Page 66 of Juke
When I got to his spot, he was leaning against the counter, rolling up like he didn’t have a care in the world, and maybe he didn’t. I stepped in and closed the door, already feeling the tension creeping up my spine.
“We need to talk,” I said, crossing my arms.
“Talk about what? Don’t start yo’ shit, Nessa.”
“About this shit with Juke and Rio. This ain’t it, Cardell. You letting that nigga drag you into something that’s only gonna end one way.”
“You siding with that nigga Juke after all the bullshit he put you through?” he snarled.
“I’ain siding with nobody,” I shot back. “I’m siding with survival. Rio don’t care shit about you, Cardell. He don’t care about me. He only cares about what he wants, and you letting him use you to get it.”
His eyes went hard. “Shit, don’t matter. He wants what he wants, and I want what’s mine. Juke been a thorn in my side for years. This is overdue.”
“You don’t see it, do you? You keep pushing this, you gone end up dead, and I’ain watching that happen.” I shook my head.
Boom pushed off the counter, stepping up close. “Then you better figure out where you stand, sis. ’Cause there ain’t no middle ground. You either with me… or you ain’t.”
The words cut deeper than I wanted them to. For a second, I just stared at him, my brother, the same boy who used to slip extra food on my plate when Mama forgot was now standing here asking me to choose between blood and common sense.
“I’m choosing whatever side keeps me alive.” I forced out.
“Say less.”
I didn’t give him the chance to say anything else. I grabbed my bag, turned on my heels, and walked out, my heart hammeringthe entire way back to the car. Driving to the Airbnb, the weight of his words pressing heavy on me. He wasn’t bluffing… he meant that shit. I told myself it was the right thing… the only thing, but deep down, it felt like I had just lost him.
By the time I pulled up to the Airbnb, my chest was tight from the argument with Boom. I stepped inside, set my bag down, and Rio was posted on the couch, eyes following me like he’d been waiting.
“Where you been?” He interrogated.
“I went to see my brother,” I said, keeping my tone even.
He stood and followed me, slow but steady. “Where else you been?”
I turned, meeting his glare. “What you doing? Taking a census or some shit? Asking all these gah damn questions like I owe you anything?” I shook my head. “You’re not my man, Rio., and I damn sure ain’t Sophi.”
That set him off. He grabbed my jaw hard, squeezing until it hurt.
“Watch your fuckin’ mouth,” he hissed.
I tried to push his hand off, but he was stronger. My voice came out strained. “Get the fuck off me. You tripping.”
His eyes narrowed. “What were you doing at Juke’s gym?”
“What?” I played dumb.
“I followed you,” he admitted with a sinister smile. “I took an Uber and sat back and watched you. You think I wouldn’t find out? You tryna play me for that nigga?”
Panic twisted in my gut. I tried to think fast. “I just wanted to see him without Sophi around. That’s all.” I lied.
His smirk vanished, replaced by rage. His hand shifted from my jaw to my throat, squeezing tighter, lifting me until my feet barely touched the floor. “You went to warn that nigga?” His voice boomed through the small room. “You playing me like I’m clown ass nigga?”
I clawed at his wrist, choking, gasping for air. “Rio… please…”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “You wanted to see him, right? Bet he won’t have to worry ’bout seeing yo’ ass no more.”
The pressure around my throat crushed everything. My vision blurred, spots of black closing in. My lungs screamed, and my body thrashed weakly. It was at that moment I knew… I was going to die. The fight drained out of me. My hands slipped from his wrist, while my body went limp as the darkness succumbed everything around me.
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