by Tysha Jordyn
“He’s not that old!” I snapped.
“How old is not that old?”
Truth be told, I couldn’t even tell them how old he was…because I didn’t know!
“Shiid, he fucked that thang right, I can tell by looking at you! Glowin’ and shit like you been dipped in butter. Julani who?!” January doubled over laughing, clapping at how tickled she was.
“You got that nigga on some Dora the Explorer shit, lookin’ for yo’ ass in the daytime with a flashlight. He looked so damn pitiful too, like he was really missing you, but I still wanted to knock his damn head off.”
“You seen him?” As far as I knew, Shasta and Ju ran in nowhere near the same circles.
“You know she can’t stay off that nigga Boom dick.” January offered.
“Whaaaaat? I thought you couldn’t stand his fat black ass,” I teased Shasta.
“Can’t. But me and his dick besties. That long lil’ nigga is the homie and always come through in a clutch.”
“You so damn stupid. But what Ju say?”
“That you can trick off and fuck on all the old ass niggas you want ‘cuz he’s done with yo’ thottin’ ass…” Shasta only half paid attention because her phone kept buzzing in her hand with back to back notifications.
“Fa real, Shas?”
I’m not gonna lie, Ju-Ju was the last thing on my mind last night, but you never saw trouble for what it was until the morning after. Kam was…the unforgettable type of nigga and as much as his dick left my pussy with aftershocks that were coming every hour on the hour, Ju-Ju still had my heart. Yeah, I wanted to fuck his ass up for putting me in the passenger seat to his baby mama drama, but I couldn’t just erase the past few years. I loved him…even if I was still teasing the idea of patronizing Kam’s dick one last time. I loved Ju, I just didn’t know if I’d be able to forgive him for this mess he put us in.
“Bitch, you comin’ to my release party tonight at The Palace, though?”
Crazy as she was, January was one of the most talented underground rappers in Atlanta. She posted a clip of herself clowning in a studio session last year that went viral. Next thing we knew, she was invited to a studio session with Kanaan Karter, one of the biggest producers in Atlanta, and the rest was history. So I guess our girl wouldn’t be underground for much longer.
“Of course. We riding together or what?” I needed to run home and grab something to wear, plus I needed to scrub my pussy good because I swear I could still smell Kam. Just that quick, I caught a chill at the thought of this man.
“If you back here by eight, yeah. If you late, you on ya’ own, bitch!”
“Biiitch, ain’t that ya fine ass daddy over there?”
Not too many people knew, but Shasta was hood royalty. Her dad ran shit in the streets back in the day, which meant he knew the ins and outs of every circle there was to know in Atlanta. Politicians, entertainers, law enforcement, all the who’s who of the city knew who Caesar “Creed” Beaumont was. Seeing some of the big names in Atlanta’s music industry in attendance, it wasn’t a shock to see Shasta’s dad off in the cut with some of the older heads. January wasn’t lying: he was fine, too. See, Kam definitely looked younger than Shasta’s dad, so he couldn’t be that old…
“On life, I love you like a sister Shas, but tonight just might be the night I fuck around and be yo’ stepmama. Ms. Juanita said he got a big dick too? Shiiiid!”
“Keep playin’ with me, fuck around and end up in ya daddy’s morgue.”
“You got a foul mouth, daughter. Here, let mama help you with tha-bitch don’t play with me!”
Shasta barely missed sliding January’s chin with her purse.
“Enough, y’all chill! January, don’t you gotta be on stage in a few anyway?”
Shasta had been in a mood since earlier and I felt shit about to go left, so I tried to diffuse things. January played way too much and always took it too far, and Shasta wasn’t above fighting who and whatever crossed her when she was feeling a way. Outta control chicks, that’s what I had for friends, but I wouldn’t have them any other way.
“And do, but lemme stop off and see my future first. I’ma see you later, daughter!”
“I can’t stand that mumble-rappin’ ass bitch…” Shasta kissed her teeth.
“Lies. You love her and her flow is fire, don’t play.”
“Hell nah, they lettin’ hoe ass niggas in free before eleven?” Shasta complained and, following her line of sight, I saw Ju-Ju dapping up the guys working the door with Boom a few steps behind him. These niggas really were bold. Shasta was just in this nigga’s bed and here he was, boo’d up with some Instagram hoe-lookin’ chick.
“Who the hell is that?” I frowned.
“Hell if I know, but she fine, ain’t she?” Shasta licked her lips like her favorite dish was about to be served up.
“I see you’re alive,” were the first words I’d heard from my so-called boyfriend in days.
“I see you still ain’t shit.” Seeing his face for the first time since I found out he was a father, I got mad all over again. All those hurt feelings came rushing back and right then, I was glad I let Kam fuck the shit out this pussy. Even felt like I needed to hit his line when we left this event so we could fuck up somebody’s sheets again tonight.
“You got that. I’ma get up with you in a minute, though.” Ju-Ju stepped around me and left me standing there like I was some side chick he forgot to call back, like I was some waitress he forgot to tip. Not at all like I was the same chick that had held him down before anybody knew who the fuck Julani Justice was on the basketball court.
