Chapter 19 #2
She smiled, knowing he had her back and that he was standing by her, which made her melt inside. “I know you got me, bae. I just fucked up.” They sat there for a moment, both of them focused on the movie that was playing, until Juelz broke the tension that was thick in the air.
“You know,” he started, shifting in his seat. “Man, you the only one that got me the way you got me. You understand a nigga, like really get me.” He pinched her slightly. “Before you, I was knockin’ bitches down every other day. I’m talkin’ just slanging dick like it was my hobby.”
Tasha looked over at him, tempted to slap him for playing too much.
“You play too much. But seriously, I feel the same, bae. You my rock. I can’t see myself with anyone else other than you.
I love where we are in life right now.” She gently rubbed his knuckles, letting out a loud fart while she laughed.
“I also love that I can be myself fully around you.”
He fanned the air, shaking his head. “You stank too, girl.” He cupped her face, thumb gently rubbing her cheek. “You my peace, T. I’d do anythin’ for you. Go up against any nigga about ya.” His eyebrows lifted. “You feel me?”
She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. “I know you would, boo. And that’s why I love you so much.”
Juelz kissed her, his lips soft and tender against hers.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers, just gazing in her eyes.
He admired the woman sitting in front of him.
He didn’t care what they lacked, as long as she was here in his presence.
The two were startled by a couple of knocks from the front door.
Juelz looked toward the door, brows furrowing. “You expectin’ company?”
Tasha held her stomach, adjusting in her seat. “Nall, bae. Ion know who that is. Tiffany and the kids didn’t say they were comin’ over today.”
Juelz got up from the sectional, his arm leaving Tasha's waist. As he peeked through the peephole, he instantly got pissed. He swung the glass door open, rattling the doorframe. “Aye, you gotta get the fuck from ‘round here.”
Standing in front of the door, Shyann stood with her hand on her hip, and her lips twisted into a sinister grin. “I came to see my bestie. Is she home?”
Juelz pulled the door up, leaving only a little space between them. He leaned back to see if Tasha could hear him. “Hell nall! She ain’t seeing hoes today.”
Shyann let out a low laugh, shaking her ice coffee and trying to look over Juelz’s shoulder. Tasha was wondering who he was talking to, so she sat up more, looking towards him.
“Jue! Who is it, bae?”
His blood boiled as he struggled to contain his anger. “It’s the Census Bureau, stank. They don’t want shit. Lie back down.”
“The Census Burea—”
Shyann cut her off, trying to step through the door, but Juelz's foot blocked her. “It’s me, Shyann. I can’t get past your li’l guard dog.”
“Juelz!” Tasha’s voice drifted from the living room, trying not to yell too much. “Let that girl in. Move outta the way.”
Juelz blew out a breath. He stayed still for a moment longer than necessary, staring Shyann down before stepping aside. “Go ‘head. Backstabbin’ ass.”
She pushed the door open wider, smirking as she grabbed a handful of his manhood as she passed by him. He gasped, raising his hand to backslap her, but he caught himself. “Bitch, I’ll—”
“Yeah, whatever, Slim Gummy! Move.”
Shyann made her way over to the sectional, her perfume trailing like attitude. “Hey, boo,” she said, leaning down to hug Tasha. “Look at chu, all bundled up like a damn burrito.”
Tasha cracked a smile. “Girl, you know I stay cold. What chu doin’ on this side of town?”
“Shit! I just stopped by to holla at chu for a minute.”
Tasha nodded, looking her up and down. “Have you ate yet? Juelz had cooked somethin’ earlier.”
He threw Tasha a mean-mug. Side-eyeing her like why the fuck did she tell her that. Shyann looked over at him with a smirk on her face. “Okayyy. Chef Boyar-Juelz,” she joked.
He stared her down. “Yeah. Anythin’ for my girl.”
She blinked, catching the jab that he threw her way. She sipped on her iced coffee, rolling her eyes. Tasha's gaze went from Shyann back to Juelz. “Y'all are so crazy.”
Juelz turned around on the barstool, ignoring them both as he scrolled on his phone.
He was trying to take his mind off the fact that Shyann was here playing in Tasha's face. He couldn’t take any more of Shyann's bullshit, so he decided to go upstairs to play on the PlayStation. “Aye, stank? I’ma go upstairs for a while. Call if you need me.”
He leaned down to kiss her forehead, shooting Shyann one last look. He mouthed, “Get the fuck out.”
She ignored him, her palm resting against the side of her face, as she flipped him the middle finger on the sly.
“So, what’s really going on?” she asked, settling into the chair across from Tasha.
Tasha tried to shift her weight, her movements slow and painful. “Nothing much. Just the usual.” She patted her weave. “I lost my fuckin’ job today.”
Shyann instantly lit up with glee. This was the outcome she was praying for. Seeing Tasha’s world crumble made her heart skip a beat. She didn’t expect the video to do damage that quick. “Girl, you got fired?”
“Yes, hunni. But anyway, it's cool. I’m glad you came by. I actually need a favor… could you take me to my follow-up appointment? Niyah’s busy, and my sister’s got that double shift.”
“And Juelz?” Shyann asked as she let her gaze wander upstairs.
“I asked you, Shy. Damn.”
Shyann swirled the ice in her cup, her expression unreadable. “I guess I can. Just text me the time, and I’ll come by and scoop you. I hope you got gas money too.”
“Girl!” Tasha shook her head, removing the blanket from around her. “Thank you. For real. But I’m bout to lay it down and catch a nap. These fuckin’ pills workin’ on my ass.” She stood up to go open the door for Shyann, taking baby steps to avoid disturbing her stitches.
“No problem, Tash,” Shyann spoke, as she gathered her purse off the floor. “I’ll talk to you later.” She glanced back at Tasha. “And tell Juelz I said, go to hell.”
Tasha laughed tiredly and closed the door behind her. Shyann’s heels clicked down the walkway…and the second Juelz heard the loud engine of her dusty ass Nissan crank up and fade down the street, he let out the longest breath he didn’t even know he was holding.
He glanced down the stairs at Tasha and headed back down to help her.
He placed an arm around her waist as he guided her back upstairs to their bedroom.
Once in the bedroom, he pulled the covers back and adjusted her pillow as she slid off her house shoes and got into bed.
He eased down at the bottom of the bed and continued to play his game.