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She felt horrible in her thoughts. She closed her eyes and ran her hands over Julez’s body, which was a God’s compared to Slim’s lean figure. She allowed her hands to grace the ripples of his toned arms, his muscular back, his washboard stomach. She could feel herself becoming slightly turned on. He brought himself up and positioned himself over her, ready to penetrate. And as his hardness guided into her, Noelle had to gasp and cry out, forgetting how thick he was.

“
Oh!”

The sound awoke Slim out of his sleep. He knew Noelle’s moans the way he knew Jordin’s. Thinking he was dreaming, he closed his eyes until he heard it again, and his jaw immediately clenched in anger. He sat up and his chest heaved up and down as he listened to Noelle cry out and Julez’s grunts and groans in response. He knew exactly what Julez was feeling, he knew just how much he was loving it, and Slim hated it.

“
Yo, what the fuck,” Slim huffed, his deep voice stirring Jordin out of her sleep. The house was spacious, and their rooms were a distance apart, so Jordin had no idea what was going on. It was like Slim was tuned into something, hearing it because he was listening, while what was occurring in the other rooms were the furthest things from Jordin’s mind.

“
What…what’s wrong?”

Slim didn’t answer and Jordin could see his silhouette in the dark, sitting upright in the bed.

“
Baby, you okay? Wait…where you going?”

“
I’m out yo.”

“
Huh?” This time Jordin was wide awake.

“
I said I’m out. I need some air, I’m going to smoke.”

Something was in the pit of Jordin’s stomach and she couldn’t put her finger on it. Something was troubling her man, and if anyone would know, it would be her. He had been her man for over ten years, since she was fourteen years old, she knew him well.

“
Is everything okay Slim?”

But he didn’t answer her; he only continued dressing in the dark and then made his way out of the bedroom in complete silence. Jordin sat up confused, still listening for an answer, but the only thing that could be heard were the now growing moans of Noelle reaching an orgasm.
Well, at least one of us is all good
, Jordin figured. And then she tried her best to fall back asleep.

The Next Morning

“
Wow, so what got into you?”

“
You,” Noelle flirted, handing Julez a brown paper bag with a grin. She stood on her tippy toes and pecked him on the lips. “Enjoy.”

“
So hold up, you packed my lunch?
You
packed
me
lunch? I must really be that nigga.”

Noelle sucked her teeth and giggled.

“
Don’t get souped O.G., it’s just leftovers from Jordin’s food last night. But I did put it on bread and threw in an apple, so I guess that counts.”

“
Aw, you gonna walk me to my school bus too, mommy?”

Noelle grabbed him by the tie and drew him closer.

“
Only if you’ve been a good boy.”

A sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted the moment and Noelle and Julez turned to find Slim standing there. His eyes were low like he’d been smoking and hadn’t really slept, and his fitted hat was cocked low over his face.

“
What up?” He greeted with a hint of challenge in his voice that only Noelle caught. Julez threw him a head nod and Noelle smiled awkwardly.

“
Hey Slim.” She couldn’t really look at him but she could feel him burning holes through her. She was hoping that he didn’t start no shit. A part of her was glad that he had witnessed their little charade because Noelle always did appreciate making a man a little jealous. But she also knew Slim was a street nigga, like Julez, and she knew that he cared about her. And when a nigga from the streets mixed in their emotions into a situation, they could handle things very passionately. An altercation between her two men was something Noelle never wanted to witness.

“
Aight, I’m out. Remember, we got that company gala shit on Thursday, buy something nice for that.” Julez took a final sip of his orange juice and grabbed his keys off of the counter, his manly frame filling out his designer suit.

“
Okay papi,” Noelle responded. She then realized Slim was right there and she knew he was probably vexed by the sentiment. Julez kissed her on the lips and was out of the door and Noelle was beyond thrilled when Jordin entered the kitchen at the same time, before Slim could bark on her.

She knew he was probably wondering what was up with her and Julez's sudden affection. But besides the fact that Noelle realized that she would have to occasionally cater to her man’s needs to keep him off her tail, and besides the fact that he
had
put his thing down and blessed her last night, to the point that she could say that she was a lucky bitch, getting dicked down lovely by
two
fine ass men, besides all of that, the fact was that he
was
her husband, and she had to secure her position as his wife. She didn’t want Slim to doubt his place in her heart though, because he definitely had one. She finally looked over at him as Jordin leaned into the fridge.

‘
I love you’, Noelle mouthed hoping he would reply with the same. Slim just looked back at her expressionless and when Jordin rose up, he walked over to his woman, kissed her goodbye, told her he loved her, and left. Noelle was devastated.

***

“
Are you sure it’s okay with Julez?”

“
Of course!” Noelle strolled over to Jordin, holding a white, silk beaded Anna Sui dress in her hand and gave her puppy dog eyes. “Please J, you guys
have
to come. Last time, Julez left me all night while he talked to all of these corny clients and I was bored out of my mind. I ended up getting pissy drunk and he had to carry me out.”

