Page 68 of Juice

“He will enjoy anything you do for him. You already know that. He gon’ be good Nariah.” Julius confirmed.

“You right.” I sighed. Forcing my back into the seat I crossed my arms at my stomach. “How’s the new album going?”

“It’s going. The label tryna sway me to switch my sound up. After everything that went down with ya boy they feel like I need more mainstream songs. You know...to make me more marketable.”

“And how do you feel ‘bout that?”

“You know that ain’t even me. I’m a Grady baby through and through all I know is the struggle and how to hustle. Ain’t no way they think I’m ‘bout to be up there rapping ‘bout some shit that don’t have no substance.”

“What Tito and Noble say ‘bout it?”

“To do me.” He shrugged.

“Doing you has landed you where you are right now. So, I would have to agree.”

“Yeah. We gon’ see though. I know my ass been skating on thin ice with all of the unnecessary drama and shit, so I beentrying to do just enough to appease them to keep them off my back.”

“Well...” I drawled. “Juice doesn’t think before he reacts.”

“Juice huh.” He snorted. “I hear ya talking.”

“Just saying.” I held my arms up. “You’re hot headed and don’t think ‘bout the consequences of your actions. Juice moves how he wants to move and doesn’t care how those move affects those around him.”

“I call bullshit.” He snorted. Leaning up he furrowed his brows and stared at me. “Never once have I done some shit and ain’t think ‘bout what the fuck the consequences were. I’m very calculated Nariah and grown enough to know that behind every action lies a reaction.”

“Okay.” I chuckled under my breath. “If you say so.”

“I know so. All I’m saying is when I pressed that nigga Flocco I was fully cognizant of the reaction I was going to receive.”

“Cognizant huh.” I repeated and tongued my cheek. “Where was the cognition when you fucked outside of your relationship.” I gritted before realizing that this wasn’t the time and place for this conversation. Before Julius could respond I stood and pushed my chair back. “You know what—it doesn’t even matter. Let’s just focus on Jude this week and make sure he has the best birthday ever. Our failed relationship issues are just that. No need to rehash anything.”

Walking off I ambled up the stairs to my bedroom. I needed this week to fly by so that Julius and I could go back to existing in two different spaces. My feelings were still raw from what had happened and the last thing either of us needed was for an argument to ruin my baby’s birthday.

______

Sliding my chair back I held my arms out for Jude. Once he was nestled in my lap, I secured my arms around him and rocked side to side.

“That’s why his ass spoiled now.” Tito tittered.

Glancing down at my baby I beamed. “I don’t care how old he gets he’s still my baby.” Placing a kiss on Jude’s temple I focused my attention back on the conversation unfolding at the table. Jude’s fifth birthday dinner had been a success. Not only did my baby get to dine with the Ninja Turtles the resort had also set it up for SpongeBob and Patrick to attend his dinner.

Once everybody finished eating, he took pictures with his favorite characters. Me, Jude, and Julius had taken a few pictures since we were matching and shit. Something that I hadn’t planned at all, the shit kind of just went that way. I didn’t put up much of a fight because my baby was happy. All night he’d kept telling me how much he loved me and how much of a great mommy I was. Which let me know that I’d done my job.

“Wait. What are we doing tomorrow?” I asked Julius.

“I wanna go off the resort to do a little shopping.” Ms. Norma said. “Me and Sariah.” She added, making my mom nod. “

“I’ll send Lox with y’all.” He shared before turning to me. “What ‘bout you? What’s on your agenda?”

“I thought everybody was going to spend the day at the resort.” The resort was throwing a foam party tomorrow and Jude wanted to go to that, so I’d made it my business to invite everybody to spend the day with us. I should’ve known my mama and Ms. Norma would have other plans.

“We can still do that if you want. Ma Dukes n’em can go shopping and link back up with us whenever.”

“It’s up to y’all. The chef is supposed to come in the morning. I’m sure this one.” I glanced down at Jude “will sleep in.”

“Well, we can just play it by ear then.”

“Cool with me. Can you call the car around?”

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