Page 19

“You must love me?” I joked. “You don’t never pull up on this side of town.” Rising from the stool I took the few steps and met Ma Dukes in the center of the room. “What you doing over here?” I asked, and wrapped my arms around her, pulling her into a hug.

“Was at your house and noticed you were missing.” She let me know after reciprocating my gesture.

“Yeah.” I sighed. “Nari ain’t fucking with me like that right now.” Tossing my body down in the seat I folded my hands behind my head and gave Ma Dukes my undivided attention.

With raised eyebrows she confirmed. “I heard about Miami.”

“Ma.” Her raising her hand put an immediate halt to what I was ‘bout to say.

“I also heard about what happened the other night between the two of you.”

“Mayne.” I groaned childlike. Nariah had to really be in her feelings if she was confiding in Ma Dukes.

Early on the two of us made a conscious decision to keep our folks out of our business.

We ain’t wanna blur the lines and give nobody any preconceived notions ‘bout each other. So, for my OG to be sitting in front of me giving me that “you know better look” my ass really was in the doghouse.”

“Julius, I done told you plenty of times before if you not ready to step up and be the man Nariah needs and a positive example for Juju then you need to let her go.”

“That’s just it Ma. I am ready.”

“Not ducking out of the hotel while she sleep you ain’t.”

“That was a one-time thing.” I sucked my teeth. “And I was at the studio.”

“Julius, you must’ve forgotten that I gave birth to you. I raised your lil ass. I know when you’re lying before it rolls off your lips.”

“I ain’t lying though Ma.”

“Julius.” She held her hand up again and sighed. “You are. And you know I usually don’t speak on anyones relationship but my own, but at some point, we gotta call a spade a spade. You gon’ fuck around and Nariah gon’ leave you and take Juju with her.”

My heart doubled in speed hearing Ma Dukes say that.

I could stomach Nariah leaving me but what I couldn’t stomach was her taking my seed.

In the beginning everything I did was for Ma Dukes.

That was until Juju came into the picture.

Now it was all for him. I thought signing my record deal was the greatest day of my life, but it wasn’t.

The day Nariah pushed out my son was and would always be the best day of my life.

I loved Nariah more than anything but the love I had for my jit just hit different.

“I can tell from that stupid look on your face that you never even considered what would happen if she left.”

“I mean. I thought ‘bout it.” I admitted. “Taking Juju never crossed my mind though.”

“Well allow me to break it to you. When two people who share a child split up one parent becomes the custodial parent while the other one has to settle for being part time. Now tell me how you think that’s going to affect Jude.”

Sighing dejectedly, I dropped my head. “I’on know.”

“I can tell.” She chuckled. “All I’m saying is whatever you do to Juju’s mother affects him the most. Nariah gon’ leave yo ass.” She snorted and from the way she said it I knew she wholeheartedly believed that shit too. “And we just gon’ have to see Juju whenever she allows us too.”

“Nariah not like that though Ma.”

“A hurt woman is the most vindictive creature ever. You out in these streets playing games like you don’t have everything to lose. Like Nariah needs you. Newsflash Julius, with or without you she’s going to be good. That girl a damn doctor.”

“She don’t practice.” I bleated.

“And she don’t have too.” She stated matter factly. “She still got money. What you think they gon’ stop booking her if y’all split up. Boy please.” She laughed. “Nariah a boss.”

“I ain’t saying allat Ma Dukes. I’m just saying.”

“Nothing.” She quipped. “You ain’t saying shit.” Patting me on the knee Ma Dukes got serious. “Whatever you got going on out there.” She pointed to the door. “Ain’t worth losing what you got at home. I suggest you straighten up and fly right ‘cause if she leaves I’mma help her pack her shit up.”

“Damn.” I groused. “Not you gone turn on ya boy like that. I’m your son.”

“And Juju is my grandson. I gotta stay on her good side if I want to continue having a relationship with him. But above all of that Julius, I’m a woman.

A woman that has given my all to the wrong man.

A man that I put on a pedestal ‘cause I just knew he wouldn’t break my heart.

Not after all of the shit I did for him. And I was wrong.”

Dabbing the corner of her eyes Ma Duke cleared her throat.

“Ain’t nothing worse than loving a man that can’t keep his dick in his pants.

Hurting Nariah is hurting Juju. You can’t separate the two.

Do with that as you may. Just know when she walks—cause she’s going to do it when she finds out.

Know that getting her back the second time around won’t be easy.

” With nothing left to say Ma Dukes stood and smoothed out her skirt.

“I raised you better, Julius. Don’t let me down.

” Placing a kiss in the center of my forehead she turned and exited the room.

The shit Ma Dukes had just said lowkey had my chest on fire.

If Nariah left and took Juju, I honestly don’t know how I would feel.

That shit would hurt the fuck out of me.

Juju was my heart and soul and not being able to see him every day would kill me.

If I didn’t know nothing else, I knew it was officially time to cut Tamia off.

Using the phone they had in the studio I dialed Tamia’s number. When she answered the phone the sound of her voice disgusted me for some reason.

“Who is this?”

“This Juice.”

“Hey baby. What number are you calling me from?” She probed.

“Say Tamia. Whatever we was doing gotta die down.”

“What you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sound like. I can’t fuck with you no more. In any capacity.”

“Oh.” She giggled. “Baby mama must be breathing down your neck. That’s cute but okay Juice. I hear ya talking.”

“Nawl.” I shook my head as if she could see me. “This ain’t me just talking. Dead ass Tamia we done.”

This girl yawned like I was boring her or some shit. That shit ain’t do nothing but piss me off. “You said that the last time, Juice. When she stop bitching, you’ll be back.”

“On my soul I won’t.” I swore before hanging up the phone.

I knew me running into Tamia was unavoidable seeing as though she was an industry bopper but I meant what I said. I couldn’t fuck with her no more. Not if it meant losing my family. I prayed if I saw her out, she would keep it P. If not, I was bound to have a problem on my hands.