Chapter 3
“I can’t believe you won song of the year! Mama would be so proud, Deon. I’m proud of you. You worked hard for this.”
“You damn right I did. Thank you, sis, but you acting like this is my first award. I won this award last year and new artist year before last.”
“I’m just acknowledging how proud I am and how much you deserve the accolades, big head. Can’t ever be serious with yo’ ass.”
I rolled my eyes as we sat through the final performance. After spending time with Kamari before everything started, I was glad I didn’t have to perform. I would have stared at her ass all night, although I caught her glimpses at me while she was performing. She winked at me when she started singing the song I’d sung for her earlier. She was so damn beautiful seated up there on a stool, playing that guitar.
I was anxious for this shit to be over with though, because I wanted some one-on-one time with her. The engineer had looked at me like I was crazy when I told him I only wanted to keep the bassline. He suggested that I just do an acoustic version of the song, but I made it clear that I wanted the acoustic version to be the main version of the song. The full track could be the alternate variation. Of course, I would have to take that up with the record execs, but I needed someone else to know of my wishes so there wouldn’t be any misunderstanding.
When the host came out, I knew it was a wrap. I had been ready to leave, but I didn’t want to miss a moment to stare at Kamari. So if she was sitting through the entire thing, then I would too. Plus, I didn’t know if she remembered the number I spit out earlier. I knew she could find a way to contact me if she didn’t remember it, but I really wanted to see her tonight. I had a feeling that she really wanted to see me too.
She was a good girl. I really liked that about her. I hadn’t seen her be romantically involved with anyone in the industry, and that was a turn-on. She and I could be the next power couple, taking over the charts together.
I stood from my seat and grabbed Mi’s hand, leading her out through the crowd. I didn’t give a damn about more than half of the people here. I came because I was nominated. Thankfully, I wanted to be here to accept the award if I won; otherwise, I would have missed the opportunity to be in Kamari’s space.
When we got to the front, people were everywhere, stopping me for pictures and what not. I was getting irritated, because I wasn’t that friendly to be taking pictures like that. I typically took pictures with the media, and that was it. So, when I felt a shoulder tap, I was about to turn around and send them packing until I saw Kamari.
I smiled slightly and said, “Congratulations, artist of the fucking year!”
She giggled as her face reddened. “Thank you. Congratulations to you also!”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“You heading out?”
“Yeah. I typically like being to myself once the business is over.”
She nodded. “I get it. This is a lot, but honestly, I enjoy every moment of it.”
I chuckled. “That’s because you’re a people person.”
“And you aren’t?” she asked then let out a laugh.
I frowned slightly. “So, you know about me?”
“Yeah. I read up on you a bit. I’m a fan. I wanted to ask for a picture, but I know you don’t particularly care for that. I mean, I know you would oblige me if I asked, but I refuse to be selfish in this moment.”
Out of every muthafucka here, she was the only one I wouldn’t mind taking a picture with. I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me, while licking my lips, and watched her face turn red. I pulled my phone from my pocket and took a selfie of the two of us, while Mulan took pictures of our interaction. We then posed for a better picture.
She pulled away slightly as I said, “Kamari, you can have whatever the fuck you want, beautiful. Real shit.”
Her eyes widened somewhat for a split second. She quickly recovered when she asked, “What did I do to deserve such an honor?”
She smirked, alerting me of her sarcasm, but I ignored that shit and grabbed her hands. “You seem genuine, you’re beautiful, sweet, and something about you says that you would complement me well.”
I pulled her closer, and she seemed to be lost in me until a camera flashed. She pulled away and cleared her throat. “So, umm… what time should I meet you?”
“I’m going to my hotel to change, then I’m going to the studio. So, whenever you get there is fine.”
I scanned her body and found myself biting my bottom lip. My dick was getting hard, so I brought my gaze back to her eyes. She stepped closer, and I was about to get excited until she said, “Deontray, you know this wouldn’t work between us, right? I’m aware of your reputation just like you’re probably aware of mine. The last thing on my agenda is being made a fool out of because I surely don’t sleep around.”
“I know you don’t.”
“Then you’re telling me you’re ready to pursue something serious. I’m not sure if I believe that.”
“Well, I guess I’ll have to prove it to you. Besides my physical attraction, I know that you understand the business: the late nights, early mornings, and all the traveling. You wouldn’t be tripping on the time that I’m away from home, because you won’t be home either. I haven’t been in a relationship in a long ass time, but my heart is telling me not to let you get by me.”
She fidgeted slightly then glanced at Mulan, whose eyebrows were lifted. I was serious as hell about Kamari. I supposed her innocence played a part in why I felt the way I did as well. I didn’t know if she was a virgin or not, but I for sure knew she wasn’t a ho. Her aura gave off a sweet innocence that I suddenly couldn’t get enough of.
I was prepared to have to take things slow with her, although it would be hard as hell for me. I could tell she wasn’t about any foolishness, and surprisingly, I wasn’t about foolishness when it came to her either. Being near her just seemed necessary. If I felt this way after only a couple of interactions with her, I could imagine how I would feel once, or if, she gave in to me.
“Well, I suppose I’ll see you tonight, Mister Deontray.”
I only nodded. While she didn’t verbally acknowledge anything I’d said, I knew for damn sure she felt me and my sincerity. Her skin was slightly red, and she had goosebumps on her arms. It wasn’t cold in here, so that could only mean one thing.
I watched her walk away from me, refusing to move from the spot I was in. This woman had me gone as fuck.
“Come on here, simp ass nigga.”
I turned to see Mi’Junae standing there with her hand on her hip. “Shut up, Mi.”
