Chapter 18 #2
I used to be nervous asking men for things, but Shaylyn taught me the game quickly.
Outside of social media, we hadn’t seen each other in years.
She seemed to be enjoying life and doing well, but I missed her terribly.
The mention of her had me wanting to hit her up to see if she wanted to hang out.
I never imagined we would be this distant.
We talked for a few moments before Keynauri got in the booth.
I smiled with pride in my heart as I listened to his deep, raspy voice croon through the speakers.
I remember him writing music and making beats in his room when we were younger.
He always loved music, but to see him follow his dreams was surreal.
Keynauri spent a few hours in and out of the booth as he and Spinz tweaked his tracks. Nauri was a perfectionist, so I wasn’t surprised when he would get back in the booth and record the same part over and over until it felt right.
Each song told a different story of our struggle and his life experiences.
I recognized a few love songs that I was certain were dedicated to his first love, Naiari.
A few months after he was locked up, he stopped talking about her.
When I asked him what happened, he gave vague answers, but I assumed she must have left him high and dry.
He used to take me over to her house, and she treated me like a little sister.
They were best friends first, but I knew they would end up together.
I guess life had other plans, because within the blink of an eye, they went from inseparable to basic strangers.
It hurt my feelings when she left for college because I thought she would keep in touch.
Not only was I wrong, but she blocked me on everything.
I still had no idea what I did wrong, but since she left my brother for dead, it was fuck her for life.
“This shit is the truth. I’ve always told you that your sound is unique, but the passion you put into the lyrics brings the shit to life.
The album is about to go crazy, I’m telling you.
Que sent me the records you worked on with him, and the label is ready to drop a major bag behind this album.
You’re about to be the next big thing, brodie.
” Spinz sang Nauri’s praises, and I couldn’t agree with him more.
You could feel the love, hurt, and passion in his words. It was almost as if he was reliving those moments he rapped about, letting his emotions bleed out on the tracks.
“You’re over there grinning and shit. What do you think?” Nauri probed.
“I agree with everything Spinz said. You’re so talented, brudder. People already fuck with your music, but this album is gonna take off. I’m gonna have to introduce you as my Grammy Award-winning brother in no time.” I gassed him up, but I meant every word.
“Y’all gon’ have a nigga head big as fuck. I appreciate the feedback, real talk. I’ve been stressed about the rollout of this album. I’ve waited a long time for this moment, so I want to make sure this album lives up to the hype.”
“It will. You don’t have anything to worry about,” I assured him.
“What y’all niggas in here doing?”
I heard a deep voice roar from the other side of the room.
When I glanced over to see who it was, I almost lost my train of thought when I saw it was a popular rapper by the name of Mendeecees.
The nigga was fine as fuck, and he walked like he was carrying something heavy. My girls and I loved his music.
“What’s good, bro? I’m glad to see you made it here safely. I appreciate you coming.” Keynauri stood up to greet him as I watched on. Spinz got up and greeted him, too, and they all talked amongst themselves for a moment. His entourage stood behind him, and I wondered why he needed so many people.
I sent a message to my girls in the group chat to tell them I was in the studio with their favorite rapper. Valor’s thirsty ass requested the address so she could pull up, and I told her I would ask Keynauri first.
“Damn, who does your fine ass belong to? Please tell me you ain’t got a man.
Hell, it honestly wouldn’t matter if you did.
” His voice startled me as I glanced up from my phone.
Mendeecees licked his lips with his eyes trained on me.
I got ready to respond, but before I could, Keynauri stepped in and shut it down.
“That’s my little sis. You already know how that shit goes.” Keynauri spoke in a tone that made it clear he meant business.
“Heard you. I’m not gonna pretend that your sister ain’t cold as hell.
I don’t see too many women on my side of the world who aren’t stiff and pumped up with fillers and shit.
” Mendeecees spoke to Nauri, but his eyes were trained on me.
Although I was happy in my relationship, I wouldn’t lie and pretend I wasn’t flattered.
“Yeah, I hear you. Let’s get down to business. Spinz has the track ready for you, so we can lay shit down whenever you’re ready.” Keynauri changed the subject, and all I could do was giggle. He was always in big brother mode when it concerned me.
