Page 72 of Juice

Silencing her I specified. “I love you and that shit ain’t gon’ change but you deserve better.” The look of defeat in Nariah’s eyes ate at my soul. I had really broken her down. I knew the healthiest and safest thing to do for everybody involved was to let her walk. As much as the shit hurt me to do, it had to be done.

“I never wanted better. I wantedyouto be better.”

“And that’s something I gotta deal with.”

Letting her go I took a step back and rubbed my sweaty hands down my shorts. “Goodnight Nariah.

She stared at me a few seconds before tipping her head. When she turned to walk off, I couldn’t move. My feet felt like they were cemented to the ground. I stood there and watched until she was no longer in view. It wasn’t until then did I decide to walk away for good.

Rolling over in bed I shielded my eyes from the sun that was blaring through the blinds. As I stretched, I recalled the events of last night that led to the throbbing of my head. My shit felt like it was getting ready to split at any moment.

When I let Nariah go, I was good, or so I thought I was. Until I laid my ass in bed and got in my feelings. Instead of crying like a bitch I drowned my sorrows in that cheap ass tequila that I had our butler to bring. Patting the bed for my phone I slipped it from under the pillow and groaned after noticing that I had sleptthe majority of the fucking day away. Juju was gone be mad at my ass ‘cause I was supposed to go with them to the foam party.

After plugging my phone up I slid out of bed and trekked into the ensuite bathroom to relieve my bladder. Standing at the sink I washed my face and brushed my teeth before turning on the shower. Once I’d shed my shorts I hopped in and stood with my back to the water. Nigga heart was broke. My ass had really lost my fucking peace. And I ain’t have nobody to blame but myself.

The temptation, the pressure, the bullshit... the fucking lifestyle. All of that had singlehandedly played into the demise of my relationship. Ma Dukes had predicted the shit before it even happened. I remember it just like it was yesterday. I hit her up the night Nariah agreed to be my girl. Ma Dukes told me I was getting ready to experience some shit that I’d never experienced before and because of the temptation she felt like I should just be friends with Nariah until I knew for sure that I wanted to be in a relationship.

Her biggest worry was that I was gon’ fuck up and break that girl’s heart. My ass was so sure that I wasn’t. I mean I just fucking knew I wasn’t gone dog her out. Ma Dukes was right on the money when she said I was and was too stubborn to see how it was going to hurt Nariah in the end.

Had I listened and just been her friend her ass would’ve been with another nigga. I would’ve had to play the friend role, and I wasn’t beat for that shit. If I could do it over again, I would’ve still went with my move. The only thing I would’ve changed was not being able to keep my dick in my pants.

If I could go back, I wouldn’t have fucked none of them girls. Hell, I wouldn’t have even let em suck my dick. I lost my girl behind some temporary gratification. Rookie mistake on my part for sure. I never thought I’d lose Nariah. Like not fucking ever and I had. Only thing I could do now was shit… I guess sitback and watch somebody else love her the way she deserved to be loved.

After my long shower I hopped out and put on a pair of Burberry swim trunks. Sliding my shades over my eyes and a hat over my head I left out of the room so I could go find my family and apologize to Juju. Glancing around to make sure I had everything I hit the door and got on the golf cart so I could drive to the main resort.

Tito was the first face I found in the crowd once I made it to the pool area. Ambling over to him I plopped down in the chair beside him and rolled my neck.

“Long night.”

“Something like that.” I mumbled.

“Nari said you was still sleep when they left.”

“Got fucked up last night. Now my shit throbbing and I’m hungry as a bitch.”

“We just ordered lunch. It should be out in a minute.”

“Good. Where Juju at?” I quizzed and looked around.

“Him and Nari in the lazy pool. He been looking for you.”

“I bet.” Dropping my elbow on the table I rubbed my hand over my face. “After last night I’on think Nari want me in her presence.”

“This ain’t got shit to do with either one of y’all. It’s ‘bout Juju.”

“You don’t think I know that.” I hissed lowly.

“Must not.” He sat back and stared out at the pool. “You look like shit.”

“Courtesy of that fucking Jose Cuervo.”

“Cheap ass shit.” He chuckled. “No wonder yo ass got a headache.”

“Right.” I laughed. “I needed something to take the edge off though.”

“Go find Juju. I’ll have them bring some aspirin or some shit. I’ll come find y’all when the food come.”

“Do that.” I tapped my knuckles on the table and stood.

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