“I’ma see you and that fat ass later, sis.” Shasta locked eyes with the plus-one Boom brought. She was cute enough, I guess.
“What up, what up Atlanta? Y’all lookin’ good tonight. We’re glad you came to pop some bottles and celebrate with The Palace tonight. But before we get to the dopeness that brought us all here tonight, we got a lil’ somethin’ special for y’all.”
The buzz of curious murmurs swept the crowd as the emcee disappeared backstage. My phone went off right at the moment and I took a quick glance while we waited for the emcee’s return. Seeing a text from Kam, I wasn’t quite sure how to feel. I felt butterflies and smiled, but I wasn’t sure why. I only saved his number in my phone because he asked me to let him know when I got “home” safely. He pressed me to take me home himself, but I finally convinced him I’d be okay on my own. Still, I was in a whole relationship, even if my nigga was on some hoe shit, so why was I happy to see Kam was thinking about me? I didn’t get a chance to answer my own question because hearing the next person on the mic had me confused.
“Ay, what’s good, y’all? I just need a lil’ piece of your time tonight. You know, my girl stays on my ass about showing and not telling. I tell her a lotta things, so I figured it was time I started showin’. Summer Reign Truelove, I know I ain’t been the best nigga in the past…shit, maybe even in the present. But I also know I wouldn’t have accomplished half the shit I have if it wasn’t for you. Every win, loss, opportunity; everything that came my way, you been right there by my side whether I came out on top or not. Love ain’t always perfect, but with you, I got the perfect love. So I wanna know if you’ll share that perfect love with me forever and do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Justice?”
Ju-Ju was down on one knee in front of me by the time he finished speaking, and the crowd erupted in a sea of oohs, ahhs, and applause.
“Girlllll, you betta say yes!” came at me from different onlookers.
Shocked and speechless, I didn’t know how to feel. Damn sure wasn’t expecting this, and my jaw was on the floor up until the minute Ju-Ju slid a pretty ass pear-cut diamond on my finger. Ju-Ju wrapped me up in a hug and for a minute, everything felt right. We’d been through a lot and overcome so much in the past few years, and this baby situation felt like the end of the world, but maybe it was something we could work through. Not too many niggas would go to these lengths and propo
se in a room full of people unless they were serious…right? Mama always said even the best men lose their way sometimes and make mistakes, but they always find their way back to the women they truly love, so maybe Ju-Ju really did love me…right?
Chapter Eight: Ju-Ju
Niggaaaaa, what the fuck kinda bitch nigga shit you done did? That ain’t the shit we discussed. We said you should buy the broad a nice bag, take her away for the weekend. Marriage, nigga?” This nigga Boom had a lot to say about the move I pulled, but he should’ve known. There wasn’t shit subtle about me and when I said I needed to wow my girl, I meant that loss for words, jaw on the floor, in her feelings type wow.
“And her dumb ass said yes, too.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I leered at Shasta because it seemed like this broad had moved in with Boom, as much as she kept her ass at this nigga’s spot.
“And don’t you have a clueless ass fiancée to cheat on and some new baby mamas to recruit?”
“Boom, you might wanna getcha girl.”
“Nigga you got me fucked up! Don’t no nigga check me-”
“Shas, lemme holla at my boy right quick.”
“You got five minutes and I’ma take this pussy across town to a nigga that got time for it,” her evil ass mumbled on her way back to Boom’s bedroom.
“Bruh, all I’m sayin’ is marriage is some serious shit. You know I know. And you ain’t gotta do no extreme shit to get ya girl back if she really ya girl. If the love is really there, she gon’ come back regardless. Marriage ain’t no Band-Aid, though. You go into it with shit foul, it’s gon’ stank a hundred times worse.”
“I hear you, but trust me. I got this. Shit’s gon’ be aight. And I need you to start hittin’ the gym with me cuz yo’ shit gotta be clutch if you gon’ be my best man.”
“Nigga, you gotta make it down the aisle first.”
I left Boom’s and headed to scoop Summer because we were taking a special road trip and I wanted to get on the road early.
“You never did explain why…”
We were in the last hour of the seven-hour ride to New Orleans, and Summer had been either asleep or quiet pretty much the whole time.
“And you never did give me an answer to my proposal.” I gave her a long glance before returning my eyes to the road.
“Because I need to know why.”
“I guess that’s fair, but on life, I didn’t cheat on you. It happened while we were apart.”
“That’s not even what bothers me, Ju. Well, it does, but that’s not the main thing. Social media told me first, Ju. That’s what I have an issue with.”
“I understand, but would really have wanted me to drop something like that on you before I knew he was mine?”
Summer fell quiet, gazing out the window for the next few minutes before she spoke up again.
“He’s been here for months, Ju. You had plenty of time to tell me.”
“You right, I’m not even gon’ deny that. I just didn’t know how to tell you, bae. And I ain’t wanna fuck up your flow. This semester was important to you, so I ain’t wanna be responsible for causin’ no shit to go left. Look, I ain’t mean for shit to come out like that, but it was outta my control.”
