Page 135 of Heart Of A Goon II

She rubbed my forearms, relaxed in my arms. That was all I wanted for her. To always be relaxed when I was around. When she was out in the world, she could give them hell like she usually did. The moment when we closed those doors and were alone, I needed her to be like this.

“What up, I’m Zoya’s husband.”

Her head snapped. “Now why you on here lying? You are not my husband.”

“Not yet… I will be though.”

“You so sure, huh?”

“Very sure. I just need Zoya to know and understand that.” I kissed her temple. “Wanna know what else I need Zoya to know and understand?”

“What’s that?”

“I need Zoya to know that she is loved. I pray for you always. That your mental health is always good and that you my queen, are good. I need Zoya to know that no matter how difficult she may try to be, I’m never going anywhere. Love can be easy, but it rarely ever is. Love can be hard. Allowing someone in and trusting that they will keep their word after being let down is hard, and I get that, Baby. I need you to know that happiness doesn’t always need an explanation. You don’t need to try and explain this or figure it out. Just let go and let me love you the way I know you want to be loved.” I stared at her through the mirror. “I’m never giving up on you, hear me?”

She wiped away a tear. “You promise, Goo? Even with me having depression?”

I kissed her temple. “Oh shit. I assumed you were bipolar.”

She punched my leg. “Gerald!”

“Seriously, I want to learn more about your depression. What that looks like and how that affects you while carrying our child. I don’t take it lightly, and whatever I need to do to make this easier for you, I’m here, Baby. You got my word that I’m not going anywhere. You are for me and I worked fucking hard to get here with you…. You worked hard to be here. You ever gonna give up on me?” I nuzzled her cheek with my beard and she giggled.

I watched as her eyes raised and we made eye contact through the mirror. “The doctor I saw here said that my antidepressants are safe to take while pregnant, which is a relief. And no, I could never… I’m your lawyer, too, Pumpkin.”

I chuckled as I kissed her.

When my parole officer violated me, it was Boobie who came to visit me. She never spoke on the shit because she didn’t want it to ruin her mean girl reputation she had against me. She was there to visit and answer my calls.

Never did she rush me off the phone or downplay how I was feeling. She listened and that was the most important thing you could do for a nigga that’s locked up. I was able to be real with her, and she was able to be real with me.

She didn’t give up on me.

“It takes a lot to do what you do, Boobie. I never doubt that. I’d never try to take that away from you, either. I want you to know that I’m always going to be right there cheering you on. ‘Cause I’m so fucking proud of you. I never have to be in front, always in the shadows.”

She rubbed my face as I kissed her. “I just want to remain like this forever. Never leave or deal with what’s waiting for us back home.”

I touched her stomach and squeezed her. “Can I ask you to promise me something?”

“Yes.”

“Think of them before you do anything. Baby, I know you be trying to take matters into your own hands but always think of them. I’m never letting you handle anything on your own… you got me.”

“I promise.”

“Good. Now, pack your clothes because we are heading to Jamaica tomorrow morning.”

“Jamaica? You want to go to Jamaica now in the middle of all of this?” Boobie looked at me with her glasses pushed up on her face, while leaning up from me. “I have so much to do with this case and while I have Forty.”

Since she knew she was going to be representing Forty, she had been on that computer and talking to Capri. The both of them with Skyler and Aimee had been working nonstop, talking to Forty.

At any moment, you would hear them talking in legal terms. The shit was sexy to witness her in her element. Witnessing her in court for the Kofi’s trial was one thing, but to witness the preparation of a trial was another thing.

I had heard so many legal terms that I started jotting them down in case she tried to throw some of them at me in an argument.

“It’s important for you to meet my grandparents. I need you to see where I come from, Baby.”

She leaned back. “What if they think I’m a skettle?”