Page 55 of Juke
“Nah,” I said, eyes still scanning. “I can see everything I need to from back here.”
While he moved closer to the front, I stayed back, away from the crowd and chaos. It didn’t take long to find her, and when I did, I didn’t take my eyes off her. She was ringside, looking like she didn’t have a care in the world. I didn’t miss the way her shoulders were relaxed, like she felt safe. She didn’t have that when she was with me… and now she was giving it to somebody else.
The crowd roared when Kendrick Lamar started blasting through the speakers. That nigga Juke walked out, slow, and steady, head bobbing, and the whole place fed off it. I’ain even gone hold you. The nigga was good. I’on know what Boom was thinking about wanting to fight this nigga… again. Muthafucka was a beast in the ring. I would definitely have to shoot his ass. I let my eyes follow him, and I noticed the moment he locked eyes on her like nobody else existed and went straight over and kissed her right in front of everybody. She smiled, leaned into it, and that shit did something to me.
My jaw flexed. “Yeah… you forgot that quick, huh?” I spoke to no one in particular. “I got something for that shit, though.”
The fight started, and the rounds moved fast. I caught glimpses of the ring, but my focus stayed on her. The way she clapped when Juke’s hits landed. The way she lit up every time he looked her way… it was like watching her give away something that was mine. When Rell hit the mat in the middle of the fourth round, the crowd lost it. Juke soaked it in for asecond, then turned toward her again. That’s when she looked away… right at me.
Her entire expression flipped.
I tilted my head, letting the slowest, coldest smirk crawl across my face, and mouthed, “Baby, I’m back.”
I saw the fear flash over her face immediately and that alone satisfied me. I stepped forward so she could really see me, as I kept my eyes locked on hers, and added silently, “I came to take you home.”
Boom made his way back to me. “Aye, let’s get outta here. You doing too much, and the plan wasn’t to start no shit tonight.” He slapped my chest before walking off. I gave Sophi one last look before I followed behind Boom and his entourage. Before Juke could make it to her, I was gone. She knows I’m here now, and for now, that’s all I needed.
14
Sophi
The ride back to Rashad’s condo felt heavy. He had one hand gripping the wheel, the other tapping against his thigh like he was holding himself back from breaking something. His jaw was so tight I could see the muscles flexing. He didn’t say a word. Neither did I. But the silence was loud as hell.
When we pulled into the parking garage, he cut the engine and got out without looking at me. The elevator ride was just as silent as the ride home. Once we made it inside, he tossed his bag on the floor and headed straight for the bathroom.
“I’ma take another shower,” he said, voice flat, before closing the door.
I just stood there for a second, feeling that familiar lump forming in my throat. I sat on the couch, staring at the floor, my mind replaying that moment over and over—his face in the crowd, that smirk. The way my stomach dropped. The sound of the shower running was like white noise, but it didn’t drown out the fear crawling up my spine.
A few minutes later, the water shut off, and Rashad came out with the towel still hanging low on his hips. His eyes locked onto me immediately, scanning my face. “Come here,” he demanded.
I got up slowly, and he pulled me in until I was pressed against his chest. His hands slid down my back, holding me like he needed me still to breathe.
“Baby, talk to me. What’s on ya mind?” His tone was calmer, but his voice still carried that edge. “Don’t sit here and bottle that shit up.”
“I’m just…” My voice cracked before I could stop it. “I’m scared, Rashad. I thought I left all of that behind me, and then I saw him. It’s like I’m right back there again, and I don’t want to feel like that anymore.”
He tightened his grip as his thumb brushed my chin, so I’d look at him. “You ain’t ever gone feel like that again. You understand me? That shit’s dead just like he will be soon.” The conviction in his voice put me at ease a little.
“You’d really do that for me? Kill for me?” I asked.
“On my Granny,” he said without hesitation. “I’m not talking just to hear myself, Lovie. As soon as I get close to that nigga, I’m putting him in the ground, and you can sleep at night knowing you’ll never have to look over your shoulder again.”
My chest rose and fell, his words sinking into me. “Rashad…”
“Nah, don’t ‘Rashad’ me.” He shook his head. “Do you hear me? I mean every fucking word that I’m saying to you. You’re mine now, and nobody gets to play with what’s mine… ever.”
Something about the way he said it had me believing every single syllable.
Back in the bedroom, my phone lit up from the missed calls from Mama and the girls. I called Mama first.
“Sophi?” Mama’s voice came through quick, telling me she’d been waiting by the phone.
“Hey, Mama.”
“You wanna tell me why I had to hear from your cousins what’s been going on with you?”
“I didn’t want to ruin y’all’s trip.” I sighed, sinking down onto the bed.
