Chapter Sixteen

October 30, 2024

Jacob sat on the worn couch in his living room, the late afternoon sunlight filtering through the half-drawn curtains. He absently picked at a loose thread on the upholstery, his mind wandering as he listened to his cousin Zilla recount the events of the previous night's Halloween party.

The room was filled with the scent of leftover pizza and the faint echo of laughter from outside, where kids were trick-or-treating.

"Kayla said Reeva almost snatched some girl's face off," Zilla said, leaning forward, his eyes wide with excitement. "You know, for talking bad about you and the kids. Kayla had to stop her, man! Kayla thought she was gonna go for it."

Jacob felt his heart rate spike at Zilla's words. Reeva? Almost fighting someone over him? The idea both warmed and troubled him. "Wait, what?" Jacob's voice was incredulous, and he sat up straighter, trying to process the implications of Zilla's revelation. "When did this happen?"

Zilla shrugged. "During the party, they went to last night, I guess. Kayla saw the whole thing. She said Reeva was ready to throw down, and Kayla had to grab her before anything happened. She was worried that girl was gonna sue her if it got physical."

Jacob's stomach twisted into knots. The image of Reeva nearly engaging in a fight over him unsettled him. "That doesn't sound like her," he muttered, though he felt the tension in his chest tightening. When he'd spoken to Reeva that morning, she hadn't mentioned anything about a confrontation. "Why wouldn't she tell me?"

"Looks like Reeva ain't playing about you, uce," Lance chimed in, leaning against the wall with an amused grin. Jacob appreciated Lance's light-hearted take, but it only made his frustration grow.

"Man, she didn't say a word when I asked her how the party was last night. You'd think she would mention something like that," Jacob replied, shaking his head.

It felt like a betrayal of sorts; why wouldn't Reeva confide in him?

"Probably didn't want you to worry," Zilla interjected, his tone shifting to something more serious. "She knows how you get. You care too much, and she didn't want you stressing over some girl's dumb comments."

"I don't care," Jacob snapped, the irritation bubbling over. "She should have told me. I don't need her out here fighting over what people think about me."

"Jacob, you can't control how she chooses to react to a situation," Lance said, trying to keep the mood light.

But Jacob could feel the weight of the conversation pulling him down. Reeva's loyalty and willingness to defend him were touching, but the thought of her getting into trouble—or worse, hurting someone—over it made him uneasy.

"Still..." Jacob started, but Zilla cut him off, his voice firm.

"Kayla already told me that Reeva feels bad about almost fighting last night," Zilla said, a note of warning creeping into his tone. "Don't go back to her and make her feel worse about it. She didn't mean for it to go that far."

Jacob sighed, the fight leaving his body. "I won't," he said, though the uncertainty lingered.

He appreciated Reeva's fierce loyalty, but he wished she could find other ways to express it. Jacob didn't want her to get hurt because of him.

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Jacob found it difficult to shake the image of Reeva in his mind. The thought of her ready to defend his honor felt noble, yet he was also aware of how reckless it could be. He admired her spirit but wished she could see that not every battle was worth fighting, especially not for his sake.

Later that evening, Jacob decided he needed to talk to Reeva. The unease gnawed at him, and he didn't want to leave things unresolved.

He grabbed his phone and sent her a quick message: "Hey, can we talk? Just want to check in." It felt necessary, but he also worried about her reaction. Would she brush it off, or would she feel cornered by his concern?

Minutes later, his phone buzzed with a reply. "Sure, what's up?"

He took a deep breath and thought about how to approach the topic. He didn't want to come off as accusatory or make her feel guilty. Just as he was drafting his response, his phone buzzed again. "You heard from Zilla about the party?"

"Yeah, I heard some things. Wanted to see how you were feeling about it all," he typed back, careful with his words.

"Honestly? I'm embarrassed. I didn't mean for things to get out of hand," she replied.

Jacob felt a pang of empathy. "You don't have to be embarrassed. It's good to stand up for yourself and me, but I just don't want you in trouble over it. People can say what they want."

"But it's not right," she shot back. "I hate when people talk like that about you and the kids. You don't deserve it."

Her passion resonated deeply with him. "I appreciate that, Reeva. I do. But fighting won't change their opinions. It could just make things worse."

A long pause followed, and Jacob could almost see her thinking and processing. "I know. I just... I hate feeling powerless. I wanted to protect you."

Jacob felt a swell of warmth at her words. "You do protect me, just by being there. You don't have to fight for my honor. I can handle it."

"Maybe," she replied slowly. "But I can't help it. I want to defend the people I care about."

"Then let's find other ways to handle it together. I'm not asking you to stop caring," he typed back, hoping to reassure her.

"Okay, I'll try," she said. "Just know that I'm always in your corner. Always."

Jacob smiled at her determination. "I know, and that means everything to me. Just promise me you'll think twice before throwing punches."

"Promise," she replied.

As they wrapped up their conversation, Jacob felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Reeva's fiery spirit was part of what drew him to her, but her willingness to listen and adapt was what truly made her special.

reeva ✓ 1h

Reeva strolled through the bustling shopping district, the air buzzing with excitement as she met up with her friends Kayla and Normani for a long-awaited shopping spree.

