Chapter 37
Saturday had finally come, and the sun was casting a warm summer glow over the backyard as Tasha’s surprise party got into full swing.
The laughter and music filled the air, along with the scent of barbecue traveling from the grill where Mar and Sintonio were working their magic.
Kane sat back, sipping on a cold beer, controlling the playlist, while Niyah placed the deck of cards on the back table and screamed at them.
“Don’t start trying to make up new damn rules for UNO today, with y’all cheating asses. ”
Tasha was laughing, with her hand on her forehead, watching it all, with so much gratitude in her heart.
She was so thankful for the outpouring love and support, but she couldn’t help but miss the one part of her that made her whole.
Juelz. Her sister, Tiffany, bustled around, gathering the kids and making sure everyone had something to eat or drink.
Tasha caught her sister’s eye and mouthed a ‘thank you,’ earning a big smile in return.
“Tasha, happy birthday,” Shyann said, her voice calm and apologetic. “And congratulations on your remission. That’s amaze—”
POP
Tasha cut Shyann's speech off by popping the fake ass balloon she walked up with. They weren’t even sure where the hell Tasha got the knife from that fast. “What y’all bitches doin’ here?”
Kenya's mouth hung open as she dropped the now-deflated balloon. “I wanted to stop by to wish you well and to apologize. I know I shouldn’t have let Shy talk me into that, but I am sorry.”
Tasha twirled the knife in her hand, licking her lips. “Fuck your sorry! Y’all got two seconds to get the fuck outta my yard before I drive this muthafuckin’ knife through both you bitches heartless ass hearts.”
Shyann’s smile turned upside down. She still secretly wanted the life Tasha had, even though Juelz was out of the picture. Hell, Shyann was so pathetic that she’d take the cancer too, just to gain the sympathy of others. The girl needed help, seriously.
Niyah stepped between them, removing the knife from Tasha's hand as she bucked her eyes at her. “Shyann, y’all had no right coming here. You both need to leave before I give Tasha this knife back.” She pointed to the black fence. “Go on out of here, Shy. Fuck!”
“But…but—”
Shyann stuttered, trying to say another word, but Tasha grabbed her by the arm and dragged her towards the fence. “Bababa, hell. Getcha ass the fuck outta here.”
Shyann struggled, trying to break free, but Tasha’s grip was like a baby’s grip that snatched your food out of your plate.
Once outside the fence, Tasha tossed her out as if she were yesterday’s garbage.
Kenya's eyes were flashing with anger and embarrassment, and so were Shyann’s.
Tasha had just punked her in front of everybody once again. And she was over it.
“Fuck around and find out if y’all want to, bitch,” said Tasha, slamming the fence shut. She took a deep breath in, then blew it out, trying to calm down. She turned to see the faces of her friends and family because they had never seen her that upset. But they understood her frustration.
She turned away from the fence and joined her guests to continue celebrating her birthday and her remission.
She was not going to let those two sour her mood.
Five minutes later, Juelz stepped through the fence with a puzzled look on his face.
He searched the crowd, spotting Sintonio and Mar.
“Whaddup, nigga?” Juelz asked as he approached them.
Mar dapped him up first. “What’s up withchu, boy?”
“Shit! Look like I picked the wrong fuckin’ time to fall through,” he said, rubbing the waves in his head. “I saw Shyann ass getting’ Jazzy Jeffed out the back yard by Tasha ass.”
Sintonio laughed as he took a pull from his blunt. “Hell yeah! Got both them bitches the fuck outta here.”
Mar agreed, laughing. “Tasha strong as hell too, nigga.” He started play boxing the air. “You better watch out. She might Muhammad Ali your ass.”
Juelz shook his head as he now locked eyes with Tasha across the lawn. “Man, lemme go holla at this crazy ass girl real quick. I’ll be back.”
“Ight, nigga. Poke ya chest out on your way,” said Mar as he headed for the stairs to vibe with Kane.
Juelz began walking over to her, looking back at the porch as Kane played Gregory Abbott, Shake You Down, and Mar grabbed the mic, singing.
“Ohh, I been missing you
And the way you make me feel inside”
Kane snatched the mic, adding, “What can I do?”
