Page 36

Story: Juice

“I’m not leaving my friend Julius.”
“You don’t even fuck with that girl like that.” He chided.
Jabbing him in the stomach I turned my face up. “Yes, I do.”
After I quit Stax, Shunta and I kept in touch. Her dreams ended up coming true when she snagged a football player. The two of them had two kids before calling it quits with their relationship. Much like me Shunta had gained a big following on social media which resulted in her getting booking gigs and shit.
Outside of doing this she didn’t work. Her baby daddy paid all of her bills and stayed out of her way. They had an odd arrangement, but it worked for them. We weren’t the best of friends, but she and I hung out from time to time.
“If you say so, Nariah.” Julius glanced around the section before focusing back on me. “You ready to go?”
“Nope.”
“Aight then. Well, I’mma sit here until you are.” He winked and sat down next to Lox. Leaning over Julius held his hand out. “Preciate the heads up my nigga.”
“You know I got you.” Lox quipped and dapped Julius up.
I really wasn’t ready to leave since I was having fun kicking it with Shunta so since Julius had bombarded his way into the section he was gone sit there until I got tired. Sauntering over to Shunta I leaned against the railing. “Guess we partying with my baby daddy tonight.”
“I’on know why you thought he was going to leave.”
“Girl cause...” I sighed. Turning around I looked out at the crowd. Opium was packed the fuck out. I had hosted here a few times, so I already knew what the vibes was going to be. Unless I was hosting or rolling with Julius it was rare that I frequented clubs, so I was really looking forward to letting my hair down.
Tucking my hair behind my ear Shunta said, “I won’t be mad if you left.”
“I don’t wanna leave.”
“You also not ‘bout to enjoy yoself with Juice hovering. Nigga be cock-blocking without even saying shit.”
Looking over my shoulder at him I rolled my eyes. “You got your backend?”
“Bitch I got that when I walked through the door.” She laughed.
“I know that’s fucking right.” I drawled. Sighing dejectedly, I groaned. “I’mma leave.”
“I knew you would. It’s cool Nari.”
“We can do lunch one day this week. Go shopping or something.”
“I’mma hold yo ass to that shit too. You always make plans just to turn around and cancel them.”
“Guilty.” I held my hand up. “But I promise I won’t this time. Jude going to Maryland with my mama and grandma so I ain’t got nothing but time.”
“Hit me up.”
Wrapping my arm around her shoulder I hugged her. “I will.”
After saying my goodbyes, I ambled over to Julius and conceded. “We can go.”
“You sure?” He asked and eyed me.
“Yeah.”
“Bet.” Rising from the couch Julius looped his fingers through mine. “Let’s be out then.”
We left out of the section and made our way through the crowd with Lox leading the way. When we made it to the parking lot, I didn’t see Julius’s car, so I assumed he had someone drop him off. The two of us ended up in the back seat of my black truck while Lox occupied the front passenger seat.
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