Maybe for the Summer

by Aubreé Pynn

“Julius there is literally a video of you removing your chains and pulling your gun out.” “I ain’t fuckin’ fire it though. And I could’ve lit that bitch up. But I didn’t. See… that’s growth shit.”

“Something more than a check, huh?” “Mmhmm,” Donna buzzed. “Preferably a son-in-law.” “Without all those diamonds in his teeth and tattoos all over his body,” Richard added with a huff. “Don’t know where you got that from.”

Aunt Katrina used to tell him and the rest of the crew that who they found themselves in was just as important of who they found themselves around. Soul ties could elevate you or drag you to hell.

“Your nigga ain’t gon’ want smoke with me if he finds out?” “Single, free, and clean. You?” “Same. But if you had a nigga…I wouldn’t give a damn about that or him. He knew better than letting you out the house looking and smelling like this.”

“I feel like my momma’s voice is about to come out of your mouth,” Kizzie started. “Don’t touch nothing, don’t ask for nothing, ‘cause you ain’t getting nothing.” Haddon chuckled. “Only thing he missin’ is the cigarette hanging out the corner of his mouth.”

“Well, I’ve lived long enough to know that nothing snatched away is ever a loss. You got something bigger and better on the way.

“Julius,” he corrected. “Or Jules. You, Ms. Day, call me one of those. That Lucci nigga don’t exist here.”

“The women who were raised to be good girls always end up with gangstas. The roses that grew out the concrete. The overlooked. Clean them up and elevate them. Enjoy the ride, Day. I got to say, it’s been the most rewarding journey of my life,”

“There’s no need to not trust yourself. Especially at this pivotal moment. You’ve trusted everyone else. Trust you. That’s what this new beginning is all about.”

“You gonna handle that too?” “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m here for a good time not a long time,” Daysha said, before groaning at her own comment. “You know what I meant.”

“How have you served time, took bullets, and maybe lives, who the hell knows and you’re this dramatic?” She was still standing over him with her hands on her full hips. “I didn’t survive all of that to put snail pussy on my face,” he fussed back. “So stranger pussy is safer?” Daysha questioned, her brows knitted. “Wasn’t any complaints last night.” “Oh, don’t get cute. That was not in the package and that is not what we’re talking about.” Julius huffed, giving into her without any more fight. “Put it on my face then. The snail pussy, not yours. Don’t nobody need to see how pretty that shit is.”

Olivia’s soft chuckle interrupted his wayward thoughts. “Be careful, I think she can handle you.” “Yeah, that’s the shit that excites me and scares me all at the same time.” “And you’re still going to attempt to break her down. Then what? You know I get attached easily,” Olivia stated. Julius tried not to expose his hand because the truth was, he didn’t know who Daysha was. But he felt her heart and a pure heart was what he needed. His spirit longed for it. “We’ll see. Got to get her to stop runnin’ first.” “Better put on your track shoes, my boy.

“She’s going to have my ass popping out the damn bushes.”

“You think a little sweatsuit is going to stop that man from eating you through your clothes?” Nesha asked, prancing to the door in her heels.

“You think you’re leaving this here?” Bebe asked with a chortle. “For someone with a masters, you’re acting a little slow.”

“Don’t even bring it up,” Haddon started. “You know how that nigga transforms when he’s angry.” “Lucci mad,” Charles mocked. “Lucci smash.”

You’re taking care of them. I’m not saying there’s something wrong with that. But the measure of success is how many people are successful next to you.

“You’re fiercely loyal. To the point it’ll stress you out and you won’t tell a soul. You want everyone around you to feel ease, hoping that it’ll bring you some. But ease and comfortability is your crutch. It’s a reason you were in the streets so long and why you let Treason control your entire career. Now, without that ease, you’re finding it hard to trust you.”

All those years of his grandmother and aunt telling him that he would know when it was time to expand himself to make space for the things he only dreamt about. Truth of the matter was, Julius was a product of survival. Love had never been the thing to sustain him. If it weren’t for the only matriarchs in his life, he wouldn’t know what love looked like or felt like outside of his set.

Daysha was a woman who required more – depth, love, patience, respect. And oddly enough, Julius wanted to study, research, and understand exactly how to be that. Because another man having what she possessed and mishandling it would drive him crazy.

I hope you ready for all that comes with him.” “What does that mean?” Charlie chuckled. “He’s a bull. He’s locked in with you and once he’s locked in like that. That nigga ain’t coming up for air. I’ve only seen him like that twice but this time he’s further gone. He ain’t never threatened my life behind no female. You might as well settle in and get comfortable.”

“For now, but I’m inclined to make sure you stay.” “I can’t upgrade one without upgrading all.” “And you can’t run off when that bull starts bulling, you got to step in, sink your heels in or the soles on your little designer sneakers and talk to that nigga. That’s the nigga only we get to see. The more he’s gone off you, the more that bull is gonna pop out. So prepare yourself to stay if you staying. If not, don’t hype us up to let us down.”

“I’m not letting that man touch me.” “Again. You aren’t letting him touch you again. I know dick imprint when I see it. Ohh, soft love from a roughneck nigga is literally the best.”

Zaim will stop this world for you.” “And I’ll light it on fire for him.”

He was teetering on the edge of making a home out of her. But before he did, he needed to know if his heart was safe in her garden. If he watered her soil, would she protect what they made.