The trio had chosen a chic little boutique that featured Chanel pieces, a perfect backdrop for their day filled with laughter and the latest fashion trends.

As they browsed through the racks of luxurious clothing, Normani glanced up from a stunning dress and fixed her gaze on Reeva, her expression shifting to one of mock seriousness. "Girl, what's this I hear? You're dating a wrestler with seven kids?"

Reeva sighed, feeling the weight of Normani's words. "His name is Jacob, and yes, he works for WWE. But this is a new relationship, and we're taking it slow," she replied, her voice steady despite the flurry of thoughts swirling in her mind.

"New and slow, but you were ready to fight about him at the Halloween party," Normani pointed out, her brow raised in playful accusation.

"True," Reeva admitted, a sheepish smile creeping onto her lips. "But that was mostly just... passion, you know? It's complicated."

Kayla chimed in, her tone gentle but firm. "They're in love, but Reeva is scared. Jacob has seven kids to think about. They can't rush into anything like they want to."

Normani nodded thoughtfully. "I'm not judging you. I know how bad your last relationship was, and seeing you light up like this again tells me he must be good to you. I need to meet him," she said, her sincerity warming Reeva's heart.

Reeva smiled back, grateful for Normani's support. In an industry filled with superficial connections, Normani was one of the few genuine friends she had, and that made the prospect of introducing Jacob to her feel a little less daunting. "I can set something up," Reeva said, her mind already racing with ideas.

"No, Cici already planned a triple date," Normani said, cutting her off.

Reeva raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Ciara wants us to go on a triple date?"

"Yup! She wants to meet Jacob and see if he's the man for you because, you know, she prayed for you," Normani replied with a teasing grin.

Kayla chuckled, the sound infectious. "Not Cici used the prayer for Reeva," she said, shaking her head as if the idea were outrageous.

Reeva felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach. Ciara was not only a friend; she was a mentor and a big sister figure in the industry. The thought of her approval weighed heavily on Reeva's mind. "You think she'll like Jacob?" Reeva asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"If you like him, then I'm sure she will," Normani reassured her. "Cici isn't one to hate anyone."

"Yeah, she's all about love and positivity," Kayla added, her eyes sparkling with encouragement.

Reeva nodded, trying to calm the nervous energy surging through her. "Now I have to tell Jacob that we're going on a triple date," she said, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"Good luck!" Kayla said, a teasing lilt in her voice as she elbowed Reeva playfully.

Reeva left the boutique feeling lighter, buoyed by her friends' support. As she walked to her car, the cool breeze brushed against her skin, a stark contrast to the warmth blooming in her chest. She pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over Jacob's contact. The thought of him made her smile, a genuine, warm smile that chased away the lingering doubts.

She called Jacob, her heart racing as she waited for him to pick up. When he did, his voice was deep and comforting, and Reeva felt an instant sense of calm wash over her. "Hey, beautiful," he said, his tone playful.

"Hey! I have news," she began, feeling the excitement bubble up inside her.

"Oh? What is it?" he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.

"We're going on a triple date with Ciara and Normani," she said, gauging his reaction.

There was a pause on the line, and Reeva could almost picture Jacob's brow furrowing in thought. "A triple date? Like, with Normani and Ciara? That's big, right?"

"Yeah, it is. They want to meet you because they think you're the man for me," Reeva said, trying to keep her tone light even as anxiety crept back in.

"I'm down for that! I'd love to meet them. When is it?" Jacob replied, his enthusiasm contagious.

"It's this weekend," Reeva said, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease. "I'm just nervous. I want them to like you."

"Hey, I'll just be myself. That's all I can do," Jacob reassured her.

Reeva felt a smile tugging at her lips. "You're right. You'll charm them just like you charm me."

"Now you're just buttering me up," he teased, making her laugh.

As they chatted, Reeva found herself more at ease. Jacob was genuinely excited about the date, and it made her heart swell. She could envision him with her friends, fitting right in and bringing his unique energy to the mix.

After their conversation, Reeva hung up feeling lighter.
Reeva couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe this was the beginning of something special with Jacob, a relationship built on trust and the excitement of getting to know each other more deeply.

Reeva thought about Jacob's kids. It wasn't just a relationship with him; it was an intertwining of lives, one that included a whole new family dynamic. The weight of that reality settled heavily on her. Would she be a good stepmom? Would the kids accept her?

"Hey, you good?" Kayla's voice broke her thoughts, and Reeva looked up to see her friend at her car window, a concerned expression on her face.

"Yeah, just thinking about everything," Reeva admitted.

"About the date?" Kayla asked.

"Yeah, Jacob and the kids. It's a lot, you know?" Reeva sighed.

Kayla nodded knowingly. "It is. But remember, you're not in this alone. You can take your time to figure it all out."

Reeva appreciated the support. "I just want to make sure I'm doing it right."

"You will. Just be yourself, and don't overthink it. Jacob likes you for who you are," Kayla encouraged.

Reeva took a deep breath, letting Kayla's words wash over her. "Thanks, Kayla. I needed that."

"So, how are you feeling about him?" Kayla asked, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

"I like him. He makes me feel safe and happy. I think this could be something special," Reeva replied, her heart fluttering at the admission.

"Then go for it! Just keep being honest with each other," Kayla said, her encouragement buoying Reeva's spirits.