Page 16 of Juke
***
The moment I stepped into Vault, flashbacks of my first fight with Juke came flooding back. I knew them niggas had that shit rigged some kind of way. I just know they did. I didn’t even bother asking where that nigga Buck was. If he wasn’t downstairs, then I would go find his office. I made my way to the underground set-up, and it was just my luck that he was down there, and so was Juke’s bitch ass.
Buck’s voice cracked through the air before I stepped inside good. “I know you done lost yo’ gah damn mind. The fuck you on?” He snapped when he saw me approach them.
“I came to talk to you ab—”
“?I’on give a fuck what you came for. You’on walk in my shit like you own this muthafucka.”
This nigga was pissing me off, but I kept my cool. “I came to talk to you ’bout the fight.”
“Nigga, you’on have no representation? You out here free balling?” Buck snarled.
Juke let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh.
“I’on need another muthafucka talking for me.” I cut my eyes at Juke. “I can handle my own business,” I stated confidently.
“Oh, shit. Sounds like he’s throwing shots outside the ring,” Buck instigated.
Juke chuckled and finally spoke up. “Those gone be the only shots his pussy ass gets to take.” He stood from the wall. “Hit me up when this nigga can secure my bag.” I watched as he dapped Buck before leaving. His eyes bore into mine the entire time… not blinking. Almost like he was taunting me. The tension sat heavy as he disappeared down the hallway.
“You really wanna die in front of a crowd, huh?” Buck quizzed as he shook his head.
“I’ain worried ’bout that nigga.”
“You should be.” He smirked.
I turned to leave, but not without leaving a message behind.
“Tell ya boy he better hold tight to everything he loves,” I uttered. “This shit don’t stop at the ring.”
“But yo’ life could,” he countered without even looking up.
***
I pulled up to Tina’s around midnight. The lights were on, so I knew she was up waiting for me. I’ve been dealing with Tina off and on for about five years. She wasn’t the only chick I was fucking, but she was the main chick I was fucking. When I walked inside, she was on the couch with her legs tucked underneath her, TV on low, and a big-ass tee sliding off one shoulder. Her eyes went straight to me as soon as I stepped in.
“Cardell…” she called out.
“Wassup, mama?”
She sat up, stretching a little. She searched my face like she was looking to see what was wrong. “Everything okay?”
“Nah.” I sat down next to her.
“What happened?”
I leaned forward, placing my elbows on my knees. “Ain’t shit for you to worry ’bout. Shit, just fucked up my mood.”
“This got to do with Juke and that rematch?”
Silence.
“Cardell…” she said softer, sitting up. “You really gone go through with this fight?”
I looked her dead in her eyes. “This ain’t no fucking exhibition match, Tina. He’s been walking ’round like I don’t exist. Like I ain’t ever meant shit to his bitch ass. Like my name don’t make noise in this city.”
“Y’all need to let this shit go. Neither one of you has shit to prove. Y’all just on some street nigga ego shit,” she fussed.