Mar took the mic back and sang, “I can tell you’ve got your pride now, baby.”
Juelz smiled to himself. His niggas played way too damn much when it came to Tasha. He got closer to Tasha and stopped right in front of her. “Whaddup, Stank?”
She immediately rolled her eyes, hating where her mind was trying to go.
He was standing there looking better than she’d seen him in a long time.
No more dreads. Just a simple but well-fitted button-down, jeans shorts, and that same confidence he always wore.
And smelling even better. He held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a large gift bag in the other.
Tasha’s breath caught in her throat. One of her family members walked up saying, “damn if she don’t take your ass back, I will.” Her mouth was tightly pursed. “Hm, and he smells good too, what’s that you wearing?”
Tasha intervened, shooting her cousin a look. “Some shit you can’t afford.” Her cousin's brows drew together, and Tasha rolled her eyes. “Juelz… whatchu doin’ here? I swear this must be fuck with Tasha day.”
He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “I came to drop ya gift off, Tash. Also, to congratulate you on ya remission.” He gave a half-smile. “I heard a li’l birdie say you was havin’ a party and decided to stop by.”
Tasha's nostrils flared as she searched the crowd. “Lil’ birdy my ass, Juelz. Them niggas over there told you that.”
Juelz turned back to her, holding out the flowers and the gift bag. “I got these for you. Just take it, please.”
Tasha felt a rush of emotions shooting through her. Joy. Butterflies. Palpitations. She missed him so much, but she knew trusting him again wouldn’t come easy. Fuck no!
Tasha took the flowers and her gift; her hands were trembling slightly. She searched through the bag, finding a new Birkin bag, a Boox Palma 2 Pro in color, a diamond tennis bracelet, and a hallmark card. “Thank you, Jue.”
He smiled, a slow, tentative smile that made her heart skip a beat. “Can we go talk for a sec?”
She agreed as she led the way to a bench in the backyard.
He guided her down to the bench, as if she were still fragile, while he sat facing her.
“I know I fucked up. I know I hurt you, and I’m sorry, Tasha, girl.
I been workin’ on myself for the past months and I’m sober now.
I just want another chance to make things right between us. ”
Tasha looked into his eyes, searching for the truth. She saw sincerity there, and something else. She saw love. Love that she hadn’t seen in so long. Kenji was nice, but he wasn’t her Jue. What she and Juelz had was more than special. It was one of a kind.
“Ion know, Juelz,” she said softly. “I miss you so much, but I dunno if I can trust you again.”
He reached out, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Aye! I get it, I fucked up your trust, but I’ll spend the rest of my life tryna earn that shit back.
I mean, I’m down to do whateva I gotta do, Tash.
” He licked his lips as she was getting teary-eyed.
“Do me this solid, okay? Go on one date with me. Just one, lemme show you how serious I am.”
Tasha hesitated, her heart racing. She looked into his eyes, seeing the man she fell in love with, the man she still loved despite everything. She took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, Juelz. One date. But that’s all I’m promisin’.”
Juelz’s face lit up with a smile that made her heart soar. “That’s all I’m asking for. ‘Preciate ya for talkin’ with me. Can a nigga get a hug now?”
Tasha rolled her eyes, looking out in the distance, shaking her head. “C’mon, Juelz. And don’t try nothin’.”
Everyone was watching this moment between them go down, but they didn’t even realize it until they got done hugging and turned to face the crowd.
Mar, Kane, Tiffany, and her kids, along with Sintonio, hugging Niyah from behind, all yelled loudly.
Don’t fuck it up this time. Juelz released her and began to walk away.
He started hitting the old school mashed potatoe dance as he got closer to the guys.
Sintonio laughed. “This nigga crazy as hell.”
“Hit that shit, Jue,” Mar added, egging him on. He would encourage him if nobody else did. He loved to cut a fool with Juelz, especially when he was dancing.
Once Juelz stopped dancing, he dapped them up with the biggest smile on his face. Kane slapped the back of his head. “Look like you might got another shot, my nigga.”
Juelz looked out at Tasha, standing in the middle of the yard with Niyah now as they went through her gift bags. “Yeah, I guess so.”