Noble spoke to more family members as he made his way toward the table where Kaliste, Nuke, and Zayd were.
“You came late like you were the birthday girl,” Kaliste cracked.
“I had shit to do,” he shot back, taking a seat. “The food done?”
Nuke sucked on a bare rib bone. “Yep, and these mufuckin’ ribs is hittin’.”
Noble shook his head, disgusted at the sight before Zayd asked to speak to him. They stepped away from the table to gain privacy from everyone.
“What’s up?”
“Man, you need to check Wilde before I do it. This nigga trying to come in and take over the shit I’m doing for Rio.”
With pinched brows, he asked, “What he do?”
“The nigga went behind my back and told the distributor to reach out to him ‘cause he would be taking over. This man don't never show up but wanna be the boss all the time. I almost went to see about him but figured I’d let you handle him.”
Noble was pissed but didn’t wear it on his face. He thought his talk with Wilde had planted some common sense into him, but he was sadly mistaken.
“I’ll holla at him. Just continue doing what you gotta do. Other than Wilde, is shit running smoothly?”
“Yeah, I got it handled. Just keep that nigga away from me. I don't need his help.”
Bobbing his head, Noble agreed. “I got you.”
They walked back toward the table and took a seat. Noble tried keeping his cool for the sake of the party, but he couldn’t wait until Wilde showed up so he could check him for interfering with Zayd’s role.
“Noble, you really aren’t coming to Bernard’s birthday party?” Kaliste asked.
He scoffed, finding her question to be offensive. “Hell no, I’m not coming to that shit. I don't even know why you acting surprised.”
“Man, fuck that nigga and his birthday,” Zayd snarled.
Kaliste sighed. “Listen, I get it—”
“You don't get shit. Stop expecting people to move on when they were disrespected,” Zayd argued.
“I’m not,” Kaliste rebutted. “It’s just that Mama planned this day and she wants all of her children there.”
“I’m not coming so don't ask me about that shit no more.”
Kaliste looked like she wanted to challenge Noble but knew better. She looked at Nuke, hoping he would add to the conversation.
“Don't look at me. You know these the most stubborn niggas in the world. They ain't changing they mind. Shit, I don't blame them.”
“I’m just saying,” she continued. “I just think there should…”
While Kaliste tried to argue her point on why she thought Noble, Zayd, and Wilde should go to their stepfather’s surprise party, Noble got a text. One side of his mouth curved when he realized it was Irish. Time had passed since their rendezvous at his condo, and Noble couldn’t get her off his mind. The thought of her pussy sucking him in and her conversation, created an even fervent need to see her. They’d texted here and there with him requesting her presence, but she kept blowing him off for some reason.
Irish: Hi.
Noble: Hi? Don't ‘Hi’ me after that performance you put on the other night.
Irish: Lol. Please don't start.
Noble: Nah, you put that pumpkin spice on me and acting like you ain't do shit. From now on, yo’ name is Pumpkin.
Irish: I’m dying at pumpkin spice LMAO. Noble stop playing. That’s not funny.
