Page 38 of Juke
“Lying ass,” Buck voiced. “Lil’ nigga bad as fuck.”
“And you had the audacity to do it again,” Nic said as she rolled her eyes.
“You’on be saying that shit when I be fu?”
“Lincoln!” Nic cut him off because he was definitely about to run out.
“Save all that yelling for later. Matter fact… y’all get the fuck out. Everybody leave with the muthafucka they came with so Ican fuck on my wife in peace.” This nigga didn’t care what came out his mouth at all.
“I think that’s our cue. You ready?” I leaned in and asked Sophi. My lips were so close to her ear that I felt the goosebumps form on her skin.
“See, nigga. Get the fuck out with all that.” Buck looked at me and frowned.
“Gladly, muthafucka.” I slapped hands with him and Kilo before giving Benny dap and hugging Liberty. I told Kilo about bringing her and her friends to the gym, and he said he would get with me to set something up. After saying our goodbyes, and Buck talking more shit, we were loaded in my truck and headed back to my place. I was tired as fuck, but I couldn’t wait to get home and lay up with Sophi.
***
We’ve been here for about an hour, and after we both showered, we ended up on the couch, where Sophi’s head was leaned back against the cushion. She looked relaxed…and safe. That was all I wanted.
“How’s your mama?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“She’s good. I told her about you.”
Her brows lifted a little. “You did?”
“Yeah, but not like that,” I clarified. “I just told her you were a friend that I cared about.” When I said that, her eyes bore into mine. I looked down at my hand on her leg. “She told me to bring you to my granny’s Sunday for dinner.”
That caught her off guard. “Wait… for real?”
“Yeah.” I looked back at her. “You up for that?”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. I’d like that.”
I nodded, not wanting to force the moment. We sat there a while longer, talking about nothing, yet everything at the sametime. She admitted she was bored sitting at home since Stacks replaced her at the club. She had money, and each of them gave her money weekly. The condo she lived was in Buck’s old building, and it was paid for. I told her she could come do some shit with me at the gym to occupy her time. I’on know what that would be just yet, but I’d figure it out. Somewhere in the conversation, I reached for her hand, and she laced her fingers with mine like it was second nature. I leaned in, brushing my lips against her cheek first, then her neck. Soft and slow enjoying the feel of her skin against mine. She turned her face to mine and locked her eyes with mine. When I kissed her, it wasn’t rushed, but deep enough to reach her soul. She slid closer, and I pulled her into my lap, holding her like I needed her… I did. My hands were on her waist while her arms wrapped around my shoulders. We kissed like nothing else mattered… it didn’t.
When we finally pulled apart, and her forehead rested against mine.
“You okay?” I asked, my voice low.
She nodded. “I’m good.”
She curled into my chest after that, and I held her there, listening to her breathe ’til it matched mine. I didn’t say much else, but in my head I knew if it ever came down to her or the world… the world would lose…every-fuckin-time.
9
Juke
Pulling up to my grandma’s spot on a Sunday always felt the same. We’ve been having Sunday dinner with my grandparents since we were kids. I didn’t see that shit changing anytime soon. Sophi sat next to me, eyes wide like she was trying to take it all in before we even stepped inside.
“You good?” I asked, looking over at her.
She nodded, but her fingers were twisted together in her lap. “Yeah… just haven’t met a whole family at once before.”
“They gone love you. Just be yourself.” I smirked.
We climbed out, and I laced my fingers with hers before leading her up the walkway. Soon as I opened the door, voices hit us from every direction.
“’Bout time you showed up,” my grandma’s voice rang from the kitchen.