“Wrong, because you could have made sure you were the first to tell me so it would hurt less when I heard it later.”
I couldn’t even argue because she was right. I couldn’t change the past, though.
“So, what now? You rockin’ my ring, so you gon’ rock with a nigga or not? I mean, I understand if you need time…and space, but we been down with each other for too long to just walk away. That’s all I’m sayin’. If it’s been worth it this long, ride with a nigga a little longer. I promise I’ll get it right. I love you, Summer.”
“Maybe.”
“Huh?”
“You get it right and maybe I’ll say yes.” Summer smiled with her eyes leaking, makeup running all down her face and shit. “I’ma hurt you for making me mess up my face, too. Where are we going, anyway?”
Truth be told, I knew me and Summer would be good when she agreed to take this trip with me without knowing the destination. She was down to ride, and a nigga appreciated that shit.
“To meet my people. It’s my grandma’s birthday and everybody’s comin’ down to New Orleans to celebrate with her.”
“Ju! What the hell? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Relax, it’s gon’ be chill. Why you stressin’?”
“Because I would have dressed nicer!”
“Bae, you look fine. You rockin’ my ring, so it’s time you rock with my fam, too.”
I met Summer’s pops a few years back when he was in town for work, but she’d never met my family so I understood her being nervous. My people were cool, though, so I knew she’d fit right in.
“Damn, everybody here…” I spoke under my breath as I eased into the only open space to park along the front lawn. “You ready?”
“Do I have a choice?” She blew out a long breath and took one last look in the visor mirror to check her face. By the time she was unfastening her seat belt, I was on the passenger side holding the door open, ready to help her out and onto her feet.
“How do I look?”
“Like my fine ass wife-to-be. Let’s go.”
Summer took slow, deliberate steps as we made our way up the path toward my grandma’s massive house, and I knew it wasn’t because of them tall ass sandals she had on.
Just as we made it to the foot of the steps, the screen door opened as a few sets of footsteps clacked against the hardwood porch.
“Julani, my baby!” Moms threw herself into my arms once we cleared the last step and were on the porch. “And this beautiful sight must be Summer. Hey, suga.” Anything I loved, mama loved for me, so I knew she’d approve of Summer.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs…”
“Just call me Ms. Faith, baby.”
“Mrs. Faith. Ju-Ju talks about you all the time, ma’am.”
A few more of my family members joined us on the porch and I made the introductions, leaving the one I least preferred for last.
“Bae, this is my pops, Kamden. Pops, this is my future, Sum-”
Summer’s hand went limp in mine as she fainted right there on my grandma’s porch.
What the hell?!?
Be sure to drop those reviews on Amazon!
I’m doing a special giveaway for all those that leave reviews!
What y’all think of Summer’s first go at a #hotgirlsummer?
I’ve been holding Summer, Julani, Boom, Shasta, and January hostage in my notebook for a minute, not quite sure how I wanted to build their story out, but I had such a good time doing this short with them and, as I’m writing this, January is in my ear like, “Bihh, I ain’t done yet… get back on them keys!” Sooooo, it looks like the gang will all be back for a full series because we just gotta see what antics Tenaya has in store to drive an even bigger wedge between Summer and Julani. I’m not so sure Julani’s completely set on limiting his dealings with Bey to solely co-parenting; plus, ain’t nothing like a good ol’ love triangle.
Be sure to drop a review on Amazon and let me know how you feel about Summer, Ju-Ju, January, and Boom, and I’ll catch you in the next book ☺
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You da best!
XOXOXO
Tysha Jordyn
About the Author
As CEO and Founder of Novel Chick Publications, I wear several hats, fill many roles, and never manage to get enough sleep. My life has t
he perfect balance of chaos and calm, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm an author, blogger, editor, journalist, life coach, teacher, and screenwriter with big plans to ride my #bookDreams just as far as they'll take me; hopefully, all the way to the top. Long before I was an author, I was a reader, so I inhale life and digest it as the muse for my next bestseller. Can't wait to hear what you think of it :) My biggest success to date? Having my very first published novel, I Should've Cheated, in production to become a web series. #BossMoves
I'm a pretty chill chick with a simple mantra: #writeOrDie. If I think it, I WILL write it... God put me on this rock to do many things, and I plan to change the world one story at a time. I'll always be that rowdy lil' diva from the East coast, but I'm LOVING this #islandLife in the natural, breathtaking beauty of Hawaii... think I might say goodbye to the mainland and perfect my #beachBum vibe... as long as I have my family and my furbaby, Kardi, by my side (and the color pink), the sky is the limit! Stay Connected:
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Also by Tysha Jordyn
I Should’ve Cheated
Love The Way You Thug Me 1 & 2
Love, Betrayal, & Dirty Money 1 & 2
Chase & Kassidy: All Eyes On Us
Crushin’ On A Boss 1 – 4
His Heart Belongs To Me 1 & 2
Bulletproof Gods: Money Over Everything 1 & 2
