“Okay.”
Irish closed the door and put her back against it. Little flutters filled her belly. She wasn’t sure if it was the baby or her blood boiling.
“See, you got her all worried for nothing,” Noble fussed, now fully dressed.
Irish stalked over to him, feeling so betrayed she was on the verge of breaking down.
“The fact that I didn’t know you were still in communication with your ex shows how sneaky you are. How am I supposed to trust you when you go see your ex at her home at night?”
Noble shook his head. “Listen, I went there with good intentions. As soon as shit started getting shaky, I left. Why would I fill you in on that when I know it would upset you? I handled it so let it go.”
“Let it go?” she yelled. “So, can I go get advice from my ex about you? Can I go over his house at night and talk to him about what’s going on in my relationship?”
“You should try it.” Noble snorted. “Let’s see how it play out.”
“You see. You wouldn’t like that but you're expecting me to just swallow your bad behavior and take your word that nothing went down.”
“So, now I’m a liar?”
“You didn’t tell me you were still in contact with your ex. I don't care about her being a therapist and you needing advice. You could’ve texted her.”
A sharp breath flowed from Noble’s nose. “If I would’ve seen her or texted her, you still would’ve been mad.” He shook his head. “It wouldn’t have made a difference but I’ll apologize. I shouldn’t have gone over there.”
Irish glowered at him. The disdain spread throughout her body as she watched him put his shoes on. She felt foolish for thinking he was different. Noble had always been straight up with her but she couldn’t get over him going to his ex-girlfriend’s house last night. What had they done? Did he take one last dip before he came to Irish? Did he fuck her with images of Daniraon his mind? Noble had opened the door for Irish’s mind to roam and when her thoughts raced, it was hard to contain them.
“Jovanis said you would hurt me right before he died. I told him you wouldn’t but damn, he was right.”
Noble paused his movement as Irish gulped. His head turned, peering at her with eyes she’d never seen. Love was always evident in his lenses but this was something different. It was sinister, making her regret the word vomit that passed through her lips.
“Fuck you just say?” he asked, brows fixed in a rumple.
Irish backpedaled toward the dresser as Noble edge toward her.
“Say what you just said,” he commanded.
Irish’s mouth suddenly went dry. Her tongue laid dormant as the words stayed trapped in her throat.
“You said that nigga told you I would hurt you. As if he don't got yo’ ass over here numb as fuck. You talking about the man that manipulated you for years? He got you to marry him and blocked you from experiencing true love. That nigga that was so fucking selfish that he would’ve been good with you dying alone. You talking about that nigga?” he bellowed, prompting her heart to palpitate. “I know you ain't talking about the man who handled something for you just to hold it over your fucking head. The same nigga that stressed you out so bad that you had a miscarriage. We can’t even share news about our baby because you so fucking traumatized about losing your last baby. That’s the nigga who said I would hurt you. Am I hearing that correctly?”
Irish suddenly felt a wave of humiliation cover her. It ran down her body as if she were in a hot shower, scorching her skin and making her wince.
Noble nodded. “Since you feel that way, let’s just end this shit. No need to be with someone you feel is going to hurt you. I’d rather let you go.”
Irish’s heart screamed in agony but she held her composure. Just last night, they’d professed how much they loved each other. They basked in their baby that was set to come in a matter of months. Irish was just wrapped in his strong arms and now this. Despite the condition of her shattered heart, she refused to run after Noble. If this was what he wanted, she would allow it to happen.
“Text me and let me know when your next appointment is.”
He snatched his keys and second phone off the nightstand. Without saying another word, he left the room, taking Irish’s heart with him. Immediately, she slid to the ground and sobbed silently. Happiness was escaping her in this season, and she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to weather the storm.
One week later…
“Irish, what the fuck? I’ve been gone for three weeks and you and Noble done already broke up. What happened?”
Cali peered at the iPad screen, noticing Irish’s defeated expression. Although she was sad, her friend looked good with her ginger silk wrap and freshly done auburn lashes.
“He’s been in contact with his ex. I called his ass out about it when I saw the text on his phone.”
Cali gasped and covered her mouth. “I know Noble not giving it up like that. He’s really fucking with his ex?”
