Page 11 of Juice

“Good…better than I thought. They decided on my first single.”

“Is that right?”

“Ummhmm.”

“Well, when they gone drop it?”

“Soon. And as soon as those streaming checks start pouring in I’mma buy you a house.” With the money the label had already given me I could buy her a house, but Ma Dukes told me I should wait until the money was pouring in consistently. I understand her reasoning so I ain’t fight her ‘bout it. “Where you wanna stay?” I asked and took a sip out of my water.

“I don’t wanna be too far from the city.”

“Come on Ma.” I groaned. “I’m tryna move you out the hood.”

“And I’m okay with that. But I still don’t want to be too far out. Douglasville got some nice houses out there.”

“Douglasville huh. I’ll have Tito start looking so we can narrow down some areas.”

“Good. Now Julius.” I knew she was getting ready to be all motherly just by her calling me by my first name. “You ‘bout to start making some different kind of money now. You know I let you do your thing and keep my opinions to myself. But with this type of money and fame it’s easy to get caught up.

You talking about moving me out of the hood, but you need to be getting up out of there yourself. Them boys out there know you’re about to start getting paid and will come after you. You got to watch them and the ones you hang with. The same homeboy that you’ll break your neck for will be the same one walking around with hate in his heart ‘cause he ain’t you.

Them streets don’t love you baby boy. Get you a new spot out there where them white folks don’t play games and don’t let too many know where you at. Keep them green niggas out of your face and them groupies out yo pockets.”

“Ain’t no females checking for me Ma Dukes. At least not the one I’m tryna get with. And you know yo baby boy stay strapped and keep his head on a swivel.”

“And just like I know—so do they. Don’t get comfortable is all I’m saying.”

Ma Dukes was spilling some real shit. I knew plenty of niggas who got killed by one of the niggas they ran with. It’s the reason I minimized my circle when my music started to pop off.

The only niggas that could get anything out of me was Tito, Lucas, and Byron, the three of them were the only ones I fucked with like that. I could lightweight kick it with a nigga and notfuck with him too tough. I still planned on taking heed to her warning though.

“You know what Ma Dukes, you right. I’mma make sure I watch my back.”

“That’s all I’m asking for. You my only child I want you to bury me and not the other way around.”

“I hear ya. Now let’s order so I can get you back to the crib and myself back to the studio.”

“Okay.” She smiled.

As soon as I entered the packed club, I spotted my target standing in the middle of a section with her arms folded across her chest and her head tilted to the side. Her stance was reminiscent to the one she gave me when I tried to push up on her. It looked like the nigga she was standing over was spitting game and good thing she ain’t look interested cause I was gone show my ass.

“Why I gotta chase you around town just to see that smile on your face.”

“What the fuck?” She shrieked and turned around. When she realized it was me who just whispered in her hear her tense face relaxed. “Not you again.”

“Yeah, me again. What’s up wifey.” I smirked and stood with my feet shoulder width apart. “I thought you was coming to the studio with your girl.”

“I never said I was coming.”

“That ain’t what she said.”

“Well, she lied.” She shrugged and turned back to her customer. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”

Grabbing her by the elbow I stopped her before she could walk off. “Put me up in your section.”

She stared at me a few seconds like she was thinking about it before pushing out. “Mine are all booked.”

“Well tell that fat nigga to make room for me.”

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