As the buzzer sounded for us to begin, the balls began to fly. Now granted, I love playing arcade games, and this shit is right up my alley, but I didn’t have an athletic bone in my body. I wasbricking everything that slipped through my fingers. Glancing over at Skip, I was pissed that he had so many more points than me.
“Keep your eyes on your own lane, homegirl.” He laughed as he shot another three. “The bricks you’re throwing up ain’t the ones I’m used to.”
Pissed, I said to hell with the game and went to find a different one. Hearing him laugh behind me, I squealed once he hauled me in the air.
“You’re a sore-ass loser,” he said as he placed me on my feet near the bar. “Let’s get something to eat. I got all night to tap that ass.”
Taking our seats in a booth, we ordered food and drinks and got lost in each other’s company. Jordan was a little rough around the edges, but he was nice to be around once he opened up. Seeing the girls stop and stare, I understood where they were coming from. A fine nigga that’s paid and loves to have fun? Sign me up. Little did they know, this nigga was only in this type of facility because of me.
“Noemi? I thought that was you.”
Peering over my shoulder, I locked eyes with Chandler Gourneau. His family has done a lot of business with mine over the years, but lately, there has been nothing but tension. He was handsome, though, but he was a dick. This man felt as if he was God’s gift to women, and I couldn’t stand him.
“Hello,” I spoke dryly. “Hope all is well.”
“Things are definitely better now. You look good.” He smirked, causing the girl next to him to scoff. He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth before dragging his eyes over to Jordan. Extending his hand, his smile grew wider. “You must be?—”
“You don’t know me, nigga.” Jordan spat over his shoulder. He didn’t even bother looking at him or elaborating. Thedisrespect rubbed Chandler the wrong way, and I could tell by the twitching of his jaw, he wanted to react. Dropping his hand slowly, he turned his attention back to me.
“Well… I will let you get back to ‘whatever’ this is.” He chuckled and gestured between us as his date said nothing and looped her arm in his. “Tell your brothers I said, ‘hello.’”
Angling my head, I said nothing as he moved slowly and walked off. I watched until they disappeared into the crowd before turning back to Jordan, who was still watching the game on the screen.
“I’m sorry about that,” I apologized genuinely as I grabbed my phone and keys. “We can leave if you want.”
“Man, sit down and finish your food.” He threw a fry into his mouth as he pointed at my uneaten burger. “I still owe you plenty of ass-whoopings, and that nigga ain’t gettin’ you out of it.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Just know… I’m not above showing my ass in here. I don’t care who that nigga is.”
Sliding back into my seat, Jordan and I continued our night as if nothing had happened. As promised, he beat my ass in every single game we played. Thankfully, Chandler didn’t resurface anymore that night because I knew it wouldn’t end well if he did. I wondered what he was doing in town because I wasn’t notified of him being in Florida. Rosier usually lets me know when they have meetings for security purposes, so his pop-up was truly a shocker.
Brushing it off, I let it go. Chandler wasn’t my concern, and his being here wasn’t either. All I wanted to do was enjoy my night out with Jordan and have a good time. As he grabbed my wrist and dragged me from game to game, I knew he and I were doing just that.
“Sorry, I’m late! I had to finish up a few things for work,” I stated, apologizing to my family as I entered the private room at the steakhouse. Today, we decided to have a family dinner, and I was the last one to arrive. Kissing my mother on the cheek, I did the same for my brothers and cousin. Taking my seat at the table, I sanitized my hands before grabbing a roll. “Where are the girls?”
“This one is a more private dinner,” Rosier said as he sipped his drink and eyed me over the rim of his glass. “This dinner is more so about you.”
Confused, I glanced around the table at my family. While Jules’ and Dre’s expressions gave nothing away, my mother wore a look of sympathy. Reaching across the table, she gripped my hand as the waitress brought out platters of food. The appetite I had when I first arrived began to dissipate.
“Noemi. You know that being in this family means certain actions may be required of you,” Rosier began once the doors slid back shut. “There will be times we all may have to do things we don’t like, but?—”
“Just tell me,” I cut him off as my heart thudded in my chest, and I could feel the sweat forming above my brow. “What is this about?”
Leaning forward on the table, I could see the seriousness in my brother’s eyes. Before me wasn’t my big brother, but the head of the Boudreaux Mafia.
“As you know… there were some things that needed to be realigned when our father died. Some people didn’t like the takeover, and unfortunately, they’re not here to speak for themselves.” He sighed heavily, scratching the scruff on hisface. “I love you, Mimi. You know that, but this is for the Family. The Gourneau’s have been wanting retaliation for the death of their leader. The only way to mend the bridge between the two families is marriage.”
Right on cue, the sounds of the guests in the main dining hall invaded the room as the doors opened, and Chandler Gourneau walked in. Dressed in Armani, the grin on his face caused my stomach to churn. I watched as he rounded the table and shook hands with my brothers and cousin before kissing my mother’s hand.
“Nice to see you, Mrs. Boudreaux.” He smiled as he bowed his head slightly. “It’s an honor.”
“Same,” is all she said as she dragged her eyes over to me. “Have a seat, son. We need to speak.”
Nodding, he made his way to the side I was on and stared. Extending his hand, I looked from it to my brother as tears began to flow slowly down my face. Shakily, I said nothing as I placed mine in his.
“We meet again…” He grinned as he kissed the back of my hand before taking a seat beside me. “I told you that you’d be seeing me soon.” He reached over me and grabbed a shrimp from my plate. “I hope nothing was too serious between you and your little date.”
“Look… I know that no one is happy about this, but let’s be respectful,” Dre spoke up and eyed Chandler. Although Rosier was head of our family and his word was law, all of his choices were discussed with Dre. “Noemi, we know that this may come as a shock to you, but this arrangement is not at all uncommon. Jules will ensure you have everything you need monetarily as his wife. He’s going to make sure the legal logistics are handled in your favor. You can continue to stay on the compound should you wish?—”
“No!” I wiped my tears as I finally spoke up. “He will not be living on the compound with me.”