Keynauri told me I could invite my girls to the studio, so I sent them the location in the group chat. I let Valor know Logic would be coming later, but she acted as if she didn’t care. I prayed she kept it cute when they actually came face to face.
The vibes were lit for the rest of the night, and even though I couldn’t drink or smoke, I had a good time.
East had gone out of town, but the moment he touched down, he was on my line asking me where I was.
I missed him so much. Over the years, I grew to love his protectiveness over me.
He wasn’t one to express his feelings verbally all the time, but he made sure I could feel his love through his actions.
He let me know he picked up his spoiled baby from Granny’s house, and he was headed home.
Since I had been with Keynauri most of the day, I decided to head home.
My girls were having a ball with Mendeecees’s crew, so I doubted they would care if I left out early.
Valor brought a couple of her hoe-ass cousins, and they were all over the men as if they knew them personally.
I tried not to judge because we were all young and living life, but they were known for being thots in the city.
They fucked any and everyone who had a little money.
I didn’t have to warn my brother because he already knew what type of time they were on. As long as he didn’t get caught up in the bullshit, I wasn’t concerned about anyone else.
“I’m about to head out of here. Are you gonna walk me out?” I asked, tapping my brother on the shoulder while he was talking to Mendeecees and Spinz.
“Yeah, I still gotta give you something anyways. Aye, can y’all give me a minute? I’m gonna walk my sister out.”
“Yeah, of course,” Spinz replied.
“Actually, do you mind if I holla at her real quick? I promise I’m not on no funny shit. I have a business proposition for her,” Mendeecees explained. My interest was piqued as I wondered what kind of business he needed me for.
“You can just come outside with us. She gon’ tell me what you said anyway, so you might as well say that shit in front of me.”
I giggled at the stone expression on Keynauri’s face as if he hadn’t just been smiling and laughing with the nigga a few moments before.
Mendeecees chuckled then followed us both outside.
Once we made it to my car, Keynauri stepped away to retrieve something from his car.
I could feel Mendeecees’s eyes looking me up and down.
“I thought you said you wanted to discuss business, not stare at me.” I sassed.
“You got me there. My bad. I’m just admiring your beauty. Like I told your brother inside, you’re a rare find in my world. Naturally stunning with a body out of this world. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you would be interested in being in a music video.”
“Umm, I don’t dance.”
Mendeecees chuckled, but I wasn’t sure what was so funny.
“Naw, not as a dancer. I’m shooting a music video in LA, and I need someone to play my love interest. You have such a unique look, and I would really love it if you would consider the role.”
“What does the role consist of? I don’t have any experience with music videos,” I informed him. I was curious, so I didn’t turn him down right away.
“Basically, the song is about a nigga losing the love of his life, and he’s trying to make things right with her. There will be a few scenes with us together, but nothing too complex. You’ll basically be walking around and looking pretty while I pour my heart out to you.”
“Of course, you would have a song about a nigga fuckin’ shit up. Y’all seem to be good at that.” I tittered.
“Damn, you ain’t gotta be like that, lil’ mama.”
“Don’t try to act like you’ve never fucked up before.
I’m sure there are a few women telling their therapist about you as we speak,” I teased him.
A grin spread across his face as he licked his lips.
I wasn’t usually into light-skinned men, but Mendeecees was handsome with his light-brown skin and low-cut fade.
His deep dimples told me that he was probably a master manipulator with a smooth game.
“You’ve got a point, but I’ve grown a lot.”
I gave him the “yeah, right” look because that was their favorite line to use when they were lying.
“Anyway. How much does this role pay? I don’t work for free.”
“And I would never expect you to. I’ll cover all of your travel expenses, including your hotel or Airbnb, depending on where you want to stay. You won’t have to pay for food or anything while you’re out there, and I’ll pay you twenty K for the video.”
My brow rose as I eyed him skeptically. “You’re gonna pay me twenty bands to come walk around in your music video? What do you get out of this?” It sounded too good to be true, and I wanted to know what his motive was.