Page 27 of Juke
“I was bored,” she countered.
We ate in silence until she asked how my day was. I told her about the new kid, and how Deion swore the boy would be the one to finally beat my ass. She laughed, but it didn’t last long because my next statement caused her to pause mid-bite.
“Rio’s parole was granted.”
She froze.
“Wh?what?” she stammered.
“He got out a few days ago. I didn’t wanna tell you over the phone.”
Her whole body locked up. She set her fork down like it suddenly weighed too much.
“He’s… he’s out?”
“Yeah.” I moved toward her, slow. “He ain’t getting nowhere near you, though. I put that on his life.”
Her breathing hitched, causing me to bring her body closer to mine.
“I mean that shit,” I uttered. “If he comes anywhere near you, my face will be the last one he sees. I mean that shit, Sophi.”
Sophi stared at me, like she wanted to believe me but was too afraid to do so.
“Stay tonight,” I added. “Ain’t no sense in you going back out this late.”
She hesitated… then nodded.
In that moment, I realized this wasn’t about protection anymore. This was something deeper than just a friendly favor. Whatever it was, I was ready for it.
7
Sophi
I blinked slowly, taking in the unfamiliar ceiling. The scent of linen and cedarwood filled my nostrils. The space I was in wasn’t mine, but I still felt safer than anywhere I’d been in a long time. The events of the night before came back to me in pieces. I sat up in Rashad’s bed, pulling the covers around me and trying to shake the uneasy feeling that was trying to consume me. Rio was out, and even with Rashad’s arms wrapped around me just hours ago, the thought of Rio finding me again made my stomach twist.
“Aye,” Rashad’s voice rumbled from the doorway. I turned to find him standing there, fresh from the shower with a towel around his neck and his ball shorts riding low on his hips, exposing a part of him I shouldn’t be thinking about. “You good?” he asked, stepping into the room.
I nodded, but he saw through it.
“Talk to me.”
I took a breath. “I’m just… thinking. Still tryna process it all.”
Rashad crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed. “You scared he gone come lookin’ for you?”
Silence.
“I’ain gone lie to you,” he started. “He might try, but that’s gone be the worst decision of his life.” I heard the underlying message loud and clear. I knew he wouldn’t be locked away forever, but knowing he’s out made it real. It made me realize that he could have access to me.
“You wanna come to the gym with me? Keep your mind busy.” Rashad’s deep timbre broke me from my terrifying thoughts.
I shook my head. “No… I just wanna go home and try to get myself together.”
He didn’t push it. Just grabbed his keys and gestured toward the door. “Come on. I’ll follow you.”
The ride back to my place was quiet. Rashad trailed behind me, on guard as always. When we pulled up, he walked in first and did a sweep of the condo like a man on a mission. Once he was sure everything was in place, he came back to where I stood in my living room.
“You good now?” he asked.