Jordin chuckled and Noelle shook her head, reminiscing on the scene. Julez was mad at her for weeks after that. Noelle’s cell phone began to ring and she saw that it was Freckles, McKenzie’s father, calling again. She hit ignore and focused back on Jordin attending the party.

Jordin looked at her skeptically.

“
Well can Julez even bring that many people to the party? I mean, you, me,
and
Slim?”

Noelle shot Jordin the ‘duh’ expression.

“
Hello, blonde moment. It’s his company bitch!”

The saleswoman in Saks turned at the sound of the vibrant and thunderous Noelle and Noelle just shot her a flaccid smile.

“
Racist bitch,” she mumbled. “Look J, you’re coming, plus it’s a part of your celebration. Big party at the Plaza, sit down dinner, fine champagne, nice crowd…maybe you can find some inspiration for your next article from the conversation of the Bourgeoisie,” Noelle mocked in a bad English accent as Jordin chuckled. “And plus you get to wear
that
!”

Noelle stared again at Jordin in the strapless, black satin Chloe gown that fit Jordin’s thick frame like a glove, hugging her curves all the way down to the ground before cascading out into a small pool around her feet. Crystals and small rhinestones decorated the bust area and the dress was breathtaking, looking like it was made for Jordin. Jordin frowned into the mirror, turning from side to side.

“
This dress would look better on you. Look at my arms, and look at my legs. I need to lose some weight.”

“
J, you look good. I don’t have enough titties for that dress, and that dress was made for some curves, okay. You look amazing, you know I wouldn’t lie.” Noelle sure enough wouldn’t, she always told Jordin if something was not made for her body type. Noelle actually felt a tinge of jealousy looking at Jordin and she almost never felt that, only when it came to how close her daughter was to Jordin. But now, Noelle was wondering if Slim would think Jordin looked good.

Jordin shrugged and took a deep breath. She did look better than she felt she had looked in a long time, and she could use the opportunity to celebrate. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been anywhere.

“
Okay, I’m in.” She turned to Noelle with a big smile. “Ooohhhh girl The Plaza, it’s going to be so nice.” She looked at the white beaded dress that Noelle was still holding.

“
Are you getting that?”

Noelle looked Jordin up and down and shook her head.

“
Hell no! I gotta find something to top that!”

Jordin giggled and went to get changed back into her clothes, not knowing just how true Noelle’s words rang.

***

Julez was ending a conference call, feet kicked up on the desk when he felt another presence in his office. He looked up to find Slim standing in his doorway, who just shot him a half nod which Julez returned, his eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion.

“
Yo Mitch, are we done?” He asked into the phone.

“
Yeah Mr. Payne, I believe that’s it. I can have you the paperwork on the property by Friday.”

“
Alright, cool.” Julez disconnected the call, loosed his tie, and motioned for Slim to have a seat.

“
What’s up?” He was wondering what the hell Slim was doing at his office.

Slim swaggered over to the chair opposite Julez and took a seat, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees, hands clasped. His rugged boots and jeans construction look did not fit the corporate scene, but his smooth style wouldn’t let him show any discomfort.

“
Yo Julez, I gotta holla at you about something.” His cool demeanor couldn’t reveal to Julez the direction of the conversation, so Julez only sat up, placing his feet on the floor and gave Slim his full attention.

“
Aight, what’s the deal?”

There was a long pause before Slim spoke. He used his forefinger and thumb to finesse the brim of his fitted hat before he chose his words.

“
You remember that job you used to have? The one, before…all this?”

Julez knew exactly what he was talking about and he nodded.

“
Yeah, yeah…what about it?”

“
Well, I’m thinking about going into that field. I was wondering if you could introduce me…I mean, get me acquainted with…you know…. your old… boss? Maybe be a reference.” The men held steady eye contact, Slim wondering if Julez would be on his bullshit, and Julez wondering if he should in fact plug Slim with his old supplier. That in fact, seemed to be what he was asking for.

Julez stood slowly and made his way over to the door, shutting and locking it before heading back to his desk.

“
But wait, I thought you retired from that shit as well?” He asked, perching himself on the corner of the desk. As far as Julez knew, Slim was supposed to be on his straight and narrow shit since he’d come home. He definitely could understand him wanting to go back though, living in another man’s home with your woman, after you had been used to providing for her
is
a major step down. But Julez wondered if Slim had the mentality to deal with the people that he himself had dealt with, because those dudes were major, and they only dealt with major leaguers. To Julez, Slim didn’t seem to have the capability to grow major in the game. Slim chuckled.

“
Yeah, well let’s just say a nigga ready to play again…I need to eat.” Slim wasn’t sure if it was more about needing to get money and providing for Jordin, them having their own, or about competing with Julez and showing Noelle that he could provide her with the same lifestyle that she was accustomed to. Or maybe it was a mixture. Julez nodded, knowing what he meant. If he were Slim he would do the same thing. But he had to ask…

“
You sure you want my people though? They aint nothing minor, they want steady business, vast amounts, no small change.”

Slim felt insulted.

“
C’mon now playboy, I know what time it is. You know me Julez, you knew me before I got knocked. And had I not gotten myself into that situation, me and you woulda been seeing eye to eye by now.”