Page 6 of His Noble Heart
“I’m good. It looks like you enjoyed your solo vacation. The sun was good to you.”
“Thank you, and yes, I did. I got a few errands I need to run when I leave here, so let me go exchange this computer before the tech office closes.”
“I’ll walk with you, and we can catch up.”
Kenai was an academic counselor, so we were in the same department. I knew he was attracted to me on the first day wemet, but he didn’t shoot his shot until after I’d begun my dating hiatus.
“Umm, okay.”
I headed toward the technology office with him keeping stride next to me.
“What else do you have planned for the summer?” he asked.
“Not a whole lot. Relaxing is my top priority.”
“Does that mean you don’t have a man occupying your time?”
“Seriously, Kenai. Let’s not go down that road.”
Aside from the fact that I didn’t date people I worked with, I wasn’t the least bit attracted to Kenai. He was handsome and nice, but something about him rubbed me the wrong way, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“C’mon, Noelani. It’s summer. We aren’t working. It’s not like you’re busy.”
“It’s not about that. I told you before, I’m taking a break from dating.”
“It’s been months. How long of a break are you taking?”
“I’m not sure.” I stopped when I arrived at the technology office and turned to face him. “Kenai, I’m not a fan of workplace relationships, so even when my break is over, I’m not interested in dating you.”
His eyes twitched as he pressed his lips together. He took a deep breath before responding.
“How do you know if we’ve never dated?”
I sighed because I wasn’t trying to hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry, Kenai. You’re not my type.”
“I’m not sure how a good-looking, fit, educated Black man isn’t your type. You must like thugs with tattoos all over and sagging pants. That honestly shouldn’t surprise me.”
“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Have a nice summer, Noelani.”
He turned and walked away in a huff. I shrugged before entering the technology office to do what I’d come there to do. It didn’t bother me that Kenai was upset with me. At least I didn’t have to worry about him asking me out again.
I was parkeda few houses down from Denzelle’s house. He was a low-level drug dealer who thought he was the shit. I didn’t know when he found time to sell drugs because all I’d ever seen him do was drive around town trying to pick up young girls. I couldn’t believe Ramina fell for his weak ass.
Apparently, Denzelle called Ramina when he got home each night around midnight after taking a shower. It was almost that time now, so I expected to see him pulling up soon. This wasn’t the best neighborhood, so my head was on a swivel as I waited.
Finally, a car turned into his driveway. I watched while he did everything but get out of his car. Finally, the driver’s side door opened. He slowly approached his house, carrying a duffel bagand walking as if he’d been drinking or indulging in some of the shit he sells.
Once he’d been inside for a few minutes, I started my car and drove around to one of the side streets. I grabbed what I needed from my bag and crept into the alley. Since Denzelle’s house was on the corner, I didn’t have to go far.
His backyard was unkempt, so I had to be careful where I stepped. I reached his back door and took out what I needed to pick the lock. Less than a minute later, I slowly opened the door.
I heard the shower running and headed to the bathroom. In one swift motion, I kicked the door down and charged inside. Of course, he was caught off guard, giving me the advantage. Before he could process what was happening, he was wrapped in the plastic shower curtain, getting his ass beat.
“I hate muthafuckas who prey on young girls. Bitches your age won’t fuck with you, so you go after the ones too dumb to know you ain’t shit!”
As I ranted, I punched him repeatedly. I couldn’t see the damage I was doing because of the shower curtain, but when he stopped moving, I stopped punching. I removed the plastic from his face to ensure I hadn’t killed him.
