Page 9 of Juice

“You never know. It just might.”

“It won’t.” She chided. “If you do me this one solid, I promise I won’t ask for anything else.”

“Ugh.” I groaned. “What day you trying to go?”

“It don’t matter. Tito said we can pull up whenever.”

Halfway giving in to her begging I told her. “I’ll look at my schedule and let you know when.”

“You being for real or just saying that so I will leave you alone.”

“I’m being for real. I need to see what assignments I got coming up this week before I tell you what day.”

“Well, we’re both off on Wednesday so...”

“How you know when I’m off?”

“Bitch, cause I’m nosey.” She laughed and plopped down beside me. Bumping me with her shoulder she batted her eyes. “I can tell him we gone swing through then.”

“Girl okay. I’ll go but I’m definitely driving my own shit. You not ‘bout to get me there and dip off on me for some dick.”

Placing her hand over her heart she feigned hurt. “I wouldn’t dare.”

“I don’t know. You just might.”

Before Shunta could offer a rebuttal, the door swung open and in stepped Chucky funky ass. “Nariah, ain’t you on the clock.”

“Ummhmm.”

“Then get on the floor.” He barked before slamming the door.

I looked at Shunta. “Who the fuck pissed him off?”

“Honestly, it’s no telling with him. But you better get out there before he comes back.”

“I’m going.” Getting up from the bench I pulled my shorts out of my ass and checked myself out in the mirror. After making sure my edges were slicked back I put on my apron and left the back room.

Locating Chucky’s assistant standing in front of the bar I trekked over to her so she could let me know what sections I had. Once I had what I needed I sauntered off to introduce myself to my first table. As soon as I got them squared away, I was going to slip off so I could check on my sister. I had to make sure I was out on time because I didn’t want her sitting at the mall longer than she had too.

juice

. . .

Tappingon the soundboard I told Trell, the engineer. “Run that back for me.”

Closing my eyes I listened to the music and tried to catch a vibe. Earlier this week I’d linked with Noble and did my thing over the beat he had given me. Majik hit me up saying he wanted me to lay down a verse on my label mate Sahdiah song she was working on. So, I showed up early enough to be able to do my part before my session later on with Noble.

Not gone lie I felt honored like hell to even be given that opportunity. Sahdiah had been signed to the label for a lil minute and was working on her fourth album. The song he wanted me to hop on was about a girl chasing a past love.

“Right there.” I told Trell. “Go back to that run and let me hear it again.” The track stopped and started a second or two before Sahdiah’s sultry voice hit one of those old school runs. “That shit sounds good as hell.”

“Sahdiah got a voice like no other.” Trell praised.

“Hell yeah.” I agreed. After having him start that section over a few more times I hopped in the booth and did my thing.

Sahdiah was singing about her past while I rapped about my future. Since that night at Stax, Nariah had been on my mind heavy. There was something tantalizing about her that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

I was trying so hard not to watch her ass when she walked off but the way her hips swayed, I couldn’t peel my eyes from her. Me being lost for words or even checking for a female was a rarity, so that right there let me know lil mama was something special.

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