregnancy. When are you going to tell your people?”
She sighed. The only people she wanted to share the news with was Cali and Ivory. Her mother was finally out of her life and Jovanis was gone.
“When I pass the five-month mark. I just wanna make sure I’m good.”
He nodded. “A’ight, cool.”
Noble continued driving while holding her hand. This was such a bittersweet moment for Irish. While elated about her upcoming bundle of joy, she was grieving a person who had been a big part of her life. She was so conflicted.
“TT, I don't want you to move away.”
Cali looked down at Dallas, who stood next to her while she typed her email. He was so adorable with his little plats in his hair.
“Aww, I don't wanna leave you either.” She stroked his cheek. “But TT gotta work.”
“No, you don't. You can stay here and my mommy and daddy can work for you.”
She chuckled at his three-year old reasoning. “I can’t live off of them. I need money to pay my bills.”
“You can just ask my daddy. He’s rich,” Dallas announced before skipping away.
Cali tittered and resumed typing an email to her new employer. With Irish being so down about Jovanis’ death, she wanted to see if she could push back her start date for employment.
“Girl, what is Dallas talking about?” Bria asked, coming into the room. “He asked me if I can pay your bills.”
