Page 51 of Juice

“Are you sure you’re done Nari?” she queried after a bout of silence.

“I am.” I sniffled. “Two years. They’ve been messing around that long. She’s been at shows with him when I wasn’t there. Been aroundeverybody.They all knew ‘bout this girl and nobody thought to tell me.”

“I’m mad that you expected them to.”

Lifting my head up I looked at her. “That’s my family too, Lariah.”

“Okay and. I’m not refuting that they are. However, that’s a family youinherited, they’ve known that nigga longer than they’ve known you.” Lariah grabbed my head and pulled me back down. Stroking my hair, she hummed while I lay there mulling over her words.

After a minute I finally said. “It’s not fair.”

“Nothing about life is. Juice fucked up Nari, but he’s human.”

I tsked. “Sure.”

“He is.” Lariah laughed. “A fucked up one but you knew that he had it in him. This isn’t the first time.”

“He promised he wouldn’t do it again.”

“And the nigga lied.”

“He did more than lie.” I scoffed. “He was in a whole ass relationship with this girl. They went out on dates and shit while I’m at the crib taking care of his kid. He was tricking off on her and shit. Flying her out to be with him. The nigga was really in another relationship.” I chuckled at the thought.

Julius didn’t just cheat he did his biggest one on my ass. Like what we had didn’t even fucking matter to him.

“So again. What happens next?”

“Well… For starters I’mma drop the charges on him. It wasn’t like the nigga whooped my ass like the blogs seem to think. If I drop them then he should get off with a slap on the wrist.”

“Okay we dropping the charges.” Lariah rattled off like she was making a list. “What else?”

“The two of us will coparent. Eventually I’ll move on and find me a new nigga.”

Lariah stopped rubbing my head. “See bitch I was with you until you said that last part. Now you tryna get all of our ass killed.”

“Girl.” I giggled. “Julius don’t do shit but make a bunch of threats.”

“That he is capable of following through on. Are you crazy?” She fussed.

“Can’t no nigga that I’m not with clock my pussy. Julius and I are done. Fuck y’all think I’m supposed to do. Sit around like I’m fucking Amish.”

“Aye them Amish hoes be fucking more than anybody.”

“Exactly!” I boasted. “Eventually I’mma move on.”

“Yo ass better pray when that time come that yo nigga done went through a few anger management courses.”

“That man no longer belongs to me.”

“He doesn’t have to belong to you. Bitch you belong to him.” Lariah chided. “No seriously though. I’m proud of you for choosing yourself. The last time you went back because you were determined to give Juju something neither of you had growing up.

Just because there’s a kid involved doesn’t mean the two of youhaveto be together. Juice knew this was a possibility when he was out tricking off on the next hoe. Let him deal with whatever being separated comes with. In the event that you decide to forgive the nigga and take him back I’ll put a ‘dumb bitch’ sticker on your forehead, but I’ll still have your back.”

“Girl go to fucking hell.” I laughed. “Thank you sissy. I needed this pep talk.”

“I know you did. That’s why I’m here.”

Holding my pinky out I waited for her to wrap hers around mine. “I love you, Lariah.”

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