Mar shook his head and leaned back in the booth. “Nah, nigga. There’salwaysa choice. You let that snake bitch trap you. And the fact that it’sTasha’sgirl.”
“I know that.” Juelz hit the table with his hand. “I fucked up. Tasha gon’ fuckin’ kill me and that bitch.”
They all agreed as they took more shots.
The silence stretched.
Kane shook his head. “You gotta tell her, nigga. Don’t let that girl keep smiling in that bitch face, knowing she got one up on her.”
“It sound easy, nigga. Imagine I tell Tasha, hey, Tasha boo, I fucked Shyann, but I didn’t have a choice.”Juelz clapped his hands and pitched his voice high to mock Tasha. “Oh, hold up, hold up… you what muthafucka. Fuck you and that bitch. I’ll cut yo fuckin’ dick off muthafucka.” Juelz sat up straighter. “Hell no, I’m not telling her that shit. I need my fuckin’ dick.”
Sintonio cut in. “You let that bitch keep pullin’ your strings, and Tasha finds out anyway? You gonna lose your dick either way, nigga. Trust me, I've been in that same seat with Niyah ass. It’s easier to just come clean.”
Juelz didn’t respond. Just sat there, chest rising slow like each breath hurt more than the last.
The waitress came back, dropped off the basket of wings, but nobody touched them. Juelz leaned forward, elbows on the sticky table, stroking his goatee. “I hate myself for lookin’ this damn good, fuck.”
Kane finally grabbed a wing, taking a bite before pointing the bone at Juelz. “Better hope your looks can stop Tasha's bullet, nigga. ‘Cause the way you movin’? It damn sho headed your way.”
The crew sat back in silence. Eating the wings and taking shots that the waitress kept bringing to the table, until it was time to leave.
An hour later, the car barely hit park before Juelz stumbled out, one sneaker untied, Henny still warm on his breath. Kane and Sintonio got out slower, laughing as they helped him get up the stairs. Juelz had taken more shots than he intended to, and they had to drive him home.
“Damn, Jue, nigga,” Mar said from the backseat, phone already recording. “How many shots did yo ass take tonight?”
“Ion know, but I’mfloatin’, nigga,” Juelz slurred, spinning halfway on the sidewalk before gripping the railing as if it were a lifeline. “Gah damn, Kane. Don’t let me fall, nigga. I might put this fit back on tomorrow.”
Kane shook his head, catching him by the arm. “Come on, we got you. Pick yo fuckin’ feet up.”
Juelz focused hard, watching his own feet like they had a mind of their own. “Right foot… left foot…right… I’m doin’ it,” he shouted, wobbling like a loose toddler on a mission.
Kane shook his head. “This nigga so drunk.”
They finally made it to the top step. Juelz was fumbling for the door key, but no luck.
“Nigga! Where the key at?” Sintonio asked, still holding him up.
“I…I musta lost it or somthin’. I dunno.Fuck!”
Juelz leaned into the Ring camera, staring at it as if it were a mirror.
“Tashaaaaa,” he sang off-key, pushing his face up close to the lens.“You… are not alone… I am here with youuuu?—”
Kane joined in. “Though you’re farrr…away...”
Sintonio smacked him upside the head. “Really nigga? It’s bad enough withhisdrunk ass.”
Kane rubbed the back of his head. “What, man? I love Michael.”
Just then, the Ring camera chirped to life with Tasha’s voice, clear and agitated. “Iknowyou fuckin’ lyin’. Larry, Curly, and Moe, doy’allhave any idea what damntimeit is?”
Mar damn near dropped his phone out the window from leaning over laughing at them.
“Tashaaa!” Juelz yelled again, dramatic as hell. “Put on yo red dresssss… and slip on your high heelsss…”
Kane shouted into the speaker,“And some of that.”
Sintonio slapped a hand over his mouth. “Tasha, please. Just open the door. I know it’s late.”
