Page 67 of Juice

“Ain’t nobody tell yo ass to stay out all night without eating.”

“Boy I was at my warehouse I’ll have you know.”

“Warehouse my ass. Atlanta Tea said you was hugged up with Dip.”

“You lying.” I laughed.

“On Ma Dukes I’m not.”

“Oh. We went to lunch yesterday but hugged up was a stretch.” The space Dip wanted to put between us lasted all of a week. I was out at Saks shopping for the trip when I stumbled upon him at Chanel. We actually spotted each other at the same time. I was going to keep it pushing but it was no bad blood and the last thing I wanted him to think was that I felt a way ‘bout him ending things.

We ended up talking and he got some things off his chest which resulted in us agreeing to just be friends. I wasn’t bothered by that at all. Slowly but surely the two of us started hanging out when either of us had a lil free time and since I was getting ready to be gone for a week, he wanted to do lunch the other day.

We met at Lenox and went and had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory and once we were done, he got in his car, and I got in mine. No harm no foul.

“Y’all back kicking it?” Julius probed.

“We’re friends.”

“That’s what’s up. So, buddy didn’t let me run him off.” He smirked.

“Nope he didn’t.” I popped. “In fact, he told me he wasn’t worried ‘bout my bitch ass baby daddy.” I whispered the last part ‘cause we had a little person standing there all in our mouth.

“I’ll beat that nigga ass.” Julius frowned.

Ignoring him I ran my hands through Jude’s wet hair. “Come on Jude let me get you fed.”

“Can you call and order me a drink?”

“I ain’t ordering yo ass shit. Drink ya spit.” Julius fussed and pulled out a chair for him and Jude at the table.

“Chapped ass.” Sitting down across from them I put two slices of pizza on Jude’s plate before sliding over a bottle of water. “Once you finish eating and you give it a few minutes your dad will take you back to the pool.”

“Yes ma’am.”

Julius placed Jude’s iPad in front of him and sat down bedside him. “Did you tell the front desk how many people we were hosting for dinner tomorrow?”

“I did.” Getting up from the table Julius pulled a piece of paper out of his bag. “I meant to give this to you. That lady said call her if this not right.”

Julius and I picked this resort because of all the amenities it had for kids. Tomorrow was Jude’s actual birthday, and we had paid to block off the Turtle Power Dinner so him and the rest of our guest can have an uninterrupted night. I’d even went as far as finding a local baker to make his birthday cake. Julius had spent some serious money for all of this but when it came to Jude nothing was off limits.

Looking over the paper I checked to make sure that the event planner had gotten everything right. With the way life abruptly changed for Jude I wanted to make this year’s party extra special. Honestly it was a little heartbreaking that he had to be in the middle of me and Julius’s shit, but life happened and unfortunately the situation was out of my control.

I would much rather him experience us apart and happy opposed to together and miserable. Checking over the final details I sat the paper down. “Looks good to me.”

“Bet. I ain’t trying to have shit go wrong and you be in your feelings.” Julius chuckled.

“As long and Jude has a good party then I’ll be happy. After all, this was what he’s been asking for so I’m just trying to makesure everything goes off without any hiccups. Ain’t that right Jude?”

“Yes ma’am.” He said, lightweight ignoring my ass.

“You know he ain’t heard shit you just said.”

“I know.” I laughed. “I’ve got somebody coming in the morning to decorate. I’ll have everything set up before he wakes up.”

“I’m sure you will.” Julius chided. “It’s gone be good Nariah. Don’t be over there stressing out ‘bout the shit.”

“I’m not.” I lied. Jude was an apathetic kid. Anytime I asked him what he wanted for his birthday or Christmas he would always tell me he didn’t care. So, when he specifically asked for his birthday to be here, I knew I had to go all out. “He doesn’t require much so I want to make sure he enjoys this.”

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