“No.” She kicked him away. “I’m not doing much. Why? Are you trying to sneak out and be with your boo thang?”
Angling his head, Jovanis countered, “What I tell you about that shit?”
Tittering, Irish shrugged. “Let’s call him what he is.”
He flicked his hand. “Let’s not do that.”
“How are you holding up?”
He laid down next to Irish, swarming her with his aquatic scent. “I’m trying to stay busy, but I hope my nigga pull through. He don't belong in no fucking hospital.”
“I know… Cali’s distraught. I tried my best to keep her in good spirits but she’s not doing too well.”
“I bet.” Jovanis turned to her, exploring the depths of her eyes. “You doing good?”
“Yeah, why?”
“‘Cause I gotta make sure you okay. I don't want you slippin’ away from me, Irish.”
There were things constantly running a loop on her mind. Like a CD that had been scratched, Irish thoughts were stuck on things she wouldn’t let go of.
“That won’t ever happen.”
Jovanis pulled her body to him, and she rested her head on his chest. Her reverie journeyed back to the past when they would be laid up, talking about their hopes to escape their current nightmares. Back then, their friendship was their only escape.
“You know I love you more than any person in my life.”
She smiled. “Same here, Van.”
“You really my lifeline, Irish. I don't think you understand how many nights your words kept me going.”
She lifted her head and gazed into his orbs. “You provided that for me, too.”
“I’m not scared of anything in this life except losing you.”
Irish’s brows rumpled. “Hey, what’s on your mind?”
Shaking his head, he revealed, “Shit is crazy right now with Rio being in the hospital. Then, watching Cali crumble makes me think about our situation. I know Rio still here but it’s a chance he’s not going to make it. I think about what if I were to lose you. How would I go on with you?”
“Van, don't think like that. I’m here and I’m not going nowhere.”
He glared at her. “You don't know that, Irish. God could give you your walking papers right now. What if a man came and loved you so good that he persuaded you to leave me behind? It’s some shit we don't have control over, and I’m realizing that now.”
Irish caressed the side of his face. The love she held for him was a bottomless abyss. It was endless without a boundary in sight.
“I’m here and I can say that with my chest. We’re locked in for life. There isn’t a circumstance, a man, an act, or a disaster that could rip me away from you.”
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. To be so open with a person was something Irish cherished with her friendship with Jovanis. They could talk about any subject without judgement and still possess the same love they started with.
“I’m holding your red ass to that,” he joked, lightening the mood.
Before she could respond, his phone rang. He answered it while she rolled over and checked her phone. Her eyes widened when she saw what was on the screen.
Noble: You busy?
Irish: Not at the moment. Why?
Noble: Come fuck with me.