I glanced back behind me to see Kamari had already disappeared into the crowd. Shit. I didn’t want to miss a moment of her. I supposed I was a simp. Turning back around, I followed Mi to the exit, only for her to run into this lil fuckboy rapper she’d been messing around with. He glanced at me and said, “What’s up, Deontray?”
“Mister Trammel to you.”
The smirk that appeared on his lips only infuriated me. There was nothing I could do about it though, because just like all the women I’d been with knew, Mi’Junae knew what she was getting into as well. She knew he fucked around and said she would be careful.
“Deon, really?” she asked.
I side-eyed her as he grabbed her hand and kissed it. After smiling at him, she turned to me. “I’ll holla at’chu later, bruh.”
I gave her the look. The look that she knew meant, call me if he fucks up. She’d seen that look so many times. Niggas in this industry weren’t shit. I was one of them at times, but she refused to listen to my firsthand experience with the game. I could only hope that she didn’t truly have to find out and make me fuck around and lose my career over that bullshit.
I headed out as my security team waited outside the door. They flanked me and escorted me to the car waiting for me. While the event had police, security, and barricades in place, I refused to be caught slipping. I could hear the fans screaming. Normally, I ignored them, but this time, I lifted my hand, acknowledging them.
Once I got in the car, I had them take me to the studio. The engineer knew I would be coming back after the awards, but I sent him a text anyway. I didn’t bother going to my room to change. I could relax in what I had on. I just wanted to get to work. Kamari’s beautiful ass had a nigga feeling all inspired and shit.
Before I could get there, my phone rang. It was an unknown number, but I had a feeling of who it was. He called after every major event in my life. I rolled my eyes and ignored the call from Titus Trammel. He knew I wasn’t going to answer, but he called and left a message anyway. He’d done the same for the Grammys, although I didn’t win.
I hit my voicemail icon and listened to his message as I always did. “Tray, congratulations. Your mother would be so proud. That’s all I wanted to say. If you ever feel like calling back, I’m here.”
I slightly rolled my eyes and deleted the message. I wouldn’t be calling him no time soon, if ever. After the divorce, he chose to stay away from Mi and me too. It wasn’t that I really wanted to be around him anyway, but I believed that Mi’Junae craved his presence and attention. I tried to fill the void she was probably feeling, but when Mama died, that only made things worse.
I was grieving just as she was. While I tried to be a comforting source for her, I needed comforting my damn self. My mama was everything to me, as I had said in the mic tonight when I accepted my award. I was sure that was why he even brought her up in his message. Joyce Trammel could do no wrong in my eyes. Well… the only thing she did wrong was put up with his bullshit for way too long.
Within a few minutes, the car was parked outside the studio, and once my team was in place, I got out. I was overly cautious all the damn time. The last thing I wanted to experience was getting mauled. I’d seen and heard way too many horror stories about celebrities getting injured because of crazed fans. I didn’t understand people. I got that we were celebrities, but fuck! We were people too… just like them.
Before I made it big, I was excited to meet R&B singers, but not to the point where I was willing to risk injuring somebody or myself to get to them. Weird asses. I once saw a guy on TV that jumped on top of people trying to get to Kamari. The weirdest part was that she still greeted the man and smiled, then apologized to the people he fell on top of on his behalf. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured. She was better than me though. I would have had his ass arrested.
As we walked inside, most of my security team hung around the entrance, and two followed me to the elevator. Once the doors opened, we got on. We were all quiet until my phone chimed with a text message. I pulled it from my pocket and opened it to see a picture of Mi and that nigga she was with. I slightly rolled my eyes, but right before I could close out of it, something caught my attention. I zoomed in to see there was a chick in the background, scowling at them.
I screenshot my findings and sent them to her. That nigga had better not get my sister caught up in no bullshit. I’d throw my career straight to hell to protect her, and she knew that shit. So hopefully, she would be wise about how she handled shit that popped off because something eventually would as long as she was fucking with him.
When we got to the fifth floor, I saw Reggie entering the studio. He turned to me and said, “Damn, nigga. You didn’t even want to take time to change?”
“Naw. I’ll be comfortable in just a minute.”
He chuckled as he opened the door. One of my security guys stayed outside the door, and the other came inside with us. The minute I was inside, I came out of my jacket and pulled my shirt out of my pants and took it off as well. Since I wore a T-shirt underneath, I knew Reggie wouldn’t feel a way about me doing so. I didn’t think he would be totally comfortable in here with me bare chested and all.
Before I could even sit down and get comfortable enough to smoke something, my phone chimed again. When I saw the message from my sister, I took a deep breath, wishing she would just chill out.
I saw that bitch. I walked right up to her ass and asked her if she had a problem. She backed down after glancing at FAAFO when she saw he was on the same wave I was on.
I rolled my eyes, then texted back. I need you to act like you got some sense. You know how I feel about you with that nigga. I mean, his name says it all. Fuck Around and Find Out. What kind of fucked up name is that? But this shit is becoming redundant. I’m tired of repeating myself. If you go to jail, Mama just gon’ have to forgive me for leaving your ass there.
I threw my phone to the couch and grabbed the blunt from Reggie. My phone went off again before I could even spark up. I just knew it was Mi, but when I saw an unsaved number, I quickly opened the text, knowing it was probably Kamari.
I’m on my way unless you’re smoking. I can’t stand smokey rooms when I’m working. Let me know before this car pulls off.
I glanced at the blunt and rolled my eyes. I stood from the couch and handed the blunt back to him. He frowned. “You ain’t smoking?”
“Naw. Kamari doesn’t like that shit at the studio. Guess I’m gon’ have to settle for a drink.”
He chuckled as I walked to the other side of the room. I could see it plain as day. She was gonna have my ass jumping through hoops of fire to prove I was ready for exclusivity with a woman like her. I supposed I’d better get my shit together for the greatest show on earth.