Page 32 of Juice

The whole six-minute drive I prayed that Nariah wasn’t too upset. There was a studio around the way I could lie and say I was there. She knew anytime I hit the studio up I zoned out cause I needed to focus. I didn’t turn my phone off, but I never answered it. If it was an emergency and anybody needed to get in contact with me, they would hit one of my niggas up.

I spotted Lucas and Byron standing on the curb as soon as we pulled up. Thanking the driver I hopped out. “Man. Nari ‘bout to nut the fuck up on my ass.”

“I told yo ass to think twice bruh. Now you ‘bout to have her at all our necks.” Lucas fussed.

I wasn’t trying to hear that shit. My only focus was getting to Nariah so I could smooth this shit over and fast. Hopping on the elevator I counted down the seconds until we reached the penthouse suite. As soon as the doors opened my heart started thumping in my muthafucking chest.

I had played some games in the past but the shit I pulled today was downright disrespectful. I knew I should’ve stayed my ass home. If God got me out of this one, I promise I wouldn’t pull no shit like this again. In fact, Tamia was getting cut off. We were too fucking comfortable with the shit we had going on.

“Say Nariah.” I called out once I stepped into the suite. I ain’t hear no response prompting me to check shit out. When I strolled into the bedroom I chuckled under my breath.This girl really got low on my ass.All of Nari’s shit was missing. If I knew my girl like I thought I did, then her ass was on her way back to the crib.

The only thing I could do was damage control. Slipping my phone out of my back pocket I shot off a text message.

Me: My bad Nari I ain’t know you was looking for me. I been at Criteria laying down a verse.

Me: I brought you back some of them chocolate chip cookies you like from there.

Me: I was gone wake you up when I got back.

Me: Wya

Me: Why you not hitting me back?

Me: Nariah??

Me: Aight bet

“Aye Nari say where she was going?” I asked after Tito picked up the phone.

“Nawl, I tried to call her again. She ain’t pick up.”

“Yeah, she went home.” I snorted and ran my hand over the back of my neck. “So, listen, if she ask, I was at Criteria.”

“Nigga I done already told her I ain’t know where the fuck you was.”

“I’m saying all you gotta do is tell her that’s where you found me at. She gone believe you before she believe me.”

“No, what the fuck she gone do is leave yo stupid ass.” Tito paused for a beat before adding. “Juice, y’all almost ten years in. You already know Nariah the one you wanna marry. Why you still playing games?”

“Nigga I’on know.” Tossing my body down in the chair I put the phone on speaker and propped my elbows on my knees. “On God I’m done fucking ‘round with Tamia.”

“I’m not tryna tell you what the fuck to do but Julius you in too deep. Ain’t no bitch out there bad enough for you to be leaving Nari up in the hotel to go fuck off. Fuck was yo head at?”

“Don’t know.” I mumbled somberly. “Clearly wasn’t thinking ‘cause had I, my ass would’ve ignored the fuck out of Tamia.”

“But you didn’t. And now Nari pissed and all them lies yo ass done told to cover up yo shit gone resurface.”

“I’m already knowing.” Closing my eyes I tossed my head back and groaned. If Nariah let my ass off the hook for this shit it was a wrap for me and Tamia. I fucked with her the long way but the only female I had feelings for was Nari. Like I said Tamia was convenient that’s why I fucked off with her but now at the point where I started slipping, I knew I needed to get my shit together.

“I’mma see if I can get you some time at the studio. If you gone use that as a lie might as well make the shit happen.”

“Yeah man. Just let me know.”

“Will do.”

After Tito banged on my ass, I shed my clothes and hopped in the shower. If he was able to get me in the studio I needed to be up on my game. Since Nari had already dipped out on my ass, I was gon’ hit the mall up before we left tomorrow so I wouldn’t show back up to the crib empty handed. Hopefully her ass read my messages and hit me back when she landed.

Sitting in the back of the truck I rehearsed what I was gone say when Nariah got to the crib. Nariah never did respond to my messages, but I got confirmation that she had made it back to the crib when Juju Facetimed me from his room telling me that him and his mama was getting ready to go to Great Wolfe Lodge.

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