This woman here.

"On the contrary, Mr. Parker. We have not one thing to talk about."

If I were the Tripp I was a few years back, I'd agree. However, somebody still has a loose string attached and I wouldn't have said a word if it weren't for that string.

"Would you rather talk between lawyers or settle this like adults?"

She must've heard me from this distance because she immediately slams that book closed and sat up, looking into water for some answers.

Her face is froze with this discerning look, eyebrows folding towards each other, nose flaring, and straight lips.

"It wasn't that serious, Tripp. You're threatening to take me to court over tripping on your foot? If it's anybody's fault, it's yours."

So, she must not know either. Cam surely knows how to keep things discreet. Either that or she's playing as if she doesn't know what's really going on.

Sighing at her act, I ask Cass for some alone time with her. Journee gives Cass a pleading look, nonverbally asking for her not leave.

"Gladly because y'all need to resolve this. I'll be by the water if things get heavy."

As she walks away, Journee gives a deep sigh and places her hands on her face. I take Cass' spot by Journee and am reminded of how we first met.

Similar scene, just a different state. Arguably more beautiful.

"You wouldn't dare take me to court for a fall. I did nothing to you, Tripp." The shiver in her voice fills me with fault.

That slowly goes away after....

"So, you didn't threaten my wife for just being in Hawaii the same time you are? Which was not planned, by the way."

"Who said I threatened her? I ain't say nothing to her that would kill her but, if I did, you couldn't blame me. She's been up my ass since the first day I met her. You need to check your wife."

"No, you just need to back up off her and check your mans because he's got something against me. I did nothing to him."

"Davin's a man; he does whatever he wants so checking him isn't going to make him chill out. Nothing I say will get him to stop doing what he does. Sorry to tell you that."

"Well, fuck all that. I really came by to talk about Noah. Haven't seen him in the longest. Don't tell me you're that bitter to where you won't even let me see my own child."

I've never seen Journee's face fold up so strong like this. A quick, strong push from her confirms my thoughts about the way she's feeling right now. Her point has been pushed.

"That was your choice, Tripp," she says as she folds her arms and stares me down.

I feel the heat of her anger come off her and it makes me frustrated. It's crazy how somebody can change your mood like that, making you feel the same way they do.

"My choice?! It was my choice for you keep Noah away from me and let Davin claim him? This was all my choice?! Are you playing with-"

"I hope you hear yourself right now."

That stops me in my tracks.

There were moments when I believed that Davin should take my place and that was because Kyra convinced me that Noah wasn't mine; that Journee was vengeful and jealous, lying to me the way Kyra believed. Not to mention, he's used to being around Davin.

After a while, I was fully convinced and wanted to stop thinking about it.

For some reason, the thought of Noah giving another man the 'Dad' title just wouldn't go away. It haunts me to this day.

Basically, I want answers and the only way I can get them is through...

"Journee, I hear myself but I can also hear you. What I said was stupid and I'm sorry for leaving you. It was wrong on all levels and I shouldn't expect any grace even though it would be appreciated."

She turns away from me and looks out at the water with a soft blank face as I continue with my thoughts.

"All I'm saying is Davin can't claim Noah. Fuck whatever we had going between us. What matters is that little boy and if you let Davin have custody, I will-"

"Who the hell said Davin was getting custody?" She asks with a very ugly tone.

"So, you and Davin haven't talked about Noah being his?"

A random burst of laughter comes from the depths of her chest and I'm just sitting there, looking stupid and wondering what's so damn funny. I want to laugh too but I'm confused.

She turns her body to me and says "You're not joking. Oh my goodness. Well, if it makes you feel any better, Noah asks about you all the time. You don't realize how much he sits in front of the tv, waiting for you to pop up. You don't understand how many times he asks about you and when he'll see you."

I'm speechless.

My hands slide over my face as I look away for a minute, remembering how I stressed over this problem for no reason.

That still breaks my heart. My son misses me; he still needs me and thinks about me. I'm just not there for him due to this tension between his mom and me; unnecessary tension ruining my relationship with my child.

I hate that he sees me with somebody else that's not his mom, taking care of another child that's not him, and making an ass of myself on national tv.

"Now, you tell me. Why would I ask somebody, who doesn't even care about Noah, to be his father? Does that make any sense to you?"

We sigh at the same time while looking into each other's eyes again. Her hands are on her hips as she watches me with a blank face again.

"J, I can't begin to tell you how guilty I feel. Over the years, it's been a constant battle between me, myself, and I; forgetting all about my boy. I've wanted to show up for him but..."

"Tripp, that boy needs you. He wants to see you. Like you said, it doesn't matter what we went through. If you cared enough about him, you'd find a way to get yourself up there to see him. Use your brain, Tripp."

Nodding at her sentiments, I say "Alright then, let's start right now. Hand me your phone."

Shockingly, she passes her phone willingly. Once it's in my hands, I study the lock screen and wallpaper. Her and Noah took some family photos together and they look amazing.

Then I get to the wallpaper and my heart sinks a little. There goes that bum ass nigga hugged up on his kid and nowhere close to Journee or Noah. Maybe that's a good thing though.

Anyway, I go in to add my number and a text pops up from Davin. He's letting her know that he won't be back to the suite tonight with no explanation of why.

Could that be why she was crying and she's drinking a lot? Where the hell is he going and what's so important for him to not be with his wife?

Nope. That ain't my business. We're gonna let them solve that themselves.

I pass her phone back to her and watch her read that message in disgust. She locks it, turns around, and throws it back into the wagon as if she's been let down.

She throws herself onto her beach blanket and cracks open a familiar book. Cass comes back around and tells her that she's hitting up the bar.

Journee might push me away and I know it's best to leave right now but....

I don't want to.

"So, I've read that book before. You want a few spoilers?"