Page 81 of Juke
“Morning, baby,” she said to me, pulling me into a hug before turning back to her son. “I wasn’t leaving town without seeing you first and bringing your gifts.”
“Don’t say I never gave you nothing.” Jacob grinned.
We all laughed before his mama sat at the counter. Her eyes softened. “So how was the doctor’s appointment yesterday?”
“It was good,” Rashad smirked. “We’re ten weeks.”
“Lord, finally. I’ve been waiting for this day. My baby having a baby.” She simpered.
Her joy filled the entire room, making me smile even though I was terrified of being someone’s mother. She asked a few more questions about how I was feeling, and what the doctor said. Every time I answered, she squeezed my hand assuring me I wasn’t in this alone.
“So what you got planned for tonight, birthday boy?” She turned her attention to Rashad and asked.
Rashad glanced at me, then back to her. “Not much. Sophi’s cousin invited us out to his club. We’ll probably stop by there for a little bit.”
“Don’t you go showing your ass in them people’s club, Rashad. You got a baby on the way now.” She fussed.
“I know how to behave, Ma.” He chuckled. “You act like I’m Deion?”
Ms. Chenelle and Jacob stayed a little longer before they had to leave to get ready for their trip. Once we said our goodbye’s and they left. Once they were gone, Rashad leaned in and kissed me with all the passion that his body held.
“Thank you,” he praised.
“For what?”
“For being you and giving me my first kid and the ones after that.”
I simpered, and in that moment, I realized this wasn’t just his birthday. It was the start of everything new for us.
***
By the time the sun set, I had him getting dressed, still thinking we were just heading out for a chill night like he told his mama. He had on the outfit that I got specifically for tonight. It was a black Armani shirt with a gold snake adorning the side. I picked out a pair of black Armani jeans with some Jordan Black Taxi 12s. I complimented his look with a fitted black dress that stopped mid-thigh and was sheer on the back and sides. I wore gold accents on my ears and wrists to match the twin Cuban links around his neck. Standing next to him, I smirked at how good we looked.
“You must want niggas to die tonight wearing that dress?”
“Rashad, please. The attention that I’m worried about tonight is yours.” I confirmed, sliding my clutch under my arm.
“It better be.” He gripped my butt before dropping a kiss on my lips.
When we pulled up to Stacks’ club, nothing looked out of the ordinary, so when he saw all the cars, he thought nothing of it because Stacks always had his place packed. Rashad parked and rounded the truck to help me down before we made it to the front. The second we stepped inside, the sound of Future’s ‘Like That’ blared through the speakers.
“Surprise!” Everyone yelled as black and gold confetti and balloons dropped from above.
I looked at Rashad, and for once, he was caught off guard. His eyes swept the room, then landed back on me.
“You did this?” He asked in disbelief.
I nodded. “I wanted to do something special for your birthday without you knowing.”
“I appreciate this, Lovie, and I’m gone show you just how much when we get back home.” He kissed me deeply, not caring that we were in front of a crowd of people.
“That’s how she got pregnant in the first place. Save that shit for later.” His cousin Deion yelled through the crowd, causing everybody to laugh. Once we separated, I wiped my lip gloss off his lips and turned to the crowd. Buck and Stacks were the first to come up, Buck clapping Rashad on the back so hard he almost stumbled.
“The fuck off me.” Rashad frowned.
“I was just tryna tell yo’ Super Saiyan ass happy birthday, but I’ll take my shit back since you wanna have an attitude about it,” Buck joked.
“Fuck you,” Rashad laughed before turning to Stacks. “You a sneaky ass nigga too, but I appreciate this.” They slapped hands.
