Page 16 of His Noble Heart

“I’m Rowdy. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Rowdy?”

“Yeah, but you can call me Ro.”

“Rowdy is your government name?”

He nodded. “It was my father’s idea, and my mother foolishly went along with it. He’s doing life in prison, so that should tell you the type of nigga he is. I’d rather not talk about him though.”

“Understood. He chose a very unique name for you. I like it.”

“Thank you.”

He continued to hold my hand as we headed to the tow truck.

“Noelani! What is this?” a man shouted angrily behind us.

We stopped and turned around, and I was confused by Kenai’s presence.

“Umm, Kenai, what are you doing here?”

“What’s going on here?” he asked, ignoring my question.

“Umm, two of my tires are flat. He’s towing my car.”

“You’re leaving with him?” I nodded. “Do you know him?”

“Yes. Rowdy, this is Kenai. We work together at the high school.”

“It’s nice to meet you, bruh. We need to get going if you want your car fixed today,” Rowdy said.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kenai.”

“I don’t think you should leave with a virtual stranger. I’ll give you a ride,” Kenai offered.

“No, thank you. I’m good.”

I’d much rather take my chances with this handsome stranger than get in the car with Kenai. Once I was safely inside, I looked in the rearview mirror and Kenai remained in the same spot, glaring in my direction. He didn’t go back to his car until Rowdy pulled away from the shoulder.

“Wassup with you and buddy?” Rowdy asked.

“Tuh! Not a damn thing.” I was low-key offended by his question.

“He wants something to be up. He looked at you like you were his, and I was overstepping.”

“I don’t care how he looked at me. We’ve never dated and never will.”

“Has he ever shot his shot?”

“A couple of times, but I told him he’s not my type.”

“How’d he take it?”

I shrugged. “He had an attitude, but he’ll get over it.”

“You don’t have to take my advice since you don’t know me from Adam, but I suggest you steer clear of him. He wants you bad. I could see it in his eyes.”

“Will do.”